Today Is Your Day Boomer

Today is your day Boomer! It is a national day of mourning in Canada as our official "head of state" is being buried in London. It is a day to do something to remember Queen Lizzie....view the funeral on TV, watch a royalty show on Netflix, scroll through pictures of her life, go to church and reflect, even just a walk with kind thoughts....something. For me, the impact of Elizabeth is portrayed in this picture map. Over 70 schools, hospitals, roads, and islands in our nation are named "Queen Elizabeth" including a huge archipeligo in northern Canada! Many of the landmarks are in Ontario and BC which, of course, are two of our provinces with strong British traditions. Imagine what is happening in a place like Victoria, BC today. It is also a day off school for most kids, so if you are grandparenting today, please do "something" with them that shows respect for the Queen.....like drawing and colouring a picture or visiting Queen Elizabeth Park in Va

Today is your day Boomer! And Boomers will likely be out in full force today across Canada as the annual Terry Fox Run takes place. It has now been over 40 years since the Coquitlam young man tried to run across the country on one good leg....and his memory and legacy lives on! One participant, Jorja Scott of Ontario underwent surgery to get a new reconstructed knee and is undergoing 18 chemotherapy treatments. But through it all, she says she finds strength in Terry Fox. "He's such a good influence to look up to during this time." The annual marathon has raised over 850 million dollars for cancer research and attracts runners, walkers, and all types of boarders and bikers for either a 5 or 10km distance. Boomers, have fun and don't forget to donate. Cheers Terry!

Today is your day Boomer! Hello Boomers, I may have been writing fewer blogs in the past week because I am busy on the election campaign trail. I am running for my second term as school trustee in Summerland, but I did find something to talk to you about today. It is for community-minded male Boomers, or actually men of any age, and men who have a little extra cash to spend. It is called " 100 Men Who Care" and it is based out of Penticton. These men come together four times a year and bring 100$ each time for a fundraiser event; they listen to three local charities and their appeal for money and then vote on how much each charity should receive! Recently, they split 7800$ at a gathering in Summerland and so far, they have raised 150,000$. Wow, Boomer men.....we can do this. Add in the socialization and networking and you have a great event every three months! Their website is cfso.net if you want more info. Cheers!

Today is your day Boomer! It is not often that you can say you taught an Olympic champion. But I did.....Justin Kripps, from Summerland BC, went to my high school and attended a number of my social studies classes. This proud picture of mine shows the two of us with his gold medal at our old school. I am not here to boast, but simply to say "thank you" and "good luck" in your new job as a coach of the Canadian Mens Bobsled Team. You see, Justin retired from competition officially last week at the tender age of 35. And on his mantle are a collection of World Cup and Olympic medals as he chased his dream of global competition! Wow, what an athlete. I saw him in high school whip the competition in sprinting....add weights and incredible spirit and dedication to the mix, and you have a remarkable athlete! Don't forget he is role model to kids, but also to many Boomers who compete at a high level in many Masters events like the annual BC and Canada Games. S

Today is your day Boomer! I have to give credit to the BC Forest Fire crews who quickly extinguished a blaze last week. The fire was located in two spots on a ridge above our summer cabin, and whem the helicopters and buckets came, they came in full force! We watched them for three straight days filling buckets and dropping water for about 13 hours a day. Three choppers in total with pilots that only took breaks for fuel and food. The only downside was the noise, which made socializing at times difficult. It was quick, efficient and impressive. We also had support from the local fire department who inspected our cabin property, left a trailer-load of equipment nearby, and promised to douse any flames, embers and ash coming down from above. How bad was it? On one day, the lake was completely covered in brownish ash! Great job crews! Thanks so much from a Boomer, like me, who values his family cabin greatly! Cheers.

Today is your day Boomer! I kind of have this feeling....but no stats to support it, that most Boomers want to keep the monarchy in Canada. Yes, the queen has passed and Charles is taking over, so debate is heating up on whether we should dump that tradition. Become a republic like the US and France, about 51% of Canadians said in a recent poll. Only about 1/4 of us want to maintain the King as our official head of state(he has only ceremonial power, of course). But what most people don't realize is that our constitution makes it very difficult to change; according to CTV News: "for Canada to sever its longstanding ties to the monarchy and become a republic, it would require agreement between the House of Commons, the Senate and all 10 provinces. Known as 'amendment by unanimous consent'". Historians know that getting all the provinces to agree on anything is virtually impossible. It won't happen. It seems we are stuck with Charles...and most Boomers

Today is your day Boomer! Honestly, from my point of view, it has been a great weather summer. Lots of clear, sunny days with warm temperatures....great for Boomer biking, hiking, winetasting, tennis, boating, and golf. But now the fires have set-in and Vancouver and the Lower Mainland in BC have the worst air quality in the world! Yup....the world, and the Okanagan isn't much better(see picture of the Kelowna bridge). It means we can still do our recreational activities, but those with medical conditions need to take warning. How about 9 instead of 18 holes at the golf course? How about indoor pickleball today instead of outdoor tennis? How about canning peaches inside instead of gardening outside? It is only temporary....this smoke, but it can get you! By the way, it is also affecting driving to Vancouver. Smoke from three large fires near Hope, and the associated closures and delays, meant some trips took 11 hours yesterday instead of the normal 5. Boomers, we have t

Melissa, thinking of you each and every day. https://www.summerlandreview.com/obituaries/melissa-stathers/