NEWSLETTER • VOL. 35 NO.3 • SEPTEMBER 2015 • 38 YEARS OF SERVICE • 250-595-1034

Volunteer Awards

Cindy Ayles, 30 Years of service

Bert Dinsmore, 30 Years of service

Doris Dinsmore, 30 Years of service

Thirty volunteers were recognized at the Annual General Meeting for long service with Oak Bay Volunteer Services! It’s exciting that there were three volunteers who were honoured for thirty years each; that’s ninety years among three people. We are thankful to all of our wonderful volunteers! See page three for more photos and news about the AGM and Volunteer Recognition Party.

5 years:Christine AxmannJayna Brulotte Bill DarlingLiz DeomDorothy GriffinHans HungLen LuoMary McMullanBill NeilsonGavin PurdyHarvey Ratson Gisela RayShirley Yi

10 years:Richard AdamsGordon AlexanderHelen ArnottDavid CattrallAnn FeyrerKit FilanDavid FinnisBette GallanderRobin McNeilDavid MillsNigel MountifieldEric NielsenMaarten Prinsze

15 years:Pam Nielsen

30 years:Cindy AylesBert Dinsmore Doris Dinsmore

Donations from individuals are critical.

We rely on donations from Oak Bay residents for this essential part of

our funding.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!PLEASE BE GENEROUS!

Annual DonationCampaign

It is important that citizens of Oak Bay have access to volunteer services. One never knows when volunteer help could be required by one’s immediate or extended family, friends, neighbours or even oneself.

It is through your generosity that we can con-tinue to provide services. We are a registered charitable organization. Official receipts for income tax purposes are issued. Cheques can be mailed in or dropped off to our office in the lower level of the Oak Bay Municipal Hall. We are open 9 am – 12 noon and 1 – 4 pm week-days. Thanks to all our supporters!

OAK BAY VOLUNTEER SERVICES Newsletter

Oak Bay Profiles

By Bronwyn Taylor

I’m sure you are all familiar with the expression, “It’s a small world.” When I began my chat with Eric, it was clear that we both come from a rare group of residents – Victorians born, raised, and still living in this city. We have childhood ties to the same areas of Oak Bay and even the same street.

During his high school years Eric was very active in Air Cadets. He earned power and gliding flying scholarships for 2 years and earned his commercial pilot’s license by 19. He transitioned to helicopters as a bush pilot flying across Canada, ultimately serv-ing remote communities in the Northwest Territo-ries.

Eric led this transitory lifestyle for 3 years before settling in Port McNeill on Vancouver Island. There he worked as a bush pilot, a helicopter tourism pi-lot, and also as a fishing guide at Nimmo Bay Resort (listed in the book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die). “The beauty of the place is indescribable,” he says. After a few years and ready for another change, he sought employment with the United Nations.

For more than 2 years Eric worked in the small Iraqi border town of Umm Qasr in support of the United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission. His primary responsibilities were border patrol and medical evacuations in the demilitarized zone be-tween Iraq and Kuwait, just after the first Gulf War. “These 2 years were the highlight of my life. It af-forded me the opportunity to work and live closely with people from 15 different countries, as well as helping out local residents after a traumatic war; it was a once in a lifetime experience!”

On returning to Canada, Eric worked as an air am-bulance helicopter pilot contracted to the BC Air Ambulance Service. Always looking for new chal-lenges, he retired from flying at the age of 40 and began his career as a police officer with the Victo-ria Police Department. During his time on the force he spent 3 years assisting the Regional Integrated Mental Health Crisis Response Team, a challenging assignment indeed.

In 2013 Eric joined the Oak Bay Police Depart-ment (OBPD) where one of his current roles is as the School Liaison Officer, covering both the public and private schools within the municipality. He is very happy with his work because he enjoys serving

residents of his municipality in the helpful, educa-tive and proactive community-based services style of the OBPD.

Eric has lifetime connections to Oak Bay, beginning when his grandparents moved to the Willows area in 1957. This provided him with a fantastic, huge “playground” to explore during his weekend vis-its with them, often digging holes in the sands of Willows Beach in attempts to capture and cover his grandfather, who gamely played along. When his grandparents’ house came on the market in 1992, Eric purchased it from the estate to keep it in the family, but more importantly to hang on to the many happy childhood memories created there.

The Payne family has a long history of community volunteerism. His mother volunteered for Hospice for 25 years, and at the age of 80+ she is currently one of the Downtown Ambassadors you see help-ing tourists find their way around Victoria. It was Eric’s long history and close ties with Oak Bay that led him to sign on with Oak Bay Volunteer Ser-vices in 2003 as a volunteer driver. Since then he has done more than 250 drives and has also helped with other services such as minor repairs. He par-ticularly enjoys hearing the stories of elderly resi-dents: “With no hidden agenda, they are willing to tell all.” When not policing or volunteering, Eric enjoys hiking and skiing.

When I was leaving the police station where Eric and I did this interview, he asked whereabouts my cousin who was visiting from Ireland lives. I usually say outside Belfast, but for some reason I gave the name of the neighbouring town. It turns out that Eric has friends who live in the same town. It is in-deed a small world.

Eric, we hope you stay as a volunteer for many more years to come! Thank you for all you have done in the past and continue to do.

Volunteer Eric Payne

Eric Payne

“Today we celebrate those people who’ve contributed to our community in a re-ally important way,” Mayor Nils Jensen remarked to the fifty-five people attending our AGM and Volunteer Recognition Party in May. He continued with, “Accept my heartfelt appreciation for what you do.”

Volunteer recognition pins were awarded by Mayor Jensen to the many deserv-ing volunteers. There were pins for 5, 10 and15 years

of service. Special awards were presented by Execu-tive Director Joan Halvors-en to the 3 volunteers who had each contributed 30 years of service.

Councillors Hazel Braith-waite and Tom Croft at-tended, along with Oak Bay Police Chief Andrew Brinton, Deputy Chief Kent Thom and Constables Sheri Lucas and Eric Payne. Victo-ria MP Murray Rankin and Oak Bay-Gordon Head MLA Andrew Weaver were out

of Victoria. They both sent their greetings and thanks.

Board of DirectorsFollowing the Annual Gen-eral Meeting, our Directors are: Bronwyn Taylor (Chair), Dave Henry (Vice-Chair), Heather Lund (Treasurer), Shannon Geer (Secretary), Emma Dixon-Will, Claire Eraut and Coline Neilson. Thanks to the Board of Di-rectors who are responsible for the governance of the organization. Executive Director

Joan Halvorsen

Mayor Nils Jensen

Pin Recipients in attendance at the Annual General Meeting: Harvey Ratson, Hans Hung, Jayna Brulotte, Richard Adams, Helen Arnott, David Cattrall, Ann Feyrer, David Mills, Nigel Mountifield, Eric Nielsen

We are pleased to announce that Services Coordinator Kelsey LeClair gave birth to a healthy baby girl, Ruby Jean Marie, in June! Both mother and baby are doing well. We send best wishes to the whole family.

Social Worker Staci Hunter Noble is filling the posi-tion of Services Coordinator while Kelsey is on maternity leave. Staci is enjoying get-ting to know our clients and volunteers and is happy to assist in any way she can.

Kelsey and Ruby

Staci

Staff News

Annual General Meeting and Volunteer Recognition Party

Seniors Serving Seniors has once again updated its directory to provide the most current and comprehensive information on services available to seniors in the Capital Region. Some of the topics covered include: government services, adult day programs, home help, meals, support groups and related organizations, and veterans’ services to name but a few.

Copies of the Directory are available in the OBVS office (lower level of the Municipal Hall). View online at www.seniorsservingseniors.bc.ca/directory.asp

Seniors’ Services Directory

OAK BAY VOLUNTEER SERVICES Newsletter

Bowker Creek Brush-Up

OAK BAY VOLUNTEER SERVICES101-2167 Oak Bay Avenue, Victoria BC V8R 1G2

Hours: 9-12 & 1-4 pm weekdays

Ph: 250-595-1034obvs@oakbayvolunteers.bc.ca www.oakbayvolunteers.bc.ca

Newsletter:Editor: Joan HalvorsenWriters: Bronwyn Taylor, Ruth Platts, Joan HalvorsenDesign: Dan van Stolk Photos: Lex von Aderkas

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Art done by children, portraying their vivid interpretations of what it is like to drive for Oak Bay Volunteer Servic-es, was on display at the 11th Annual Bowker Creek Brush-Up. The pictures showed people being driven to various locations in all sorts of cars. The event was hosted by the Oak Bay Community Artists Society. It was part of the first annual Oak Bay Arts and Cultural Fes-tival.

Volunteers Jayna Brulotte, Jenni Hop-kyns, Pouran Vahedi, and Karen Wilson were at our display and fielded inqui-ries from the public about our one-to-one services. Of course, with the won-derful driving pictures done by the children, the emphasis was on both the beauty of art and the welcoming of any potential drivers to join us. Volunteers Karen Wilson and Jenni Hopkyns

If you received this newsletter by hard copy and prefer to receive newsletters by email, please send your email address to obvs@oakbayvolunteers.bc.ca. Thank you.

Myths and Realities of Alzheimer’s Disease

Over the years, many myths have arisen about what Alzheimer’s dis-ease is, who gets it and how it affects people who have it. These myths can add to the stigma or shame at-tached to the disease. They can also stand in the way of our ability to understand and help people with it. The sooner we get rid of the myths, the better we’ll be able to respond to the needs of the people with de-mentia and their families.

Myth 1: If I’m diagnosed with Al-zheimer’s disease or another de-mentia, my life is over. Reality: Many people with dementia live meaningful, active lives and do not feel their lives are over. Alzheimer’s disease is often diagnosed earlier now than it used to be and we have medications that may help slow down the disease. It is important

for the person with dementia to be provided with services, support and activities to help enrich their quality of life as the disease progresses.

Myth 2: Memory loss means Al-zheimer’s disease. Reality: Many people have trouble with their memory. This by itself does not mean they have Alzheimer’s disease.

When memory loss affects day-to-day function and is combined with lack of judgment and reasoning, or changes in the ability to communi-cate, it’s best to see a doctor to find out the cause of the symptoms.

Myth 3: There is a cure for Al-zheimer’s disease. Reality: There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease yet. But, for some people, medications and treatments can help manage some of the symptoms and improve

quality of life. Research continues to explore ways to both eradicate dementia and improve the lives of those affected by it.

The Alzheimer Society of B.C. would like to put an end to the myths sur-rounding Alzheimer’s disease.

Learn about the disease

• Seek help

• Treat people with the disease with respect

To learn more about other myths of Alzheimer’s disease, visit: http://www.alzheimer.ca/en/bc/About-dementia/Alzheimer-s-disease/Myth-and-reality-about-Alzheimer-s-diseaseReprinted from First Link Bulle-tin September – October 2015, Alzheimer Society of B.C