OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION | SPRING 2018 | ISSUE 106 TRAVEL Prince Edward Island FINANCE Market Volatility HEALTH Vaccinations Publication mail agreement no: 40063603 IN THIS ISSUE
Editor’s Message CSANews© is published four times a year and is Copyright SPRING 2018 by Medipac International Communications Inc., 180 Lesmill Road, Toronto, Ontario M3B 2T5. (416)441-7000. Subscription Price: $9.95 Canada; $20.00 U.S. and foreign. Single copy: $3.95. Prices include tax. Published by Medipac International Communications Inc. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and are not necessarily those of the CSA, Medipac International Communications Inc. or its affiliates, their Directors, Officers, or other employees or agents. Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement No: 40063603. ISSN No: 1195-2393 Barb & Ron Kroll Dr. Robert MacMillan David McPherson Andrew Moore-Crispin Diane Peters Robert Wiersema Rex Vogel Judith Adam Gabrielle Bauer Paul Bennett Donna Carter Michael Coren Jennifer Cox Shari Darling James Dolan Karen Huestis Ron Steeves John Foster Garry McDonald Rod Seiling Bob Slack James Leroux Robert Herman Ted Popel Wendy Caban Michael MacKenzie Wallace Weylie President First Vice-President Second Vice-President Treasurer Secretary Past President Director Director Director Director Executive Director Legal Counsel CSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Editor CSA Editor President Art Director Director of Sales Director of Operations Marketing & Events Specialist J. Ross Quigley Karen Huestis Christopher Davidge Peter Prusa Neville B. Levin Paula McGovern Fran Castricone SPRING 2018 | ISSUE 106 CONTRIBUTING EDITORS We acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada. It is late April and it is high time to get our taxes filed. We are driving home (in a friend’s van) for the first time in 10-plus years. The route has been carefully calculated, but my guess is that we will probably stray from the dotted line to explore. Not having “endured” the long drive for a long time, we are curious about what has changed, what is new, and what challenges and joys we will encounter. It all began with our wonderful dog Tess, who passed away from cancer at the age of 10, a few weeks ago. Her twin brother Angus was distraught, as were we, and he developed serious hormonal issues. Much of his hair fell out and he ended up with a surgical procedure and a drug regimen that would make even we seniors stand up and take notice. But now he is fine! We were unwilling to crate Angus up and ditch him in the cargo hold of Air Canada or WestJet, and we started looking for a better resolution. We really had to drive him home – therapy for him and therapy for us, too. Our friend Ted said, “Of course, we will fly home in comfort while you suffer the 1,250-mile drive.” And here we are! Winding our way from southwest Florida to Ontario. We have made this drive 15 or 20 times over the years but this is the first time that we are really excited. We are on an expedition! Not quite the Galapagos or the Antarctic, but an expedition nonetheless. Wish us luck; I hope that you have arrived home safely by the time you read this, and were able to avoid the ice storms. Whatever happened to “March going out like a lamb”? April is the lion this year. On April 15th, my mother-in-law had to wait on the tarmac in Toronto for almost an hour before getting off the plane bringing her home. The doors had frozen shut! I suspect some of you were on that plane, too. Happy spring! Sincerely, J. Ross Quigley Editor On The Road Again Merv Magus Illustrator CSANews | SPRING 2018 | 3
Table of Contents Features SPRING 2018 | ISSUE 106 OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION 16 24 Prince Edward Island Canada’s smallest province is better known for Anne of Green Gables and its succulent seafood than for its historical importance as Canada’s birthplace. by Barb and Ron Kroll The Best Places to Travel in Spring Whether you’re seeking the sun – and the crowds – or looking to escape them, these are the places to go, to ring in the season. by Rex Vogel Travel RV Lifestyle 4 | www.snowbirds.org
Table of Contents 30 36 Departments 42 Golf by David McPherson 44 Gardening by Judith Adam 46 Book Review by Robert Wiersema 48 Food & Drink by Shari Darling 49 Fitness by Jennifer Cox 50 CSA Online by Andrew Moore-Crispin 52 Fun & Games 53 Grins & Giggles 54 CSA Application 55 Benefits 58 Fast Facts 3 Editor’s Message 6 Snowbird Alert 08 Bird Talk 10 President’s Message 11 Government Relations Report 12 Insurance by Ross Quigley 13 Canada Clubs 14 Opinion by Michael Coren 15 Snowbird Events 39 Health Pulse 40 Longevity by Jennifer Cox 12 things you can do about market volatility How to manage stock market turmoil – and your reaction to it by James Dolan Vaccination Update Recent advances in the discovery of new vaccines and treatments which can reduce or prevent infections. by Dr. Robert MacMillan Finance Health CSANews | SPRING 2018 | 5
SnowbirdAlert www.newscanada.com What doCanadians know and believe about the use of cannabis? With the Government proposing new changes to the legal status of cannabis, many of us are wondering what to think and how it will affect us, our families and communities. A new Health Canada survey sought to obtain detailed information about the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of Canadians who use cannabis for non-medical and medical purposes and the perceptions of non-users. Here are some interesting insights from the survey. Perceptions on benefits and harms. About half of all respondents indicated that they believe that cannabis has a positive effect on mood, creativity, anxiety and sleep. On the other hand, some people indicated that cannabis had a negative effect on motivation, memory, concentration, attention and thinking and decision-making. More than 70% of respondents thought that using cannabis could be habit forming. Research shows that THC in cannabis causes an increase in levels of dopamine, the pleasure chemical, in the brain, motivating people to keep using it. In fact, it’s estimated that 9% of cannabis users will develop an addiction to it — a figure that rises with daily use and among people who start using as teenagers. Opinions on using and driving. 4 out of 10 respondents who said that they had used cannabis in the past 12 months also said that they had driven within 2 hours of using cannabis. Cannabis can impair the skills needed to drive safely and perform other high-speed activities like skiing, biking and skateboarding. Participating in any of these activities while impaired can result in accidents that can cause serious injuries, even death. Age of first use. The average age of respondents when they first used cannabis for non-medical purposes was 18.7 years of age. It’s important to remember that using cannabis at a young age, frequently and over a long period of time can have long-lasting impacts on learning, attention and memory. Early and frequent cannabis use also increases the chance of addiction. If approved, the proposed legislation would restrict the sale of cannabis to people over the age of 18 (or higher, depending on your province or territory). Find more information at canada.ca/cannabis. Like exercising your body, exercising your brain is also important. Keeping your mind active and engaged may help reduce your risk of dementia. Here are some fun things you can do every day. Puzzle games. Research shows that people who do word puzzles and brain teasers score better on tests measuring cognitive abilities like attention, reasoning, and memory. Try doing a crossword, word search or sudoku on your commute to work, during your lunch break, or while you’re winding down for the night. Write your name with your less dominant hand to tease a different part of your brain. Study a new language. You don’t have to become perfectly fluent to reap the brain benefits of another tongue. Speaking two or more languages and switching between them can lead to improved attention, memory skills, and problem-solving. Take a class at your local community centre or try a language app on your smartphone. Keep learning. If you don’t want to try out a new language, learning something else can also help to keep your brain active and healthy. Whether it’s reading a new book on an interesting topic, trying out a new card game, or starting a hobby you’ve always wanted to try, giving your mind a challenge is a great way to boost your brain. The federal government is working on a national dementia strategy that will complement existing initiatives to promote awareness, reduce stigma and support those affected and is committed to helping improve the quality of life for people living with dementia and their caregivers. EASY WAYS to keep your brain active 6 | www.snowbirds.org
Snowbirds have unique needs that we understand. Protect your home and auto with an insurance plan designed for your lifestyle. We’ll be with you all year long. Call us for a quote today 1-800-267-8000 Heading South this Winter? Endorsedby theCanadianSnowbirdAssociation. UnderwrittenbyRoyal&SunAlliance InsuranceCo. RSA isa registered tradenameofRoyal&SunAlliance InsuranceCompanyofCanada. “RSA”and theRSA logoare trademarksusedunder licence fromRSA InsuranceGroupplc
BirdTalk Dear Bird Talk, Be very careful when choosing which bank you deal with in the U.S.!!! From our experience, you will see what I am referring to. On Jan. 3, 2018, we deposited a Canadian draft in U.S. currency into the U.S. bank. We have been snowbirds for 10 years and this is the only bank we have dealt with. Our draft, which is what we have always used and which is for a considerable amount – as it has to last us for three months – is something we have never had an issue with before. This year, however, the bank said that they had to send it to a collection agency (which just so happens to be their own collection agency, not a thirdparty agency), to determine if it is valid and not counterfeit. Fair enough. However, that was Jan. 3. Today is March 3!!!! It is now in its ninth week and still no money!!! They state that credit is received only when funds are received from the drawee bank, which may take up to six weeks or longer. And, to add insult to injury, the U.S. bank courier fee is $45 and the U.S. bank initiation fee is $40. Also, fees imposed by paying foreign banks are collected on all cheques presented, paid and unpaid, with Canadian items ranging from $40 to $200. A very substantial amount of money that I have to pay to deposit my money in their bank!!!!!!! Soooooo, be very careful when selecting which bank you choose to deal with while in the U.S. Rich and Elaine Meckler Ed.: We see this time and time again – crazy fees and charges, and exchange rates that are exorbitant. I was very pleased to see the Meckler’s detailed case with all of the issues exposed. Now you know how bad it can be – and this was with U.S. dollars. We suggest that you talk to more than one bank before committing, and we recommend that you use the CSA Currency Exchange program for great results. Dear Bird Talk, If you have a U.S. Individual Taxpayer ID number but have not filed a U.S. tax return for three years, the Tax ID number will expire. Can you confirm that filing Form 8840 – Closer Connection form does NOT constitute filing a U.S. tax return? Bob Bovaird Ed.: Filing the Form 8840 does NOT constitute filing a tax return. It is designed to let the U.S. tax division know that you are not resident in the United States and that you pay your taxes elsewhere. Dear Bird Talk, My wife and I filed a Closer Connection Form 8840 this year (2018) relative to our seasonal stay in Florida. Having done so, does this extend the length of time for which we are entitled to stay in the U.S. this calendar year and, if so, by how many days? Thanks for your help. Maxine and Mel Wasserman Toronto, Ontario Ed.: Absolutely not! There are two very different issues which snowbirds must be concerned with in dealing with the U.S. government. The Form 8840 is for the tax department (IRS) and you are wise to file it every year. Your length of stay is of concern to the Department of Homeland Security (formerly the INS) and the maximum stay is six months in any 12-month period, unless special circumstances are filed and approved by the Department of Homeland Security. They rarely approve extensions. Please note that the Form 8840 is based on a calendar year, like your taxes. BUT the length of stay is based on ANY 12-month period. Dear Bird Talk, What do I write on line 1 for type of U.S. visa? For the U.S. address at the top of the page, do I write the resort address I go to? Eugene Turcotte Girouxville, AB Ed.: On line 1., put “B” visa and the date in the year you entered (i.e. Nov 1) For your address, the resort address is correct. Dear Bird Talk, On page 9 of the summer 2017 CSANews, in the Bird Talk section, the editor talked about travel insurance and “the regular care and monitoring of a chronic condition.” Having “an incredible battery of tests at a bus in a pharmacy parking lot for $149” sounds great, until a situation requiring outof-province medical attention arises from a procedure in that battery of tests and one’s travel insurance won’t be there to cover for that situation. As a result of reading that particular post by the editor, I have three (3) questions for Medipac: 1. If a Medipac-insured person has blood work drawn once per month while out of the province for the winter, to monitor an ongoing condition, and a situation requiring medical attention arises from the procedure (for example, an infection from the procedure), is the insured person covered by Medipac for that situation? 2. If a Medipac-insured person continues to take his/her regular chiropractic adjustments while out of the province for the winter and a situation requiring medical attention arises from the chiropractic procedure, is the insured person covered by Medipac for that situation? 3. Can a Medipac-insured person donate blood as part of a blood-bank blood drive while out of the province for the winter? Thanks Bird Talk! Linda S. St. Williams, ON Ed.: Excellent questions. If something new is found at the “bus” during or after the screening exams, it is 100% covered by Medipac (subject to the terms and conditions of the policy, of course). And… 1: The drawing of blood is not covered, as you know, but any reaction, infection or other related difficulty IS covered arising from that blood withdrawal; 8 | www.snowbirds.org
BirdTalk Featuring the letters & concerns of our members SEND YOUR LETTERS TO Bird Talk, c/o CSANews 180 Lesmill Road Toronto, Ontario M3B 2T5 or by e-mail: csawriteus@snowbirds.org Bird Talk 2: Again, something new arising from a chiropractic treatment IS covered, but Medipac would look to the chiropractor for reimbursement if it was caused by their treatment. Medipac still pays your claim first; 3: YES; Medipac encourages you to donate blood to help others. Please note that these answers only apply to a Medipac policy. Please call your insurance company if you are insured elsewhere. Dear Bird Talk, I am a Canadian citizen, but a non-resident of Canada – I currently live in Europe, where my wife is currently employed. I do have two properties in Florida that I rent out on an annual basis and I have been filing U.S. income tax returns since I purchased them. I have heard through the grapevine that I am required to report worldwide income to the IRS when filing? Is this correct? Please advise. Chris Phinney Glouchester, ON Ed.: The grapevine is incorrect. You must file a U.S. tax return if you earn more than $750 in the United States. You have been doing this, so you are fine. If you were a resident of the United States then, indeed, you must pay tax on your worldwide income. If you spend extended periods of time in the U.S., I would also file a Form 8840 even though you reside in Europe. Dear Bird Talk, A further question about your response in the winter 2017 issue: “if you earn ANY income in the United States, you are required to file a U.S. tax return. This includes rental income for leasing your condo or park model as well.” Does this apply to income earned from investments in the stock market – even when the investor has never set foot in the U.S.? Linda Charest Sherwood Park, AB Ed.: Income earned from investments in the stock market through a Canadian broker, even though in U.S. stocks, does not need to be reported to the U.S. As well, bank interest earned in the U.S. need not be reported in the U.S. Dear Bird Talk, I just received the 2018 AmericanCommunity Survey as part of the 2018U.S. Census. Anyone who “stays” here for more than two months is required by U.S. federal law to complete the form. I have begun to answer it online, but I’m finding the questions to be very invasive and certainly requesting muchmore personal and financial information than I feel comfortable providing. Any insight into our obligation as Canadian citizens to complete this U.S. census?There are significant fines associated with not responding. Thank you. Marilyn Barber Aurora, ON Ed.: We asked Wallace Weylie, CSA’s lawyer what he thought and he replied, “The Survey Instructions say “DO NOT INCLUDE anyone who is living somewhere else for more than two months, such as a college student living away or someone in the armed forces on deployment.” Thus, I would suggest that there is no obligation for a Canadian snowbird to complete the form. This is the position we took at the last census.” Mr. Weylie was a member of the part-time census staff during the last census, so I would trust his comments. Dear Bird Talk, Any day that you are not in the U.S. for 24 hours (i.e. the day you enter and exit) does not count against your 183? Betty Stewart Medicine Hat, AB Ed.: That is not correct. Every day, or part of a day, counts as a complete day. So the day you enter is a day and the day you exit is another day. Dear Bird Talk, On the 30th of October 2017, my daughter and son-in-lawwere driving my car to Florida while my wife and I flew down. At the border, the U.S. agent asked them if they had a CBP Form 3299 and since they did not, he stated that he could refuse their entry into the U.S. Fortunately, he allowed them in but stressed that they would need to complete such a form in future. Completion of such a form appears to be somewhat complicated, so I hope that it is not required? Denis Briggs Ontario Ed.: Many people are not aware of this rule and customs is starting to be much more “curious” about a car’s contents. If your vehicle contains unaccompanied goods (which it did), such as household effects, you will need to complete U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Form 3299 Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles – ensuring that a complete and accurate list of all the articles in the vehicle is provided. The form and the corresponding instructions can be downloaded from the CBP website at www.cbp.gov. Your daughter and son-in-law met a very kind border agent. The form is required. CSANews | SPRING 2018 | 9
President’s Message Karen Huestis CSA President Welcome back to Canada. Hopefully, by the time you read this column things will have warmed up considerably! Bill and I spent a busy winter on the annual winter tour answering questions andmeeting many of our members. As always, the tour began at the Snowbird Extravaganza in Lakeland, Florida. From there, we headed to Pharr, Texas for theWinter Texans’ Snowbird Extravaganza followed by the Canadian Snowbird Celebration in Mesa, Arizona. We then headed out on our Winter InformationMeeting tour which began with stops in Indio andWinterhaven, California. From there, we headed back to Florida for meetings in Immokalee, Clearwater, Bradenton and Punta Gorda. Great shows, great crowds, lots of memberships sold and many happy snowbirds. Thanks to all of you who came out and to all of those who volunteered their time in helping us put these shows on. Without our many volunteers who assist year in and year out, none of this would be possible. Thanks also to our partners at Medipac for all that they do in bringing these first-class events to our members. U.S. House Bill H.R. 3513, the Canadian Snowbird Visa Act, introduced by Congressional Representatives Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) and Ted Deutch (D-FL-22), now has 34 co-sponsors in the United States House of Representatives. In addition, critical third-party endorsements have been secured by Visit Florida, Canada Arizona Business Council, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, California Retailers Association, American Society of Travel Agents, Canada Texas Chamber of Commerce and the Vermont Quebec Enterprise Initiative. In March, I met with Florida Senator Bill Nelson and staff from the office of Florida Senator Marco Rubio. Both expressed support for the bill and we are hopeful that they will both shortly agree to co-sponsor the legislation in the United States Senate. CSA staff members are working hard finalizing the 2018 membership renewal campaign. Included in our first mailing will be the most recent version of IRS Form 8840, the Closer Connection Exception Statement for Aliens. Any Canadian snowbird who typically spends four months or longer in the United States every calendar year needs to file this form with the IRS, in order to be treated as a non-resident for tax purposes. One form needs to be filed per person and forms should be filed by the deadline of June 15. If you have any questions related to the filing of Form 8840, please do not hesitate to contact our office toll-free at 1-800-265-3200 or by e-mail at csastaff@snowbirds.org. Florida property taxes are back on the state ballot for this November’s upcoming election. In 2008, Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment that limited the amount by which certain property taxes could increase each year. For snowbirds, this meant a 10 per cent cap on property assessment increases for non-homestead properties. Previous to this, there was absolutely no cap for snowbirds. In 2019, that yearly cap will expire unless Amendment 2 passes on the November 2018 ballot. Amendment 2 states: “Limitations on Property Tax Assessments – Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to permanently retain provisions currently in effect, which limit property tax assessment increases on specified nonhomestead real property, except for school district taxes, to 10 per cent each year. If approved, the amendment removes the scheduled repeal of such provisions in 2019 and shall take effect January 1, 2019.” In order to be placed on the 2018 ballot, Amendment 2 must first be passed by both the Florida House of Representatives and by the Florida Senate. The good news is that it has already been passed by the Florida legislature with overwhelming bipartisan support. The amendment was passed in the Florida Senate with unanimous approval and in the House with 97 per cent support. The bad news is that in order for the cap to remain, 60 per cent of electors must approve the ballot measure in November…which is obviously a high threshold. The Florida Realtors trade group is leading the charge locally and, as evidenced by the overwhelming support which they have received thus far on both sides of the political aisle, it’s off to a good start. The CSA supports the passage of Amendment 2 and will be doing all that we can to let Floridians knowwhy passage is essential to the continued economic well-being of the state of Florida. Welcome home and best of luck with your spring cleaning. 10 | www.snowbirds.org
Government Relations Report Ron Steeves First Vice-President As part of the 2017 provincial budget, the government of Saskatchewan both raised the rate of the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) from five per cent to six per cent and applied PST to an increased number of goods and services…including travel medical insurance premiums. This change made Saskatchewan the only province in Canada to collect retail sales tax on premiums paid for travel medical insurance coverage. As you are aware, supplementary travel emergency medical insurance is a necessity for those who travel outside of Canada. Recognizing the limited emergency medical care coverage outside of Canada, the government of Saskatchewan actually recommends that residents travelling outside of the country obtain additional health insurance. In response, Director for Central Canada John Foster and Executive Director Michael MacKenzie met with the Saskatchewan Minister of Health – the Honourable Jim Reiter – to express our firm opposition regarding the application of PST to travel medical insurance premiums. During this meeting, they outlined our case that these premiums should continue to be tax exempt on the basis that travel medical insurance coverage is generally purchased from providers outside of the province and is purchased for emergency medical care which, if required, will be obtained outside of Saskatchewan. The CSA also emphasized the limited emergency medical coverage which the government of Saskatchewan provides to residents who travel outside of Canada, making supplementary private coverage a necessity. In addition, we asked our Saskatchewan members to participate in a write-in campaign contacting the premier and other members of the legislative assembly. In March, we were pleased to announce that Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe will reinstate the PST exemption for agriculture, life and health insurance premiums, and that this exemption will be retroactive to August 1, 2017 – the date on which PST was initially applied to insurance premiums. We would like to thank Premier Scott Moe for implementing this change, as well as Minister of Health Jim Reiter for meeting with us and listening to our concerns about this policy. We would also like to thank all of our members in Saskatchewan whose e-mails and letters played a significant role in having the PST exemption reinstated. Finally, a big thank you to all who have supported our advocacy work by making a donation to our Special Action Fund which we depend on, especially for unplanned advocacy emergencies such as this one. In 2016, the City of Vancouver introduced an empty homes tax (EHT) of 1% of a property’s assessed taxable value on residential properties left vacant in an effort to address the city’s housing crisis. Under the Vancouver model, most homes are not subject to the tax as it does not apply to principal residences or those properties which are rented out for at least six months annually. Now, the City of Toronto is exploring the possibility of implementing a similar vacant homes tax on properties which are deemed “underutilized.” With thousands of CSA members residing in the City of Toronto, many of whom leave their properties unoccupied during the winter months, we are concerned about snowbirds in the city being unfairly targeted and taxed for simply exercising their right to travel. From a property rights standpoint, these homeowners pay property tax and adhere to all municipal requirements including bylaws and zoning rules. We believe that snowbirds in the city should not be faced with this choice: restrict their ability to travel or rent out their Toronto home in order to maximize their vacation time. In March, CSA representatives met with Toronto Mayor John Tory’s office to discuss this matter and convey the organization’s concerns directly. While the details of what such a vacant homes tax would look like remain unclear, the CSAwants to ensure that a principal residence exemption is included in any vacant homes tax proposal considered by the City. In the coming days, the CSA will be providing a formal submission to the City’s Executive Committee, outlining our position. We will be following this development closely, as well as monitoring other municipal jurisdictions across Canada which may consider imposing a similar tax on vacant properties. This year, there are provincial elections scheduled in Ontario, New Brunswick and Quebec. As always, we will be producing our provincial election handbooks ensuring that issues of importance to our members remain front and centre in each race. Welcome home. CSANews | SPRING 2018 | 11
J. Ross Quigley CEO Medipac International Inc. Insurance It is not normal for a magazine to recommend reading a different magazine but, in this case, I believe that it is worth it. Most of our readers are taking some form of drug and, statistics say, the average person older than 65 takes more than five drugs every day. On the other side of the equation, drug side-effects are one of the most common reasons for illness and hospitalization, especially in seniors. The magazine is Consumer Reports. I have subscribed for many years and it is one of the very, very few magazines which I read. The information is direct, unbiased and very useful. In the May 2018 issue, tucked away at the back, was the story “How to Pay Less for Your Meds” and it astounded me. The difference in prices between various stores was “remarkable,” to use Consumer Reports’ word. I want to give you a sample comparison on a 30-day supply of a few common drugs: Drug Cheapest $$ Most Expensive $$ Actos (30mg) Costco $16 CVS/Target $270 Celebrex (200mg) Costco $26 Walgreens $204 Cymbalta (20mg) Sam’s Club $31 Walgreens $251 Lipitor (20mg) Costco $13 CVS/Target $135 Plafix (75mg) Costco $16 CVS/Target $141 Consumer Reports also mentioned HealthWarehouse.com as the lowest overall online pricing and showed varying prices at grocery stores. For instance Celebrex on average at grocery stores was $189, but prices varied from $46 to $250. I expectedWalmart to be inexpensive, but it was in the middle of the pack. Their Celebrex was $203. The independent drug store chains were a mixed bag of pricing, with Celebrex ranging from $11 (the cheapest) to $295 (the most expensive). It pays to shop around, obviously! I have probably mentioned this before, but when I walked into a Publix to get an antibiotic prescription filled, they said that it was free. You cannot get better pricing than free. Most drugs are overprescribed, as you well know, but have you done anything about it? Speak to your doctor about stopping some drugs or reducing the dosages…they may no longer be necessary. A personal note about my mother – she was prescribed Prednisone and was kept on the drug for 10 years, with disastrous health results. She did not need it after two years but it was just part of her routine and her doctor just continued renewing her prescription, I guess. When she came to live with us she was taking 12 extra-strength Tylenol every day. I told her to stop taking them and ask me if she needed one for her pain. She never did ask and she was pain-free for most of the rest of her life. Another comment relates to people in nursing homes and senior living complexes. They are almost universally overmedicated. Be an advocate for these people. Ask questions, ask “why,” understand their drug regimens. It could save their life and/or make it more comfortable for them – and probably save money too. My thanks toConsumer Reports for allowing us to use some of their information (and you really should buy their excellent magazine). Sometimes it is Worth Repeating. 12 | www.snowbirds.org
Canada Clubs The phone number for placemat orders is 1-877-888-2505 Oh, say canyou see by thedawn'searly light What soproudlywehailedat the twilight's lastgleaming? Whosebroad stripesandbright stars thru theperilous fight, O'er the rampartswewatchedwere sogallantly streaming? And the rocket's redglare, thebombsbursting inair, Gaveproof thru thenight thatour flagwas still there. Oh, saydoes that star-spangled banneryetwave O'er the landof the freeand thehomeof thebrave? STARSPANGLEDBANNER OCanada! Ourhomeandnative land! Truepatriot love inall thy sons command. Withglowinghearts we see thee rise, TheTrueNorth strongand free! From farandwide, OCanada, we standonguard for thee. Godkeepour land gloriousand free! OCanada, we standonguard for thee. OCanada, we standonguard for thee. OCANADA! Arizona California Florida LakelandCenter Lakeland Florida McAllenConventionCenter McAllen Texas Toorderplacemats foryour social function,call theCSA/Medipacplacemat lineat 1-877-888-2505orvisit www.snowbirds.org. HaveaGreatTimeToday! SeeyouatanExtravaganzanearyou! MesaConventionCenter Mesa Arizona TheVoiceofTravellingCanadians. Ifyou'renotamember,becomeone! 1-800-265-3200 www.snowbirds.org Yourworld isunique. We insure it. 1-800-267-8000 Enjoy the freedomof the snowbird lifestyle. Callus…beforeyou travelagain! 1-888-MEDIPAC www.medipac.com Securecross-borderbanking. Preferred rates.$0-5 transfer fees. 1-800-265-3200 www.SnowbirdExchange.com They are FREE and make wonderful table accessories for your Canadian event. To get your supply of placemats, choose one of the following options: ●● Visit us online at www.snowbirds.org ●● Send an e-mail to placemats@medipac.com PICNIC PLACEMATS Order Now! Please allow a minimum of 2 weeks for delivery. The following topics will be covered: • Who we are • Lobbying the federal, provincial, territorial and U.S. governments • Benefits of being a CSA member • Trip planning • Border crossing issues •How to count days in the U.S. •Forms – 8840 and W-8BEN •Travel medical insurance •Canadian Retiree Visa •Question & answer period To arrange a FREE presentation in your community, please email the CSA at csastaff@snowbirds.org CSA DIRECTORS SPEAK! Canadian Snowbird Association Directors are available for presentations at your community meetings CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION 180 Lesmill Road, Toronto, Ontario Canada M3B 2T5 1-800-265-3200 www.snowbirds.org CSA president Karen Huestis and first vicepresident Ron Steeves enjoy a beautiful day with some volunteers at the annual Ontario picnic at Fort deSoto park in St. Petersburg, Florida. Congratulations to the Arcadia Village Canada Club on their 27th Annual event. 110 Canadians participated in the weekend’s many activities, including a roast beef dinner complete with Yorkshire pudding. Congratulations to the winners of tablets at the Quebec provincial picnic, courtesy of the CSA and Medipac Travel Insurance. Pictured (L-R): Claude Lavoie from the Saguenay region, Christine Gaulin of Mercier, Quebec and Justin Hamelin of Terrebonne, Quebec with Denise Leroux, wife of CSA director Jim Leroux. Representatives from Medipac Travel Insurance and the Canadian Snowbird Association assist with the Ontario picnic on March 15, 2018. Canadian Snowbird Extravaganza Celebration in Mesa, AZ is grateful to this group of volunteers - the show couldn't go on without you! Every spring, the Canadians living in Palm Hill Country Club, a retirement community in Largo, FL host a BBQ to thank our American neighbours for their hospitality. This tradition has been going on for more than 20 years. On February 24th, 2018 this group of Canadian volunteers fed more than 350 people...proud to be Canadian! CSANews | SPRING 2018 | 13
Opinion with Michael Coren A strange phenomenon is developing in Europe and North America, one that until fairly recently would have been considered unapproachable in polite society. Male circumcision, so important to Jewish people and to Muslims, is being challenged and condemned and there is even a growing movement to ban it. Icelandic MP Silja Dögg Gunnarsdóttir of that country’s governing Progressive Party told the BBC earlier this year, “We are talking about children’s rights, not about freedom of belief. Everyone has the right to believe in what they want, but the rights of children come above the right to believe.” Even The Council of Europe became involved, and passed a resolution recently condemning the practice as a “violation of the physical integrity of children.” In Germany in 2012, where the governing class is obviously sensitive to minority religious rights, a judge ruled that circumcision constituted harm against a child. In that case, the boy was four years old and there were complications after the procedure. The child’s right to physical integrity, stated the court, outweighed the desire of his parents to have him circumcised for religious reasons. Here is the essence of the division: the rights of the child verses religious freedom and tradition. But if ever the procedure were made illegal, of course, Jews andMuslims would either choose to disobey it, have the procedure performed abroad, or simply emigrate. I suppose that a columnist should take an obvious side on an issue, but I have to say that here I can see both points of view. The medical context is ambiguous, and subject to changes in informed opinion. There was a time when the accepted view was that male circumcision was medically beneficial and, while that assumption has somewhat changed, there’s still a strong argument that the procedure prevents the acquiring of various sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and lowers the risk of urinary infection. Other medical experts say that if there are benefits, they are minimal, and that there is also a medical risk involved. But to a large extent, it’s irrelevant. This is not about what doctors say, but about what people believe their God commanded. On the one hand is the entirely reasonable desire to protect a powerless baby – a child who obviously cannot give consent – from an unnecessary, intrusive and potentially harmful event. On the other is the equally understandable desire for people to continue a tradition they consider holy and essential, based not in abuse and cruelty but in concern and love for their child. Especially as many in these religious groups have faced terrible persecution over the course of their history. The European Jewish Congress spoke for most Jewish organizations when it said that any ban would “attack Judaism in a way that concerns Jews all over the world.” Numerous Muslim leaders agree. Others go further, and have suggested that the campaign against circumcision is part of some greater culture of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. That, however, seems to be a dangerous overstatement and misunderstanding of what is going on. Some opponents of religious circumcision might display a lack of empathy towards Jewish andMuslim sensibilities, and even hostility towards religion in general, but this is usually not about race or hatred; there are even Jews and Muslims among some of the organizations calling for a ban. Allegations of racism and anti-Semitism, or accusations of child abuse and “organized mutilation” are irresponsible and do nothing to inform and civilize the debate. The fact is that in practical terms, bans are impractical and unenforceable. Around a third of all men are circumcised and in the Muslim world that figure is, naturally, far higher. It would be impossible for Canada, the United States or any European nation to prevent its Jewish andMuslim population, often numbering millions, to stop circumcising their sons. Laws require majority consent, or at least an implicit acceptance, and must be based on notions of harm and effect. Perhaps in a perfect world, a faith in God would not require a medical procedure on a baby, and I say this as the son of a Jewish father. But those perfect worlds aren’t very common. We are still working out the relationship between religion and state – and between majority and minority – and subtlety and compromise matter far more than we might think. But be warned, this argument is not going away, and it will only become more intense and loud in the years to come. 14 | www.snowbirds.org
• SEP • 12 Wed CALGARY ALBERTA Deerfoot Inn & Casino 1000, 11500 - 35 Street S.E. • SEP • 14 Fri VERNON B.C. Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre 3800 - 33rd St. • SEP • 17 Mon SHERWOOD PARK ALBERTA Festival Place 100 Festival Way • SEP • 19 Wed SASKATOON SASKATCHEWAN Broadway Theatre 715 Broadway Avenue • SEP • 21 Fri BRANDON MANITOBA Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium 205 20th Street • SEP • 24 Mon NEPEAN ONTARIO Centrepointe Theatre 101 Centrepointe Dr. • SEP • 25 Tues BELLEVILLE ONTARIO Empire Theatre 321 Front Street • SEP • 27 Thur OSHAWA ONTARIO Regent Theatre 50 King Street East • SEP • 28 Fri ST. CATHARINES ONTARIO FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre 250 St. Paul St. SnowbirdEvents Join us as we travel across Ontario and Western Canada this fall! Additional details (including ticketing and entertainment) will be provided in the summer issue of CSANews. Snowbird Extravaganza 2019 The Lakeland Center, Lakeland, Florida Tuesday and Wednesday, January 29 and 30, 2019 Winter Texans’ Snowbird Extravaganza Pharr Events Center, Pharr, Texas Tuesday and Wednesday, February 5 and 6, 2019 Canadian Snowbird Extravaganza Celebration Mesa Convention Center, Mesa, Arizona Tuesday and Wednesday, February 12 and 13, 2019 All events from 7-10 p.m. (doors to lobby open at 6 p.m.) Schedule subject to change. 2019 dates and locations to be announced. The producers of Snowbird Extravaganza 2018 would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support! CSANews | SPRING 2018 | 15
Travel Story and photos by Barb & Ron Kroll Prince Edward Island It’s funny how destinations conjure up colours in your memories – the Caribbean’s turquoise seas and Ireland’s green landscapes, for example. Red dominates our images of Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) –Anne of Green Gables’ auburn braids, crimson steamed lobsters, wild scarlet berries, fire-engine red geraniums, ruby-and-white lighthouses and rust-red soil that yields delicious potatoes. We viewed these red-hued images while exploring national parks and historic sites, scenic hiking trails, sandy beaches and the charming capital city, Charlottetown. Because the island is only 280 kilometres long, it’s easy to drive between attractions. TourismPEI’s website describes several themed itineraries, ranging from Celtic music to beach vacations. We followed two of them, beginning with the three-dayAnne of Green Gables route. Canada’s smallest province is better known for Anne of Green Gables and its succulent seafood than for its historical importance as Canada’s birthplace. 16 | www.snowbirds.org
Travel An immediate international success when it was published in 1908, Anne of Green Gables tells the story of Anne Shirley, a red-haired orphan. She was mistakenly sent to live with a strict spinster Marilla Cuthbert and her bachelor brother Matthew, when they tried to adopt a boy to help with farm work. Despite her penchant for misdemeanours, her imagination, passion for melodrama and optimistic spirit endeared her to all of the characters living in the imaginary island village of Avonlea. The best-selling Canadian book went into 10 printings in its first year. Since then, more than 50 million copies have been sold worldwide, translated into more than 35 languages. The novel has inspired musicals, plays, movies, ceramic figurines, books, CDs, DVDs and several television series. The most recent adaptation is the 2017 CBC and Netflix co-production of Anne. A prolific writer, Lucy Maud Montgomery wrote 20 novels, more than 500 short stories, 500 poems and hundreds of letters. She also recorded thoughts about her life and world events in journals, from the age of nine until just before her death in 1942 at the age of 67. We read her biography on a plaque near her red geranium-covered grave in Cavendish Cemetery. The success of Anne of Green Gables – The Musical™ is a testimony to Anne’s enduring appeal. First staged at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in 1965 as part of the inaugural Charlottetown Festival, its 54th season in 2018 holds the GuinnessWorld Record for the longest-running annual musical theatre production. Inspired by the humorous and heart-warming performance, we visited Green Gables Heritage Place, part of L.M. Montgomery’s Cavendish National Historic Site. The original green-roofed house – built in the mid-1800s – was the home of David Jr. andMargaret Macneill, cousins of Montgomery’s grandfather. Although LucyMaud never lived there, she spent many happy hours at the farmstead. Floral wallpaper, a blue-and-white pitcher and washbasin and a dress with puffy sleeves depict “Anne’s Room.” An orientation film at the Visitor Reception Centre ties together Anne of Green Gables, L.M. Montgomery’s life and works and the P.E.I. destinations that inspired her descriptions. A small museumdisplays priceless treasures including some letters and her black Empire typewriter, purchased nearly new in 1906. She used it so frequently that several painted letters are worn off the keys. Right – L.M. Montgomery’s letters and Empire typewriter – Early editions of Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea – Anne’s Room, Green Gables Heritage Place Below– L.M Montgomery’s grave and tombstone, Cavendish Cemetery Below right – Green Gables Heritage Place, Cavendish National Historic Site L.M. Montgomery’s Most Famous Novel CSANews | SPRING 2018 | 17
Travel In July and August, visitors interact with anAnne of Green Gables actress. Some are so charmed by the character that they wear straw hats with red braids purchased from the gift shop and take selfies of themselves around the house, farmyard and gardens. Many of the fans are Japanese. Akage No Anne (Anne of the Red Hair), a 1939 Japanese translation of the novel, was so popular after the Second World War that Anne became part of the Japanese culture. Schools added Montgomery’s book to curriculums in 1952. An Anne Academy, the nicknamed “Green Gables School of Nursing” (sister to the University of Prince Edward Island’s School of Nursing), numerous fan clubs, magazines, websites and social media sites dedicated to Montgomery and her works perpetuate her legacy in Japan. Black-and-white photos in Green Gables show Montgomery, her parents, grandparents, her two sons Stuart and Chester and her husband Rev. Ewan Macdonald. They married in 1911, when she was at her Campbell cousins’ Silver Bush home in Park Corner. The green-trimmed white building (still owned by the Straw Hats with Red Braids in 1894. Glancing through the lace-curtained window in her bedroom, we saw the same “lovely view of the bay” that she described. Guest speakers share insights into the author’s life and works and read her short stories on Wednesday evenings in summer. L.M. Montgomery Institute at the University of Prince Edward Island is the only place in the world where you can view the first editions of all English-language versions of Montgomery’s books, as well as foreign editions and periodicals containing Montgomery’s stories and poems. The online KindredSpaces search tool helps readers view the collections. Campbell family) is 15 minutes west of Cavendish, by the “Lake of Shining Waters” portrayed by Montgomery. Now the Anne of Green Gables Museum, it was the setting for Montgomery’s novels, Pat of Silver Bush and Mistress Pat. In the parlour, we admired furnishings and an organ used during her wedding (and still used today by many couples who marry here). Near the “enchanted bookcase” that Montgomery describes in Anne of Green Gables, we viewed some first editions of her books. Lucy Maud Montgomery Birthplace at Clifton Corner in New London houses more artifacts. The author lived here for only 21 months, because she moved to her maternal grandparents after her mother’s death. We viewed the bedroom where LucyMaud was born in 1874, her original white satin wedding slippers next to a replica of her wedding dress, and some scrapbooks which showed her fondness for nature, flowers and cats. Bideford Parsonage Museum is a pretty yellow house with white gingerbread trim and a wraparound veranda. Montgomery boarded here during her first teaching job at Bideford School Top– Bedroom where Lucy Maud Montgomery was born in 1874 Left – Anne of Green Gables actress Below– Japanese and Mandarin translations of Anne of Green Gables Top– Anne of Green Gables Museum in Silver Bush home by the Lake of Shining Waters in Park Corner Left – Visitor wears straw hat with red braids, Green Gables Heritage Place Below– The “enchanted bookcase” that Montgomery describes in Anne of Green Gables in Silver Bush home 18 | www.snowbirds.org
Travel Just as popular as Tourism PEI’s Anne itinerary is its five-day culinary route. We began our mouth-watering journey with delectable steamed lobster with drawn butter at Lobster on the Wharf in Charlottetown. Around the island, we saw signs advertising community and festival lobster suppers. In New Glasgow, famous for its lobster suppers since 1958, we dined at red gingham-covered tables. The feast began with homemade rolls, seafood chowder or soup, steamed mussels and salads. Our steaming hot lobsters arrived with dishes of melted butter. We loosened our belts for dessert – a choice of freshly baked pies. Many P.E.I. chefs are graduates of Holland College’s Culinary Institute of Canada in Charlottetown. They elevate the tasty red crustaceans to new levels with creations such as the lip-smacking lobster salad on potato rosemary bread with melted brie and maple salad that we enjoyed for lunch one day. The Dunes Studio Gallery & Café in Brackley Beach serves scrumptious lunches and dinners, such as lobster sandwiches with lemon herb mayonnaise and alfalfa sprouts on baguettes with mesclun salad. Large windows overlook pools and gardens decorated with sculptures. Shoppers and art lovers can admire and buy dazzling Balinese, Thai and Indonesian carvings, paintings and jewellery collected by owner Peter Jansons and his associate Joel Mills. In the studio, we watched Peter create beautiful pottery that’s used in the café and sold in the galleries. Some of our best meals were in P.E.I.’s picturesque inns. At Dalvay-by-the-Sea Hotel, we dined on butter-poached lobster with spring asparagus velouté, scented with white truffles, lemon crème fraiche and asparagus sprouts. Built in 1895, the mansion is a National Historic Site of Canada at the eastern end of Prince Edward Island National Park. Celebrity chef, cookbook author and Food Network star Michael Smith operates a mind-boggling FireWorks Feast at The Inn at Bay Fortune, where his wife Chastity is the innkeeper. Created from his farm’s organic produce and locally sourcedmeat and seafood roasted on a 7.5-metre, firefuelled smoker/rotisserie/grill/ oven, the multi-course meal is an awesome experience. The Inn at St. Peters’ restaurant overlooks pretty gardens and St. Peters Bay, where fishermen collect blue mussels. Our butter-poached P.E.I. lobsters with sun-dried tomato, roasted garlic polenta, leek sauté and lobster roe sabayon were exquisite. Bounty of the Sea Left – Steamed lobster at Lobster on the Wharf, Charlottetown Right – Chef Michael Smith, The Inn at Bay Fortune Below– Sculpture-decorated gardens at The Dunes Studio Gallery & Café, Brackley Beach Bottom left – The Inn at St. Peters by St. Peters Bay CSANews | SPRING 2018 | 19
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MzMzNzMx