GUEST SPEAKERS 2019-2020

September – Patrick Earley from Wikipedia gave us very interesting information about how Wikipedia works, how to check for reliability and how to create and edit articles. 

October – Wendy Caban, director from Western Canada for the Canadian Snowbirds Association, “The Voice of Travelling Canadians,” gave us a wealth of information. This group has lobbied for such things as 10-year passports, extended health coverage, etc.  You can check provincial “report cards” to see what each province covers. Wendy gave us many good suggestions for anyone travelling to the US, including keeping a border-crossing binder.  CSA endorses Medipac Travel Insurance (www.medipac.com).

Check out the CSA website for lots of information: www.snowbirds.org or call 1-800-265-3200.

November – Garry Leoppky (retired RCMP) spoke about DNA national registry. His Lovely wife Jean assisted, with daughter Pam. Garry was very informative of the DNA process and how it pertains to us all.

January – Our speaker from the Literacy Alliance of the Shuswap had to cancel due to the weather.  Thankfully, Brian Stansbury agreed to step in at the last minute and tell us about his interesting work career.  We heard about his first job with the RCMP, where he worked security for the Montreal Olympics and also for Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau.  His second job was as Harbour Master for the Port Alberni Port Authority.  Most of the presentation was about his work with Seaspan Marine. Great job with lots of interesting information.  Thanks, Brian!

February – Tracey Kirkman from Interior Health spoke to us about the Salmon Arm Seniors Health and Wellness Centre, operated by the Shuswap North Okanagan Division of Family Practice (commonly known as SNO).  She spoke about the challenges of obtaining a palliative care facilitiy in Salmon Arm, from the original plan at Maguire Lake to a partnership with Hospice.  Eventually the Seniors Health and Wellness Centre was established, located on Marine Park Drive in Salmon Arm, with the objective of assisting people to stay in their own homes as long as possible.  The program supports the health and wellness of seniors living with chronic conditions. Tracey also told us about Nav-CARE, which connects people with chronic conditions with a volunteer to help you navigate the health system.  Physician referrals are required for the Health and Wellness Centre.  Encourage people to ask – USE IT OR LOSE IT!

March – Kevin Hall from Tappen talked to us about his many adventures in Antarctica, where he has spent about 4 years as part of 14 expeditions.  We were highly entertained by his many fabulous pictures of penguins and other wildlife and by his stories of what it was like in this land of wind, ice and COLD.  (Made our Canadian winters seem positively balmy by comparison!)

April/May/June – COVID!!