July 2 2021
illustrated-sun-boats.jpg
Happy July!

Now that July is here, we hope you've been able to keep cool on these high heat and humidity days and are still able to get out and about to enjoy the summer.

The Covid news continues to improve and we hope everyone has received their second vaccine or are about to soon!

If you've heard about people becoming ill with Covid after vaccination, here's a reassuring article that outlines why it shouldn't be a concern.

There's more good news too - this study reported by CTV says mRNA vaccines may offer long-term immunity to Covid-19!
In other news.....
As pandemic worries begin to subside, are you looking for ways to move forward in your life. Here's Option B's recommendations for Bouncing Forward.

With so many of us on laptops and computers, one thing we sometimes forget about is posture. If you're having neck pain from too much leaning over computer work, gardening or house chores, here are some tips for managing neck discomfort.

Thinking of improving your diet? Here's a list of the best foods for a long life from Zoomer magazine.
Lovely Nova Scotia
Terry P recently joined Widowed Friends from Antigonish, Nova Scotia.

She sent these lovely pictures taken about a week ago aboard the “Convinced Her Again”, fishing boat, captained by a friend who tolerates novice fishers on his boat!
They were about 10 miles off shore in St George’s Bay, Cape George, Antigonish, Nova Scotia.

The lobster, weighing approximately 5 pounds, came ashore with Terry and will probably end up as someone's lunch or dinner.
Recipe of the Week
Stephanie's California Chicken Salad!
Here's a favourite of Stephanie's; perfect for an evening summer meal.

Ingredients:
Pick up your favourite cooked, rotisserie chicken (or lobster!)
Spring mix lettuce
Goat Cheese
Sliced Strawberries
Thinly sliced red onion
Handful of fresh blueberries
Avocado slices
Chopped candied pecans

Assemble your salad:
Put everything in a bowl and add cut up or slices of the cooked chicken to the salad.

Mix your summer vinaigrette:
2 tablespoons of real maple syrup
2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard ( Grainy is fine)
1/3 cup good olive oil
Pinch of salt.

Mix together & enjoy!
Events!
Royal Scandals!
Gossip, intrigue, love affairs, clandestine meetings, mystery children . . . secrets shared and confidences broken—it’s all in a day’s work for the royals!

Some royal scandals were just juicy tittle-tattling or passing fancies–but some were real ‘game changers’ and altered the course of history.

Tiptoe around the European courts for an hour with Lianne Harris on July 9th at 3:30pm, and uncover the true scandals that really did change history.

Save the Date!!! Lianne returns Friday August 13th for Superstitions!!

Dr. Flavia Ceschin returns for another session focusing on life after loss, loneliness and Covid July 16th at 1pm.

This workshop has limited registrations available so please let us know if you would like to attend as soon as possible. Cost is $10 and all proceeds go to Dr. Ceschin's charity, Heartache to Hope.

Note: Dr Ceschin will return for another session on August 27th at 1pm. If you'd like to attend, please let us know asap. This session is $10 and all proceeds go to Heartache to Hope.
Zoom Event Calendar

JULY

Sunday July 4th 1pm - Travel Quiz about Italy and chat! Tell us about your favourite trip and why you loved it!

Tuesday July 6th 2pm Social and Who Am I Quiz

Wednesday July 7th 6pm Bring a glass of wine or cup of tea for a social with an entertainment/movie quiz or a quiz of your own if you would like to share!

Thursday July 8th 24th 2:00pm Chat about Loss & Grief -Join us for a discussion of the grief journey and steps we can take to support one another.
Thursday July 8th 4:30 pm - Bingo! Join us for an hour of virtual bingo. Let us know if you would like us to email or mail bingo sheets to you and bring your own dabbers or markers.

Friday July 9th 3:30pm Join us for Lianne Harris and Royal Scandals

Sunday July 11th 1:00 pm Travel Sunday

Tuesday July 13th 2pm Social and Who Am I Quiz

Wednesday July 14th 1pm - Book Club
Wednesday July 14th 6pm Bring a glass of wine or cup of tea for a social with an entertainment/movie quiz or a quiz of your own if you would like to share!

Thursday July 15th 2:00pm Chat about Loss & Grief -Join us for a discussion of the grief journey and steps we can take to support one another.
Thursday July 15th 4:30 pm - Bingo! Join us for an hour of virtual bingo. Let us know if you would like us to email or mail bingo sheets to you and bring your own dabbers or markers.

Friday July 16th -1:00 pm Dr. Ceschin workshop on loss. See details above.

Sunday July 18th 1:00 pm Travel Sunday

Please let Penny know at widowedfriendsltd@gmail.com if you'd like to be added to the attendee list for any of these Zooms or if you have any questions! Penny sends out the link the day of the zoom, if you don't have it before noon, please contact her and she'll send the link to you. All games are just for fun, no pressure!
BINGO

Congratulations to June's Bingo Winner, Donna T! She will receive a gift certificate from Shoppers Drug Mart!

Join us July 7th at 4:30pm for a our next game! Please email us at widowedfriendsltd@gmail.com if you'd like to join us.


Winners from the July 1st game include:
Game 1: Sushma
Game 2: Donna
Game 3: Leslie T
Game 4: Sushma
Game 5: Leslie F
Game 6: Joanna
Game 7: Leslie F
Game 8: Sushma

We are drawing a monthly prize from all the bingo game winners of the month's 4 sessions. Since a prize is offered, we ask members to use a dabber (or thick marker) for verification of each game. Widowed Friends has some dabbers available to give out during the lockdown. If you need a dabber or more bingo cards, please let us know at widowedfriendsltd@gmail.com.
Thanks to Penny for this video!

During COVID, German zookeepers noted many of the animals seemed depressed and no longer left their dens. No one was visiting them, no children and no adults.

The zookeeper at the zoo in Cologne had an idea! He arranged for a pianist to come to the zoo and play for the animals. The pianist composed a musical piece specifically for the zoo animals.

Here's what happened when the animals heard the piano music