IN THIS ISSUE MEMORABLE ACCOMMODATIONS KEEPING TRACK OF YOUR MEDICAL INFORMATION SURVIVING INFLATION Travel Health Finance CSA's Founding Father Jack Parry March 5, 1930 - March 18, 2023 In Memoriam OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION | SPRING 2023 | ISSUE 126 Publication mail agreement no: 40063603
*A comprehensive hearing assessment is provided to adults ages 19 and older at no cost. The results of this assessment will be communicated verbally to you. If you request a copy of the Audiological Report, an administrative fee will apply. Child hearing tests are conducted at select locations for a fee, please contact us for more information. Offer not available in Quebec. Not applicable for industrial hearing tests. This promotion is valid for select hearing aid models and cannot be combined with more than 1 partner promotion or discount unless stated otherwise. Offer applies to private sales of select hearing aids and discount is applied after any Government funding has been deducted. Some conditions apply, see clinic for details. **AIR MILES available only at participating locations. ® TM Please allow 45 days for Miles to be posted to your Collector Account. Reward Miles value is non-transferable and depends on select models purchased. Offers not valid in Quebec. Offer expires 06/05/2023. Book your FREE hearing consultation with us today!* Whether you’re just returning from your winter vacation in the south or getting ready for your next adventure, good hearing is essential for fully experiencing the sounds of the world around you. We’re committed to providing you with the best possible hearing health solutions with next generation intelligent hearing aids designed for optimum clarity, giving you the confidence to live the life YOU want. That’s why we’re excited to offer you a FREE 30-day trial* of the latest hearing aid technology! Love your ears with Get Next Generation Hearing • Largest network of clinics in Canada • 750,000+ satisfied customers • 360-AfterCare: Our full service warranty • Get AIR MILES® Reward Miles** Why Choose HearingLife? Scan the code to visit HearingLife.ca/CSA-TBYB OR call 1-888-693-8861 and use MAG-TBYB-CSA to claim this offer
Editor’s Message CSANews© is published four times a year and is Copyright Spring 2023 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 Shari McIntyre David McPherson Andrew Moore-Crispin Rex Vogel Robert Wiersema Judith Adam Gabrielle Bauer Donna Carter Michael Coren Jennifer Cox James Dolan Karen Huestis Ron Steeves Garry McDonald Ted Popel Wendy Caban Bob Slack John Foster James Carl Simpson Johanne Blain Michael MacKenzie Wallace Weylie President First Vice-President Second Vice-President Treasurer Secretary Past-President Director Director Director Executive Director Legal Counsel CSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Editor CSA Editor President Art Director Director of Operations Marketing & Events Specialist J. Ross Quigley Karen Huestis Christopher Davidge Peter Prusa Paula McGovern Fran Castricone SPRING 2023 | ISSUE 126 CONTRIBUTING EDITORS We acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada. Merv Magus Cover photo: iStock.com/dmbaker Illustrator …and it is a miracle. I just had cataract surgery with a highly rated lens implant and it is a real miracle. It was painless, with the only discomfort being the drops in my eyes for the following two weeks. Needless to say, I was terrified because of my aversion to needles and anything to do with my eyes. They put me out for the procedure and I heard and saw nothing – what a piece of cake. I can read without glasses and see that eagle a mile away, that I could see when I was 18…60 years ago. I should also mention that, during the minor operation, they solve any astigmatism which you may have. Do not delay; if someone says the word “cataract” to you, just get it done. The benefits are enormous. Spring is here and it is glorious. I hope to “see” you soon. Thanks to Johnny Nash (not Cash) for his delightful song. Sincerely; J. Ross Quigley Editor “I can see clearly now the rain is gone, I can see all obstacles in my way, Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind. It’s gonna be a bright, Bright sunshiny day… Oh, yes, I can make it now the pain is gone, All of the bad feelings have disappeared, Here is that rainbow I’ve been praying for. It’s gonna be a bright, Bright sunshiny day.” CSANews | SPRING 2023 | 3
Table of Contents SPRING 2023 | ISSUE 126 OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION Suite Dreams The joys of discovering memorable accommodations while travelling. by Barb & Ron Kroll Features 14 20 Prehistoric Apartments A Castle Cliff Dwelling in the Verde Valley: Why Montezuma Castle National Monument’s name gets it all wrong. by Rex Vogel Travel RV Lifestyle 4 | www.snowbirds.org
Table of Contents 40 CSA Online by Andrew Moore-Crispin 42 Gardening by Judith Adam 44 Food & Drink by Shari McIntyre 46 Fun & Games 47 Grins & Giggles 48 CSA Application 49 CSA Benefits 50 Longevity by Jennifer Cox 51 CSA Events 52 Obituary 54 Fast Facts 3 Editor’s Message 6 Snowbird Alert 8 Bird Talk 10 President’s Message 11 Government Relations Report 12 Insurance by J. Ross Quigley 13 Opinion by Michael Coren 34 Health Pulse 36 Fitness by Jennifer Cox 37 Book Review by Robert Wiersema 38 Golf by David McPherson 32 26 Medical Information Keeping track of your records at home and while away. by Dr. Robert MacMillan Finance Brave new world of inflation How to survive and thrive in a world of rising prices. by James Dolan Health Departments CSANews | SPRING 2023 | 5
What’s the truth about “best before” dates? We’ve all had that moment when you reach into the fridge for the container of yogurt, jar of pizza sauce or bottle of mustard and notice that the “best before” date on the package has passed. Does this mean that you need to toss it into the garbage? No, not necessarily. Best before dates appear on most food products that have a durable life of 90 days or less. There are some exceptions, including fruits and vegetables. You should be aware that there is a key difference between a “best before” date and an “expiration date.” Simply put, a best before date indicates the time frame during which a product will be at its tastiest and freshest. After that date, the product may still be edible, but might not look or taste quite as good. By contrast, an expiration date is the last day on which something can safely be consumed. Expiration dates only appear on a small number of products, including infant formula and meal replacements. It’s important to note that best before dates only apply to products that have been stored properly, such as refrigerating dairy products and avoiding extreme temperatures for pantry items. Other products, such as canned goods or dried pasta, may also have best before dates, but those are not actually required and they’re usually a year or more out from the packaging date. An unopened container of yogurt might be safe to eat days or even weeks after the best before date if it has been properly refrigerated. But a month or longer after that date, maybe not. When you do open the package, look for signs such as a funky smell or the presence of mould. By doing this (instead of immediately tossing the product out), you can help reduce food waste. Find more information about food safety at inspection.canada.ca. www.newscanada.com Snowbird Alert Source: www.newscanada.com Protect yourself from debit and credit card fraud In the past year, Canadians have lost millions of dollars to fraud and scams. When it comes to debit and credit card fraud, scammers are finding new ways to steal personal and financial information, so it’s important to know your rights and responsibilities, and how to protect yourself. Card issuers such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Interac are bound to help protect you against financial loss if someone uses your credit or debit card without your permission. However, you also have responsibilities when it comes to protecting yourself against fraud. For example, it’s your responsibility to keep your account information and PIN safe. You must also notify your card issuer right away if you notice unauthorized transactions on your account and, if you lost money, they’ll usually reimburse you in full. Generally, these conditions are similar across all card issuers. Contact your card company or check your credit or debit card agreement to verify the terms and conditions. Banks must always fully investigate a transaction that you dispute. How to protect yourself Here are a few smart steps to keep in mind: ▶ When shopping online, look for websites with addresses starting with “https” or ones that have a padlock image in the address bar. ▶ Never share your debit or credit card number or your PIN with another person, not even a family member or partner. ▶ Choose a PIN that is difficult to guess and change it often. ▶ Keep a list of the cards that you carry in a safe place, along with the phone numbers to call if any of your cards are lost or stolen. If you think that you were a victim of fraud, you should report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. You should also contact your local police, your bank and the two credit reporting agencies, Equifax and TransUnion, to put a fraud alert on your credit report. Learn more at canada.ca/money. 6 | www.snowbirds.org
CSAnews.com is now live! All of your favourite issues are now available on the web, with an archive of every issue from the past six years. All recent feature stories will be available to read online on any device. Sort by subject, issue or column. CSANews | SPRING 2023 | 7
Bird Talk Dear Bird Talk, Our newly appointed HOA president at our home in Florida is on a kick about “Canadians aren’t allowed to handle money in the U.S.” I know it is as ridiculous as it sounds. Many Canadians sit on boards and committees, participate in social events, sell tickets, etc. Is there any merit to her claims that Canadians are not allowed to be involved in handling money as part of an HOA or social committee, or is she just misinformed? David MacAskill Sydney, NS Ed.: ‘Misinformed’ is the appropriate word. There are no such rules or regulations. What she possibly means is that Canadians are not allowed to earn money in the U.S., as they are taking a job from an American. Dear Bird Talk, We (snowbirds) spend millions of dollars every year in the U.S. Why is it so hard for U.S. politicians to pass a bill to have the time spent in the U.S. by Canadian snowbirds increased to eight months? Does the U.S. not like our money? This is a no-brainer and should be passed sooner than later. John Romijn Brampton, ON Ed.: We couldn’t agree with you more! It is really hundreds of millions. Dear Bird Talk, We own a mobile home in Florida, but do not own the land (rented). Selling a mobile home is similar to selling a vehicle where we sign over title. Annually, we pay for a mobile home trailer licence just like a car. The mobile home has increased in value and we are wondering whether we are subject to capital gains on a mobile home that is treated like a vehicle? William Gordon Ontario Ed.: As you do not own the land, your property is not considered “real estate.” However, as you will realize a gain on the sale, you are taxable on the gain by way of a ‘capital gains tax’. There is no requirement for withholding, as there would be if it were “real estate.” A tax return is required to be filed in the year following the year of the sale. Dear Bird Talk, Winter visitors to Arizona often travel to Mexico for dental work. Are medical emergencies, such as excessive bleeding/ blood loss from extractions, covered by Medipac? My feeling is that they would not be covered as this was an elective procedure, but I would like clarification. This happened to my husband...we probably should have called 911 (he was semi-comatose on the kitchen floor), but we managed with the help of a neighbour. If we had called 911, would we have been covered? What about other happenings... heart attack in the dental chair, reactions to anesthetics, etc. Margaret Northcote Arelee, SK Ed.: The Medipac Travel Insurance policy is designed to protect against unexpected medical emergencies. When an individual elects to seek medical treatment or have a procedure that is preplanned, both the costs of the medical care and any resulting complication(s) would be excluded by the policy. Dear Bird Talk, My wife and I are in the U.S. for three months. She will be teaching a one-day art course as an art club event in a 55+ community. She will be paid between $200 and $800, depending on the number of students. The club takes a percentage of the course fees. Are there forms to fill out for the IRS and/or for the CRA (the art club wanted her to fill out a W9 but she can’t, since she is not a U.S. citizen)? Should she just pocket the money and not worry about it? Advice please!! Bill Shugar Dundas, ON Ed.: It doesn’t matter how small the payment is. It is illegal for a visitor to the United States to perform services for compensation; regardless of whether the compensation is money or something of value such as a free lesson or a round of golf. You can volunteer your services, but be sure that you are not taking away someone else’s job. A special work visa would be required, and I doubt that it would be issued in these circumstances. Dear Bird Talk, Hi there. I understand that Ontario recently ruled to retain OHIP coverage for any emergencies while outside of Canada. Can you please explain why I would need travel insurance as well, if any emergency medical costs are going to be covered by OHIP? Tanya Trachtenberg Toronto, ON Ed.: The CSA filed a lawsuit against the province of Ontario when they repealed out-of-country medical payments – and we won. However, although OHIP payments for emergency medical services performed outside of Canada have been reinstated, they are still limited to maximums of $200 CAD and $400 CAD per hospital day. Hospital claims average more than $20,000 USD per day. Buy travel insurance! Dear Bird Talk, I arrived in the U.S. on Oct 28, 2022 and will arrive back in Canada on April 4, 2023. While in the U.S., I took a 15-day Panama Canal cruise departing from L.A. and arriving back in Miami. Does the 15 days I was on the cruise count towards the total number of days allowed in the U.S.? Jennifer Goodyear Agassiz, BC Ed.: Since your cruise departed from and returned to a port in the United States, it is treated as a temporary absence from your primary “visit,” and you must count the entire cruise trip as “days in the U.S.” Dear Bird Talk, I’m from Ontario, Canada, and we are leasing a home for four months in Lake Havasu, Arizona. Can I buy and register a car in Arizona while I’m there? Brian Cocker St. Thomas, ON Ed.: Yes! You can purchase, register and insure a vehicle in the United States, but you would have to leave it there. Bringing it back to Canada is another matter. You must “import” the car, pay taxes and import fees, and have 72-hour advance permission from the U.S. border officials to export the vehicle. This is a cumbersome process, but my family has done it several times over the years. 8 | www.snowbirds.org
Dear Bird Talk, We have owned a Park model trailer in central Florida for the past 12 years. We have carried homeowners’ insurance from the same company for the entire time and have never made a claim. This year, we received a letter from the insurance company stating that they will not renew the policy as they are “reducing their hurricane exposure.” I was wondering if the CSA has any advice on how to handle this situation, or affiliation with any insurance companies that would insure Canadian-owned assets in Florida. Thank you for your time and the work you do on behalf of Canadian snowbirds. Signed: “I wish I could limit my exposure to shady insurance companies.” David Anderson Owen Sound, ON Ed.: This is a difficult situation affecting many snowbirds in Florida, and elsewhere for that matter. Insurance losses suffered last year, and in many prior years, have forced several insurance companies out of the market. Hurricanes, floods and raging fires seem to be a normal occurrence now. It appears that Citizens Property Insurance Corporation may be the “only” choice available in Florida. Dealing with a local broker is really your only option in any Southern state – try several. Bird Talk Featuring the letters & concerns of our members SEND YOUR LETTERS TO Bird Talk, c/o CSANews 180 Lesmill Road Toronto, Ontario M3B 2T5 Online at www.snowbirds.org/bird-talk or by e-mail: csawriteus@snowbirds.org Bird Talk Dear Bird Talk, I’m hoping that you can answer a question that many, if not most, snowbirds have. Netflix is working on eliminating the number of accounts that have free riders. My understanding is that you’ll need to log in to your home Wi-Fi at least once a month in order to access your account. Obviously, they didn’t think through what that means for Canadian snowbirds. It appears that this could impact us as early as late February or March of this year. Would you be able to talk to Netflix and see if there is a workaround for those of us who are not cheating, but are away from home for longer than a month? (I tried their chat line with no success.) Shirley-Ann George Ottawa, ON Ed.: Some have suggested cancelling your Canadian Netflix account and opening a new account in the U.S. during the winter months. We believe that such steps should not be necessary. The Canadian Snowbird Association has been in contact with Netflix Inc. to try and remedy this issue and push for a password-sharing policy which is snowbird-friendly. Dear Bird Talk, My I94 indicates that we can stay until June, but the rolling year puts us at ‘over by five days’ in February 2023 for the 8840. Why the discrepancy? Which should I use? Anyone got any insights? Martha Beach Calgary, AB Ed.: Trust your own day count for border crossing and the 8840 form. The 8840 form is an IRS tax form counting the days that you spent in the U.S. in previous calendar years. The I94 is for customs and border protection, different formulas for different purposes. Dear Bird Talk, I have a personal-use condo in Florida which I have had now for seven years. I have a U.S.-dollar mortgage on this condo which is with a U.S. branch of RBC, and they sent me a written request to fix an ITIN mismatch with their records and the IRS. I do not have an ITIN number and my question is whether it’s advisable to get one now – which will be required at some point when I sell – or wait until I sell. Having such a number may benefit me when obtaining U.S. credit cards as well as fulfilling the bank request. The bank has not pushed the issue with me since I have had the mortgage. Larry Billard Pembroke, ON Ed.: It is difficult to obtain an ITIN unless you have an immediate need. Persons who had numbers but had no need to use them had their numbers cancelled and had to reapply when they needed a number for tax purposes. Thus, it is probably best to wait until you have a tax reason to apply for a number, such as when you sell your condo. We use a U.S. bank and debit cards which work amazingly well. Dear Bird Talk, We have had our NEXUS renewal applications submitted and paid for since August 2022. Our current cards expire in August 2023. We have not heard anything from the Canadian or American border people. Is there any group or government representative we can contact to follow up on our renewal status? Gordon & Mary Dolling Cochrane, AB Ed.: If you have not already, you can check for updates on the status of your NEXUS application on the Trusted Traveller Program website, https://ttp.dhs.gov. If your application status is “Pending Review,” then your application has been received and is being processed. Please note that processing times vary by applicant. CSANews | SPRING 2023 | 9
President’s Message Karen Huestis CSA President Bill and I would like to welcome everyone back to their homes in Canada. For many of us, this past winter was the first in a few years when things really started to feel like they were getting back to “normal,” so we hope that you enjoyed your stay in your winter homes. The ninth edition of our popular Canadian Travellers’ Report Card is now available on our website. Once again, it examines five key areas of importance to Canadian travellers. We researched the practices and policies of the federal, provincial and territorial governments and then provided each government with an opportunity to comment on our findings. Once gathered, that information is forwarded to an independent, third-party grader for review and evaluation. Canadians who embark on long-term travel continue to pay a full year of taxes to their respective levels of government. They must pay for infrastructure and other government services which they do not use for the full year, and most snowbirds understand and accept that. However, one thing which they do expect and deserve is access to the health care and drug coverage for which they pay those taxes. In many cases, these taxpayers are denied the same benefits as those who remain at home. It is our view that Canadians should not have to choose between exercising their right to travel and having access to the health-care services that they may require. Since 2002, we have made a series of recommendations to protect the rights and privileges of travelling Canadians. We are pleased that many levels of government have responded with improvements to both service and coverage. Unfortunately, some governments have made little progress at all and we remain concerned with their apparent lack of concern for travellers. In March 2022, the Liberal government entered into a supply and confidence agreement with the NDP in which they agreed to support the minority government in key votes until 2025. In exchange, the Liberals agreed to advance some shared legislative priorities, including the tabling of a national pharmacare bill by the end of 2023. This plan may provide substantial benefit to Canadians – especially older Canadians – and many of our members. As of today, a potential national pharmacare plan and the establishment of a National Drug Agency remain merely political commitments. Our independent grader awarded the federal government a slightly higher grade in the “Access to Prescription Drugs for use During Travel” category based on this commitment. A higher score will be justified if and when the national pharmacare plan materializes and is designed in a way that supports the many Canadians who require access to quality pharmacare when travelling abroad. At any rate, this gives you an idea of the approach taken in the document and it remains a critical tool and invaluable resource when we sit down with our elected officials and members of the media. Again, it is available on our website at www.snowbirds.org. I encourage you to read it so that you will be aware of the latest developments pertaining to travellers in your home province or territory. CSA staff are working hard finalizing the 2023 membership renewal campaign. Your renewal packages will be arriving shortly and you can renew through the mail, on the phone or on our website. We are the only association working on behalf of all travelling Canadians and, although we are now more than 100,000 members strong, we continue to need your help and support. I, unfortunately, have some sad news to pass along. Jack Parry – the founding president of the Canadian Snowbird Association – has passed away. Jack was born on March 5, 1930 in Victoria, British Columbia. In 1992, he was elected by his snowbird peers as one of the five original members of the CSA steering committee and subsequently became our first president. Jack served in the RCAF and later acted as the designated flight engineer on VIP executive flights for Canada’s prime ministers and cabinet members. Jack was a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of his accomplishments and contributions to Canada. On behalf of the Canadian Snowbird Association, I would like to express our sincere condolences to Jenny and the entire Parry family. Bill and I wish all of you a safe and relaxing time at home in Canada with family and friends. 10 | www.snowbirds.org
Government Relations Report Ron Steeves First Vice-President While the Canadian Government eliminated the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for international travellers entering Canada last year, at the time of printing, all foreign visitors entering the United States are still required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they are otherwise exempted. At the beginning of 2023, U.S. President Joe Biden announced that the COVID-19 emergency declarations put in place to combat the pandemic would end on May 11, 2023. In a statement, the White House explained that it was reviewing the vaccination requirement as part of its preparation to wind down the pandemic public health emergency. In Congress, the United States House of Representatives voted to pass H.R. 185 at the beginning of February; the legislation would end the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for all international visitors to the United States. At this time, a companion bill has been introduced in the United States Senate and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, but no further action has been taken. The Canadian Snowbird Association is closely monitoring both this legislation and the executive actions being considered by the White House and will notify members immediately when this policy is officially rescinded. With the lifting of COVID-19 border restrictions, we have seen significant interest from members related to the progress of our Canadian retiree visa efforts. In the latest session of Congress, Florida Senator Marco Rubio reintroduced the Canadian Snowbirds Act of 2023, S. 387 in the U.S. Senate earlier this year. This bill has also been co-sponsored by Senators Rick Scott [R-FL], Kyrsten Sinema [I-AZ] and Mark Kelly [D-AZ]. Currently, CSA representatives are working on having a companion bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation, if passed, would increase to eight months the length of time that retired Canadians can spend in the United States. This represents an additional two months from the existing limit of six months less a day. Updates on this initiative will be provided to association members via email. Earlier this year, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced the reopening of all NEXUS enrolment centres in Canadian airports by spring 2023. This will help the thousands of travellers who request NEXUS memberships each month to get their cards faster. There are two steps to this new enrolment option for air travellers. Canadian airport enrolment centres will be staffed with CBSA officers who will conduct the Canadian portion of the NEXUS interview, and the U.S. interviews will be conducted by CBP at Canadian airport preclearance locations when applicants depart Canada to fly to the U.S. Conditionally approved NEXUS applicants and renewing members who require an interview will be able to book the Canadian portion of their interview at one of these airports through the Trusted Traveller Programs scheduler as interview times become available. Applicants can now choose from among three options for their NEXUS interviews: 1. A joint U.S.-Canada interview at a land enrolment centre (14 locations) in the U.S.; 2. A split interview – at both a Canadian land enrolment centre (two locations) and a U.S. land enrolment centre (Canadian interview conducted at the Canadian enrolment centre and the U.S. interview conducted at the corresponding U.S. enrolment centre located just across the border at the port of entry); or 3. A two-step interview at a Canadian airport enrolment centre (eight locations), followed by an interview at a U.S. preclearance location in a Canadian airport. Existing members who renew their membership prior to the expiry date will have their benefits extended for up to five years to allow for the scheduling and completion of interviews, as required (if they have not been auto-renewed). Included in your CSA membership renewal you will find two copies of IRS 8840 Form, Closer Connection Exception Statement for Aliens. For those who may be unfamiliar with this form, under U.S. tax law, any international visitor who meets the substantial presence test may be treated as a resident for tax purposes. This formula and additional information have been included in the CSA membership renewal package. If you typically spend four months or longer in the United States annually, the CSA strongly recommends filing the 8840 Form by the June 15 deadline (one form per person). You are eligible to file the 8840 Form as long as you do not exceed 182 days of physical presence in the United States in a single calendar year. It is a relatively simple way to protect yourself by ensuring compliance with U.S. tax law. On behalf of Judy and myself, please have a safe and enjoyable spring. CSANews | SPRING 2023 | 11
J. Ross Quigley CEO Medipac International Inc. Insurance The Canadian travel insurance industry is in turmoil. Three of the largest travel insurance companies, Manulife, Allianz and Blue Cross, have all had devastating articles in the news, as well as negative posts on social media. All have admitted to severe difficulties in the payment and timing of travel insurance claims. One company actually sent alert notices to their thousands of agents and representatives warning them that “… due to the high travel insurance claims volumes...the time to process customers’ travel insurance claims will take longer than normal.” We have heard many, many stories of claims telephone calls going unanswered for days. Many leave voice mails that are never returned (at least not on time). The odd person who gets a live body on the line is often told that they will be called back and it does not happen (again, not on time – meaning for days). The real question is “Why?” It’s really pretty simple – we have all read about the thousands of flights cancelled all over the world due to snowstorms, strikes and grounded airplanes. Every one of these cancellations would have resulted in a TRIP CANCELLATION travel insurance claim. Perhaps dozens on each flight and hundreds of thousands in total. And it is probably in the millions. Then we have the thousands of people who were stranded in airports, far from home. They were supposed to catch a connecting flight to Europe or to the United States, or even within the United States. Their next flight did not materialize. All of these stranded people would have TRIP INTERRUPTION travel insurance claims. Of course, all of these travellers had luggage and much of it was lost or went astray in the panic and confusion. I am sure that you have all seen pictures of the thousands of bags abandoned or lost in every airport. To try and get their belongings returned, most would have BAGGAGE travel insurance claims. My point is that no insurers could possibly handle this dramatic sequence of events, and I wish them well, but what happens to the poor snowbird who is trying to get through on the emergency medical insurance telephone lines because of a possible heart attack or a broken leg? What do they do? Wait in line for several days? This has been a disaster for many people with real medical emergency claims. Just last month, the federal government announced $75.9 million to tackle air passenger complaints – another sign of a broken system. They have a huge backlog of almost 50,000 complaints. Fortunately, 30 years ago, Medipac made the wise decision to not insure baggage loss, trip cancellation and trip interruption. We determined that these were minor inconveniences and often were covered under home insurance policies, or by the travel operators themselves. No one would go bankrupt having one of these claims. Medipac concentrated on emergency medical insurance instead and became specialists in just this one kind of insurance. We are not caught up in this travel insurance nightmare at all. Medipac answers our phones on time and will always take care of you promptly and fairly. That is what our clients expect and what we deliver. 12 | www.snowbirds.org
In 1983, I was a very young and nervous writer for Britain’s New Statesman magazine. One day, I was asked to interview the children’s author Roald Dahl, who had reviewed a book about the war in Lebanon that went far beyond criticism of Israel and bordered on downright anti-Semitism. I assumed that he would explain the difference between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism and clarify his stance. What he said instead was, “There is a trait in the Jewish character that does provoke animosity; maybe it’s a kind of lack of generosity towards non-Jews. I mean, there’s always a reason why anti-anything crops up anywhere; even a stinker like Hitler didn’t just pick on them for no reason.” The rant continued, with references to Jewish men not fighting in the Second World War. When I told Dahl that my Jewish grandfather had won several medals and been wounded, and that Jews were over- rather than under-represented, he refused to withdraw his comments or apologize. I mention this again now because Dahl’s publishers announced earlier this year that they were intending to produce versions of his books with allegedly offensive words such as “fat” and “ugly” removed. Not, it should be emphasized, because generations of children and parents who read the books had suddenly and tearfully complained but because, if we’re to be candid, someone, somewhere thought that they might cause offence. The angry reaction to the idea was so strong that the publishers eventually changed their minds, or at least hedged their bets. The criticism came not just from the usual types who see dangerous censorship everywhere, but from leading authors and intellectuals, as well as just ordinary people who considered the move to be ridiculous. Understandably, because it was ridiculous, and also a very stupid idea indeed. Am I still allowed to say stupid? Too late, I’ve said it now. Dahl was an anti-Semite. I know that better than most people. He was a nasty man with repugnant ideas. He was also a gifted author who understood children’s minds and fantasies. Those of us who have raised children know that they’re not as fragile as some “experts” like to think. Also – and this is absolutely vital – we can read and enjoy him while still detesting his racism. This entire issue requires sense, sensibility and basic common sense. In 2011, the great movie director Peter Jackson commissioned Stephen Fry to write the screenplay for a remake of The Dambusters. Guy Gibson, the heroic commander of the RAF squadron who featured in the 1955 movie, owned a black Labrador dog. It was named the N word. Pilots used the dog’s name to signal successful attacks. Thus, it was used repeatedly in the original movie. Quite clearly, it would be deeply offensive and just bizarre to use the word now and Stephen, a man who I’m flattered to call a friend and who is extremely suspicious of any form of censorship, gently and wisely changed it to Digger. There was, however, outrage. For some people, it was as if a tiny edit that did nothing to change the story was a monumental act of what they described as political correctness. They were wrong. I can listen to and relish Wagner while despising his politics, and can read many early 20th-century novelists and manage to ignore the occasional jarringly anachronistic and troubling epithets and descriptions. Because I can make up my own mind, make decisions, judge, and act accordingly. I don’t have to be told and have my hand held, or perhaps gripped. There’s room and need for editing because language is not only mutable, it can cause profound harm. Usually it’s obvious, and most people agree. It’s when control becomes more important than sensitivity that we encounter problems, and that’s clearly what happened here. When I was 14 years old, I had to study Shakespeare’s Henry IV Part One. At one point Falstaff, a central character, claims to have defeated numerous opponents. If he’s lying, he says, “I am a Jew else: an Ebrew Jew.” There were several Jewish students in the class and it was clearly offensive to them. Our teacher couldn’t and didn’t expunge the words, but used them to speak about the evils of anti-Semitism and how we should approach and understand Shakespeare. I’m sure that Roald Dahl would have hated it, but I still don’t think that his books should be changed. Now I’m off to eat a giant peach and then try to win a golden ticket. Opinion with Michael Coren CSANews | SPRING 2023 | 13
It’s not every day that a parrot swoops into an open-walled dining room and lands on your shoulder as you sip your morning coffee. If you love nature and ecotourism, consider an Amazon jungle lodge. Most offer multi-day packages that include meals, excursions and riverboat transportation from Manaus, Brazil. During rainforest walks, we photographed squirrel monkeys munching on purple tree blossoms. Our guide identified the haunting cries of howler monkeys and helped us spot a three-toed sloth slung high in a tree. The highlight was an evening boat trip along an Amazon tributary to search for caimans – South American relatives of alligators. Squeak! Squawk! Chirp! Buzz! Rattle! Hiss! Although the wildlife inhabiting this vast jungle is rarely visible, it certainly isn’t silent. Our guide Marco scanned the edge of the Amazon jungle with a flashlight, stopping suddenly when he spotted two ruby eyes frozen by the light. With lightning speed, he waded into the shallow water and gripped the caiman behind the head. Using his other hand, he grasped its tail to keep it from thrashing. Returning to the boat, Marco showed us the caiman’s 75 sharp teeth, its supple underbelly and the membranes that protect its eyes. He then gently released the alligator, unharmed, into the water. It vanished with a swish of its tail. Other unforgettable memories during our Amazon lodge vacation? Cultural visits to a riverside community and fishing for piranhas. SUITE DREAMS One of the joys of travel is discovering memorable accommodations Where do you stay when you travel? A condo Airbnb? An all-inclusive resort? A rustic cabin in cottage country? A chain-branded hotel or a cozy inn? Your accommodations can significantly impact the enjoyment of your trip. Here are some noteworthy lodgings for every interest and budget that we’ve discovered during our travels. We hope that they’ll motivate you to search out some non-traditional options for your next trip. rainforestcruises.com/amazon-jungle-lodges-brazil Jungle lodges Story and photos © Barb & Ron Kroll 14 | www.snowbirds.org Travel
In contrast, the tropical fish and thatched-roof overwater bungalows in Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora attract guests wanting splurgeworthy accommodations for anniversaries, honeymoons and romantic getaways. Built on stilts over aquamarine lagoons, they feature private plunge pools and tubs with breathtaking views. Some bungalows have Plexiglas floor panels. Fish – as brilliant as costume jewellery – dart below. We swayed in hammocks, admiring the jade peaks that rise dramatically from the lagoon. Paddling outrigger canoes to a nearby islet with powder-soft beaches, we couldn’t resist a dip in the sensuous-as-silk warm water. Many of the resorts host Polynesian feasts on the beach. Staff and guests wear head wreaths and garlands of fragrant tropical flowers. Chefs place breadfruit, taro, sweet potatoes, red bananas and whole piglets over hot lava rocks in an earth-oven. Covered with leaves and soil, the food steams for several hours. Tantalizing aromas fill the air as the cooks open the oven and serve the meal on woven palm-leaf plates. After everyone eats their fill, musicians play drums and guitars for Polynesian dancing. If you prefer fishing in a wilderness setting closer to home, consider a Canadian fly-in fishing lodge. In northern Saskatchewan, a floatplane transported us over pristine forests to a Churchill River lodge. Housekeeping fish camps supply accommodations with kitchen facilities. Full-service lodges provide American Plan meals, boats, motors, fuel and guides. Saskatchewan’s Churchill River has a reputation for some of the best walleye and northern pike fishing in Canada. We confirmed the river’s fame while fishing near Twin Falls Lodge. Casting our lines into the rushing water, we immediately pulled them back in with enormous walleyes. Shore lunches are essential components of fishing trips. While our guide cooked our freshly caught walleyes, we sliced up potatoes and onions and fried them until brown and crispy in another cast iron pan. Combined with baked beans, lodge-baked bread and coffee, the meal satisfied our fresh air-sharpened appetites. After a day of fishing, we joined other guests in the lodge for a delicious roast chicken dinner. Anglers compared notes about their catches, including hilarious tales of snagged sticks that “put up real fights” and “gigantic fish” that snatched walleyes from their lines. tahititourisme.com Fishing fanatics Romantic abodes tourismsaskatchewan.com CSANews | SPRING 2023 | 15 Travel
Kashmir’s wooden houseboats are equally romantic. They date back to the British Raj, when the maharaja barred the British from owning property or building houses in Kashmir. Today, about 800 of these floating accommodations are moored on lakeshores around Srinagar, the largest city in India’s Jammu and Kashmir region. Ornately carved from cedar, they retain a vintage colonial appearance, even though they have modern amenities. Lavishly decorated with chandeliers and handwoven carpets, they feature several bedrooms and a dining room. (Rates include international and Kashmiri meals.) Local families look after the houseboats. Living in an adjoining kitchen boat, our staff included a cook and a boatman for our exclusive shikara – a small, paddled wooden boat. We enjoyed cocktails on our houseboat’s verandah, while admiring stunning views of the Himalayas over Dal Lake. Vendors selling colourful flowers paddled shikaras to our terrace. After dinner, our shikara transported us past illuminated houseboats to a doonga boat, where we joined other guests for evening entertainment. Seated on cushions, we listened to Kashmiri singers and musicians playing stringed instruments. Servers poured us Kashmiri tea – flavoured with saffron and cardamom – from a silver samovar. It was an evening to remember. kashmiritours.com/houseboats-in-srinagar Houseboat with a view Just as Srinagar features houseboats with a view, Chile boasts a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve lodge with jaw-dropping mountain scenery. Our window in the 49-room Explora Patagonia framed an awesome panorama of glacier-carved granite towers, reaching heights of up to 3,050 metres. Accommodations included gourmet meals, beverages, airport transfers and a choice of 42 guided hiking and horseback excursions for every ability. Each tour helped us discover the breathtaking beauty of Torres del Paine National Park, with 242,000 hectares of cascading waterfalls, towering pinnacles and turquoise lakes. Our most memorable hike was a daylong trek to Grey Glacier, which extends south into Grey Lake from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field – the third-largest continental ice field in the world. Its jagged ice wall resembled an ice castle with Gothic towers and buttresses. After a day of vigorous exercise, the sauna, heated pool, outdoor Jacuzzis and massages in the spa soothed our sore muscles. A gentle horseback ride through the vast grasslands was another highlight of our stay in Explora Patagonia. We felt as if we were huasos (Chilean cowboys). explora.com Mountain ecolodge 16 | www.snowbirds.org Travel
belmond.com/hotels/south-america/brazil/rio-de-janeiro/belmond-copacabana-palace Another South American country, Brazil, also boasts legendary accommodations. Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Palace celebrates its centenary this year. A Belmond Hotel with 239 rooms and suites, it retains its reputation for alluring international celebrities. The hotel’s prized Golden Book chronicles the signatures of royalty, business and political leaders, stars of stage and screen, music and sports, who have stayed at the landmark hotel. Regal visitors have ranged from Edward the Prince of Wales (who later became King Edward VIII) to Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles and Princess Diana. The signatures on the page following those of the now King Charles and his former wife belong to another couple who also split apart – Nelson and Winnie Mandela. Surveying our room, we speculated about which celebrity guest formerly occupied it. Perhaps Errol Flynn, Walt Disney, Bing Crosby, Ed Sullivan, Orson Welles, Nelson Rockefeller, John Wayne, Gina Lollobrigida, Gene Kelly, Robert de Niro, Brigitte Bardot, Stevie Wonder, Ben Kingsley, Roger Moore, Madonna or one of the Rolling Stones? We sipped cocktails, as they did, around the hotel’s swimming pool, and crossed the road to relax on Copacabana’s famous crescent beach. The hotel provides guests with towels, chairs and umbrellas, as well as staff to take their drink orders and guard valuables while they go in for a dip. Both Carnival and New Year’s Eve are gala affairs at the hotel. In 2023, Copacabana Palace will host a series of culinary and cultural events to celebrate its 100th anniversary. The dazzling celebrations will offer many opportunities to become part of the hotel’s star-studded history. Horse lovers can book stable tours and horseback riding at Hacienda Los Lingues, located two hours and four centuries away from Santiago – Chile’s capital. King Philip III of Spain granted the red tile-roofed manor and 3,600 hectares of farmland to the original owner in 1599. The estate has remained with the same family for more than four hundred years. Germán Claro Lira, the current owner, invites guests to stroll through the gardens, play salon games and have tea in one of the antique-filled historic rooms. Meals include at least one Chilean dish, such as parrillada (charcoal-grilled meats) or pastel de choclo, a corn-topped meat and vegetable casserole. Bread – baked the centuries-old way in an outdoor clay oven – accompanies each meal. Flickering candles illuminate the china and the wine bottles on the heavy wooden tables in the stone-walled subterranean wine cellar. As we enjoyed dinner, we time-travelled back four centuries to the Spanish colonial era. Historic Spanish estate loslingues.com Celebrity magnet CSANews | SPRING 2023 | 17 Travel
In contrast to the glamourous nightlife at Copacabana Palace, a night at Sanctuary Chief’s Camp is spine-tingling. It’s not unusual for African wildlife to visit the Botswana safari camp after dark. Although we were safely ensconced inside our bungalow, we woke up with pounding hearts to roars, grunts, hisses and screeches penetrating the canvas walls. We later learned that lions had killed a zebra behind the camp, enticing a host of scavengers including hyenas and vultures. The next morning, we relaxed on our deck chairs, overlooking grazing antelope on the now peaceful savannah. Because predators are most active at dawn and dusk, we waited until sunset to board our safari vehicle. Our driver and guide soon spotted a herd of Cape buffalo making dusty tracks to a watering hole. Two lionesses – their amber eyes fixed on an aged straggler – ignored us. A parade of trumpeting elephants led by a massive matriarch diverted our attention. We trailed them to a pond, where they gleefully rolled in the water with all the finesse of boulders. Nearby, a flock of white-backed vultures devoured a young giraffe carcass. Its mother looked on from a distance, as if she were in mourning. Hot and dusty from the game drive, we returned to Chief’s Camp where staff welcomed us with songs, cool, wet towels and frosty glasses of orange juice. The beating of an African drum announced dinner. We enjoyed glasses of Cabernet Sauvignon and grilled appetizers around the fire, under a canopy of stars. Moving inside, we dined on beef filet, vegetables and mocha cheesecake, served on white linen by candlelight. It could’ve been an elegant meal in a Toronto restaurant – at least until the lions roared. All conversation stopped. Yes, our safari camp was no ordinary hotel. Threatening screeches sanctuaryretreats.com/botswana-camps-chiefs Barb & Ron Kroll publish the trip-planning website www.KrollTravel.com 18 | www.snowbirds.org Travel
Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability in Canada. Nearly two million brain cells can die each minute during a stroke and leave behind a wound in the brain. While the effects depend on the areas of the brain impacted, they commonly include partial paralysis, speech impairment, sensory loss, memory problems, cognitive difficulties, and even personality changes. About 300,000 Canadians are living with these long-term effects of stroke. Today in the snowbird haven of central Florida, an exciting medical program is changing the long-term outlook for stroke survivors and healing the damage in the brain. In peer-reviewed, published research, the unique HBOT protocol used at Aviv Clinics has been shown to trigger the body’s own selfregeneration mechanisms to restore physical and cognitive functions. Clinical evidence suggests that the Aviv Medical Program can create new blood vessels, stem cells and nerve cells in the brain to improve physical abilities, attention, executive function, information processing speed, memory, and other skills. The Aviv Medical Program is offered exclusively at Aviv Clinics in The Villages®, Florida. Through a combination of physical therapy, cognitive training, nutrition counseling and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, clients are experiencing life changing improvements. Does it Work? Aviv Clinics patient, Cindy, completed the Aviv Medical Program nearly four years after her stroke, and is still experiencing improvements. She can once again drive her golf cart, walk without a cane, work, and even travel by herself to visit family and friends. “Because of Aviv, I’m now able to do those things,” says Cindy. “The more progress I make, the more I want to do.” If you or someone you love are seeking more independence after a stroke, this is the right time to learn more about the Aviv Medical Program. Is a Stroke Preventing You from Enjoying Life? Aviv Clinics is bringing hope to survivors, even years after their stroke. Contact Us for a Free, No-Obligation Consultation aviv-clinics.com | 352-718-2377
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