August 13, 2021
It's HOT!!

It's been a hot and humid week! We hope everyone has air conditioning during this long stretch of steamy weather! The forecast is for cooler weather soon so we can look forward to a reprieve in the next week or so!

This is the season of corn and peaches - here's a link to local farmers markets where you can pick up fruits and veggies fresh from the field!

And for members in Nova Scotia, shop Farmers Market online here!

Covid News
Unfortunately the Delta Variant of Covid is looking like a problem still with the rapid spread of the virus over the past couple of weeks. A fourth wave is expected in Halton as numbers rise according to Inside Halton. If you know of anyone who hasn't been vaccinated yet, there are multiple vaccine clinics available - here's the list.
In other news.....
Here are 5 tips to ensure your phone or computer lasts a little longer

Thanks to Leslie F for her recommendation of a personal alarm to attach to clothing or bags - she purchased hers from Amazon - here's the link

Reminder: If you are interested in volunteering with Acclaim Health, positions and training are available in September. More info here

Oakville residents! Kerr St Mission is holding a food drive on Saturday Aug 14 between 11-4 at the Oakville Place Parking Lot. For more information, check out the link here.

West Nile virus positive mosquitos were recently found in Burlington. For more information and prevention measures, check out the Halton Region site
Widowed Friends In-Person
Event Survey
We sent a survey to you on Wednesday regarding restarting in-person events.

If you haven't had a chance to look at it yet, you can check it out here. It should only take a minute to complete - we'd appreciate your response by Wednesday, August 18th.

Thank you for your participation!
The Path Forward

As the summer starts to wind down, many of us are looking forward to the Fall and a return to cooler weather.

But, the Fall can also be a time to reflect and refocus and sometimes can lead to feeling less optimistic and positive as we look ahead to the winter.

If you're feeling like you might need a boost in hope, check out these articles and see if their advice helps you think more positively as you think about the months ahead.

The first is called Finding Meaning and Purpose As We Age which provides a few ideas to consider moving forwards.

The second is an article from Time Magazine entitled 6 Ways To Be A More Positive Person. A lot of advice encourages us to be grateful, sometimes a hard task after loss, but a good reminder that positivity leads to better health!

And finally, food! Did you know what you eat affects your mood? Here's an article about how a Mediterranean diet can reduce your risk for depression!
Recipe of the Week
Peach Salsa!!
Thanks to Foodland Ontario for this quick and easy salsa recipe!

Serve this low-fat salsa with grilled fish, pork steaks, chicken or burgers or as an appetizer or snack with corn tortilla chips.

Ingredients
3 ripe Ontario Peaches
Half Ontario Sweet Red Pepper, diced
4 Ontario Green Onions, sliced
1 to 2 small Ontario Hot Peppers, diced
3 tbsp (45 mL) chopped fresh Ontario Parsley
2 tbsp (25 mL) fresh lime juice
1 tbsp (15 mL) vegetable oil
1 clove Ontario Garlic, minced
1 tbsp (15 mL) grated fresh gingerroot
Salt and pepper

Instructions
To make peeling easier, blanch peaches in boiling water 30 to 60 seconds, then transfer to cold water for 1 minute. Peel, pit and dice peaches.

  1. In bowl, combine peaches, red pepper, green onions, hot peppers, parsley, lime juice, oil, garlic and ginger.
  2. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to 2 days. Serve cool or at room temperature rather than ice cold..

Upcoming Events!
Today - Friday the 13th!

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.
NEW! 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 [email protected] 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. Pls note there is a minimum attendance of 6 people for this workshop.

This session is $10 and all proceeds go to Heartache to Hope. Pls email us at [email protected] if you would like to attend. This session has limited attendance.
August Events!

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

Sunday August 15th 1:00pm Travel Day to the Caribbean!! If you have pics of trips to the Caribbean pls send them to us for our slide show. If not, bring your stories about trips or trips you'd like to take!

Tuesday August 17th - 2:00pm Let's get together and share some positive thoughts!

Wednesday August 18th - 6:00 pm Bring a glass of wine or cup of tea
for a social with an entertainment/movie quiz or Name That Tune game!

Thursday Aug 19th-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 19th 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 22nd 1:00pm Travel Day in Canada!

Tuesday August 24th - 2:00pm Wellness Workshop with Ana Nunes Freitas at 2pm - see above
Outdoor Club!! Tuesday August 24th!
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Our first get together at Bronte Creek Park!

Parking Lot F from 5:30 pm - 7pm. Entrance to Bronte Creek Park is free! Bring a chair and tea or coffee or cold drink!

Social Distancing Rules will apply, masks are encouraged, but optional.

Maximum of 20 people, please RSVP as soon as possible as we won't be exceeding this number. More dates for get togethers will be posted soon!

Widowed Friends Ltd requires all members who wish to attend in-person events be fully vaccinated (two doses of Canadian approved vaccines). 

Those who are not vaccinated or still in the vaccination process are welcome to join us at any virtual event.

Please let us know if you are attending and email us at [email protected] 
A covid waiver will then be emailed to you. This form must be completed and returned to us no later than August 23rd to attend this event.

Wednesday August 25th - 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 26th-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 26th 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.
Outdoor Club - Walking Group - Monday August 30th 11am!
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As long as the weather is co-operating, lets go for a 45 minute to 1 hour walk through the park and ravine lands near Stephanie's house!

Widowed Friends Ltd requires all members who attend in-person events be fully vaccinated (two doses of Canadian approved vaccines). 

Those who are not vaccinated or still in the vaccination process are welcome to join us at any virtual event.

Please let us know if you are attending and email us at [email protected] 
A covid waiver will then be emailed to you. This form must be completed and returned to us no later than August 29th to attend this event.
Sunday August 29th - 1:00pm Travel Day to Iceland!

Tuesday August 31st - 2:00pm - Let's get together and share some fun!

Please let Penny know at [email protected] 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 August 18th at 4:30pm for our next game! Please email us at [email protected] if you'd like to join us. 

Winners from the August 12th game include:
Game 1: Leslie F
Game 2: Joanne W
Game 3: JoAnn
Game 4: Joanna B
Game 5: Leslie T
Game 6: Pauline
Game 7: Leslie F & Pauline