By Zee Chevalier
Spring!! Henry Van Dyke said it well in Fisherman’s Luck, 1899: “The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month.”
The first day of spring was March 20, and there was a lot of snow on the ground and not a tinge of green anywhere. But we know spring is just around the corner. Happy Easter on April 21!
Thank you to everyone who supported the Daffodil Tea on March 6, and thank you to everyone who worked hard to make it a success. The daffodils were such a bright sign of spring, beautifully presented by Bubbles’ Blossom Design. Thank you Jessica Lawrence.
The Clinton Seniors Association apologizes for the inability to call in for take-out orders as advertised. We did not know until the morning of March 6 that the telephone had been removed from the Clinton Memorial Hall. We’re hoping it will be reinstated so we can provide that service next year, but more importantly from a safety and security point of view we feel it is necessary to have a telephone line available to call 9-1-1 in the event of an accident or other emergency. What do you think? Tell the mayor and council and CAO.
We thank the generous benefactors who donated door prizes. We very much appreciated the tray with matching mugs which was won by Sharon Ambler, the gift certificate from Gena’s Cutz won by Lynda Annett, and the beautiful floral arrangement from Bubbles’ Blossom Design won by Susan Swan. Wendy Burrage guessed the right number of cookies! Congratulations to all the winners.
The next Seniors’ lunch will be on April 4 at the Cariboo Lodge pub.
The Foot Clinic on March 7 had to be cancelled due to inclement travelling weather. I am sorry that I cannot report the date for the next clinic. To discuss your foot care needs, or to find out when the next clinic will be, call Colleen Thom RN, FCN, FCNEd at (250) 819-1632.
The next regular meeting of the Clinton Seniors’ Association will be April 18 at the Seniors’ Centre at 217 Smith Avenue following lunch.
I have written at some length about preventing falls in your home and outdoors in the winter, but this month I’ll talk about outdoor safety at any time, not just in the winter season.
What can be hazardous outdoors for people of any age is rushing and inattentiveness, or carrying too much, which can cause loss of balance or blocked vision, potentially leading to a fall. Walking in unfamiliar surroundings, on uneven ground, on raised or cracked sidewalks, or where wet leaves and fallen branches have collected are all possible causes for falls. Other problems are improper footwear for the type of terrain you’re on or for the weather you’re experiencing, and poor outdoor lighting.
Some of these situations are beyond our control, of course. Being aware of the environmental conditions should dictate whether or not we venture out in the first place, but if you don’t have the choice of staying in or going out, at least go out prepared. Wear appropriate footwear, and instead of carrying a purse on your arm or in your hand, using one with a cross-body strap, or using a waist pack or backpack, might be a wise choice. A walking aid, such as a cane with a suitable tip, or a walker, might be helpful. Avoid carrying heavy items if possible, and walk slowly and pay attention. Try to avoid areas with wet leaves, puddles, or snow and ice as much as possible.
Keep your steps and walkways in good repair, and free of clutter and items that might cause you to trip and fall. Non-skid surfaces, or walks with a bit of traction, might be safer. Ensure you have sufficient lighting by installing automatic or timed lighting devices.
Happy Birthday to Laura Turner (April 18) and Loretta Ferguson (April 20).
“To be seventy years young is sometimes far more cheerful and hopeful than to be forty years old.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
editorial@accjournal.ca
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