April 2024 Newsletter

I can hardly believe we are ending the first quarter of 2024. Where did the last four months go? It’s Spring! In all it’s glory, flowers blooming, my mason bees are really buzzing in the back yard, the strawberry plants are just waiting for them to tickle their blossoms. My blueberry bushes are opening and beckoning them to come for a visit as well. I love watching all the actions that are taking place, and I am grateful that I live in Parksville by the Sea. How lucky are we who can call this place home!

Now for some news about what’s happening at the Centre. We had a good turnout at our Annual General Meeting. Three members have joined the board and that brings our numbers to twelve people. We are still looking for six or more members to help in the Kitchen. Our new Kitchen Supervisor is Elaine May, and she will be happy to hear from you. Our phone number for the kitchen is 250-248-3200. Give Elaine a call and she will let you know what your volunteer time at the Centre would entail. One of our members, Liz Hintz not only volunteered for the Centre, but she also volunteered for Sendial shopping. What’s this you may ask? It’s being a shopper at Thrifty Foods for many people who cannot shop for themselves. You shop for the bargains with the care you would take for yourselves. It’s only a few hours a week and you’ll have fun, build new friendships, and have ongoing learning opportunities. Interested? The Thrifty’s number to call is 250-544-1234, they need shoppers for Monday, Tuesday, and Fridays. 

I thought I’d pass on some helpful hints this month on products I like and might be useful to you. First, “Laundry smells” caused by some laundry soaps and or laundry softeners - “as a singer if you’re sitting next to someone who uses these smelly products your throat constricts” and so ends your singing career. The commercials on TV lie to you and you really don’t smell better! I use a non smelling laundry detergent and my favourite product is vinegar as a rinse agent. Vinegar is an antiseptic, it prevents the growth of disease-causing micro-organisms, and my clothes come out of the dryer smelling clean and very soft. I use about 1/3 of a cup for rinsing. Try it and it will save you money too! Another thing I’ve learned this past year is eat your pitted prunes! My doctor prescribed pitted prunes to help me when I fell in October. Now, I told her all was well in this department, and she said prunes do many things to help our bodies and we should eat them daily. It helps with bone healing, the antioxidants in them may help to prevent bone loss, and they also may help lower your blood pressure, which will help your heart. Look up pitted prunes on your computer and see what prunes can do for you.

When I think of prunes, I remember my Mom serving them for breakfast with toast. I think my mother was onto something and after talking to some of my friends their mother also gave them prunes to eat. They really are good for you.

On April 14th we had a wonderful lunch prepared by Thrifty’s for 40 volunteer’s who keep our Centre going. A jazz band played for us (they were good, but not as good as our Choir) WE REALLY NEED A PIANO PLAYER FOR OUR CHOIR, and a good time was had by all.

If you’d like to join us next year become a volunteer and your name will be on the list and you’ll have a great time too! If you can play the piano for the Choir you will get a very, very, special lunch, I promise you.

This month we had two winners for our monthly draw, Jerye Renios, and Irene Lambert. They will both enjoy spending their gift certificates at Thrifty’s. Congratulations you lucky ladies. Thanks for paying your dues.

I’m wishing you an awe-inspiring April as Mother Nature puts on her colourful display of all things growing!!!!!

Bev Swann
Editor