A new year to keep you active

James Bay New Horizons

By Kim Dixon

How many resolutions did you make to start the year off? Let's be honest, how many have you kept? I heard that by July, 98 percent of the people who made resolutions will have forgotten about them. I can tell you how to stay fit, exercise more and get involved with your community: Get a membership to New Horizons, give yourself a kick and get moving!

What better place to get some exercise, keep your brain active, voice an opinion and keep up with what is happening in your community. I have heard people say that they are not old enough to come to the Centre. Hmm, interesting I say, because having been involved in the Centre for 17 years, I think I have senior seniors that some 50-year olds could not keep up with. Interesting that the same people that are "old" are more physically fit than some of the students we have come here to observe how seniors are supposed to behave! Wow, do they get their eyes opened.

Politicians like to come and visit. They think they will be able to talk to the "old folks," bamboozle them with statistics, shake hands and leave. Well, somehow that doesn't work at our Centre. I always warn people, that if they want the truth, they are more than welcome to visit the Centre, if they want the politically correct answer, they best not come unless they are prepared!

One such brave person was Ralph Sultan, MLA, Minister of State for Seniors. This portfolio is relatively new and we were pleased when the minister agreed to meet with our board. He was on a fact-finding mission to see what made up a day in the life of common seniors and how active they were. He had the opportunity to speak to the members about objectives, discuss our programs and activities and talk about the changing roles of senior centres and the support to the community they provide as demographics change. It was an interesting afternoon and, as he is a senior living in the neighbourhood, we expect to see him again. Besides, he has asked us to do some fact-finding for him.

Our members will be meeting with the mayor of Victoria to give input to the cuts to the city budget. We have also had the opportunity to talk with councillor Lisa Helps about this same concern. At that event we had the largest group show up for a meeting, with a total of 106 people -- average age of 60. That includes a lot of history and experience! Not only did we have retired city council members attend from across the country, there were also numerous retired city planners, retired firemen and police officers, finance CEOs,  accountants, developers and others who gave their opinions and reasons for spending cut backs. Their wealth of experience gave a clear vision of what they expect from elected officials.

Want to get involved? Don't expect to sit around drinking tea and coffee all day. What you can expect is an active, highly participatory group involved in activities that can keep you mobile, keep your brain functioning and provide support to get you through the rainy days of winter and sunny days of summer! There will always be someone to say hello to and a place to feel good. And those are just a few of the services we provide.

Hope to see you soon. Feel free to come, drop in and find out how you can get involved. We are the best kept secret in James Bay!