“So, you are a senior too!” some seniors said when they heard that I, the new coordinator of Seniors Helping Seniors, was 57. Before me, several young women had been coordinating.
“But I don’t feel like a senior!” I replied.
“None of us does,” said Cali.

That was ten years ago now. I agree with Cali. I just feel like Me, though I have a body that is ageing. It didn’t take long before “the Seniors” changed into a group of people I know and love – people with a lot of life experience, and a future probably shorter than their past. Looking around me, I see a lot of role models for ageing gracefully.

I love helping others in whatever ways I can, and I am in awe of our volunteers, who when asked, are willing to step in whenever they can. I am grateful to get to know so many wonderful people and to serve this community that I am a part of. My thanks to the Board of CISS, and also to Elinore, my liaison to the Board, for being a very supportive sounding board and for giving me many gentle insights into the community of seniors.

After 50+ years of city life in the Netherlands, coming to Cortes was a wonderful and interesting transition. I had longed to live closer to nature, in a small community, where people support each other – and invite each other for fun things on short notice. That was before I heard about Cortes Island. And here I was!

Apart from the language, at first, there didn’t seem to be too many cultural differences. But there were – many of them subtle, some more obvious. Like the history and sense of humour. And Cortes Islanders are more self-sufficient than most Dutch city dwellers.

Dutch people are very direct, which is reflected in the language. So here I had to learn to “wrap” my sentences. For example, instead of “Do you want a cup of tea?”, I now say, “Would you like a cup of tea?” And lots of “pleases” (if I think of it). So “please” forgive me if I ever seem rude. This is never my intention. It is likely this cultural difference.

I learned that seniors usually don’t like to ask for help. Maybe for rides, but not easily for other assistance. Some get it from family, friends and neighbours. That is great. But I would like to encourage you to call Seniors Helping Seniors when you really could use some help, or you would like to give your friends some respite.

I would also like to encourage people to, sometime, acknowledge that we haven’t managed to live eternally yet. I am happy to be a sounding board if you choose to reflect on what this may mean in your life.

For the next years, I am intending to keep supporting people whenever possible, in a way that we can live lives that are joyful, fulfilling, creative, and meaningful. I hope to develop ways in which seniors can share some of their expertise and wisdom with the next generations on the island and be inspired by their energy and enthusiast as well.

In closing, I want to thank this community for welcoming me to this beautiful place I now call home. It has been a privilege to work for you. I hope we can continue to have the luncheons, outings, literary afternoons, picnics, and more fun together for years to come.
Love,
-- Carina

Thank you, Carina, for your wonderful work, from all of us at the CISS!


CALENDAR FOR SEPTEMBER

Walking Group
The walking group meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m., Manson's Hall parking lot, for a 30-min to one-hour walk, followed by coffee in the outside seating of the Co-op café.

CISS Group Picnics/Luncheons
In September, we will continue our culinary meetings outside. Since they are weather dependent, we will let you know the location every week by email.
• On Wednesday, September 2, we will have lunch and a farm tour at Blue Jay Lake Farm. Max Thaysen will give us a tour at 11: 00 a.m. We can park near the farm. Lunch will be at 12:30 p.m. We hope the corn will be ripe! Please Carina6793 a.s.a.p. if you would like to come.
• more lunches/picnics to come, you will be notified by email
• THANK YOU to all our summer luncheon hosts and cooks. We LOVE YOU!

Misty Isles Cruises
• Desolation Sound, Saturday, September 5, is all booked up. More cruises may be available. Call 250-935-6756 or check Misty Isles Adventures for more information

Outdoor Markets
• Fridays, Manson's Hall, noon to 3 p.m., are continuing

Cortes Island Museum
• Main Gallery, 957 Beasley Road – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., every day except Mondays until September 6, then Friday and Saturday, noon to 4 p.m.
• Wild Cortes at Linnaea Farm, Saturdays, noon to 3 p.m.

Hollyhock
• Garden tours, Thursdays, until September 24, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Take-out meals – last time Sunday, September 6
• Store – last time, Monday, September 7. Lots of wonderful items!

Old SchoolHouse Gallery, Whaletown, What Matters Most
• September 10, 11, 12, 13, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun, from 2 to 6 pm
• September 17, 18, 19, 20, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun, from 2 to 6 pm

FolkU
• FolkU is back on CKTZ 89.5 FM. You can also check past podcasts here

Eating Out
• Boathouse restaurant open until September 30, reservations will be required
• Bear's Picnic, food truck, serving breakfast and lunch, more details to come
• The Sunflower at Trude's place will be open Fri-Sun, 2–7 pm
• Toki Bap, Manson's Hall – every Friday, 11–3

MASKS
Annmarie's masks are still available. Call Carina6793 if you would like to get a pair. Wearing a mask is cool for the next couple of years. Be SAFE.

MEMBERSHIP
If you have not renewed your membership, please do so now. The more members we have, the more we can do to help our neighbours on Cortes, and the better impression we can make when we approach governments over concerns or apply for housing or other grants. Our dues remain at a reasonable $10 per person.

If you have not updated your membership, please do it now. The membership form included here as an attachment.

ONLINE/EMAIL NEWSLETTER
Are you a member of CISS but are not receiving our newsletter by email? Check your email junk folder. If you still cannot find it call Gina0080.

You can read our e-news here: https://bit.ly/ciss-september-2020-e-news

ATTACHMENTS:
September Newsletter (pdf)
Membership Form (pdf)