Hello everyone.  I hope this finds you well and keeping busy during the temporary closure of the Club.

I’ve tried to occupy my time by doing chores, gardening, watering and hopefully soon, starting to pick my raspberries.  We have already harvested our rhubarb and the scapes on our garlic plants, which we have experimented using in recipes to great success.  I have completed some projects around the house that I have postponed for years – no longer any excuse that I don’t have the time!  I am continuing to play online games such as Scrabble Go and Lexulous (available on Facebook) with people from around the world.  I have many books on my Kobo reader to get through as well.

We have been receiving questions regarding the Club’s reopening.  Unfortunately we cannot do anything until the Province and the City of Markham gives us the okay.  We must be very cautious in doing so, particularly as we are Seniors.  As soon as we learn of any reopening details we will post them here.  When that time comes, please share the information with Members who do not have access to the internet.

Through our phone outreach and emails we receive, I am very happy to report that we have not heard of any Members contracting COVID-19.  For now, wearing masks (if possible) and physical distancing remain key to protecting ourselves and others from the spread of the virus.

We hope you are continuing to reach out to your fellow Club Members by making a few calls each day.  It’s important we all stay in touch.  If you have a question, concern or other, please email Cindy at cpetrowtsc@gmail.com and she will try her best to assist you or direct you to someone who can.

We will get through this together.

Take care and we hope to see you back at TSC soon.

Norm Goldstein  – President of TSC

A reminder that Seniors eligible for the one-time tax-free payment from the Government of Canada should receive their payments beginning this week.  The payment will be made to your bank account if you are enrolled for Direct Deposit.  If you are not enrolled for Direct Deposit, you will receive a cheque in the mail.

If you haven’t tried Warby Parker out yet, you’re probably overpaying for your glasses and missing out on some pretty cool frames. Warby Parker was founded in 2010 by Wharton School students who noticed that most of the “designer” glasses are simply licensed to a few giant eyewear companies and sold in bulk to optical shops. They realized that if they cut out the middle man by designing their own glasses and selling them online, they could pass on huge savings to the customer.

Glasses start at only $150 including frames, lenses & free shipping to your home. If lenses are scratched within a year, they will replace them for free. They even have a fun virtual try-on app and a no questions asked free return policy.  What’s even better is that Warby Parker is also firmly committed to social good, including donating personal protective equipment to healthcare workers and supplies to communities in need.

Visit their website to see all the latest styles in sunglasses and eyeglasses.

The Social Planning Council of York Region and York Region Food Network invite you to participate in their COVID-19 recovery initiative, “Reimagining Our Communities in a Just Recovery“.  

Those interested in supporting this effort can join in by emailing  socialplanningcouncilyr@gmail.com

Click here for details

5 Minute Crafts is a popular YouTube Channel dedicated to ingenious hacks, diy-projects and fun crafts to do at home.

Check out their 42 Holy Grail Hacks that will save you a fortune,  Garden Hacks and a full 40 minutes of the Best Life Hacks.  Many more videos can be found on their channel.

He will be on in the next few minutes.

Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti with join Global News Radio at 10:00am to discuss his move to make masks mandatory.

Listen live (click play symbol at top right of page) or tune in to 640am on your radio.

Who doesn’t love a discount?  Dealhack Canada maintains a verified, up-to-date list of brands offering special discounts for those aged 50+.  Also see their list of over 70 brands offering Birthday Freebies!

The Ontario government has announced an expansion of online and virtual mental health supports, including BounceBack, to help Ontarians navigating the difficult realities in the wake of COVID-19.

BounceBack is a free, guided self-help program that’s effective in helping people aged 15 and up who are experiencing mild-to-moderate anxiety or depression, or may be feeling low, stressed, worried, irritable or angry.

Participants receive telephone coaching, skill-building workbooks and online videos to help them overcome these symptoms and gain new skills to regain positive mental health. To receive telephone coaching support, clients must either be referred by their primary care provider (family doctor, nurse practitioner) or psychiatrist, or they may self-refer as long as they’re connected with a primary care provider. For those who are not quite ready for coaching, our online videos can provide helpful tips.

BounceBack is not a crisis service, psychotherapy or counselling, but a life-skills program that participants work with to develop coping techniques so they can overcome challenges now or in the future. Typically, participants take three to six months to complete the program.

If BounceBack is right for you, get started with more information for Youth (15-18) or Adults (19+).

If BounceBack isn’t the right support you need, find a local CMHA branch, other provincial mental health supports, or try these mental health tips to help you manage during COVID-19.