Charles and Leslie Van Gorkom are leaving Smithers for Vancouver Island, starting a well earned retirement, leaving behind many happy memories and grandkids. Forty year residents. Charles, a world class custom boot maker, plans to slow down a bit but will continue to make custom hiking boots. They want to thank valley residents and longtime friends. A hard decision leaving, but return visits guaranteed.
Annual Evening of Pink. Keynote speaker is Canadian journalist and author Libby Znaimer. It’s on Sept. 24, and doors open at 5:30 p.m. Opening ceremony and dinner at 7 p.m. It’s all at the Prince George Civic Centre. Tickets are $75. Contact Monica at 250-552-4114.
Fundraiser for BC NDP Stikine: Cardin’ & Scrappin’, Sept. 11, 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. It’s at The Learning Shop in Hazelton and costs $100 ($75 tax receipt). Learn how to make hand-crafted cards, bookmarks, one super-easy scrapbook. Irene Vanderstar will demonstrate techniques, tea, coffee and goodies served. Car pooling organized from Smithers. Call 250-847-8841.
With age comes wisdom and, it appears, happiness. A new study reports that older people are happier than younger people. Contradicts the view that youth is the best time of life; our emotional well being peaks around 70. Like a U: born happy babies, dipping into midlife crisis adults, curving back up to our happy place as we age.
Good to hear from Jim Senka and the Migwani project, now with a Women’s Rights sub-project. One person in Migwani and another in Nova Scotia helping, needed is one more person for this project. The plan: elevate the image of what women can do over there. Current male attitude towards women needs some tweaking: women are as good as men (we know that, right?). A group of 31 women in Migwani have formed a co-op or Harambee (literally pulling together). The goal is to get their children through school, a perfect showcase of what women are capable of doing. Jim has met them, they have been given eight treadle machines to begin earning money. The need is for someone to teach them how to sew. Cost is a few hundred dollars and some donated sewing material. Next they need help marketing what they make, as simple as contacting a local store to display and sell their items. Trekkers could take donated materials in and bring items home with them in time for Christmas. If you can help call 847-2597. Visit their new website: http://childfocusafrica.org.
Women’s Equality Day was first celebrated in 1971, marking women’s advancements toward equality with men. It was 1920 that the Nineteenth Amendment in the U.S. was passed, granting American women full suffrage. Annually since then, women have observed the day with events that celebrate women’s progress toward equality.