President’s Notes (Feb – Mar 2006)

“Tempus Fugit,” as the Romans would say (time flies)! All that planning, buying, and cooking is over for another year. Now we get down to planning our new year resolutions, which could for some of us include dieting off all that eating. Seriously though, I do wish all the best in the coming year.

I would like to thank the kitchen staff for their efforts, which helped to make both our member and volunteer lunch so successful. I’d also take this opportunity to thank the 411 Board members, volunteers from the Radio Team, also Edith, Stan, Carol and the kitchen staff for their help in making our Saturday Community lunch so enjoyable. The Saturday lunch is a free community lunch hosted by the 411 board members who contribute their time and supply desserts for this event. Thank you one and all!

The following are two of the exciting events planned for February here at the 411, which will definitely help to alleviate the winter blues:

LGTB Valentine’s Day Social (February 14) - Hosted by our Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, and Bisexual (LGTB) Committee to celebrate the special loves, relationships and friendships of aging and older LGTB folk. If you remember the last event this committee held during Vancouver’s Pride Week, you can be assured of having a good time!

Multicultural Day (February 21) - The Multicultural Committee will once again be hosting this annual event to celebrate the diversity of our membership. This group really knows how to party, so don’t miss this fabulous event.

“Who was Valentine,” you may ask? One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men, his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Where I come from we would receive cards on Valentine’s Day, full of hand written corny sayings (although we did not think they were so corny at the time). Something like, “My heart is like a cabbage. The leaves I give to others. My heart I give to you.” The trick was that the cards were anonymous, so the best part would be trying to find out who sent them, and who received the most cards.

The following are the two committees I would like to highlight in this edition of the News and Views:

Over the past few years, the LGTB Committee has worked hard to create a warm and welcoming environment, and to develop programs and services, for LGTB folk here at the 411. Organizing social events such as our annual Aging With Pride celebration, LGTB Afternoon At The Movies, Rainbow Walking Club, and much more! Also among their achievements is the designation of an LGTB specific Information and Referral Councilor.

Our brand new Access Committee was formed to act as a voice and a contact point for persons with disabilities here at the 411. The committee welcomes anyone who has an interest in collaborating on supports, events, programs, and services in this area. The goal is to ensure that the 411 Seniors Centre is fun, supportive, and relevant to people of all abilities. Look for additional information in upcoming editions of the News and Views.

In closing, I’d like to share a little joke with everyone: “The problem with retirement is that you cannot take a day off .”

Until next time, “May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May you be a half an hour in heaven before the devil knows your dead.”

~Anne Judge