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President's letter
For Abbeyfield Canada the outstanding event of the year 2002 was the granting of the Commemorative Medal for the Queen’s Jubilee to 25 Abbeyfielders. Presentation ceremonies in Toronto, Ontario, and Duncan, BC, are being planned.
“Approximately 46,000 Canadians are receiving this award in recognition of a significant achievement or distinguished service to their fellow citizens, their community or Canada. You will appreciate the significance of this when I tell you that the following are automatic recipients of the medal: holders of the Victoria Cross, George Cross or Cross of Valour, and the members of the Order of Canada.
The Abbeyfield recipients have made significant achievements in developing and supporting one or more Abbeyfield Houses. Our congratulations go to these dedicated Abbeyfielders (see list on page 7).
“LONGEVITY Now that smokers are bowing to public pressure and, by quitting, increasing their life expectancy, obesity will be next on the hit list. One begins to wonder when a minority loses its rights… 25% is about the figure in both cases.
“But many research studies can produce unintended consequences. One such report recommends snacking; another recommends having a few drinks a day. But surely snacking is a major cause of obesity. I was interested to hear about the genius who found a way to increase popcorn sales at the movies… he knew that people would think it greedy to order two of something but they would buy a bigger portion. Now we see movie-goers staggering to their seats clutching enormous buckets of popcorn.
“One of the many advantages of living in an Abbeyfield is that two meals a day are provided, requiring no shopping, preparation, cooking or washing up. This leaves little need for snacking, however good the researchers say it is for one. As for drinking, we should perhaps Carry out a research study...or perhaps not.
“INTERNET In Britain the number of internet users aged over 75 has increased by 33 per cent. There must be similar or larger increases in North America where local calls are free. When visiting some Abbeyfield Houses I was delighted to find that several residents use email. Abbeyfield Armstrong have a donated computer but no residents are using it… yet. We expect to see some e-pals exchanging news soon.
“The internet gives us an informal way of handling applications for housekeeper positions. Recently we received an enquiry from someone who had seen our website. Her email gave no place where she lived and what area of the country she was interested in, so we circulated appropriate Houses. She is now working at a House in Burnaby, BC. Housekeepers get around… one worked for seven years at Abbeyfield Vancouver, is now living in Edmonton, and may be taking a position in Durham, Ontario.
ABBEYFIELD BC TRUST SOCIETY Newsletter recipients in British Columbia will be receiving a Special Notice about the offer of a gift of up to $15,000 on a dollar for dollar matching basis. We look forward to a good response to this generous challenge.
