In this newsletter: Our calendar for February 2023 / Doug Butt needs visitors! / Interested in Bingo nights? / Interview with Sue Ellingsen / Better at Home Important Update / ... / and more ...

You are invited to join the Cortes Island Seniors Society (CISS) if you are 50+. To find more information about our programs and activities, check this Tideline link or our Facebook page: Facebook.

Membership in the Society is very important as it shows your support for the organization and its programming.

BETTER AT HOME – Program Updates

We have been working hard behind the scenes trying to get ready for the 2023–2024 season.

The Emergency Preparedness Grant from United Ways came through, and we are looking forward to start implementing it in the spring of 2023. This $25,000 funding is specifically for vulnerable seniors on Cortes. We want to make sure they have access to emergency notifications and work with them individually on how they can prepare themselves and their living situation for various emergency situations and how to adapt to potential emergencies in the future and create individual plans that fit in with our Community Emergency Preparedness plan.

We applied for the New Horizons for Seniors Program under the umbrella of the Cortes Community Health Association. The program focuses on Seniors Helping Seniors, and also on Senior Activities and Digital Literacy. We know there are many gaps there as we are going more digital every day and we want to offer support where we can.

Due to our successful trial with the Meals on Wheels program through Better at Home (BAH), we were invited to apply for the Food Security Grant through United Ways and are collaborating with the Food Bank. If we are granted the funds, we will be able to get the Meals on Wheels program going again and add some additional support to the Food Bank.

The Better at Home application for 2023–2024 is due soon, so we are preparing for that as well. We are looking for some senior support for a small steering committee that will help the program organizers streamline the program. If you like having tea in the garden a few times a year, want to support us and have ideas on how to make the program better, please send a note to betterathomecortesgmail.com .

We are hoping that the Grant in Aid (GIA) is getting confirmed as we write this. As with all programming, there are always a few things you cannot do within the guidelines of the program funding and the GIA can help us bridge those gaps. (Stay tuned for a Better at Home information afternoon session.)

The seniors’ society can always use new board members with energy. Much is happening at the Cortes Island Seniors Society (CISS) and many hands make light work. So don’t hesitate to volunteer to join the board or offer your help in any capacity that you can. Memberships are very valuable as they show your support for the organization and their programming. They are working hard on the financial end of things to receive e-Transfers and accept renewals and donations faster and smoother.

Although it is not always smooth sailing, we are all working hard and trying our best to offer good programming and make it better for everyone. So thank you for your patience while we sort things out and get back on track.

- by Ester Strijbos, Better at Home

CISS CALENDAR FOR February

Luncheons
No organized luncheons are scheduled for February. But come to the Cortes Community Cafe, Pioneer Room, Manson's Hall, on Wednesdays at 12:30 pm, to enjoy the cafe's food and each other's company!
See you there!

Poetry Reading Group #2
• Sunday, February 5, Linnaea Farm, VIRL, 3 to 5, with Soma Feldmar, this time Jude will held the meeting, for poetry lovers!

T'ai Chi Ch'uan
• Tuesday, February 7, 9 am, OM STUDIO, Manson's Hall, with Judyth Weaver. This will be our last class in February. We will continue in mid-March

Carpet Bowling
• Wednesdays and Saturdays, Manson's Hall. Call De0305 for more information

Literary Afternoon
• We are trying to organize an even in February

DeathCaring Collective
• no scheduled meetings for February or March. Next meeting in April

Walking Group
The walking group meets every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9 am, Manson's Hall parking lot, for 30-min to one-hour walk, followed by coffee. Coffee location TBA

Marnie's Books January Hours
• Wednesdays and Fridays, 11 am to 3 pm, still well stocked with books, games, art supplies, and up-cycled clothing

Cortes Island Museum and Wild Cortes
• Fridays and Saturdays, noon to 4 pm, new exhibition COMING SOON!

DOUG BUTT NEEDS YOUR VISITS

Doug Butt has been in Campbell River hospital for six weeks now and would do very well with visits from familiar faces.
He broke his hip, slipping on the ice, and is struggling with post-operative confusion. Regular visits from folks he knows brightens his spirits considerably. -- by Alex Hornby

BINGO NIGHTS!?

Will you be interested in Bingo nights in Manson's Hall? Email seniorscortesgmail.com or talk to Carolyn or any board members.

CORTES ISLAND SENIORS SOCIETY HISTORY - interview with Sue Ellingsen

If you want to know more about our Society, check Cortes Currents where Sue Ellingsen was interviewed by Roy Hales. Thank you, Sue and Roy, for an interesting story.
https://cortescurrents.ca/about-the-cortes-island-seniors-society/

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If you are a CISS member, you should be getting an email with the newsletter every first day of a month. If you cannot find it in your email box – check your spam or junk folder and mark "NOT SPAM"; if it is not there, inform Gina250-935-0080.

To read the newsletter sent by email, click here 2023 February CISS Newsletter

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