Summer Sentinel 2026

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“Canoe String on Eramosa River”

Photo by Michael Gareau, GWSA Photography Club

The Sentinel • June/July/August 2026

The Sentinel • June/July/August 2026 • Vol.50 No.10

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THE GUELPH WELLINGTON SENIORS ASSOCIATION IS A

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION BASED AT THE

EVERGREEN SENIORS COMMUNITY CENTRE

http://www.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

executivedirector@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 Staff

Russ E. Brown, Editor

Kathie Noble, Sentinel Service Clerk

The Guelph Wellington Seniors Association (GWSA)

is a proud beneficiary of the City of Guelph’s Community

Investment Strategy, which partners with and invests in

our organization to advance shared goals and community

priorities. Our relationship with the city is collaborative

and mutually supportive, fostering community well-being

and aligning with the City’s strategic, official, and master

plans. Wherever possible, we work together to create

opportunities that are open, inclusive, and accessible to

all residents. Specifically, the GWSA aims to:

¨ Provide meaningful opportunities for older adults to

learn, play, socialize, and stay connected—key

elements of a high quality of life.

¨ Strengthen volunteerism by expanding opportunities

and building volunteer capacity.

¨ Offer learning and wellness programs that support

peer-to-peer connections, lifelong learning, healthy

aging, and social interaction.

¨ Grow participation and engagement by ensuring

programs and activities remain sustainable, inclusive,

and responsive to a diverse and evolving community.

¨ Advocate for older adults and champion their needs,

interests, and contributions within the community.

In This Issue

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

JUNE ACTIVITIES CALENDAR ......................................... 6

THE ARTICLE SHELF ....................................................... 8

Men’s health vs. women’s health: Why equal

care means different approaches .............................. 8

10 hormones that affect weight loss ...................... 11

FOCUS ON MEMBERS ..................................................... 14

Evergreen Rug Hooking Group ................................ 14

Member Passings ........................................................ 15

Evergreen Marketplace .............................................. 15

GWSA SUMMER GROUP ACTIVITY INFORMATION .... 25

PUZZLES, GAMES & COMICS ........................................ 28

SENTINEL OFFICE

You may contact the Sentinel Office by email

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

or written message left in the GWSA office mailbox.

DISCLAIMER

The Sentinel and GWSA do not necessarily agree with, or

in the statements made by, advertisers or in any other

submissions.

Deadline for submissions to the September Sentinel is

August 3, 2026

Email submissions to sentinel@gwsa-guelph.ca.

Previous issues of The Sentinel are available on the

GWSA website

http://www.gwsa-guelph.ca/

ISSN: 0383 817X


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MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD

Ageism and the Treatment

of Cancer

A

PowerPoint presentation titled Ageism

and Health, published by the Waterloo

Wellington Older Adult Council (WWOAC),

recently crossed my desk. It prompted me to

reflect on my own experience with breast

cancer diagnosis and treatment.

In 2024, at age 74, a routine mammogram

detected an anomaly in my left breast. That

moment began a long journey of referrals,

tests, diagnosis, and treatment.

I’ve spent my entire career in health care and

currently serve as Chair of the Board of the

Guelph Wellington Seniors’ Association

(GWSA). I thought I understood what

“ageism” meant—but did I? I hope sharing

my experience helps others reflect on what

ageism looks like in healthcare and how we

can work together to reduce its harmful

effects.

The Ontario Human Rights Commission

describes ageism as thinking about older

adults through negative attitudes and

stereotypes. These assumptions often treat

“young” as the default and lead to care that

doesn’t meet the needs of older people.

WWOAC notes that ageism can harm older

adults’ emotional wellbeing, contributing to

anxiety, depression, anger, fear, frustration,

and shame. It can make people feel

dismissed by their community and the

healthcare system—and ultimately feel less

valued. With this in mind, I want to share

some of my own experiences, even though

doing so feels a bit uncomfortable. I’ve been

encouraged to speak up because many older

adults may face similar challenges

Age cut-offs for screening

The clearest example was the upper age limit

for routine breast screening. Had I been just

a few months older, I would have been

considered “too old” for routine screening and

my cancer might have gone undetected. This

raises an important question: Why do we stop

screening older adults when the risk of breast

cancer actually increases with age?

Being talked down to

Several interactions left me feeling

patronized:

¨ A clerk gave me incorrect information

about upcoming appointments. When I

corrected her, she replied, “Don’t worry,

m’ dear. It’ll be alright.” Had I not trusted

my own records, I would have missed

appointments or arrived unprepared.

¨ A nurse noticed me doing the Washington

Post crossword and said, in a

condescending tone, “Oh, good for you.

That’ll keep your brain working.”

¨ I received treatment in two different

chemo suites. The second had more

mature staff who communicated

respectfully and recognized that I was

struggling emotionally. They were the only

ones who acknowledged that I felt

dismissed.

These experiences suggest that while

younger staff may be clinically skilled, they

may need more training in communicating

respectfully with older adults.

Lack of explanation and dismissal of

symptoms

I was never told why my treatment plan

differed from that of younger patients. Some

symptoms I asked about were brushed off as

“just your age,” even though I had never

experienced them before treatment for my

cancer.


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I didn’t always have the energy to challenge

these responses. I relied heavily on my ability

to access my health records online and

research reliable information—something

many older adults may find difficult.

Assumptions about my intelligence or

capability

At times, I felt that healthcare professionals

assumed I wasn’t very “bright.” A surgeon

gave me two pieces of misinformation,

including an incorrect diagnosis. When I

questioned him, he simply shrugged and said

he had read the wrong report.

I found myself mentioning my professional

background just to be taken seriously. The

shift in attitude was immediate, but no one

should have to prove their worth to receive

respectful care.

Ageism beyond healthcare

Even applying for travel health insurance

revealed ageism. When I mentioned I would

turn 76 during my trip, the cost increased

dramatically.

Important

The Evergreen Seniors Community Centre will

be closed from June 29 to mid-September for

renovations.

During this time, construction crews will be

working in different areas of the building: the

men’s and women’s washrooms, the

change rooms and the front entrance.

The upgrades will focus on creating fully

accessible, modern washrooms that support

dignity and independence for all users. Work will

include:

¨ Wider, clearer pathways to improve mobility

for wheelchair and mobility device users

¨ Emergency call systems with both audible

and visual alerts

¨ Power door operators

¨ A new universal washroom designed to

accommodate individuals of all abilities.

A system under strain

I was given very little information or

resources throughout my treatment. I don’t

believe this is solely ageism. The system is

overwhelmed and focused on physical

treatment. When time is limited, the

emotional and social needs of older adults,

including the effects of ageism, are often

overlooked.

The Discussion guide on ageism in Canada

states: “One in five older adults experience

ageism in healthcare. It is demeaning and

disrespectful. It can be dangerous, causing

over- and under-treatment, and

misdiagnosis.” My experience aligns with this.

Ageism is alive and well in the treatment of

breast cancer and probably other cancers too.

I encourage all of us, including patients,

families, healthcare providers, and

community members, to recognize ageism

when we see it and work to reduce its impact.

Older adults deserve care that is respectful,

informed, and free from harmful

assumptions.

Elizabeth Steggles,

President


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JUNE ACTIVITIES CALENDAR

Evergreen Seniors Community Centre will be closed during July–August. Many of our

activities will take place offsite at different locations. See page 24 for more information.

E – Evergreen Seniors Community Centre

W – West End Community Centre

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

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3

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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

10:30a Sharing Dance Fit

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

1p Writing Life Story

2p Pickleball W

1

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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8:30a West Hills Art Group

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!

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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!

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8:30a Pickleball E

9:30a Peer Learning

10a Pole Walking

10:30a Mindful Drummers

10:30a Badminton E


12p Bridge

12p Pickleball W

1p Bid Euchre

1p Line Dancing

1p Scrabble


2p Pickleball W

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8:30a Pickleball E

9:30a Peer Learning

10a Pole Walking

10:30a Mindful Drummers

10:30a Badminton E


12p Bridge

12p Pickleball W

1p Bid Euchre

1p Line Dancing

1p Scrabble1p


2p Pickleball W

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8:30a 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

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8:30a Craft Group

8:30a Pickleball E

9a Canasta


10a Chess

10a Darts

10:30a Badminton E


1p Badminton W

1p Book Club 2

1p Euchre

1p Pickleball E

1p Table Tennis W

1:45p Silvertones

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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

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24

25

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

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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

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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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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

30

8:30a Photography

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

Saturday Sunday Everyday

1:30–4:30p Table Tennis E

June 27, 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/


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THE ARTICLE SHELF

Men’s health vs. women’s

health: Why equal care

means different approaches

By Angelica Bottaro 1

Published Jan 15, 2026

While men and women may present differently

when having a heart attack, cardiovascular

disease is still the leading cause of death for both

sexes. GETTY IMAGES

H

ealth, for any sex, is important. It affects

not only longevity but also quality of life.

People who take control of their health in

ways they can control have a higher chance

of living well longer; however, differences

between men and women, which extend to

the level of chromosomal variation, make it

difficult to apply health advice and solutions

to both sexes equally.

“If we think about even basic biology or

fundamental biology, we know, for example,

that disease really starts at the gene level,”

said Dr. Emily Lau, Cardiovascular specialist

and co-director of the Mass General Brigham

Women’s Heart Health program. “Men, for

example, have XY chromosomes, women

have XX. That already in and of itself

contributes to differences in disease

presentation.”

Dr. Lau notes that every step after that

through the biological pathway continues to

affect disease and health in various ways,

with RNA being made into proteins that

contribute to disease phenotype, and so on

and so forth.

When you reach the hormonal level, even

more differences emerge, giving the divide

greater traction. For example, testosterone is

found more in males than females, whereas

females have higher levels of estrogen, which

is “a very major distinction between men and

women” and their health.

Key differences and similarities

between men’s and women’s health

There are several key differences between

men’s and women’s health, particularly with

respect to certain diseases. One of the most

common examples revolves around heart

health.

“Women are somewhat protected from

developing heart attacks,” said Dr. Lau.

“They, on average, develop heart attacks

about 10 years later than men do.”

Once menopause hits, though, that protective

effect that’s caused by various factors, one

including estrogen, and that’s when

cardiovascular disease affects women most.

So, while men may develop heart disease

earlier, it is the leading cause of death in both

sexes when looking at all ages.

The symptoms that present in women having

heart attacks also differ. Symptoms such as

nausea, shortness of breath and fatigue are

more often present in women who are having

heart attacks, alongside chest pain.

Dr. Lau notes that the widely accepted myth

surrounding women and heart attacks is that

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.


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they don’t present with chest pain, because

they do, it’s just coupled with other

symptoms that you won’t find in men.

“Chest pain is still the most common

symptom of a heart attack in both men and

women,” she said. “But we’ve now started to

get so primed and thinking that men and

women with heart attacks are so different

that we kind of blow off the chest pain, even

though that’s the most common symptom.”

When thinking about prognosis following a

heart attack, women are also more likely to

experience worse outcomes for heart attacks

because they “seem to do worse in response

to both medical interventional and surgical

therapies.”

Autoimmune disease is another common

cause of health decline in both sexes, but

women are far more likely than men to

develop it, with one theory being that the

female immune system is far more active

than the male.

Females are also more likely to experience a

higher level of:

¨ Mental illness

¨ Musculoskeletal disease

¨ Breast cancer

¨ Urinary tract infections (UTI)

¨ Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections

Men, on the other hand, have a higher risk

of:

¨ Certain cancers, such as liver and bladder

¨ Gout

¨ Kidney stones

¨ Emphysema

¨ Ulcers

Newer research has found that men tend to

develop diseases that are more likely to lead

to death, whereas women, who live longer

than men, experience much higher rates of

diseases that cause disability, reduced quality

of life and health loss. Genetics, biology and

health-related behaviours all play a role.

Dr. Lau notes that these differences remain

poorly understood, despite ongoing research

to uncover the why behind them.

“Survival may be longer in women, (but) the

number of years of disability or morbidity,

decreased quality of life are actually, often

times, much higher in women compared with

men,” she said. “So, there’s a lot to untease

and unpack there that we still don’t fully

understand, but it just highlights an

important point, which is that we really

shouldn’t be treating men and women as the

same.”

Health gaps and behavioural factors

The differences in health extend far beyond

biology for both men and women, and it’s due

to several other factors that exist within the

scope of healthcare and lifestyle behaviours.

For example, medical research has historically

underrepresented women, which leads to

medical interventions using “data that have

been derived in men” and applying them to

both sexes, according to Dr. Lau.

There are various medications that have been

proven to act differently in males and

females, including:

¨ Sleep aids: Women metabolize these

drugs more slowly and require lower doses

than men.

¨ Opioids: Men often require a 30 to 40 per

cent higher dose to elicit the same pain

relief response.

¨ Antidepressants: Women are better able

to experience relief from depression by

taking selective serotonin reuptake

inhibitors, whereas men have better

results with tricyclic antidepressants.

¨ Aspirin: Can better prevent strokes in

women but heart attacks in men

Several factors influence drug metabolism,

including hormones, body composition, and

organ function. For example, women excrete

drugs from the body more slowly than men.

Women are also 50 to 75 per cent more likely


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to deal with adverse drug reactions at the

same dose.

Since it’s now understood that females and

males have distinct biology and don’t respond

to medications or treatments in the same

way, these gaps in medical research continue

to downplay differences in male and female

health.

Another area of research that’s gaining

traction involves lifestyle and

socioenvironmental factors that affect health

over the course of someone’s life. Even

something as simple as exercise to reduce

cardiovascular disease risk varies between

the sexes.

“One of the assumptions that we all made is

that exercise is good for both men and

women, and it’s equally good,” said Dr. Lau.

“It turns out, in a few large-scale studies, it

sounds like it seems like women may actually

derive more benefit from exercise than men

do. So, it takes a smaller or lower amount of

exercise to achieve the same relative

reduction in cardiovascular disease in women

as it does in men.”

Another aspect has to do with gender roles,

which have changed drastically in recent

years. Men are no longer considered only

providers, and women are happily in the

workforce. However, women continue to play

the caregiver role even in modern times, and

that makes it harder for them to seek out

care for themselves if something is amiss.

“Women are much more likely to bring their

husbands to the doctors, but not necessarily

to seek care for themselves,” said Dr. Lau.

Sex-based approaches to prevention

and care are the way forward

Guidelines for health approaches are

generalized and “sex agnostic” to the point

where both men and women may be getting

the short end of the stick, depending on

what’s affecting them.

Dr. Lau notes that while establishing a

baseline for recommendations is important,

learning to acknowledge the differences

between men and women from all

standpoints—pathophysiology, presentation,

risk factors and susceptibility—isn’t enough.

“We have to take it a step further and say,

‘Well, which of these differences actually

matter clinically and which of these

differences are we going to take forward into

a clinical recommendation or a guideline?”

she said. “I think that’s where we’re stuck.”

The key is to find a balance between

personalization and general

recommendations.

“How much personalization can I offer to my

individual patient, gender and sex being one

of the individual characteristics of a patient,

but how do I balance that when I’m making

recommendations for a population?”

As research on sex-based approaches

continues, finding that happy medium will

improve health for both sexes.


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10 hormones that affect

weight loss

By Angelica Bottaro 2

Published Feb 20, 2026 3

Signaling between hormones and the brain can

malfunction, making it harder to lose weight due

to increased hunger and cravings. GETTY IMAGES

L

osing weight is a challenge, even in the

best of circumstances. Many physiological

processes must function properly for weight

loss to occur. One such aspect is hormones,

and several play a role in weight loss and

weight management by affecting appetite, fat

storage, and metabolic health.

Hunger and satiety hormones

Hunger hormones are produced in various

areas, including the stomach, small intestine,

pancreas and brain. The main hunger

hormone, ghrelin, plays a role in many

actions related to weight management, such

as stimulating appetite and helping the body

store fat. These hormones also trigger the

release of growth hormones from the

pituitary gland, control blood sugar and

insulin resistance, and protect and promote

strong muscles, bone formation and the

proper function of the metabolism.

However, if the body’s production of that

hormone becomes dysregulated, hunger

signals can be affected. There are several

reasons why ghrelin may not be functioning

as it should, including:

¨ Obesity

¨ Gastrointestinal disorders, including

inflammatory bowel disease (IBD),

irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastritis

and functional dyspepsia

¨ Eating disorders

¨ Celiac disease

¨ Prader-Willi syndrome

¨ Dehydration

In these cases, the role it plays in appetite

signaling and weight loss can be negatively

affected.

Satiety hormones, including leptin and

glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), signal to

the brain that the stomach is full, reducing

hunger. Leptin, specifically, ensures that the

body uses fat stores for energy when there

are sufficient fat stores to keep energy in

balance. GLP-1, a hormone produced in the

gut that helps regulate blood sugar levels,

can also slow gastric emptying, making

people feel fuller for longer.

Both are released after eating, with GLP-1

being a faster-acting hormone within 15

minutes of consuming food and leptin

increasing roughly four to seven hours after a

meal. They work in tandem to ensure satiety

signals are sent at the right times.

These hormones can aid in weight loss when

they’re functioning appropriately, but when

they’re not, they can make weight loss more

difficult. Leptin might stop working for several

reasons, such as obesity, chronic

inflammation and weight loss.

2 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.

3 This article was produced by the Healthing editorial

team with the support of a grant from AquaOmega.

While AquaOmega made the production of this article

possible, they did not have any editorial influence or

control over the content, including review prior to

publication.


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In the case of obesity, high levels of fat cells

lead to a higher level of leptin production,

which can cause the brain to become

resistant to the signaling. Obesity can also

make it more difficult for leptin to cross the

blood-brain barrier, making it harder for the

signal to be received.

Chronic inflammation that often develops due

to a high-fat diet can disrupt the pathway

between the hormone and the brain, leading

to a lack of brain response when leptin is

produced. Lastly, when a person begins losing

weight, leptin production stalls, leading the

brain to think that it’s hungry even when the

body doesn’t require any more sustenance.

GLP-1 can also fail to work properly in the

body, making it harder to lose weight

because of:

¨ Chronic stress

¨ Poor sleep quality

¨ Low fibre intake

¨ Obesity, diabetes or insulin resistance

Fat storage hormones

Hormones that influence fat storage will also

affect weight-loss efforts. Two important

hormones involved in fat storage include

cortisol and insulin. Cortisol, the stress

hormone, has a hand in the proper

functioning of the stress response,

metabolism, immune function and the sleepwake

cycle.

When cortisol levels rise and fall throughout

the day as they should, the hormone won’t

affect your ability to lose weight. However, if

you’re chronically stressed and, in turn,

experience consistently high cortisol levels,

the hormone signals the body to hold on to

fat, regardless of your diet and exercise

efforts. It does this by:

¨ Raising blood sugar levels

¨ Relocating fat from other areas of the

body to the midsection

¨ Increasing cravings for unhealthy foods

while making you feel hungrier

¨ Reducing brown fat, which helps to burn

fat

Cortisol also slows down bodily processes

because, evolutionarily, the hormone was

designed to help you survive immediate

threats to life. This includes metabolism:

when cortisol is high, it slows down, leading

to less weight loss.

Insulin, often considered the primary fatstorage

hormone, helps cells use glucose for

energy, including the muscles, liver and fat. If

there is too much insulin, or the body doesn’t

respond to insulin as it should (insulin

resistance), this process becomes

dysregulated.

In the case of too much insulin, which can

arise if your body does not register the insulin

being produced, so more is made to meet the

needs of glucose regulation, the body begins

to store fat instead of burning it because it

believes it needs to conserve energy for

physiological processes.

Reproductive hormones

Hormones that you wouldn’t think play a role

in weight management or weight loss, such

as reproductive hormones estrogen,

progesterone, testosterone and

androgens, can all make weight loss efforts

more challenging if they are not found in the

body in adequate levels.

In females, estrogen and progesterone are

found in higher amounts. Estrogen

encourages proper fat storage and metabolic

function, with progesterone working to

balance out the effects of estrogen to ensure

that everything is running smoothly. If either

hormone level is off balance, it can lead to

difficulty losing weight and increased fat

storage.

In males, testosterone is tasked with

regulating fat loss, fat distribution and muscle

mass. If a male has low levels of

testosterone, they can experience higher

levels of abdominal fat and a slower

metabolism, making it harder to lose weight.


13

Higher levels of male hormones in females,

specifically androgens, are often linked to

certain conditions such as polycystic ovary

syndrome (PCOS). They can also make it

harder to lose weight and cause weight gain.

The weight gained tends to accumulate in the

abdominal area as well. Insulin resistance is

also a higher risk in females with excess

androgens, causing a two-fold issue with

weight loss.

Thyroid hormones

Thyroid hormones affect your basal

metabolic rate (BMR), which is how many

calories you burn at rest. When thyroid

hormones are low, the level of calories you

burn at rest decreases, leading to difficulty

losing weight because your body isn’t burning

as many calories as you may think. This is

often referred to as hypothyroidism, or an

underactive thyroid.

While these hormones aren’t typically

imbalanced for no reason, the symptoms are

often vague, so it can go undiagnosed in

some cases. An underactive thyroid can

develop because of various other health

factors, including the presence of

autoimmune disease, radiation therapy or the

removal of the thyroid gland.

Restoring hormone balance for

weight loss

When hormones become imbalanced, it can

make it feel impossible for people to reach

their goal weights. That said, there are ways

to address hormonal issues that can restore

balance.

The first step is to find out which hormone is

causing the issue by seeing your health-care

provider, then develop a treatment plan that

works best. Things that you can do in the

meantime that can help with all hormonal

imbalances, include:

¨ Eating a healthy diet rich in whole foods,

high fibre and protein

¨ Getting seven to nine hours of high-quality

sleep every night

¨ Managing your stress

¨ Exercising regularly

¨ Looking into certain supplements that can

help with insulin resistance.

Where: Guelph Wellington Seniors Association

683 Woolwich St, Guelph, ON

What: The Guelph Lions Club is sponsoring a show dedicated to providing information

on area resources and support specifically for seniors.

Time: 10 am - 3 pm (set up starts at 9 PM, take down completed by 4 pm)

SELECTIONS TABLE AND SPACE RESERVATIONS

Space is limited, so please register early. The number of registrants

from a single industry will be limited.

The Cost for Commercial vendors will be $100 (no HST).

The booth space will be 8 feet by 6 feet.

A 6-foot table and 2 chairs will be provided.

Co-Sponsor

There will be no

charge for Non-

Lunch for the

exhibitors will be

Profit Organizations. provided.

Register

On-Line


14

FOCUS ON MEMBERS

Evergreen Rug Hooking

Group

R

ug Hooking had a busy year being

creative together and working on

many beautiful pieces. Our group is

growing, with new members being

drawn to this traditional craft. There

are several items in the display that

were hooked by our newest members.

The group meets every Tuesday 12–

4pm in Room 2. Beginners are

welcome, and we will help get you

started. Contact Kathy McCallum at

rughooking@gwsa-guelph.ca for more

information.


15

Member Passings

¨ Henk Dykman passed on April 29 at the

age of 92 due to advanced prostate cancer

(he was diagnosed only three weeks

earlier). Henk was a much-loved

Shuffleboard participant, and he leaves a

loving family to mourn his loss. He spent

all his life in the service of others. He will

be truly missed.

¨ Ruth Elizabeth Ferguson

(nee Mann) passed away in

her 95 th year on April 22,

2026. Few people did not

have a quilted teddy bear,

a microwave bowl holder,

or (more recently) a toque

that she made from a

seemingly inexhaustible

supply of yarn, fabric and

thread.

She was a frequent visitor to the

Evergreen Centre where she shared her

love of sewing and quilting with many

other friends.

HEATSWEEP SERVICES – GUELPH

Pressure Washing (Driveways, Siding, Decks)

Mobile Car Detailing • Professional Tire Swaps (On-Rim)

• Bin Cleaning • Yard Work

20% OFF REGULAR SERVICES

20% OFF FOR SENIORS

We come to you! Quality Work. Fair Prices.

? 226-501-6061 ✉ jesse@heatsweep.ca

SUMMER CREATIVITY DAYS

Pack your supplies, your machine or easel, or camera

and lunch, and head towards Spring Valley Resort, just

south of MT. FOREST, straight up Highway 6, to my

summer home set on a natural lake where birds abound.

Resort is park-like and the mornings are heavenly for a

day of creativity friendship and summer weather. For all

who have nowhere to go on summer weekends and

belong to a group or not, I welcome you.

There are all the amenities of home and you can set up at

a table to sew, or go hiking for photos. There is a pool

and games of all kinds, but children will take precedence.

Payment to be decided depending on demand and

interest. Call or text (519) 763-3185, or email

soniajacykbukata@gmail.com with questions.

Evergreen Marketplace

For Sale

EZee Travel Powered Scooter. Foldable. Red colour.

Like new. Original price over $2,000; asking $800 OBO.

Call Sue (519) 836-705.

Wanted: Used Car. As a retired person, I am looking for

a reasonably priced car. I can afford up to $7,000.00. Call

Murray (519) 535-4251.

Washer & dryer. Bosch, apartment size, stackable. No

dryer vent needed. Used five times only. Paid $4,000;

selling $1,500. Contact Gerry

gerry.wagner@outlook.com.

Classifieds

NEED A CLEAN HOME? CALL THE CLEANING SHIFT

Professional, reliable cleaning service for your home and

office. Weekly, bi-weekly, or one time deep cleans. Free

estimate! Call or email today: (519) 780-7669,

cleaningshift@gmail.com

20% off for seniors providing own supplies;

25% off for first time clean



16

17

Tea ‘n’ Tales 2026

19 th Year of Amazing Storytelling

e

The Guelph Guild of Storytellers and the Guelph Enabling Garden

have announced their line-up for this summer’s Tea ‘n’ Tales,

beginning June 12 and will have performances every Friday until

September 11. New tellers and new entertainers have been added

for our 19 th year. And all 17 performances will be at or near the

Enabling Garden.

Community members are invited to the 14 Fridays of storytelling, to

hear 28 plus different tellers: some local, some regional, some

from afar.

Members of the audience should bring a lawn chair and their own

mug for a free coffee (courtesy of Planet Bean). There will also be

complimentary treats available. The programme usually starts at

10:00 a.m. every Friday, with talented musicians or vocalists

entertaining until 10:30, when an hour of storytelling, often

featuring two tellers, gets underway. Members of the audience

typically arrive a little early to secure a favoured spot for their lawn

chair, to listen to the prelude entertainment, chat with friends, old

and new, or perhaps simply enjoy the atmosphere that prevails at

this beautiful Enabling Garden on the banks of the River Speed.

The organizers are planning three special programmes: on

Canada Day along with “Under the Magic Ash” on John Galt Day,

August 1. Again, this year we will have another family performance

for Rib-Fest on August 29.

It should be noted that, while the Saturday programmes are

specifically directed towards children, the Friday programmes are

not. The Friday tellers have shaped their stories for adult

audiences.

And our state-of-the-art sound system will allow everyone to hear.

We are honoured to have Robert

Munsch as our patron, and we

dedicate this season to this iconic

storyteller.

As for the past 18 years, the

programme is free and donations

for the storytellers Guild and the

Enabling Garden are encouraged

and welcomed.

Brian Holstein, President of Guelph

Guild of Storytellers and Host of

Tea ‘n’ Tales, briahols@yahoo.com 519-820-4142

D. Trevor Barton, Chair & Co-Founder, Guelph Enabling Garden,

www.enablinggarden.org

We are asking all the participants to bring their own lawn chair,

and mug for co8ee/iced tea. All donations are welcomed.


18

Tea ‘n’ Tales 2026

This Season’s Entertainment begins at 10:00 am

June 12: Trillium Jazz Trio.

June 19: Guelph vocalist Tim Alberts.

June 26: The Royal City Ambassadors

JULY 1 CANADA DAY entertainment by the Guelph’s Great

Wooden Trio.

July 3: Guelph’s de Jembe Drummers.

July 10: Brampton’s folk artist, Paul Caufield.

July 17: Guelph’s accordion player, Garry Lazzan.

July 24: Guelph’s Dan Sawchuk.

July 31: Guelph’s Chris Dallan.

August 1: sing-a-long with Larry Gibbs.

August 7: The violin of Allison Leroux.

August 14: Entertainment TBA

August 21: Michael Schultz

August 23 at Ribfest: sing-a-long with Larry Gibbs.

August 28: The Royal City Ambassadors.

September 4: Allison Leroux

September 12: Season finale, folk singer Ian Reid

For further information visit www.guelphstorytellers.com.


19

The Elliott Community is Guelph’s

only not for profit senior living

organization to offer 4 lifestyle

choices:

-Life Leases (Independent

-Retirement Living-Supportive

-Retirement Living-Assisted

-Long Term Care



20

21

Downsize & Declutter with Ease Workshop For Seniors

Downsizing

&

Decluttering

Workbook

Included

Upcoming Dates:

Guest Speaker:

Your Journey to Downsizing Begins Here!

Dorothy Guerra

REALTOR

Retirement Living Expert

Dorothy.Guerra@bwliving.com

June 6th - 11:00-1:00pm

June 27-11:00-1:00

August 22 - 11:00-1:00

September 5 - 11:00-1:00

Discussion Topics:

Decluttering and Organizing Strategies

Tackling Emotional Hurdles

Where to Sell or Donate Your Possessions

What to Expect When Selling Your Home

Current Real Estate Market Trends

What is Stress-Free Independent Living

Tour Guelph Lake Commons

520 Victoria Rd N, Guelph

GuelphSeniorLife.com

RSVP 519-589-1187 Space Limited!

One step at a time...

Riverside Residence On The Park

• Low maintenance lifestyle

in a 55+ community

•Units starting in the low $300ks

•Steps from Riverside Park and

Evergreen Senior Center.

www.riversidelifelease.com

Jackie Harrison, Broker

Your Journey Team

519.836.1072

www.poppingupsold.com

HomeLife Power Realty Inc, Brokerage.

*Independently Owned and Operated.

This is for information only and is not intended to solicit properties already listed for sale.


22

Helping individuals

maintain independence

through assisting them through:

Appointments

Errands

Leisure outings

Other mobility needs

Driving Independence


23

CREMATION: $2075 +hst

If prearranged and prepaid by December 31, 2026

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



24

25

GWSA SUMMER GROUP ACTIVITY

INFORMATION

During the closure of the Evergreen Seniors Community Centre, the groups listed below will still

be operating. For information on the location of each group, contact the Activity Group Leader at

the email below, or contact the GWSA at (519) 265-7722, gwsa@gwsa-guelph.ca.

Art Studio

artstudio@gwsa-guelph.ca

Backgammon

backgammon@gwsa-guelph.ca

Badminton

badminton@gwsa-guelph.ca

Beading/Jewelry Making

beading@gwsa-guelph.ca

Book Club 1

bookclub1@gwsa-guelph.ca

Book Club 2

bookclub2@gwsa-guelph.ca

Bridge

bridge@gwsa-guelph.ca

Bunka Art Group

buka@gwsa-guelph.ca

Canasta

canasta@gwsa-guelph.ca

Chess Club

chess@gwsa-guelph.ca

Cribbage

cribbage@gwsa-guelph.ca

Monday Euchre

euchre-monday@gwsa-guelph.ca

Friday Euchre

fridayeuchre@gwsa-guelph.ca

Move a Little Exercise

audrey.bishop@gwsa-guelph.ca

Pickleball

pickleball@gwsa-guelph.ca

Pole Walking pole

walking@gwsa-guelph.ca

Riverside Art Group

riversideart@gwsa-guelph.ca

Rug Hooking

rughooking@gwsa-guelph.ca

Scrabble

scrabble@gwsa-guelph.ca

Table Tennis

tabletennis@gwsa-guelph.ca

Texas Hold-Em Poker

texasholdem@gwsa-guelph.ca

Walking Club (Outdoor)

walkingclub@gwsa-guelph.ca

Watercolour Painters

watercolourpainters@gwsa-guelph.ca

West Hills Art Group

westhillsartgroup@gwsa-guelph.ca

Writing Your Life Story

writingyourlifestory@gwsa-guelph.ca

Important

The Evergreen Seniors Community Centre will

be closed from June 29 to mid-September for

renovations.

During this time, construction crews will be

working in different areas of the building: the

men’s and women’s washrooms, the

change rooms and the front entrance.

The upgrades will focus on creating fully

accessible, modern washrooms that support

dignity and independence for all users. Work will

include:

¨ Wider, clearer pathways to improve mobility

for wheelchair and mobility device users

¨ Emergency call systems with both audible

and visual alerts

¨ Power door operators

¨ A new universal washroom designed to

accommodate individuals of all abilities.



26

27

Retreat

Foot

Foot Care Service

I provide gentle, hygienic treatments tailored to meet the

unique needs of each client.

Whether you’re managing dry skin, corns, calluses, cracked

heels, thickened toenails, or diabetic foot concerns

Services includes: Nail trimming, Shaping, Exfoliation,

Moisturizing, Ingrown Toenail Prevention, and Foot Rub

Service Price: $55.00 – $65.00

Contact: Bana

Register Practical Nurse

Number: 519-546- 9553

Bistro Information for Summer

Five (5) meal variety packages frozen for $40.

Meat or vegetarian option.

¨ Pick up dates:

July 6, July 23, August 6, August 20,

11a.m.–1p.m.

July orders completed by June 19

August orders completed by July 24

¨ All meals will be a variety pack.

¨ Details on pick up location will be shared

in early June.

¨ People can pay for meals at front desks of

Evergreen, West End and Victoria Road

Recreation Centres, or by calling (519)

837-5699 if a credit card is on file.

¨ These items will not be sold online. They

must be purchased in person or over the

phone, providing they have a Recenroll

account with a credit card number on file

(must be added in person or online

themselves).

For more information, contact the City of

Guelph at (519) 837-5699 or guelph.ca/bistro.


28

PUZZLES, GAMES & COMICS

Solution on page 31


29

Solutions

on page 31



30

31

Solutions

from pages

28–29



32

Summer Sentinel 2026

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