April Sentinel 2026

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Sentinel

The Sentinel • April 2026

The Sentinel • April 2026 • Vol.50 No.8

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The Guelph Wellington Seniors Association is a nonprofit

organization based at the Evergreen Seniors

Community Centre

www.gwsa-guelph.ca

info@gwsa-guelph.ca

Board of Directors

Elizabeth Steggles, President

Brigitte Geisler, Vice-President

Art Roelofsen, Treasurer

Pat Gage (Past President)

Brigitte Geisler Judith Sainsbury

Kim Taylor

Gary Szczerbaniwicz

Gerry Soules Anders Bygden

Carolina Augello Nancy Cherny

GWSA Office Staff

Linda Jeffrey, Executive Director

(416) 903-9682

linda.jeffrey@gwsa-guelph.ca

Audrey Bishop, Program Coordinator

(519) 265-7722 x1001

audrey.bishop@gwsa-guelph.ca

Sharon Lamers, Finance Administrator

finance@gwsa-guelph.ca

Sidra Tawakal, Member Services Clerk

sidra.tawakal@gwsa-guelph.ca

Sentinel Volunteers

Ray Miller, Sentinel Coordinator

Russ Brown, Editor

City of Guelph Staff

Melissa Haynes, Supervisor, Senior & Youth Services

Becky MacDonald, Volunteer Coordinator

Mark Leeming, Chef

Joan Moynihan, Sous Chef

Jill Hunt, Customer Service Clerk

EVERGREEN SENIORS COMMUNITY CENTRE is a

recreation facility owned by the City of Guelph. The

Guelph Wellington Seniors Association works in

collaboration with the city to provide diverse

programs, activities, and services for older adults of

Guelph and Wellington County.

683 Woolwich St.

Guelph, ON N1H 3Y8

GWSA: (519) 265-7722

Hours: 8:30am to 4:00pm

Monday to Friday

(Closed Statutory Holidays)

City: (519) 837-5699 Fax (519) 823-8972

Read previous issues of The Sentinel on our website

www.gwsa-guelph.ca

ISSN: 0383 817X

In This Issue

MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD .......................................... 4

GWSA GROUP ACTIVITY INFORMATION ..................... 5

APRIL ACTIVITIES CALENDAR ..................................... 12

THE ARTICLE SHELF ..................................................... 14

Alzheimer’s research reveals critical sex and

gender differences in diagnosis and risk ............... 14

Do fitness apps help get you moving? ................... 17

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): Why women

are more at risk and how to cope ........................... 19

FOCUS ON MEMBERS ..................................................... 22

Congratulations, Badminton Club ........................... 22

EVERGREEN MARKETPLACE .......................................... 23

For Sale ........................................................................ 23

Classifieds .................................................................... 23

PUZZLES, GAMES & COMICS ........................................ 34

EVERGREEN CENTRE CLOSINGS

Evergreen Seniors Community Centre will be closed

Friday, April 3 and Sunday, April 5.

GWSA office will be closed Friday, April 3 to Monday,

April 6.

Member Services Centre will be open Monday, April 6.

SENTINEL OFFICE

You may contact the Sentinel Office by email

sentinel@gwsa-guelph.ca, phone (519) 265-7722 x1004,

or written message left in GWSA office mailbox.

DISCLAIMER

The Sentinel and GWSA do not necessarily agree with, or

in statements made by, advertisers or in other

submissions.

Deadline for submissions to May Sentinel

April 6, 2026

Email submissions to sentinel@gwsa-guelph.ca


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MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD

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or several months, our Code of Conduct

has been posted in the lobby of the

Evergreen. It states that all employees,

members, and volunteers are expected to

uphold high ethical standards, showing

courtesy, good judgement, integrity, honesty,

and fairness at all times. Despite this, the

GWSA office has seen a troubling rise in

complaints about bullying and breaches of our

shared expectations. This is the first time we

have felt compelled to speak directly to our

members, because something concerning is

happening within the GWSA community.

Both our Program Coordinator and our

Executive Director have had to address

repeated incidents of members bullying

others within their activity groups. Bullying

(sometimes referred to as harassment)

occurs when someone intimidates, belittles,

or undermines another person, whether

intentionally or not. It creates a toxic

environment and addressing it is everyone’s

responsibility.

Recently, our Executive Director has had to

warn individuals in several groups and

respond to harmful gossip directed at our

Board of Directors, volunteers, and part-time

staff at the Member Services Desk. Rumours

have also been spread about our Program

Coordinator and Financial Administrator,

questioning their judgement and even

suggesting, without any basis, that they have

mishandled activity group funds. These

accusations are not only false but deeply

damaging.

Bullying often targets a specific person or

group and is typically driven by a desire for

control. This may be control over people or

over resources such as space. Bullying may

include:

¨ Spreading rumours

¨ Excluding individuals from a group

¨ Teasing or mocking someone in a hurtful

way

¨ Making mean or belittling comments

¨ Putting someone down

Unfortunately, bullying is rarely a one-time

event. It tends to repeat, and those targeted

often struggle to defend themselves. If you

have been on the receiving end of these

behaviours, you deserve to feel safe and

respected when participating in our

programs. It is important to talk about what

has happened, understand how to respond,

and know how to report bullying when it

occurs.

If you have witnessed bullying, but did not

intervene, consider why you didn’t say

anything. Was it because?

¨ You weren’t sure how to help

¨ You were afraid of becoming the next

target

¨ The person doing the bullying was a friend

Our goal is to support members in speaking

out against bullying, to stand with those who

have been harmed, and to encourage those

engaging in hurtful behaviour to change their

approach. Our staff, volunteers, and Board of

Directors are doing excellent work, and they

deserve your respect, appreciation, and

support.

The GWSA is a not-for-profit organization.

Our purpose is to encourage older adults to

“Be Active, Get Involved, Make Friends”. It is

up to each one of us to work together to

create a positive, welcoming environment at

the Evergreen. Let’s be

kind to one another

despite any perceived

differences.

Elizabeth Steggles,

President


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GWSA GROUP ACTIVITY INFORMATION

Y

our GWSA membership includes a copy of The Sentinel newsletter published 10 times a year,

and the ability to join any of our many activities and events. Our activity groups use two

models for collecting group fees: pay-as-you-play or a yearly activity fee (all fees include HST).

We also offer regular educational and informational workshops, many at no charge for our

members. For more information, message the activity’s email address herein or call

(519) 265-7722 x0.

Note All activity groups require an up-to-date GWSA membership to participate.

Art in the Hall

Art in the Hall is an opportunity for all

artisans to showcase their work. We display

the fine artistic talents on two large walls in

front of our Library and a dedicated window

space for smaller items. GWSA receives 20%

commission from each sale. To purchase any

of the art pieces, the staff at the member

services desk will assist you.

Kim Taylor

artinthehall@gwsa-guelph.ca

Art Studio

Art Studio members are welcome to work

with the medium of their choice. Current

techniques practised by members include

watercolour, acrylic, drawing, pastels,

greeting card creation, and diamond dots.

While most mediums are encouraged, please

note that the Evergreen Centre is a scent-free

environment. This excludes materials with

strong odours, chemicals or solvents such as

oil paints from the Art Studio group.

Participants are responsible for bringing their

own supplies and managing their own

projects. There is no formal instruction, but

members often share ideas, techniques, and

inspiration. Art Studio members are eligible

to display their work in the Art In The Hall

exhibits at the Evergreen Centre.

Room 2

Jennifer Storey

artstudio@gwsa-guelph.ca

Every 2 nd & 4 th Wednesday, 1–5pm

$35/year

Backgammon

Join us to play one of the world’s oldest board

games. We are happy to teach you.

Evergreen hallway

Wednesdays, 1pm

Steven Evans

backgammon@gwsa-guelph.ca

$2 activity fee

Badminton

Michael Gareau

badminton@gwsa-guelph.ca

¨ At Evergreen:

Thursday & Friday, 10:30am–1pm

Sunday, 12:30–2:30pm

¨ At West End:

Monday & Wednesday, 1–4pm

(Currently a waitlist exists for interested

players.)

$140/year

Beading and Jewelry Making

We always welcome new members and invite

you to bring your beading supplies. Leslie will

facilitate impromptu mini-classes on Metis

beadworking.

Board Room

Eva Quan

beading@gwsa-guelph.ca

Tuesday, 9:30–11:30am

$2/visit


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Book Club 1

For April, we will be reading When the World

Fell Silent by Donna Alward. Our May book is

An Inside Job by Daniel Silva.

Board Room

Veronica Sanche

bookclub1@gwsa-guelph.ca

Last Friday of month, 1–2:30pm

$3/visit

Book Club 2

We enjoy reading a variety of books such as

mysteries, historical fiction, memoirs, etc.,

and then we discuss them. We all share our

views on the books, some we enjoy, some

not so much, but sharing our viewpoints

helps us explore all sides of a story. In April,

we will be reading The Spoon Stealer by

Lesley Crewe.

Board Room

Lynne Oxley

bookclub2@gwsa-guelph.ca

2 nd Friday of month, 1–2:30pm

$3/visit

Bridge

The Bridge group welcomes players with a

basic knowledge of the game. Come and

enjoy playing in a friendly and comfortable

environment. We mix and mingle with a room

full of eager players so that everyone has a

partner.

Sandi Kinsey

bridge@gwsa-guelph.ca

¨ On Tuesdays:

Room 3

6–8pm

$3/visit

¨ On Thursdays:

Room 2

12–4pm

$2/visit

Bunka Art Group

Bunka embroidery is created by using a

unique combination of punch needle and

special silk-like rayon thread. When

completed, many pictures resemble delicately

shaded paintings. The needle is held and

operates in much the same manner as an

artist’s brush or pencil. We mentor new

members and supplies are ordered as a

group.

Room 3

Carol Ferrier

bunka@gwsa-guelph.ca

Wednesday, 9am–12pm

$35/year

Canoe Club

The Canoe Club operates from our Meet-n-

Greet in early April until the end of

September (weather permitting). We provide

training for those without moving water

experience, as well as paddles and personal

flotation devices.

We canoe on Thursday and Friday mornings—

choose a day—on local rivers, with a seasonending

paddle on the beautiful Beaver River.

We meet at 8am and are generally home by

2–3pm.

canoeclub@gwsa-guelph.ca

$115

Canasta

All levels of player are welcome. We are a

friendly group and happy to teach you how to

play.

Room 1

Sandi Kinsey

canasta@gwsa-guelph.ca

Friday, 9–11:30am

$2/visit


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Chess Club

Calling all chess lovers! We welcome players

of all levels. Primarily, we are amateur

players enjoying casual chess games. Chess

sets are available.

Evergreen Hallway

Bruce Hurst

chessclub@gwsa-guelph.ca

Friday, 10am–12pm

$2/visit

Colouring for Calm

Come and join this convivial group of folks

who love to chat while they colour.

Room 2

Rick Losole

colouringforcalm@gwsa-guelph.ca

Friday, 12–2pm

$2/visit

Computer Club

Room 1

Ross Knechtel & Ken Chupa

computerclub@gwsa-guelph.ca

January, March, May, September, November

2 nd Monday, 2–4pm

Members $3/visit

Computer Mentoring

Do you need help with your device? Our team

is here to help with any of the following:

laptop, tablet, smartphone. We provide oneto-one

support with devices running

Microsoft, Chrome, Apple or Android

operating systems.

We help with email accounts, organizing files,

learning new features. No appointment

necessary. Let us help you build your

confidence and skills with technology.

Room 1

Ken Chupa

computer.mentors@gwsa-guelph.ca

Monday, 1–3pm

Members $3/visit

Non-members $5/visit

Craft Group

The Craft Group provides supplies for those

wishing to continue using their skills to create

products for sale in our Treasure Chest. Our

home-based knitters and those who come to

the centre have produced amazing products,

and the sales support GWSA and its

operations.

Room 2

Sheila Robinson

craftgroup@gwsa-guelph.ca

Friday, 8:30am–12pm

Cribbage

Every Tuesday afternoon, a group of happy

and welcoming folks get together to play a

friendly game of cribbage. New players are

always welcome. We will teach you!

Room 1

Elaine Miller

cribbage@gwsa-guelph.ca

Tuesday, 12:30–4pm

$2/visit

Dancing at the Evergreen (Saturdays)

Evergreen Auditorium

dances@gwsa-guelph.ca

April 25

7:30–11pm

$20/ticket

Darts Club

Evergreen Auditorium Stage

Paul Anderson

dartsclub@gwsa-guelph.ca

Tuesday & Friday, 10am–12pm

$50/year


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High Scores

Norm 129

Francine 101

Paul 100,109,106,140,115

Rino 100,110

Richard 109,100,118,121

Bill 123,133

Mike 100x4,117,118,118,119

Larry 115,117,133

Linda 108

Stu 110

Doris 100x2

Judy 113

Margaret P. 102

Jackie 105x2

FEBRUARY DARTS RESULTS

High Finishes

Mike 118 (T20,18,D20)

Bid Euchre

If you play Euchre, you can play Bid Euchre.

Make new friends enjoying this stimulating

game!

John Finamore

bideuchre@gwsa-guelph.ca

¨ On Tuesdays:

Room 3

1–4pm

$3/visit

¨ On Thursdays:

Room 2

1–4pm

$3/visit

Euchre (Mondays)

Room 3

Earl Mead

euchre-monday@gwsa-guelph.ca

Monday, 1–3:30pm

Members $3/visit

Euchre (Fridays)

Room 4

Maureen Baird

fridayeuchre@gwsa-guelph.ca

Friday, 1–4pm

Members $3/visit

Line Dancing

Great exercise for your body and mind. You

meet new friends, enjoy great music, and no

partner is required. All levels are welcome,

especially new dancers.


Phyllis & Donna

linedancing@gwsa-guelph.ca

¨ Monday Line Dance Classes:

8:35–9:35am, Introduction to Line

Dancing

9:40–10:40am, Beyond the Basics

10:45-11:45am, Intermediate

¨ Thursday Line Dance Classes:

1:10–2:10pm, Introduction to Line

Dancing

2:15–3:15pm, Beyond the Basics

1 st visit free for GWSA members, then

$2/session.

Mah Jong

Mah Jong is a game played with tiles like

dominoes. We are happy to provide

instruction to new players.

For more information, send a message using

the “Contact Us” form on the GWSA website.

Evergreen Hallway (near Library)

Leona Petri

Monday, 1–4pm

$2/visit

Mindful Drumming

It’s fun to drum! We look forward to seeing

you on Thursday mornings to experience our

drum circle. We have drums and percussion

instruments to share or bring your own. We

play with joy!

Room 3

Jean Selinger

mindfuldrumming@gwsa-guelph.ca

Thursday, 10:30–11:30am

$2/visit

Move a Little, Move a Lot

A gentle exercise program using balls and

TheraBands.

Room 3

gwsa@gwsa-guelph.ca

Monday, 9–9:45am & 11–11:45am

Friday, 9–9:45am

Members: $3/session

Non-members: $5/session


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Photography Club

The Photography Club is a friendly group of

amateur photographers. Our equipment

ranges from mobile phones and point-andshoot

to fancy DSLR cameras. We share a

common interest in this hobby, and we learn

from each other.

Room 3

John McEgan

photographyclub@gwsa-guelph.ca

4 th Tuesday

8:30–11:30pm

$40/year

Pickleball

We play at the Evergreen Seniors Community

Centre and West End Community Centre

(WECC) six days per week. Players are tested

and play against similar skill levels.

pickleball@gwsa-guelph.ca

¨ At Evergreen:

Monday, 12–3pm

Tuesday, 8:30–10:30am &

10:30am–12:30pm

Wednesday, 8:30–10am


Friday, 8:30–10:30am &

1–4pm

Sunday, 8:30–10:30am &

10:30am–12:30pm

¨ At West End:

Tuesday, 12–2pm & 2–4pm

Thursday, 12–2pm & 2–4pm

(Activity/waitlist is currently full.)

$70 twice/year

Pole Walking

Join this new group! We meet twice weekly to

walk as a group using the Nordic pole walking

method for a whole-body, gentle exercise.

Poles are included.

Come to Room 1 at the Evergreen Centre

where you will be shown how to fit your poles

for your height and, if needed, be given a

quick tutorial on how best to walk with the

poles. Then, we set out for about an hour and

return to the centre.

Room 1

polewalking@gwsa-guelph.ca

Monday & Thursday, 10–11am

$30 for season

Quilting

Our members come and create amazing

items for sale in the Treasure Chest. Join us,

grab some materials, and get your creative

juices flowing. The items contributed are a

crucial part of GWSA fundraising.

Room 2

Beryl Drohan

quiltgroup@gwsa-guelph.ca

Monday, 12:30–4pm

Riverside Art Group

We are a friendly group of artists working in

varied mediums including oil, acrylic,

watercolour, pastel, pencil, and charcoal.

Room 2

Nancy Baker

riversideart@gwsa-guelph.ca

1 st , 3 rd , & 5 th Wednesday

8:30am–12pm

$35/year

Rug Hooking

Traditional rug hooking is both an art and a

craft. Many beautiful and unique items are

created by pulling loops of fabric or yarn

through a stiff, woven base such as burlap or

linen. Beginners are welcome and we will help

you get started. Please bring your own

supplies.

Room 2

Kathy McCallum

rughooking@gwsa-guelph.ca

Tuesday, 12–4pm

$35/year


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Scrabble

All skills from newbie to expert are welcome.

Drop-ins are welcome. We especially love

new players. Scrabble boards are provided.

All you need is a GWSA membership!

Evergreen hallway

Sebastian Hurwitz

scrabble@gwsa-guelph.ca

Thursday, 1–3:30pm

$2/visit

Sharing Dance Fitness

Six-week class designed for older adults with

reduced mobility.

Room 1

gwsa@gwsa-guelph.ca


May 7–June 11

Members free

Non-members $2 donation

Shuffleboard

All skill levels are welcome. Join a group of

active folks looking to share some exercise

and laughs. All supplies are provided.


Carolina Augello

shuffleboard@gwsa-guelph.ca

Tuesday & Wednesday, 1–4pm

$45/yea

Silvertones Choir

To join this choir, you do not need to be able

to read music, just have a love for singing.

Room 3

Gerry Soules

silvertones@gwsa-guelph.ca

September–June

Friday, 1:45–3:30pm

$85/year

Snooker Club

We are a group of active, friendly players of

all skill levels. Please drop by the snooker

room. You’ll be assured a warm welcome. We

have three tables so we can accommodate

many players. Ladies don’t be shy. Our small

ladies’ contingent typically plays on Tuesday

mornings.

Evergreen Snooker Room

Brian Yasvinski

snooker@gwsa-guelph.ca

Daily 9–5pm

$115/year

Table Tennis


Petr Vales

tabletennis@gwsa-guelph.ca

¨ At Evergreen:

Monday, 3–5pm

Wednesday, 10am–1pm

Saturday, 1:30–4:30pm

¨ At West End:

Friday, 1–4pm

(no play during July & August)

$140/year

Texas Hold ’Em Poker

Poker played on a point system, and the one

with the most points each week comes out a

winner. Your $3 will buy $650 in “real” casino

chips. We play until there is only one player

left or to a set time, whichever comes first.

New players are welcome. We can teach you!

Room 3

Dennis Canning

texasholdempokertuesday@gwsaguelph.ca

Tuesday, 6–8 p.m.

Members $3/visit

Non-members $5/visit

Walking Club

The Walking Club is a great way to exercise

and make new friends while enjoying nature

and discovering the beautiful, scenic trails in

the area.

walkingclub@gwsa-guelph.ca

Thursday, 9am

April–October

$15/year

Note: Walkers meet at red-roofed pavilion in

Riverside Park at 8:45am for registering and

collection of any entrance fees for

conservation areas. For first walk only, meet

in the Bistro at Evergreen Centre on April 23 rd

at 8:30am.


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Watercolour Painters

This group provides painters the opportunity

to practise their hobby with others sharing

the same interest. No classes or lessons are

offered. We welcome accomplished

watercolour painters.

Room 2

Marta Coutts

watercolourpainters@gwsa-guelph.ca

1 st , 3 rd , & 5 th Wednesday, 1–5pm

$35/year

West Hills Art Group

The West Hills Art Group has gathered for

many years to create and display original

paintings, drawings, and event cards,

enjoying conversation and sharing individual

skills with other artists. Member artists at all

levels are welcome to create their acrylic,

watercolour, mixed media, and cut-and-paste

event card works of art.

Room 2 (room shared with Riverside Arts

Group on 5 th Wednesday)

Dale Vardy

westhillsartgroup@gwsa-guelph.ca

2 nd , 4 th & 5 th Wednesday

8:30–11:30am

$35/year

Wood Carving Group

We do carving in the round and create

cartoon characters, birds and wildlife, spoons,

bowls, etc. Other carving techniques include

marquetry and pyrography. Training

available.

Room 2

Ken Fugler

woodcarving@gwsa-guelph.ca

Monday, 6–8 p.m.

$50/year

Writing Your Life Story

This activity group was established in

September 2022, and this month saw the

“birth” of the first life story. Congratulations

to Ann Sneyd for her patience, determination,

and skill in creating this masterpiece. Several

other members of those early classes will be

completing their life stories in the coming

weeks. This means there is now space in the

group for some new people who would like to

embark on this adventure. Researching and

writing your life story can prove very

worthwhile and lead to some surprising

discoveries about your past. Guidelines are

available for anyone interested in learning

about how this group operates. Much of the

work is done in your own time at home, but

we also meet at the Evergreen Centre to

share our stories.

Board Room

Jennifer Blackie

writingyourlifestory@gwsa-guelph.ca or

(519) 824-7204.

Thursday, 1–3pm.

$50 every 6 months


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APRIL ACTIVITIES CALENDAR

E – Evergreen Seniors Community Centre

W – West End Community Centre

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

1

8:30a West Hills Art Group

8:30a Pickleball E

9a Bunka Art Group

10a Table Tennis E

1p Art Studio

2

8:30a Pickleball E

9:30a Peer Learning

10a Pole Walking

10:30a Mindful Drummers

10:30a Badminton E

3

1p Backgammon

1p Badminton W

1p Shuffleboard

1:15p BINGO!

10:30a Sharing Dance Fit

12p Bridge

12p Pickleball W

1p Bid Euchre

1p Line Dancing

1p Scrabble

1p Writing Life Story

2p Pickleball W

CLOSED

Good Friday

6

8:30a Line Dancing

9a Move a Little, Move a Lot

10a Pole Walking


12p Pickleball E

12:30p Quilting

1p Badminton W

1p Computer Mentoring

1p Euchre

1p Mah Jong

3p Table Tennis E

6p Wood Carving

Evergreen Centre is open for

all activities on Easter

Monday

7

8:30a Pickleball E

9:30a Beading & Jewelry

10a Darts

10:30a Pickleball E

12p Pickleball W

12p Rug Hooking

12:30p Cribbage

1p Bid Euchre

1p Shuffleboard

2p Pickleball W

6p Bridge

6p Texas HE Poker

8


8:30a Pickleball E

9a Bunka Art Group

10a Table Tennis E

1p Art Studio

1p Backgammon

1p Badminton W

1p Shuffleboard

1:15p BINGO!

9

8:30a Pickleball E

9:30a Peer Learning

10a Pole Walking


10:30a Badminton E


12p Bridge

12p Pickleball W

1p Bid Euchre

1p Line Dancing

1p Scrabble


2p Pickleball W

10

830a Craft Group

8:30a Pickleball E

9a Canasta


10a Chess

10a Darts

10:30a Badminton E

12p Colouring for Calm

1p Badminton W

1p Book Club 2

1p Euchre

1p Pickleball E

1p Table Tennis W

1:45p Silvertones

13

8:30a Line Dancing


10a Pole Walking


12p Pickleball E

12:30p Quilting

1p Badminton W


1p Euchre

1p Mah Jong

3p Table Tennis E

6p Wood Carving

14

8:30a Pickleball E


10a Darts

10:30a Pickleball E

12p Pickleball W

12p Rug Hooking

12:30p Cribbage

1p Bid Euchre

1p Shuffleboard

2p Pickleball W

6p Bridge

6p Texas HE Poker

15

8:30a Riverside Art Group

8:30a Pickleball E

9a Bunka Art Group

10a Table Tennis E

1p Backgammon

1p Badminton W

1p Shuffleboard

1p Watercolour Painters

1:15p BINGO!

16

8:30a Pickleball E

9:30a Peer Learning

10a Pole Walking


10:30a Badminton E


12p Bridge

12p Pickleball W

1p Bid Euchre

1p Line Dancing

1p Scrabble1p


2p Pickleball W

17

8:30a Craft Group

8:30a Pickleball E

9a Canasta


10a Chess

10a Darts

10:30a Badminton E


1p Badminton W

1p Euchre

1p Pickleball E

1p Table Tennis W

1:45p Silvertones


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Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

21

22

23

8:30a Pickleball E 8:30a West Hills Art Group 8:30a Pickleball E

9:30a Beading & Jewelry 8:30a Pickleball E 9:30a Peer Learning

10a Darts

9a Bunka Art Group 10a Pole Walking

10:30a Pickleball E 10a Table Tennis E 10:30a Mindful Drummers

12p Pickleball W

1p Art Studio

10:30a Badminton E

12p Rug Hooking

1p Backgammon


12:30p Cribbage

1p Badminton W

12p Bridge

1p Bid Euchre

1p Shuffleboard

12p Pickleball W

1p Shuffleboard

1:15p BINGO!

1p Bid Euchre

2p Pickleball W

1p Line Dancing

6p Bridge

1p Scrabble

6p Texas HE Poker


2p Pickleball W

20

8:30a Line Dancing


10a Pole Walking


12p Pickleball

12:30p Quilting

1p Badminton W


1p Euchre

1p Mah Jong

3p Table Tennis E

6p Wood Carving

24

8:30a Craft Group

8:30a Pickleball E

9a Canasta


10a Chess

10a Darts

10:30a Badminton E


1p Badminton W

1p Euchre

1p Pickleball E

1p Table Tennis W

1:45p Silvertones

27

8:30a Line Dancing


10a Pole Walking


12p Pickleball

12:30p Quilting

1p Badminton W


1p Euchre

1p Mah Jong

3p Table Tennis E

6p Wood Carving

28

8:30a Pickleball E


10a Darts

10:30a Pickleball E

12p Pickleball W

12p Rug Hooking

12:30p Cribbage

1p Bid Euchre

1p Shuffleboard

2p Pickleball W

3:30p Photography

6p Bridge

6p Texas HE Poker

29


8:30a Pickleball E

9a Bunka Art Group

10a Table Tennis E

1p Art Studio

1p Backgammon

1p Badminton W

1p Shuffleboard

1:15p BINGO!

30

8:30a Pickleball E

9:30a Peer Learning

10a Pole Walking


10:30a Badminton E


12p Bridge

12p Pickleball W

1p Bid Euchre

1p Line Dancing

1p Scrabble


2p Pickleball W

31

8:30a Craft Group

8:30a Pickleball E

9a Canasta


10a Chess

10a Darts

10:30a Badminton E


1p Badminton W

1p Book Club 1

1p Euchre

1p Pickleball E

1p Table Tennis W

1:45p Silvertones

Saturday Sunday Everyday

1:30–4:30p Table Tennis E

April 25, 7:30–11p: Dancing at the

Evergreen

8:30a Pickleball E

10:30a Pickleball E

12:30p Badminton E

9a Snooker

Activity calendars are also available at the GWSA website

https://gwsa-guelph.ca/activity-calendar/


14

THE ARTICLE SHELF

Alzheimer’s research reveals

critical sex and gender

differences in diagnosis and

risk

By Angelica Bottaro 1

Published Dec 23, 2025

W

Women are almost twice as likely to develop

Alzheimer's than men. GETTY IMAGES

omen are affected by Alzheimer’s

disease at nearly twice the rate as men,

and new research is now getting a better

glimpse into why that may be. It’s long been

thought that because women typically live

longer than men, it only makes sense that

they are far more affected. There were more

women over a certain age than men.

Historically, research also focused heavily on

males, leaving these higher rates of

Alzheimer’s in women to contend with

treatments and interventions that were not

tailored to their unique individual experience

of the neurodegenerative disease.

As it turns out, biological, hormonal, genetic

and sociological factors also come into play

regarding the development of Alzheimer’s

disease in women, opening the door to a new

need—research regarding the risk factors and

treatment of this form of dementia in women,

exclusive to their unique genetic, biological,

physiologic and sociologic makeup.

Dr. Howard Chertkow, a Canadian cognitive

neurologist and Chair in Cognitive Neurology

and Innovation at Baycrest, wears many hats

in the world of neurology, spending the bulk

of his time researching memory loss, aging

and dementia.

During his research, he’s found that the

question regarding the reason why women

are more likely to get Alzheimer’s doesn’t

have “a simple answer” because sex and

gender are two different things, both of which

play a role.

“Sex refers to the biology. You look in every

cell of a person, you can see it. Two X

chromosomes or one X chromosome,” he

said. “Differences in gender refer to the social

and psychological aspects of growing up as a

woman versus growing up as a man. So, in

fact, there are probably sex and gender

differences that are responsible for this.”

He acknowledges that while aging and

longevity are the most obvious, they don’t

paint the entire picture.

“Men have a higher midlife mortality from

heart disease, from vascular disease, from

cancer,” he said. “So, in that case,

particularly for the vascular disease, since

this is a big risk factor for dementia and even

for Alzheimer’s, many men who would have

developed Alzheimer’s disease may die

earlier. So proportionally, more women are

alive long enough to get the disease … Having

said that, there are other things about the

biology of women which are important to

consider.”

1 Angelica Bottaro is the lead editor at Healthing.ca, and

has been content writing for over a decade, specializing

in all things health. Her goal as a health journalist is to

bring awareness and information to people that they

can use as an additional tool toward their own optimal

health.


15

Sex differences that drive Alzheimer’s

disease in women

Physiologically, women and men are different.

In the case of women and Alzheimer’s, the

hormone estrogen, which is found in much

higher amounts in women, has something to

do with higher rates.

As women get older and their body begins to

go through perimenopause before eventually

reaching menopause, their stores of estrogen

drop significantly. According to Dr. Chertkow,

estrogen acts as a neuroprotective hormone

in the brains of women until that pivotal

period. Without adequate levels, that level of

hormonal armour is gone.

“We haven’t evolved to keep the estrogen

level high, or when estrogen falls off, it

increases the vulnerability of brain cells to

many things, and Alzheimer’s is likely one,”

he said.

The second sex difference revolves around a

specific gene, known as the APOE gene,

which provides instructions for making a

protein known as apolipoprotein E. This

protein aids the body in the transport of fats,

such as cholesterol, in the body, and helps to

maintain several areas of cell health, with a

special focus on the brain.

When the variant of that gene, known as

APOE e4, is present, it can increase the risk

of Alzheimer’s development. However, it

doesn’t work the same in male and female

brains, and “seems to have a more

pronounced action in women,” said Dr.

Chertkow. But it doesn’t stop there.

“The third biological aspect is that women, as

they age, show greater shrinkage of certain

parts of their brain after menopause, the

memory-related part of the brain, the

hippocampus.”

As a result, they are far more likely to

develop symptoms of memory loss.

The role of socioeconomics in

Alzheimer’s development in women

Regarding brain loss, Dr. Chertkow notes that

there is something that people can do

throughout their lives to slow or reduce the

amount of hippocampus shrinking in the

brain, known as cognitive reserve. It involves

engaging in stimulating occupations or

educational and cognitive activities that keep

the brain sharp, so to speak, helping protect

it against dementia.

However, the women who are now reaching

the typical age of Alzheimer’s onset didn’t

have the same access to those activities as

men.

“If we look at women in the core of their age,

70, 80, 90, they had less access to education

when they were teenagers, in their mid-20s,”

he said. “So, this historical cohort of older

women has most likely had a lot less

cognitive reserve because of factors like

education and their ability to get into these

stimulating occupations.”

He notes that modern changes in where

women fit into the world will hopefully change

that for future generations, but as it stands

now, it remains a factor in today’s diagnoses

of Alzheimer’s in women.

He also mentions that since depression is a

risk factor for dementia, and more women

than men tend to have depression, that’s

another piece of the puzzle.

Caregiver stress is another area of research

being looked at regarding the onset of the

neurodegenerative disease, although more

research is needed.

“Caregivers have a higher rate of getting

dementia because we think it’s so stressful,

and now one can generalize and say that

because women bear much of the brunt of

family stress and caregiver stress and looking

after everyone’s stress, and we don’t have

any way to prove this yet, but maybe this is a

factor that puts them more at risk.”


16

Early detection and the ‘men and

women are the same’ issue

Work is also being done regarding earlier

detection of Alzheimer’s in women, but the

research is in its infancy, making it harder to

say one way or another what differences can

be seen.

According to Dr. Chertkow, there is some

evidence to support variations between men

and women, that they can continue to work

through to try to prepare better for testing.

“We know that from long studies of brain

imaging, all the sizes of brains and

components of the brain are different,” he

said. “So, the science is specifically saying

you have to have the norms and the test

specifically looking at women versus men, not

lumping everyone together.”

He notes that in a perfect world, that would

be the case, but in the real world, “that’s

probably not done as much as it should be.”

There’s also an issue with how women are

diagnosed because of how they present and

score on tests during early detection.

“Women in general, not all the time, women

tend to score higher on verbal memory

tests,” he said. “This is the main test we use

for diagnosing early memory loss. If they

started at a higher level and we lump men

and women together, we probably won’t pick

up the memory changes in women as quickly

as we pick them up in men.”

Because of this, it’s probable that women are

experiencing more delays in diagnosis than

men as well.

Early diagnosis hasn’t been as much of a

priority in the past because there were no

drugs to use if someone did show early signs

to slow progression, but as more diseasemodifying

therapies become available, “I

think we’re going to see a shift in the way

doctors and family doctors and specialists

view this and I think there will be more

emphasis going to what are the reliable tests

for the memory tests, the biological tests, the

brain imaging tests to make diagnosis early.”

It won’t be an overnight process, though, said

Dr. Chertkow, and people likely have years to

wait before that happens.

Building on research to create better

interventions

While research continues to uncover more

clues into Alzheimer’s and its genetic and sex

differences between men and women, Dr.

Chertkow said that he doesn’t want to

“overestimate how far we’ve gone” in the

field.

He notes that Canada, while ahead of the

game regarding sex and gender differences

when looking at the experience of women as

they age, still operates on the fact that “95

per cent of what we know about biology is

based on studying male mice … all the models

of diseases are based on male animals and

men are highly overrepresented, even in the

human studies.”

Even at medical conferences, Dr. Chertkow

has seen evidence that many medical

researchers and practitioners continue to

believe that male and female diseases are no

different, leading to issues with the treatment

of these types of diseases that present

incredibly differently based on both biological

sex and socioeconomic gender factors.

“And, yet, we know that’s not true,” he said.

“There is some evidence that some of the

anti-Alzheimer’s medications coming out may

have different efficacy in women and men,

and this has to be specifically studied.”

He notes that governments have an

important part to play by putting pressure on

pharmaceutical manufacturers to see men

and women differently, and create and study

medications accordingly so that side effects,

duration of treatment, dosage and efficacy

are all adequately tailored to the sex and

gender.

He does acknowledge, though, that in

Canada, “we’re ahead of the wave here”


17

when it comes to using the default “men and

women are basically the same” when it

comes to studying diagnoses and disease.

“I’m very proud that the Canadian Institutes

of Health Research has an institute of gender

and health to specifically look at the issues of

women,” he said. “And other groups like the

Women’s Brain Health Initiative, making sure

that we are looking at women separately and

looking at their issues, as I said, bringing the

sex and gender lens to looking at all of these

questions is very important.”

Do fitness apps help get you

moving?

By Jill Barker, Special to the Montreal Gazette

Published Jan 06, 2026

According to research, apps with the greatest

potential to improve exercise adherence

incorporate at least four behaviour modification

strategies into their design and functionality.

GETTY IMAGES

F

itness apps and wearable technology

(smart watches, fitness trackers, GPS)

have held a Top 10 spot in the American

College of Sports Medicine’s (ACSM)’s annual

list of worldwide fitness trends for the past

several years. Part of their popularity is based

on a strong marketing push claiming apps

help create exercise habits and improve

adherence. But can an app really get more

Canadians moving?

It’s a tall order considering ParticipACTION

claims only 46 per cent of Canadians are

accumulating the recommended 150 minutes

of moderate physical activity per week. And

given Statista reports 25 million fitness and

workouts apps were downloaded globally in

January 2025, if they are, indeed, the missing

link between intention and action certainly

more Canadians would be on the move

instead of on the couch.

Research into the efficacy of apps to promote

a more active lifestyle has shown mixed

results. In the first three months of use,

users often see their daily step count increase

(an additional 1,300 steps a day) and the

amount of time spent being sedentary

decrease (420 fewer sedentary minutes per

week). But the boost in activity often tapers

off or declines over time.


18

Anybody who’s downloaded fitness apps on

their phone knows they vary considerably in

the type of experience they offer. Some log

physical activity and lifestyle data (number of

active minutes, heart rate, step count, sleep,

stand time, etc.) while others offer complete

workouts led by a trainer. But it’s not only

the user experience that differs so widely

from one to the other, so is the science used

to design the app.

There are a number of well-established

theories and techniques around how to

influence exercise behaviour, including goal

setting, self-monitoring (tracking steps,

minutes, calories or workouts), prompts and

cues (reminders to move or stand), feedback

(acknowledging improvements or a decline in

the number of active minutes, intensity or

variety of workouts), social support (ability to

share activity with others), activity planning

(setting a calendar or reminders to be

active), problem solving (identifying and

mediating barriers to exercise adherence),

habit stacking (linking exercise to other

healthy habits like sleep, diet, mood) and

reward systems and gamification. According

to research, apps with the greatest potential

to improve exercise adherence incorporate at

least four behaviour modification strategies

into their design and functionality.

But even with a strong reliance on the science

of exercise adherence, an app needs to be

user-friendly to engage and retain users. The

best apps score high on perceived usefulness

and ease of use, both subjective measures

based on the user. The more comfortable the

user is with technology, the less they are

intimidated by the complexity of the app and

its features.

As for its perceived usefulness, the app needs

to appeal to the unique needs and interests of

the user, including the degree to which they

perceive the app will help them achieve their

goals, be it adding more active minutes to

their day, training for a coming competition

or tracking their workout metrics.

Identifying those needs and the degree to

which you want to engage in technology are

two of the key decisions around choosing the

right fitness app. If simplicity and accessibility

are important, choose an app with an

interface that requires little fuss to set up,

use and access your exercise/activity/lifestyle

stats. But if you want more interaction than

tracking and storing exercise stats, including

the ability to engage with a like-minded

exercise community, or use gamification

utilities like leader boards and activity

challenges, an app with multiple functions

and layers of engagement is a better match.

Keep in mind fitness apps are a tool, offering

assistance, but not guaranteeing long-term

exercise adherence. In fact, an app that helps

create your fitness habit might not be robust

enough to sustain your interest once you’re

active most days of the week. But if you need

an extra push to get and stay active in 2026,

a well-designed fitness app is an inexpensive

resource to support your desire to change.

Apps worth downloading in 2026

Strava is the Apple Watch App of the Year

(2025) and was ranked by Statista as No. 2

in popularity in the fitness and sports

category. Easy to use, Strava tracks and logs

all sorts of activity (walking, running, yoga,

cycling), has a strong social network, offers

suggestions on suitable walking, running,

cycling and hiking routes, provides

personalized insights based on your training

data, allows you to create and/or join

challenges and syncs with most wearable

fitness trackers like your watch or phone,

making it a full-featured app with lots of tools

designed to support your exercise habit.

Gentler Streak Activity Log (IOS only) or

Habitify are great options for those new to or

easily intimidated by fitness apps. Both are

focused on consistency not competition,

logging your exercise and lifestyle habits and

offering daily workout suggestions, positive

feedback, goal setting and complementary

health and wellness tools.


19

Seasonal affective disorder

(SAD): Why women are more

at risk and how to cope

By Karen Hawthorne 2

Published Jan 21, 2026

Women in particular are more at risk for SAD,

with 2 to 3 per cent of Canadians experiencing

clinical levels, of whom about 75 per cent are

women. Lucy Gallson (right) lives with SAD with

the support of her husband Dave. SUPPLIED

W

hat does it take to get out of bed in the

morning when you’re feeling low? For

some of us, coffee will do it, or the dog needs

to go outside.

But for others, the short, dark days of winter

drain us of motivation and joy. When this is a

continuing pattern of more than a few weeks,

you could be experiencing seasonal affective

disorder (SAD). The disorder is a type of

depression that happens at the same time

each year, most commonly in late fall and

winter.

Seasonal affective disorder can be

treated

Lucy Gallson, a Belleville, Ontario woman in

her 70s, started to feel the “dark tunnel” of

SAD in her late 30s at a time when demands

on her time were high. She was caring for her

family and home while working as a fitness

instructor. She says she didn’t have time for

the uncharacteristic feelings of low mood and

energy, so she tried to just keep on going.

Meanwhile, she lost weight and couldn’t

sleep. Sometimes she’d get up at 2 a.m. to

go for a run to make herself feel better.

“It was a real endorphin kick. And for that

period of time, I could zone out. But it can

get addictive in certain ways where you’re

afraid to sit still and really take time to

recognize what’s going on,” says Lucy. Now

she wears bright colours in winter, including

red gloves for her outdoor walks, all to help

boost mood and enjoyment.

By her 40s, she knew that she needed help

and couldn’t ignore her symptoms that took

the colour out of her life so that everything

looked black and white. She went for

counselling, which was a huge help. One

thing her therapist told her was that while

running is good for people physically and

mentally, she was using it as an escape. She

would need an evidence-backed wellness plan

to manage her SAD.

“They told me, ‘If you’re really wanting to get

better, you need to address why you have

this need to run,’ and next I tried journaling,

and then they gave me a whole toolbox on

how to cope.”

Hormone changes make women more

at risk for SAD

Women in particular are more at risk for SAD,

with two to three per cent of Canadians

experiencing clinical levels, of whom about 75

per cent are women, says Angie Agrawal

Holstein, founder and clinical director at

Shanti Psychotherapy. She points out that

research is based on people who seek help,

so numbers may be much higher.

Additionally, men reach out for help less often

than women do.

Agrawal Holstein is a social worker and

trauma therapist in Toronto who understands

how difficult conditions like SAD can be to

2 Karen Hawthorne worked for six years as a digital

editor for the National Post, contributing articles on

health, business, culture and travel for affiliated

newspapers across Canada. She now writes from her

home office in Toronto and takes breaks to bounce with

her son on the backyard trampoline and walk Bingo, her

bull terrier.


20

recognize. “As a culture, we’re super growth

mindset, which means that we tend to be

invalidating and perfectionistic. We want to

go, ‘It’s not that bad. It’s the winter blues.

I’m just feeling like this because of the

snow.’”

She says that people are not taught to go

inward, to look at what’s happening in their

family or other experiences at a personal

level. Instead, we try to will ourselves out of

SAD by deciding, for example, to go to the

gym, which might last for a few sessions until

we see that we’re still not feeling well.

“We have to remember that the word

‘disorder’ (in SAD) means that something

neurobiologically is happening in the brain,”

she explains of chemicals in the brain that

regulate mood, emotions and behaviour.

“These chemicals suppress aspects like

motivation, so if we look at symptoms,

primary symptoms are sleep disturbance and

mood. What is mood? Well, it’s motivation.

It’s spark. It’s joy. It’s having a variance in

your mood,” instead of the constant dull ache

of low mood and disengagement.

Look for subtle symptoms of

disengagement

While being aware of primary symptoms of

sleep disruption and mood problems is

important, breaking the signs down further to

more subtle changes can help identify SAD,

like procrastination, low motivation, canceling

plans, poor hygiene, and “the overwhelm that

happens around getting out for a walk, lots

and lots of overthinking about things that you

do regularly that are really hard to do during

this time period when the disorder is

triggered in the brain.”

Why are women more likely to experience

SAD? Their biology is different from that of

men. Agrawal Holstein explains that

hormones, which fluctuate during

perimenopause and menopause, make

women more susceptible to reduced daylight.

“Women actually experience lower levels of

serotonin,” she says of the chemical that

impacts mood, digestion and sleep, and adds

that women in their 40s and older are

particularly vulnerable to SAD.

“While it may not have been a condition that

they experienced in their early years, it could

be now.”

Changes in hormones also affect the sleep

hormone, melatonin, in the brain. “Hormones

plus darkness means that your melatonin

release is reduced, so you’re going to have

more sleep disruptions.”

Yes, get outside in winter

The good news is that SAD is very treatable

with interventions like light therapy, where

you have a special lamp to sit by, as well as

getting outside in the daylight. While it might

be challenging to embrace the cold, she

recommends getting snowpants to keep

warm and also doing things to warm you up

in the cold season, like having a sauna a

couple times a week, taking a hot water

bottle to bed and enjoying movement in

drop-in classes at a community centre.

Practicing good sleep hygiene is also

important, with a calming bedtime routine,

herbal tea and less screen time. And there

are medications that can help as well.

“I think self-awareness needs to come in,”

she recommends, noting that prevention for

SAD, like getting outside and participating in

activity, is something that everyone can

follow.

“Can you get curious about all these different

systems inside of you and around you that

could be impacting your mood or contributing

to a condition like seasonal affective

disorder?”

Start by talking to a healthcare provider, as

treatment is available.

That’s also Lucy’s advice for adopting habits

to reduce symptoms and help you feel more

like yourself.

“Getting out into the fresh air, engaging your

senses that way, being able to be aware of


21

your surroundings. When I was struggling, it

was recommended that I use music. So

again, engaging that sense of sound to lift the

mood. Music has been known to help mood

and even animals respond to it,” she says.

‘Dark days don’t last forever’

“Definitely the days you don’t feel like going

out or doing. Those are the days you need it

most, which is why I was out at 7:30

shovelling snow this morning. Those are the

days to make the effort.”

The diagnosis validated her experience and

moved her from the misconception of feeling

broken to understanding that SAD is a

medical condition that you can manage.

“You know, it’s work. You don’t think about

having to schedule brushing your teeth in the

morning; it becomes automatic. But you have

to make a conscious effort to schedule some

self-care time to go out.”

The support of her husband and friends has

been equally important. When Lucy was going

through a challenging time, her friend gave

her a card with beautiful birds on it that said,

“Dark days don’t last forever. Birds know this,

and this is why they sing.”

Lucy put a bird feeder out by her window

where all the birds like to congregate.

“I had to go outside again this morning to

clean off the snow and put out the seeds. And

all of a sudden, the little finches were coming,

and the chickadees were singing. And again,

it brings me joy. And my cat loves it too,

because it drives her crazy.”

For more information and help with SAD, visit

Mood Disorders Society of Canada.


22

FOCUS ON MEMBERS

Congratulations, Badminton Club

By M. Gareau, Badminton Club AGL

O

n behalf of the GWSA Badminton Club, I

would like to extend warm

congratulations to Debbie Waitson, a member

of our club, and her doubles partner, Joyce

Stewart of the KW Badminton Club, on their

Bronze Medal win at the OSGA Seniors

Provincial Championship. They won Bronze in

the Ladies over 70 doubles category, recently

played in Huntsville, Ontario. These

competitions are held each year. Qualifying

results from winning in the OGSA District

competition also held each year.

Debbie Waitson adds that they competed in

the 65+ level with some younger ladies. Eight

games to 21 in the round robin, and a match

to three games in the final. Thank you

everyone for sharing in our win!

Retreat

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BURIAL: $6995 +hst

If prearranged and prepaid by December 31, 2026

Includes:

Transfer of deceased from place of death to the funeral home

(within 100 km); then to crematorium

Identification of deceased at funeral home if requested before

transfer to crematorium

Coroner and death registration fee

Cremation casket

Cremation fee

Container to hold cremated remains ~ urn not required

Holding of cremated remains at funeral home until final

disposition is arranged

Procurement of all legal documentation

Unlimited copies of death certificate

Notification of CPP/OAS or other agencies; Filing of CPP

death benefit and survivor benefit forms

Posting of obituary on Wall-Custance website

Memorial tree for Wall-Custance Memorial Forest - 400 acre

Arboretum at the University of Guelph

Includes:

Transfer of deceased from place of death to funeral home (within

100km)

Visitation and service at funeral home or church

(viewing and identification - embalming included)

Choice of casket currently displayed in Wall-Custance casket

selection room - all caskets made in Canada

All motor vehicles, including lead car and funeral coach (limousine

additional $300)

Personalized register book and unlimited memorial cards

Use of reception centre (additional charge for catering)

Procurement of all legal documentation, notification of CPP/OAS

or other agencies, filing of CPP death benefit and survivor benefit

forms

Unlimited copies of death certificate

Posting of obituary on Wall-Custance website

Memorial tree for Wall-Custance Memorial Forest - 400 acre

Arboretum at the University of Guelph

*Note: $6995 is the maximum charge for the services and merchandise

described. Charges may be less based on services selected. Disbursements

(newspapers, clergy, cemetery costs, luncheon, limousine, etc.) not included

For more information about cremation, memorial or funeral services, please contact us at:

WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL

(Wall-Custance Funeral Home Limited)

206 Norfolk Street, Guelph Ontario N1H 4K3 web: wallcustance.com

telephone: 519-822-0051

email: mail@wallcustance.com

Locally owned and operated by Scott & Betty Ann Young and Family, Serving Guelph and Area



28

During cold/flu season, it is important to know your options to

access healthcare:

29

1) Call your Doctor’s office FIRST

For non-emergency medical concerns or routine appointments, including after-hours care.

If you don’t have a Doctor/Nurse Practitioner, call 811 (Health811) or visit health811.ontario.ca.

2) If you have URGENT medical questions or concerns, call your Doctor’s Office

to ask if a same-day appointment is available

Or connect with a Registered Nurse 24/7 by calling 811 (Health811) or visit health811.ontario.ca.

3) For after-hours medical needs, access the After-Hours Care Clinic associated

with your Doctor’s Office (guelphfht.com/after-hours-care/)

If your Doctor/Nurse Practitioner is not part of the Guelph Family Health Team, check online for

Community Walk-in Clinic listings or call 811 (Health811) or visit health811.ontario.ca.

For a MEDICAL EMERGENCY: Go to your local Hospital Emergency Department or CALL 911

The Best Care for Everyone

www.guelphfht.com

Have feedback to share?

Take the Patient Experience

Survey at www.guelphfht.com

SCAN QR CODE

The NEW Wellness Workshop Schedule

for January–June 2026 is NOW AVAILABLE!

The Guelph Family Health Team’s Wellness

Matters program offers interactive workshops

to the community at no cost, that focus on a

variety of wellness and mental health

topics!

IN-PERSON workshops and VIRTUAL webinars

are offered.

You can view the NEW schedule at

www.guelphfht.com or by clicking here:

JAN - June 2026 Workshop Schedule



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33


34

PUZZLES, GAMES & COMICS

Solution on page 37


35

Solutions on page 37



36

37

Solutions from

pages 34–35



38

April Sentinel 2026

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