IN THIS ISSUE PRINCE RUPERT, BC AVOIDING SHINGLES EVALUATING INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES Travel Health Finance OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION | SUMMER 2023 | ISSUE 127 Publication mail agreement no: 40063603
Editor’s Message CSANews© is published four times a year and is Copyright Summer 2023 by Medipac International Communications Inc., 180 Lesmill Road, Toronto, Ontario M3B 2T5. 416.441.7000. Subscription Price: $9.95 Canada; $20.00 U.S. and foreign. Single copy: $3.95. Prices include tax. Published by Medipac International Communications Inc. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and are not necessarily those of the CSA, Medipac International Communications Inc. or its affiliates, their Directors, Officers, or other employees or agents. Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement No: 40063603. ISSN No: 1195-2393 Barb & Ron Kroll Dr. Robert MacMillan Shari McIntyre David McPherson Andrew Moore-Crispin Rex Vogel Robert Wiersema Judith Adam Gabrielle Bauer Donna Carter Michael Coren Jennifer Cox James Dolan Karen Huestis Ron Steeves Garry McDonald Ted Popel Wendy Caban Bob Slack John Foster James Carl Simpson Johanne Blain Michael MacKenzie Wallace Weylie President First Vice-President Second Vice-President Treasurer Secretary Past-President Director Director Director Executive Director Legal Counsel CSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Editor CSA Editor President Art Director Director of Operations Marketing & Events Specialist J. Ross Quigley Karen Huestis Christopher Davidge Peter Prusa Paula McGovern Fran Castricone SUMMER 2023 | ISSUE 127 CONTRIBUTING EDITORS We acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada. Merv Magus Cover photo: iStock.com/GlobalStock Illustrator Not only can you smell it, you can actually taste it; the residue of a thousand fires a thousand miles away, drifting all over North America. This is the worst season for Canadian forest fires in recorded history. There have been more fires and more square kilometres of forest that have been destroyed than ever before. At one point, more than 1,000 fires were burning across Canada and more than half of them were totally out of control. Tens of thousands of people – many of whom were snowbirds – had been forced to evacuate their homes and seek safety. Many lost everything that they owned. The reasons were many – careless smokers, campfires not properly extinguished, lightning strikes and, I believe, some which were purposely set. Arson! I cannot think of a punishment sufficient to match the cruelty of these arsonists and the immense damage which they caused, both physically and mentally. But the world is a resilient place and people everywhere are caring and kind. More than 1,500 firefighters have descended on Canada from all over the world… from Europe, Africa, Asia, North and South America, and even Australia. They came to help, and no one had to ask them; they knew the trouble that we were in. They had seen it all before. They risk their lives every day to try and keep us safe. Years ago, I was caught in a forest fire on the Alberta/British Columbia border. A wrong turn, and we found ourselves in Dante’s Inferno. Death everywhere (animals); a completely black landscape with vicious little red fires everywhere. The main fire had passed through, leaving a black charred world behind. Thick smoke made breathing difficult and visibility very, very poor. Brave firefighters willingly walk into this nightmare every day. The number of fires has now been reduced by half, to fewer than 500 across Canada; the out-of-control fires have been reduced by more than half, to fewer than 300. These are not numbers to celebrate. There are still thousands of people at risk so, when you smell and taste the air, remember to wish them well and reflect on how lucky we really are. J. Ross Quigley Editor CSANews | SUMMER 2023 | 3
Table of Contents SUMMER 2023 | ISSUE 127 OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION Surprising Prince Rupert, B.C. Explore Prince Rupert’s fascinating heritage. by Barb & Ron Kroll Snowbird Lifestyle Presentations are back and you’re invited! Features 16 14 22 The 20 Most Beautiful Places in Canada and the U.S. by Rex Vogel Travel Snowbird Events RV Lifestyle 4 | www.snowbirds.org
Table of Contents 42 CSA Online by Andrew Moore-Crispin 44 Gardening by Judith Adam 46 Food & Drink by Shari McIntyre 48 Fun & Games 49 Grins & Giggles 50 CSA Application 51 CSA Benefits 52 Longevity by Jennifer Cox 53 CSA Events 54 Fast Facts 3 Editor’s Message 6 Snowbird Alert 8 Bird Talk 10 President’s Message 11 Government Relations Report 12 Insurance by J. Ross Quigley 13 Opinion by Michael Coren 36 Health Pulse 38 Fitness by Jennifer Cox 39 Book Review by Robert Wiersema 40 Golf by David McPherson 34 26 Don’t Get Shingles! The shingles vaccination isn’t free, but the cost is worth it, to avoid this painful condition! by Dr. Robert MacMillan Finance Opportunity knocks Eleven questions to ask when evaluating an investment opportunity. by James Dolan Health Departments CSANews | SUMMER 2023 | 5
What is RSV? Why older Canadians need to know about it Of all the things with which you can get sick, respiratory syncytial virus – known as RSV – might not be top of mind. But it’s an important one to be aware of, especially for older adults. The common, highly contagious virus is sometimes perceived as a bug that children pick up in daycare or other group settings and typically presents itself as being similar to a cold or flu. However, RSV can make anyone sick, and older adults are among those at increased risk for serious infection. In fact, most deaths attributed to RSV occur in adults 65 and older. Underlying conditions common in adults – such as diabetes and lung or heart disease – can increase the risk of serious effects from RSV, but even those without chronic conditions are more vulnerable to infections and health complications than younger people. This is because of the natural decline in how well our immune system functions as we age. The immune system – like our vision and metabolism – typically peaks in young adulthood and then starts a slow and steady decline, which leaves older adults more susceptible to infections and health complications. While preventive options for RSV are in development, there’s currently no vaccine or specific treatment available in Canada for adults. Further, immunity from previous exposure to RSV is shortlived, making it possible to catch the virus again and again. Without vaccines or treatment, practising general infection control measures to avoid RSV can help. Washing your hands frequently, not touching your face, covering your coughs and sneezes in public, regularly disinfecting surfaces which you touch often and avoiding time spent close to anyone who is ill are all things that you can do to help reduce your risk. Snowbird Alert Source: www.newscanada.com The next big health threat – and how to stop it The COVID-19 pandemic has caused so much damage, but it’s not the first global health crisis and unfortunately, it won’t be the last. The next major health threat may not be a new disease, but it could very well be microbes developing resistance to existing drugs. Microbes – just like bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites – evolve as do any other living thing and, over time, develop resistance to the antimicrobials we use to fight them. Resistant microbes survive treatment and are able to pass on the trait that allowed them to survive: repeat, repeat, repeat. It’s called antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR is already happening, and faster than our ability to develop new antimicrobials. If things keep up, we could face a return to a world in which many infections are simply untreatable. But there are things which you can do to help prevent this: Reduce your risk of getting sick. Disease prevention is the best strategy to reduce AMR and help antimicrobial medications remain effective. Wash your hands frequently throughout the day and avoid touching your face with unwashed hands. Keep up to date with vaccinations. Follow prescriptions exactly. Take medication exactly as prescribed by a medical professional, even if you start to feel better. There could still be some bacteria left in your system and, if you stop early, they’ll survive to pass on their resistance and multiply inside you again. Keep an eye on pets. AMR develops in microbes in animals just like it does in humans. It’s important to keep animals safe; monitor them for injuries that could become infected, wash your hands before and after handling your pets’ food and take your animals to a veterinarian regularly. Are your sore joints trying to tell you something? We all feel aches and pains from time to time. But if you often feel stiffness, swelling or pain in the knees, hips or other joints – don’t brush it off. Research suggests that there could be as many Canadians living with undiagnosed arthritis as there are with the diagnosis. It is important to recognize early signs of the disease because the condition can have a dramatic impact on your life, bringing pain, fatigue and restricted mobility. “Simply put, early action can lead to early relief,” says Dr. Sian Bevan, chief science officer at Arthritis Society Canada. “Even young Canadians shouldn’t ignore persistent stiffness and pain. This disease does not discriminate and can strike at any age.” Maintaining a healthy weight, keeping active and eating a balanced diet can all help to relieve pain and slow joint degeneration. Check your symptoms and learn how you can manage joint pain at arthritis.ca/ symptomchecker. 6 | www.snowbirds.org
CSAnews.com is now live! All of your favourite issues are now available on the web, with an archive of every issue from the past six years. All recent feature stories will be available to read online on any device. Sort by subject, issue or column. CSANews | SUMMER 2023 | 7
Bird Talk Dear Bird Talk, Are emergency medical insurance premiums paid by snowbirds to Canadian insurance companies for travel to the U.S. tax deductible on our Canadian returns? I have not found any definitive answer from Revenue Canada or from my online searches. I appreciate any guidance you can provide. Brett Haugrud Alberta Ed.: Premiums paid for travel medical insurance are tax deductible on CRA tax returns as a medical expense. Dear Bird Talk, My wife and I own a property in Florida. I need to complete Form 8840. Do we need to each complete a form, or only one of us, or one form with both names on it? Gilles LeBlanc Dieppe, NB Ed.: One 8840 form per person. And be sure to make a photocopy of each record and keep it on file to include in your “border binder” for reference when you cross the border. Dear Bird Talk, When Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) asks if we own a foreign property worth more than $100,000 CDN, are we only required to respond YES once we have sold the said property, or every year that we think it’s worth that amount? Some Canadians may have paid a lot less than $100,000 CDN at the time of purchase, but the value of the said property would fluctuate from year to year and thus, how are they to know, unless they sell it? Lynn Fenton Ontario Ed.: Foreign property includes stocks, cash, investments and real estate, but does not include personal-use property such as a vacation home that you use primarily as a personal residence. So, you do not have to declare your snowbird winter home on your CRA tax return. Dear Bird Talk, Do days spent in Puerto Rico count towards our number of days spent in the U.S. for either immigration or IRS purposes? Pam Jenks Alberta Ed.: Time spent in Puerto Rico is considered time spent in the United States. Dear Bird Talk, We travel to the U.S. back and forth every year. We also travel internationally (usually the U.K.). Would you please tell us what we should invest in. We previously had Nexus until its expiry in 2021. Also, if we reapply to Nexus, could we renew, versus starting again. Jill or Richard Heyhoe Tillsonburg, ON Ed.: When you are approved for participation in the Nexus program and are issued a Nexus card, you are automatically enrolled in the Global Entry program and the Canadian Verified Traveller Program. Unfortunately, if you have allowed your Nexus membership to expire, you will have to reapply as a new applicant. Dear Bird Talk, I just read (cover to cover) the spring issue. Absolutely invaluable info for newbies, as well as grizzled vets! Bird Talk is especially informative, particularly with respect to the ongoing confusion over the form 8840. Facebook posts about the form 8840 are relentless and mostly inaccurate. Thanks for your precision and clarity. Brian Burns Dryden, ON Ed.: Our pleasure. Thanks for the kudos! Dear Bird Talk, We want to take our grandchildren to the United States through land-border crossing to Disneyland, California. Can they go without COVID vaccinations? Brian Sabourin Nanaimo, B.C. Ed.: All COVID-19 proof of vaccine requirements have been removed by the United States government. You no longer have to prove that you are vaccinated to enter the U.S. Dear Bird Talk, Does anyone have an update on the Canadian Snowbird Visa Act? It made it to the floor in November. Just wondering if anyone has a progress report on the status, as it would be so nice if we could avoid filling out all of these forms every year to keep onside with the U.S. government. Jeff Fearn Calgary, AB Ed.: Take a look at the Government Relations Report in this issue. The CSA is working hard to get both sides of the aisle onside with this act, with several creative approaches. Dear Bird Talk, We are new snowbirds and would like to export our vehicle from Canada to the U.S.; we have heard that it’s quite a process. As new members of the CSA, I have not found any information about this topic on your website, which was quite surprising. Do you have any tips, links, etc. that would be helpful for those of us who wish to pursue this endeavour? Vicki Bay Ontario Ed.: The CSA Travel Information Guide provides extensive information about the process of exporting a vehicle from Canada into the United States. If you are a new member and have misplaced your copy or haven’t received one yet, call the office to get a replacement. 8 | www.snowbirds.org
Dear Bird Talk, Has anyone ever questioned the U.S. government about why we have to include days on which we come home for Christmas – trips away from the U.S. – as part of our 182 allowed days in the U.S. It seems to me that if we are not there, we shouldn’t have to count those days. Leslie Bailey Port Severn, ON Ed.: It has been made quite clear to us by the USCBP Agency that, when we reside temporarily in the United States for the winter, short trips out of the country, including cruises or visits home for the holidays, should not be deducted from our days in the U.S. for immigration purposes. Dear Bird Talk, Is someone with a DUI conviction permitted to enter the U.S.? Ronald Bova Amherst, NS Ed.: This would be determined on a case-bycase basis by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent. So, be honest and humble and best of luck! Bird Talk Featuring the letters & concerns of our members SEND YOUR LETTERS TO Bird Talk, c/o CSANews 180 Lesmill Road Toronto, Ontario M3B 2T5 Online at www.snowbirds.org/bird-talk or by e-mail: csawriteus@snowbirds.org Bird Talk Dear Bird Talk, In your experience, is it difficult to make application to stay in the U.S. full time? Is it a dual citizenship? How do you apply? Do you need a lawyer? I’m of the age at which owning and keeping up two homes in two countries is too much. I would like to stay in my U.S. home all year, but not give up my Canadian citizenship. Karon Kaminski Windsor, ON Ed.: To stay in the U.S. full time, you must qualify under the U.S. Immigration Act. If you qualify – such as by being married to an American – you must make application for a visa based on that qualification. If you do not qualify, you cannot stay in the U.S. full time. Dear Bird Talk, Can you leave your RV and/or car in the U.S. for longer than six months? I’ve read that a Canadian RV/car which is insured in Canada, cannot be left in the U.S. for longer than six months. I know many who leave their RV/car in the U.S. and take out insurance through a state insurance company. Is there a way to leave your RV/ car in the U.S. and be fully insured? Sue and Paul Kelly Gravenhurst, ON Ed.: If your car, truck or RV is titled and registered in Canada, it cannot remain in the United States for longer than 12 months. Otherwise, it will be considered a vehicle illegally imported into the United States, which will void your Canadian insurance policy. If you want to insure a vehicle in the United States, it has to be registered in a state and insured by an insurance company licensed to sell insurance in that state. Dear Bird Talk, On the 8840 form, the very first question is about your type of U.S. visa and the date you entered the U.S., so what type of visa are we issued and, as for the date, I live a few miles from the border and go over on day trips as well as for three months in Florida... what should I put? Mark Appel Stevensville, ON Ed.: When you enter the United States as a visitor (not on business), you are granted a B2 visa for tourism or medical care. You should state the first day in the calendar year on which you entered the country and add up all of the days that you spent in the U.S. between January 1 and December 31 of that particular year. Dear Bird Talk, In your spring 2023 edition, in the Bird Talk section, there was a question from Mr. William Gordon who wanted to know if there were any capital gains to be repaid following the sale of their mobile home on leased land. Your answer was that, given the gains made on the sale, there would be a tax on the capital gain. My question is, which government will tax the capital gain? American, Canadian or both? Thanks in advance for your response. Francois Gauthier (no location provided) Ed.: If you do not own the land, your property is not considered “real estate.” However, a capital gain on the sale of the mobile home is taxable in the United States. A U.S. tax return would be required to be filed in the year following the year of the sale. When you file your Canadian tax return, you would declare a deduction for the amount of tax that you paid in the U.S. in order to avoid double taxation. CSANews | SUMMER 2023 | 9
President’s Message Karen Huestis CSA President In December, a bill was passed by both the United States Senate and House of Representatives that created the office of assistant secretary of travel and tourism. Up until then, the United States had been the only G-20 country not to have a cabinet-level tourism office even though tourism spending is higher in the U.S. than in any other country in the world. Although the idea had been kicked around Washington for years, the pandemic underscored the huge economic impact which tourism has on the U.S. economy. The assistant secretary will be in the Department of Commerce and will enhance domestic travel and tourism by, among other responsibilities, creating goals for international visitation. This individual will be appointed directly by President Biden who, unfortunately, has yet to announce a nominee. The nominee must also be confirmed by the United States Senate. The good news is that the bill which created the position – the Omnibus Travel and Tourism Act – was passed with bipartisan support, which is not very common in Washington these days. We are hopeful that the creation of this new position will assist us in finally getting our Retiree Visa legislation approved in both chambers of Congress. I am pleased to announce that snowbird in-person special events are finally coming back. These include our Snowbird Lifestyle Presentations, Snowbird Extravaganzas and Winter Information Meetings. Snowbird Lifestyle Presentations are up first – right around the corner! They combine live musical entertainment with useful and timely information for veteran and novice snowbirds alike. You’ll also have an opportunity to hear what our friends at Medipac are doing for you this winter. In September, we will be travelling to six provinces, beginning our tour in Calgary, Alberta. You’ll also be able to find us out West in Sherwood Park, Alberta and Kelowna, British Columbia. From there, we head to Ontario with stops in Nepean, Port Hope, Oakville, Markham and St. Catharines. We will conclude our fall tour with stops in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Summerside, Prince Edward Island and Moncton, New Brunswick. As always, admission to these shows is free so, if you’re able, please attend a show and say hello. While you’re at it, why not bring a friend? We are always looking for new members. You can find dates and times for all of these shows elsewhere in this issue of CSANews. Visit Florida, the state’s official tourism marketing corporation, is reporting that 1.44 million Canadians visited the state during the first three months of 2023. The first-quarter numbers for 2022 saw only 488,000 Canadian visitors to Florida. In 2019, prior to the pandemic, Florida drew 1.446 million Canadian visitors. The bottom line? It appears that snowbird travel to Florida is finally back to pre-pandemic levels. The Canadian Snowbird Association has been accepting applications from members wishing to serve on the CSA board of directors. The new board will be ratified at the Annual General Meeting to be held in Lakeland, Florida in January 2024. The nominating committee has been approved by the current board and will be meeting in August to select a slate of candidates. Best of luck to all of our applicants. I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to renew their membership in the association. If you have yet to renew, you can do so by mailing us your renewal notice, visiting our website (www.snowbirds.org) or picking up the phone and calling us at the office. Thanks also to all who have made a donation to our Special Action Fund. As always, every dollar donated is held in a separate account and is used exclusively to fund our government relations work. Often, we find ourselves having to react quickly to emerging issues on the political front and that is when the fund is an invaluable resource. If you haven’t already, please consider making a donation. No amount of money is too small and the fund really plays an integral role in allowing us to continue our advocacy efforts on behalf of our members. Bill and I wish you a safe and relaxing summer. We look forward to finally being able to visit with you in person at one of our shows in Canada or the United States. 10 | www.snowbirds.org
Government Relations Report Ron Steeves First Vice-President Since my last report, the Biden administration has moved to officially rescind the presidential proclamation which required all international air travellers to be fully vaccinated against COVID19 for entry into the United States. In a corresponding move, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) implemented their own policy change – they no longer require non-U.S. travellers entering the United States by land ports of entry and ferry terminals to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Both of these changes came into effect on May 12, 2023. Stateside, CSA representatives continue to work on lobbying for passage of our Canadian retiree visa legislation. A Senate version of our bill was reintroduced earlier this year by Florida Senator Marco Rubio and we are hopeful to have a companion bill reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives later this year. CSA representatives are also looking at having our retiree visa proposal attached to larger pieces of legislation which have momentum in both houses. As you know, if this legislation is approved in both the Senate and House of Representatives, it will create a new visa classification for retired Canadians, allowing them to spend up to eight months in the United States annually. We have also included a provision in the text of the bill which would prevent eligible Canadians from being treated as U.S. residents for tax purposes. This provision will ensure that Canadians entering the United States under this new visa classification will not be subject to negative tax ramifications, despite being physically present in the United States for longer than six months. More information about our retiree visa efforts will be provided to members via email. In April, the Canadian Government announced the introduction of a new Verified Traveller program to be launched by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA). This new Verified Traveller program will replace the current Trusted Traveller program. By June 21, 2023, dedicated Verified Traveller screening lines will be available at select domestic and international checkpoints at Vancouver International Airport, Edmonton International Airport, Calgary International Airport, Winnipeg International Airport, Toronto-Pearson International Airport and MontrealTrudeau International Airport. The new screening lines will be implemented in an effort to ease travel congestion over time. Signage will be posted at the front of all checkpoints which offer a Verified Traveller service, as well as the benefits offered at that checkpoint. The new lines provide eligible travellers with select benefits at security screening checkpoints, such as keeping laptops, large electronics and compliant liquids and gels in their carry-on, and keeping their shoes, belt and light jacket on. Eligible travellers include: • Members of NEXUS and Global Entry; • Active members of the Canadian Armed Forces and U.S. military, including reservists, with valid ID; • Canadian aircrew and airport workers with Restricted Area Identification Cards; • International aircrew (in uniform) with valid airline ID; and • Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers, Canadian police officers and constables with a badge and proper photo identification issued by their respective organizations. Please note that verified travellers must comply with screening rules for non-permitted and prohibited items and will be asked to pass through a walk-through metal detector or full-body scanner. Carry-on items will be X-rayed, and verified travellers may also be required to undergo additional search procedures. The Verified Traveller program also allows children who are 17 years of age and younger, and adults who are 75 years of age and older to accompany verified travellers through security, provided that they are on the same reservation. Several airports will also offer verified travellers front-of-the-line service and additional benefits at trans-border checkpoints (flights to the U.S.). For more information and a list of airports, visit CATSA’s website at catsa-acsta. gc.ca. The CSA will provide further details to members – through our email advisories – about this program as these become available. So far this year, the CSA has distributed provincial election handbooks to members in Prince Edward Island and Alberta. The election handbooks which we produce contain key information about our major issues in each province, as well as details regarding how to vote and key dates, to ensure that members have the information that they need in order to exercise their right to vote. Electronic versions of the election handbooks are also uploaded onto our website – snowbirds. org. Members in Manitoba and Northwest Territories will also be receiving handbooks for their upcoming general elections this year. Judy and I wish you a safe and happy summer. CSANews | SUMMER 2023 | 11
J. Ross Quigley CEO Medipac International Inc. Insurance Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is our new nemesis. Trouble breathing, coughing up nasty stuff, high fever, headaches and very sore muscles. It is really a kiddie’s disease, but it is now attacking seniors, too. My wife and I have both had it. The symptoms were so severe that they were frightening, and they lasted for weeks. My fever ran up to 107 degrees. Our doctors and the local hospital (referred to by our doctor) have all tried to figure it out, but without success. We have cost the Canadian medical system an enormous amount of money and, basically, have gotten nowhere. We have worn halter monitors, had serious heart and lung tests and been subjected to CT scans and X-rays. AND… we’ve been prescribed antibiotics and puffers and nasal rinses and even prednisone. The results of the tests were amazing; we were perfect – they could find nothing wrong. (Just so you know, the drugs did very little to improve our issues.) We were very grateful for all of the attention and testing that we received, and I could not imagine a more intensive annual checkup. Thank you to all of the nurses and doctors who tried to take care of us, but I do not understand why they couldn’t diagnose RSV. I found it on the Internet one night when I couldn’t sleep due to coughing. There it was – every symptom that we had, laid out in a nice, neat order. There appears to be no cure, but the symptoms can be relieved. RSV is on the increase around America and we must be very careful. Social distancing is still an effective tool. This year’s travel insurance claims will be driven by RSV and RSV will cause strokes, heart issues and lung complications. They are madly searching for a cure and, hopefully, they will find one soon. As I am sure you are aware by now, we have launched our 2023/24 Early Bird Travel Insurance. We have experienced brutal inflation, particularly in the U.S., and hospital stays are getting longer. We have been forced to implement modest rate increases, but have added two percentage points to our Loyalty Credit discount to help offset the increase. The discount is now 10%, as opposed to last year’s 8%. We have also increased our superannuate credits by almost 20% and lowered our Annual Add-On charges. We have retained our Covid vaccination discount for Early Birds, but I suspect that it will disappear for our Main Season as these vaccinations are becoming more suspect as time goes on. Studies from notable sources indicate declining value and increasingly negative issues with multiple Covid boosters. I, personally, have decided to stop getting booster shots and I believe that this is the right decision. We must all stay active and healthy, which is our best defence to ward off this new malady. So, lots of activities, exercise and walks when we can should be at the top of our agenda. Happy summer and do not forget to get your Early Bird application submitted. 12 | www.snowbirds.org
I’ve never seen the Canadian political environment so polarized, petty and unforgiving. Anger is seen as strength, compromise as weakness. It’s bloody for the country and deeply harmful for the body politic. It stabs the soul and the psyche, and people really should know better. It’s easy to ignore it all, pretend that it’s not happening and concentrate on what is good and grand. But it matters – for us, and especially for our children and grandchildren. It could, if we’re not very careful, get a lot worse. This became especially poignant recently as I sat in the hospital with a man who was clearly dying. He’d lived a long life and wasn’t in too much discomfort. That’s a gift in itself because, as a priest, I can assure you that it’s not always the case. But there was something punching away at him, an irritant that was causing pain and hurt. After a while, he trusted me enough to share what it was. He had lost contact with his only child – a son – many years earlier. As is common, the original cause had been magnified by time and distance. I asked him if he wanted me to try and find his son. He knew – we both knew – that his life was coming to an end. “Do what you damned well like,” he said. In my experience, that passes for enthusiasm. Their surname was sufficiently uncommon for me to find four possibilities, and the second phone call led to the right person. I called and introduced myself. Long pause. I said some more, explained in detail. Further silence. Then, “What does he want of me? I mean, what does he want of me!” I said that he wanted nothing, but that perhaps for both of their sakes, a brief meeting… if it wasn’t too traumatic or triggering… might be a good thing. “Give me the address,” he said. “I doubt I’ll come, but whatever. Whatever.” Two days later, the nurse asked to see me. There was, she said, someone here for the patient. He’d asked for me to stay while he visited. Of course. And there he was. In his 50s, well-dressed, fit looking. The two men stared at each other. Then the son ran to the bed and embraced his father. All I could hear between the tears from both of them was, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry” bouncing back from father to son, and son to father. I offered to leave, but they both said no. There I was, a stunned observer of beauty postponed. The tears dried, they spoke, tried to explain and understand why a serious but not invincible argument had led to two decades of loneliness and regret. Then came the son’s wife, then his children – the grandchildren of this flawed, but good man on his deathbed. I said that I had to take a call but, in fact, went to another room to weep. The next day, the man’s mortal life – his time in this land of mere shadows – was completed, and his son, his daughter-in-law and his grandchildren were there for the passing. So were grace, love and forgiveness. I pray that I will never forget it. To forgive isn’t to surrender or submit, to reconsider one’s position isn’t to “sell out,” and to make a leap of empathy isn’t “woke” or “politically correct.” No, it’s human… humanity at its best and most real and full. It’s certainly transformed my life and changed many others. Yet social media is distended with armchair warriors roaring their defiance and rudeness in a sad, broken attempt to display toughness, and that’s now mirrored in federal politics. This approach isn’t confined to one political side; extremes of left and right both play the sordid game. They drag the whole process into the mud. Misleading sound bites, outrageous claims and empty bombast. There are also frequent attempts, often successful, to silence and cancel dissenting voices. I’ve been a victim of this myself, from bullies at both political extremes. We don’t have to be passive in our beliefs, and passion is not only unavoidable but often desirable. But with passion must come decency, truth and respect for those with whom we disagree. That’s absolutely essential. We need to rethink, listen, forgive and improve. If an estranged father and his son can do it, so can those who aspire to high office, or any office for that matter. Time is running out, it really is. Opinion with Michael Coren CSANews | SUMMER 2023 | 13
Snowbird Events Canadian Snowbird Association President Karen Huestis With a special presentation from FREE SNOWBIRD SHOW Canadian Country Music Icon MICHELLE WRIGHT Sponsored by Dates for the 2024 Snowbird Extravaganzas and CSA Winter Information Meetings will be announced in the fall issue of CSANews. These events are FREE, but some theatres require tickets; for those events for which ticketing is required, tickets are now available through each theatre’s box office. Tickets may be available on the day of the event, but these events have been known to “sell out” in the past so we recommend that you reserve early! DEREK EDWARDS SEPTEMBER 12 TO 22 R 12 TO 22 JOHN WING SEPTEMBER 26 TO 28 R 26 TO 28 Award-winning Country Star GEORGE CANYON 14 | www.snowbirds.org
Snowbird Events • SEP • 12 Tues CALGARY ALBERTA Chrome Showroom, Deerfoot Inn & Casino 1000, 11500 - 35 Street S.E. GENERAL ADMISSION, TICKETS NOT REQUIRED GENERAL ADMISSION • SEP • 13 Wed SHERWOOD PARK ALBERTA Festival Place 100 Festival Way Box Office: (780) 449-3378 festivalplace.ca • SEP • 15 Fri KELOWNA B.C. Kelowna Community Theatre 1375 Water Street Box Office: (250) 469-8940 theatre.kelowna.ca • SEP • 18 Mon NEPEAN ONTARIO Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe 101 Centrepointe Dr. Box Office: (613) 580-2700 or 1-866-752-5231 meridiancentrepointe.com • SEP • 19 Tues PORT HOPE ONTARIO Capitol Theatre 20 Queen Street Box Office: (905) 885-1071 capitoltheatre.com • SEP • 20 Wed OAKVILLE ONTARIO Oakville Centre, AEG Liebherr Auditorium 130 Navy Street Box Office: (905) 815-2021 or 1-888-489-7784 oakvillecentre.ca • SEP • 21 Thur MARKHAM ONTARIO Flato Markham Theatre 171 Town Centre Boulevard Box Office: (905) 305-7469 or 1-866-768-8801 flatomarkhamtheatre.ca • SEP • 22 Fri ST. CATHARINES ONTARIO FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, Partridge Hall 250 St. Paul Street Box Office: (905) 688-0722 or 1-855-515-0722 firstontariopac.ca • SEP • 26 Tues HALIFAX NOVA SCOTIA Schooner Room, Casino Nova Scotia 1983 Upper Water Street GENERAL ADMISSION, TICKETS NOT REQUIRED GENERAL ADMISSION • SEP • 27 Wed SUMMERSIDE PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND Harbourfront Theatre 124 Heather Moyse Drive Box Office: (902) 888-2500 or 1-800-708-6505 harbourfronttheatre.com • SEP • 28 Thur MONCTON NEW BRUNSWICK Capitol Theatre 811 Main Street Box Office: (506) 856-4379 or 1-800-567-1922 capitol.nb.ca All events from 7-10 p.m. (doors to lobby open at 6 p.m.) Schedule subject to change. CSANews | SUMMER 2023 | 15
What do cows, totem poles, salmon, the Titanic, ancient petroglyphs and goose tongues have in common? They are all part of Prince Rupert’s fascinating heritage. The city of 12,200 people surprised us as soon as we opened a Tourism Prince Rupert map during our Air Canada flight from Vancouver. We knew that it was on the northwest coast of British Columbia, but we didn’t know that it was situated offshore on Kaien Island. As our plane descended towards the pine-covered islands hugging the fjord-indented coastline, we discovered that the airport was also on an island (named Digby). Our next surprise was Prince Rupert’s 22-kilometre-long harbour. One of the deepest and most protected natural harbours in the world, it remains ice-free year-round. The harbour was one reason why city founder Charles Hays decided to make Prince Rupert the western terminus for his transcontinental Grand Trunk Pacific (GTP) Railway. He lured eminent architects to design B.C.’s first planned city, along with magnificent hotels along the GTP route. Story and photos © Barb & Ron Kroll Photo: iStock.com/Christa Boaz Prince Rupert, B.C. 16 | www.snowbirds.org Travel
The Japan connection Hays’s second reason was because ships crossing the Pacific to Asia take a day or two less time from here. Japan is closer to Prince Rupert than it is to Vancouver. There’s an official Shinto shrine at Mariner’s Park on the waterfront. It’s the Kazu Maru, a fishing boat that drifted over from Owase, Japan (Prince Rupert’s sister city) after its skipper drowned. A poignant bronze statue of a mariner and a wall of names also commemorate fishermen who’ve died at sea. Shattered dreams Unfortunately, Hays didn’t realize his dream of making Prince Rupert a port to rival Vancouver. Returning from a fundraising trip to Britain, he booked passage on the Titanic. In 1914, two years after his death, the first GTP train chugged into Prince Rupert. The world was at war and the GTP merged with Canadian National Railways to avoid bankruptcy. Moo! Cruise passengers spill out from the Northland Cruise Terminal into Cow Bay. This trendy bovine-inspired district – with its black-and-white Holstein-coloured fire hydrants, trash cans and signs – was a pleasant surprise. Cow Bay acquired its name in 1909, when the first herd of dairy cows arrived by ship. No suitable dock was available to unload the cattle, so they had to swim ashore. In the newly opened waterfront Cow Bay Container Market, artisans and vendors sell their wares from refurbished shipping containers. Beyond the marketplace, historic buildings now house boutiques, galleries, restaurants and coffee houses such as Cowpuccino’s. Cow Bay is also an outdoor gallery for several of Prince Rupert’s 30 murals. Part of the city’s public art program, they depict the community’s cultural heritage, natural environment and history. Created by local and visiting artists, some of the murals feature boats, whales and grizzly bears. Prince Rupert Adventure Tours, located in Cow Bay, offers boat tours for whale-watching and viewing grizzly bears in nearby Khutzeymateen Valley, North America’s densest natural grizzly bear habitat. Inside Passage port Nowadays, visitors get here by VIA Rail, as well as by air, road and the sea (BC Ferries and cruise ships). We were amazed to learn that Prince Rupert Cruise Port welcomed nearly 41,000 passengers in 2022, on cruises from Vancouver or Seattle to Alaska. An additional 20,000 passengers are expected this year, on Princess, Oceania, Carnival, Holland America, Windstar, Seabourn and other cruise lines. Black-and-white Holstein-coloured fire hydrant and Cow Bay buildings Oceania Insignia, one of several ships that visit Prince Rupert on Inside Passage cruises to Alaska Bronze statue in Mariner’s Park CSANews | SUMMER 2023 | 17 Travel
Walking through history In the early 1900s, more than 200 salmon canneries lined the coast. One by one, they closed. Today, none remain. North Pacific Cannery National Historic Site in Port Edward, 24 kilometres southwest of Prince Rupert, showcases the history of the fishing industry and the role of canneries in the area. It was the last remaining cannery village on North America’s West Coast until it closed in 1968. On excellent free guided tours, we learned that nearly 1,000 people once lived and worked in the North Pacific Cannery. It was built in 1889 as a village where European bosses presided over segregated communities of Chinese, Japanese and First Nations workers. Strolling along boardwalks, we peered into wooden, tin-roofed homes and stores once used by families that worked here. Fishing and canning equipment occupy the main building. The company store (circa 1939) stocks boxes of White Owl cigars, cans of insect spray, bottles of Kik Cola and tube radios. The Mess Hall – now the Cannery Café – serves delicious salmon chowder and homemade baked goods. Halibut Capital of the World It’s not surprising that many Cow Bay restaurants serve seafood. A long history of fishing earned Prince Rupert the title of “The Halibut Capital of the World.” Numerous charter fishing companies draw sportfishermen searching for massive halibut, trophy-sized Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, red snapper, ling cod, rock cod and Dungeness crab. We watched smiling participants return with fish stories and photoworthy catches. Local shops offer fish-cleaning, smoking, freezing and vacuum-sealing, as well as fishing licences and tackle. If you don’t have the time or inclination for deep-sea fishing, you can buy delicious smoked sockeye, salmon pâté and halibut steaks from vendors such as Dolly’s Fish Market and Fukasaku Market. Fisherman with halibut caught on charter fishing trip Shop sells smoked sockeye, salmon pâté and halibut steaks Strolling along boardwalk between buildings, North Pacific Cannery North Pacific Cannery Village Museum sign 18 | www.snowbirds.org Travel
Long before Prince Rupert The sea’s bounty links the past and present. Coast Ts’msyen people have fished in this region for more than 10,000 years. Their art, ceremonial regalia, totem poles, songs, dances, traditions and culture enrich Prince Rupert today. Totem poles – created by Ts’msyen and other First Nations – punctuate the city. Indigenous artists depict their family lineage and cultural heritage by carving family crests, humans, animals, birds and fish into the stately trunks of western red cedar trees. In Prince Rupert, we viewed totem poles in Cow Bay, Sunken Gardens Park, Totem Park and at the not-to-bemissed Museum of Northern B.C. Located steps from the cruise terminal, the museum’s exhibits, information plaques and tours portray thousands of years of local Indigenous history and culture. CSANews | SUMMER 2023 | 19 Travel
Cultural treasures In addition to totem poles, we admired masks, carvings, stone and wooden utensils, paintings, sculptures and ceremonial objects. Baskets – so tightly woven that they held water without leaking – and the shaman’s headdress made from grizzly bear claws were especially fascinating. Informative videos described a totem pole-raising at the museum’s Carving Shed, the early days of halibut fishing and Indigenous weaving. We admired works by Ts’msyen weaver William White. During the museum’s 1996 exhibit of his cedar bark and textile weavings, William wove the first Ts’msyen Raven’s Tail robe created since European contact. (Made from white mountain goat wool, these ceremonial robes feature black-and-white geometric designs.) Archaeological artifacts in the museum include a petroglyph from the region and a replica of The Man Who Fell from Heaven (not currently on display). Numerous Ts’msyen oral histories explain the origins of the curious human impression embedded in stone on the rocky shores of Metlakatla, seven kilometres northwest of Prince Rupert. David Archer, a retired anthropology instructor at Coast Mountain College, did 18 seasons of archaeological work in the Prince Rupert area and on its offshore islands. He notes that the region has close to 200 recorded archaeological sites, but the inventory is not yet complete, so there are likely more sites that are not yet identified and recorded. Ts’msyen weaver, William White Museum of Northern B.C. has a replica of this Man Who Fell from Heaven petroglyph One of the petroglyphs found in the Prince Rupert region 20 | www.snowbirds.org Travel
So many choices With appetites stimulated by our walks, we were eager to try some local restaurants. For a city of 12,200 people, Prince Rupert offers a remarkable number of eateries. We expected to find seafood on many menus. What astonished us was the number of ethnic restaurants – Chinese, Italian, Indian, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Vietnamese – in addition to steakhouses, British pubs, cafés, bakeries, fast-food outlets and delis. Deciding to combine both seafood and international cuisine, we dined on sushi at a Japanese restaurant. The salmon tasted so fresh that it was likely pulled from the sea shortly before it reached our plates. As for drinks, we were amazed to learn that Prince Rupert even has its own brewery – Wheelhouse Brewing Company. Located in a former blacksmith shop, it brews a variety of handcrafted beers using local ingredients such as Sitka spruce tips. For us, it confirmed only one thing. Whether you travel here by air, road, rail, ferry or cruise ship, Prince Rupert is one surprising city. Foraging for wild foods Nowadays, Ts’msyen people still catch salmon and dry it as their ancestors did for millennia. The harvesting of traditional foods, including berries and seaweed, continues to be passed down through the generations as an important part of their culture. A Walking Trails brochure – downloadable from the Visit Prince Rupert website – describes several trails around the city. As we strolled along the paths that hug the coastline, we spotted plants that were gathered by Indigenous people for food. We sampled the crunchy, salty, pickle-like stems of glasswort plants, feasted on wild red huckleberries and tasted goose tongue. Also called sea plantain, goose tongue grows in intertidal areas and can survive saltwater immersions. Indigenous people harvested the fleshy green leaves in spring to eat raw or cooked. We also ate cow parsnip raw, after peeling the thick stems. The taste and texture are similar to celery. For information about Prince Rupert, visit the Tourism Prince Rupert website: www.visitprincerupert.com and the Destination BC website: www.hellobc.com Barb & Ron Kroll publish the trip-planning website www.KrollTravel.com Tasting wild goose tongue leaves Making salmon sushi CSANews | SUMMER 2023 | 21 Travel
1. Grand Canyon, Arizona The Grand Canyon has to be one of the most photographed sites in the world, but there’s no way that pictures can do it justice, as impressive as they may be. Offering some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet, the Grand Canyon truly merits the term breathtaking. The vast geologic wonderland, 1.6 km deep and up to 30 km across, displays countless layers of colourful rock and practically hypnotic vistas. 2. Banff National Park, Alberta Canada’s oldest national park showcases the majesty of the Canadian Rockies. The park is known for its staggering peaks, dense pine forests, hot springs, animals (grizzlies, bighorn sheep and moose all call the park home) and almost eerily azure glacier-fed lakes such as Moraine Lake set in a bowl amid the Valley of the Ten Peaks. RV Lifestyle Story and photos by Rex Vogel The 20 Most Beautiful Places in Canada and the U.S. These are 20 of the most beautiful places for travel. What is the most beautiful place in North America? To compile most beautiful places in Canada and the U.S. is an inherently subjective and impossible task, but I’d like to think that this list at least scratches the surface of some of the extraordinary beauty that the continent has to offer. Focusing largely on national parks, beaches, deserts and other natural wonders, my list is sure to inspire your next car or RV road trip. Join me for a journey to some of the most beautiful places that you can visit by road… from mountains that rival the Alps… to red rock wonders with colourful layers…to glorious underground caverns. There are so many amazing places to see that I couldn’t possibly include them all in just one list. But these breathtaking destinations are definitely worth bumping to the top of your travel bucket list – whether you’re looking to relax on a beach or explore a charming town – these are magnificent locations to consider. 3. Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia Cumberland Island National Seashore includes one of the largest undeveloped barrier islands in the world. The park is home to a herd of feral, free-ranging horses. Most visitors come to Cumberland for the natural glories, serenity and fascinating history. Built by the Carnegies, the ruins of the opulent 59-room, Queen Anne-style Dungeness are a must-see for visitors. 4. Okanagan Valley, British Columbia The Okanagan is characterized by a dry, sunny climate, beautiful landscapes and a series of lakes. The region receives less than 30 cm of rain and 5 cm of snow annually and is the hottest and driest place in Canada. On the horizon are mountains of green foliage, aqua blue lakes and, in the distance, rolling vineyards as far as the eye can see. With its mild, dry climate, the region is also popular with golfers, hikers and bikers. Grand Canyon Banff National Park 22 | www.snowbirds.org
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