July 23, 2021

Happy July! We hope you've been enjoying this lovely, cooler weather this week!

Of course, we still need to talk about Covid! This week although the numbers of new cases are dropping across Canada and about 60% of Ontario is doubly vaccinated, there's still the Delta variant to consider when getting out and about.

How do you feel about a vaccine certificate or passport? While it's controversial, more and more countries are discussing implementing them for people to access services. Check out France's recently implemented vaccine passport program here and read what Ontario's Science Table says about using them here!

Here's the latest Covid and vaccine updates from Halton Region with updates and clinic info.
In other news.....
Do you sell items on Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace? Halton Regional Police are helping out with the sales process by providing a new Buy & Sell Exchange Zone at their parking lot at headquarters at 95 Oak Walk Drive, Oakville. Stay safe while exchanging items and money!

Looking for a pet that you don't have to walk, feed or take to the vet? Here's
robopet, the cute and cuddly robot.

Are you having a late life crisis?
When Will Widowed Friends "Getting
Together" Times Return?

We’ve received lots of questions about when In-person events will return to Widowed Friends.

We know everyone is missing our get togethers and we miss you too!
 
While we understand everyone is excited to resume in-person activities, our main concern as always, has been our members' health and safety. At this time, we are reviewing the best practices to offer in-person events in the safest way possible for all members. As we slowly resume some group activities, public health indicators must remain stable for any organized activities.  

We are working hard to develop a plan and we'll send an update in the next week or so. We will also maintain our Zoom schedule of events so we hope you'll join us there as well!

There is more good news too! Later this summer, we'll launch a new website with a special member portal for you to access and register for events in a few simple steps. The portal will also offer lots of information on living well along with the WF Travel Club and more!

Your Thoughts
In the meantime, we'd appreciate your input about Widowed Friends events and will be sending out a Survey Monkey feedback form shortly. It’s short, quick and easy to fill out. Your feedback is very important to us and will help Widowed Friends plan our next steps as we move forward together.

Watch for the survey, and then please complete the form and send it back. Once we receive the completed form, we'll add your name to a draw for a great bottle of Ontario wine!
Recipe of the Week!
Slow Roasted Salmon with Lemon & Herbs
Here's a salmon recipe from Toronto chef, Bonnie Stern. Lots for leftovers for the next few days or you could half the recipe if you don't love leftovers!

Ingredients
1 1/2 lbs salmon in one piece, boneless with skin removed, or other fish about 1" thick
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper to taste
grated peel of one lemon
1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
sprigs of fresh rosemary or thyme or both
lemon slices
 
Method:
1. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Place fish on top. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, lemon peel, rosemary and thyme. Marinate at room temperate up to 30 minutes or longer in the refrigerator.

2. Preheat oven to 300F. When hot, roast fish 25 to 30 minutes or until the thickest part just flakes when pressed with the back of a spoon.

3. Serve warm or room temperature with sprigs of herbs and lemon slices.
Makes 3 to 4 servings
Events!!
Acclaim Health - Volunteer Opportunities
Join us on Tuesday July 27th at 2pm for a 15 minute presentation regarding Acclaim Health's Peer-to-Peer support program.

If you're looking for a great volunteer mission, come and listen to Fran S from Acclaim Health discuss available opportunities. It will be a short presentation followed by a brief Q&A .
NEW!! Laugh & Learn!
Join us Tuesday August 3rd at 2pm when Karen Shinn of Downsizing Divas will join us for "It's Not Just Stuff, It's MY STUFF!"

She'll talk about our "stuff," the million dollar secret to downsizing, how simplifying your home simplifies your life and where to get rid of surplus stuff!

There will be lots of time for Q&A too. If you regularly join us on Tuesday you'll receive an automatic invitation. If you would like to join us, please email Penny at widowedfriendsltd@gmail.com to let her know you'd like to come.
Friday the 13th!

Save the Date!!! Lianne returns Friday August 13th at 3:30 for Superstitions!!

We’ve all heard of witches and their black cats, unlucky number 13 and saying ‘bless you’ after a sneeze. These stories linger in movies, urban legends and novels too.

Take a spooky hour long journey with Lianne Harris as we look at the fascinating history of witches and superstitions, their origins, their importance and why these ideas persist today.
Intro to Wellness & Self Care
Ana Nunes Freitas, Acclaim Health's Wellness Care Manager will be presenting a special topic on Wellness and Self Care on Tuesday, August 24th at 2pm.. The presentation will include Q&A.

If you normally attend Tuesdays at 2pm you will automatically receive an invitation. If you would like to come and don't normally come to Tuesdays, please let Penny know at widowedfriendsltd@gmail.com that you'd like an invitation.
Life After Loss

Dr. Flavia Ceschin returns for another session focusing on life after loss, loneliness and Covid Friday August 27th at 1pm

This session is $10 and all proceeds go to Heartache to Hope. Pls email us at widowedfriendsltd@gmail.com if you would like to attend. This session has limited attendance.
July Events!

Sunday July 25th 1:00pm. - Travel Sunday to Spain!! Send in your pictures from your trips to Spain or bring your travel stories or wish lists for a Spanish trip!

Tuesday July 27th 2:00pm - Social and short presentation from Acclaim Health re: upcoming volunteer opportunities

Wednesday July 28th 6:00 pm -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 29th-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 29th 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


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.
August Events!
Sun Aug 1st - Travel Day - Cruise Day!!

Tuesday Aug 3 2:00pm - Laugh & Learn with Downsizing Diva (details above)

Wednesday Aug 4th 6:00 pm -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 Aug 5th-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 Aug 5th 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

Sunday August 8th -1:00pm Travel Day!

Tuesday August 10th - 2:00pm Let's get together and share some positive things

Wednesday August 11th - 1:00pm - Book Club!
Wednesday August 11th - 6:00 pm 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 Aug 12th-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 Aug 12th 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

Friday August 13th -3:30pm. Lianne returns with a chat about Superstitions (see the description above)

Sunday August 15th 1:00pm Travel Day

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.
BINGO!!
Join us July 29th at 4:30pm for our next game! Please email us at widowedfriendsltd@gmail.com if you'd like to join us. 

Winners from the July 22nd game include:
Game 1: Chet
Game 2: Leslie F
Game 3: Joanna
Game 4: Leslie T
Game 5: Leslie F
Game 6: Joanna
Game 7: Sushma
Game 8: Joanna
Game 9: Sandra

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.
With thanks to Phil M for sharing this poem
forest_landscape_tree.jpg
Comes the Dawn
After a while you learn the subtle difference
Between holding a hand and chaining a soul,
And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning
And company doesn’t mean security,
And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts
And presents aren’t promises.
And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head up and your eyes open
With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child,
And learn to build all your roads
On today because tomorrow’s ground
Is too uncertain for plans, and futures have
A way of falling down in mid-flight.
After a while you learn that even sunshine
Burns if you get too much.
So you plant your own garden and decorate
Your own soul, instead of waiting
For someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you can endure…
That you really are strong
And you really do have worth.
And you learn and learn…
With every goodbye you learn.
 
Anon