Newsletter 2022
From the (Remote) Desk of the Editor
But, will things ever really be the same? Living alone, I have acquired definite hermit-like tendencies in my COVID-avoidant cocoon. I was a closet introvert before; now – after discovering even more solace in my interminable pandemic alone time -- I have a confession. Given the choice of carousing with my buddies, I am finding myself yearning for my quiet evenings, lounging in pyjamas after 7:00 PM. Is it just a case of inertia that I will overcome? Will I get back into activities that gave me so much pleasure, PRE-pandemic? Or, have I become a full-fledged, raging introvert who will continue to choose her COVID couch over socializing? What will you remember from this two-year saga of putting our lives on pause, from several quarantines punctuated by pockets of gathering surreptitiously inside and flagrantly outside on summer terraces and backyards?
Ok, enough with my navel-gazing about “first world problems”. Aside from the usual smattering of reports on MURA activities past and future, you will find a compelling story by Lawrence Mysak (Ukraine), my report on the 2022 MURA Member Survey, and an article by Kate Maguire (Old Dogs - New Tricks).
Last, but not least, to motivate you and to counteract any lingering, post-pandemic inertia to get back in the saddle and on the horse! Use this link to view Aging Well Suzuki Style, a documentary from The Nature of Things, where you will see 83-year-old David Suzuki as he runs a gauntlet of tests to determine how well he’s aging, and what he’s been doing to enjoy his senior years.
I hope that next year, our Spring 2023 newsletter will be chock full of exciting, post-pandemic tales of our members’ retirement travels and adventures. CARPE DIEM, my friends. We’ve just been “let out”! Let’s make our retirement years full and fulfilling. Get yourselves ready to dive back into our engaging social, educational, and physical activities! After you digest this annual publication, have yourselves an inspired and inspiring summer. I very much look forward to hearing back from you about all of your adventures that I will include in next year’s annual MURA Newsletter.
Thank you, Newsletter Contributors!
MURA activity coordinators, Kate Maguire, and Lawrence Mysak
MURA Events
In spite of the year it has been, we learned that It would take a lot more than a pandemic to halt what MURA offers to its members. These included a visit to the Imagine Monet Immersive Exhibit and fascinating Montreal neighbourhood guided walking tours. Last fall the tour was from the McGill Campus to Old Montreal and this spring members did the Quartier des Spectacles area tour. Virtual events provided were a virtual cooking class, participation in the McGill Trivia nights, Kent Nagano Tribute Concert series, several MURA Quarantini Virtual Happy Hours, and information sessions on 2FA, travel insurance, and WhatsApp.
On December 6, 2021, members attended a concert by I Medici di McGill to raise funding for a new initiative that will benefit McGill Medical Students and MURA members. During this past year, five medical students joined forces with MURA’s President (Ante Padjen), and a member of MURA’s Board (Pat Forbes) to form the McGill University Social Club. Isolation and loneliness, especially amongst seniors, have been exacerbated by the pandemic. Add to this the fact that medical students often lack opportunities to interact with seniors willing to share their experience and knowledge, and presto - we have a match – made in heaven on earth.
This is a win-win for both groups as it will offer:
- informal/formal discussions between individuals in both groups about a variety of topics
- student visits with seniors who have limited mobility
- matching students with seniors to provide technological support and general information about medical issues, while reminding seniors that they should consult their physician for specific advice
- students accompanying seniors to an event; the two I Medici concerts (last fall and this spring).
The Social Club is in its infancy and is currently identifying and recruiting members interested in development of the Social Club and matching students with seniors. Any MURA members who are interested in connecting with a medical student in the Social Club, or helping to coordinate interactions between individuals in both groups should contact Ante Padjen (ante.padjen [at] mcgill.ca), and/or Patricia Forbes (patheg [at] sympatico.ca) .
Use this link to view a complete list of events enjoyed and upcoming.
MURA Activities
Activity coordinators provide the latest news about their groups.
Book Clubs
Downtown Book Club - Joan Wolforth
The original MURA Book Club has continued to meet successfully on Zoom on the first Monday of every month at 4pm. There are currently 13 members. Zoom, of course, has its advantages. All winter we didn’t have to leave the comfort of our homes, and our glasses of wine, in order to see our friends and discuss the book of the month. But, at some point, we would like to meet again in person. We also could not have our annual Christmas get together or our summer potluck lunch. But we are optimistic about this summer!!
We have continued to pursue the many facets of contemporary Canadian fiction. This is not at all limiting since writers, styles, geographical settings, and temporal diversity is quite stunning. We have, for example, read about both historic and contemporary rural Ontario, Britain during the Second World War, the West at the turn of the century, Vietnam refugees, indigenous trauma, and crime in Montreal. Writer Ann Lambert visited us to discuss her book, The Dogs of Winter, on the latter subject.
Our schedule is set a year in advance, so we have plenty of time to find and read the books. Some of us are avid library borrowers, others download eBooks, and still others buy the book. If a book is difficult to find, we share copies and advice on how to obtain the text. Each member chooses a book and leads the discussion on their choice. Sometimes, but not always, a book is universally popular. At other times, the group is divided in its opinion. No matter what occurs, the discussions and perspectives of all members are enjoyed and appreciated. The books are listed on the MURA web site each year. If you are interested in joining us, please email joan.wolforth [at] mcgill.ca
West Island Book Club - Katherine Gray-Donald
The West Island book club started in January 2021 with a great discussion of 'books to remember' that each member championed. Twice a year we choose books we want to read in our monthly meetings. Our choices cover many topics and include both fiction and non-fiction. We have been meeting virtually to date and may continue to do so with an occasional in-person meeting. We have all enjoyed the experience and are happy to have new people join our monthly meetings. No need to be a West Islander. For further information don't hesitate to contact Katherine Gray-Donald at Katherine.gray-donald [at] mcgill.ca.
Cercle de Lecture - Claude Lalande
Le Cercle de lecture en est à sa deuxième année et continue de nous faire vivre de nouvelles découvertes littéraires québécoises et canadiennes. En temps de pandémie, nos rencontres virtuelles nous ont permis de briser l’isolement que plusieurs ont vécu en raison du confinement.
Nous avons poursuivi notre exploration de la littérature sur des thèmes autochtones, avec Shuni de Naomi Fontaine – auteure innue, Le nid de Pierres de Tristan Malavoy et Les yeux tristes de mon camion de l’anthropologue Serge Bouchard, qui nous a également fait découvrir la présence canadienne française partout en Amérique du Nord. Nous avons rencontré l’auteur Luc Mercure qui a discuté avec nous de son livre Le goût du Goncourt, et qui sera des nôtres à nouveau en juin pour discuter de son roman Veiller Pascal. Nous avons découvert l’auteure québécoise d’origine nipponne Aki Shimazaki avec Tsubaki, premier tome de sa série Le poids des secrets. Les maisons de Fanny Britt et la bande dessinée adulte Paul à la maison de Michel Rabagliati n’ont en commun que le mot « maison ». Enfin, le thème de l’eau nous revient avec Pas même le bruit d’un fleuve d’Hélène Dorion et Au péril de la mer de Dominique Fortier, notre sélection de mai.
Nous nous rencontrons une fois par mois de septembre à juin. Pour plus de renseignements et pour vous joindre à notre cercle, veuillez écrire un courriel à claude.lalande [at] mcgill.ca
Cycling - Gregg Blachford
We go on a variety of urban and rural outings, close and far from the city, generally flat with distances from about 17 km to 40 km. Where possible, we stick to dedicated bicycle routes separated from traffic. We’re certainly not racers and we usually start at 10.30 in the morning, finishing around 2.30 in time to drive home before the traffic builds. It’s fun to spend time with our fellow McGill retirees and share stories as well as get good exercise in the warm weather. Last summer, despite the pandemic, the MURA Cycling Group continued our weekly rides from May to September. We had 16 outings with an average of 10 cyclists per ride. Luckily our activity is outside and that certainly helps, along with being boosted. We did, however, keep distanced at our lunch stops and we will continue to follow public health regulations. One week we even stopped for a swim at a beautiful lake in the Laurentians. We will continue this pattern for our upcoming season and if you’re interested in joining us, or just getting our emails to know what we’re doing, please send your email address to susan.kojima [at] mcgill.ca. Use this link for more information.
Golf - Anne Billyard
Being outdoors and seeing spectacular views are only two benefits of the wonderful game of golf. The conversations and laughter with the people you are playing with is also a big part of the enjoyable experience the MURA golf participants had together last summer -- both on the course and during the drinks at the "19th hole" after the game. During Covid summer 2021, we headed out to 7 different golf courses starting in May and threw in the towel for the season only in early November. To cap off the season, we enjoyed a final end-of-season game and lunch at an indoor virtual golf complex at the end of November. The first game of the 2022 season was on Wednesday, May 11th. The group will play on Wednesdays every 2 weeks. Last summer we had nine MURA members who joined the group. If you would like to join the group this year, please email me at: anne.billyard [at] mcgill.ca.
Pickleball - Henry Leighton
Pickleball is a sport that has been growing rapidly in popularity over the last few years, especially among the retiree demographic. It is played on a court that is smaller than a tennis court with a paddle similar to a ping-pong paddle, and a plastic hollow ball that has several holes. While it is a challenging sport most players start having a good time after only being on the court for a short time.
We thought that this was an activity that would be popular among MURA members. The Cote St Luc Aquatic and Community Centre made their gym, set up with 6 pickleball courts, available to MURA. We just needed an easing of Covid restrictions to get started. About 25 members signed up to play on Thursday mornings from 10 – 12 and at the time of writing we have had our first two very successful sessions. We have had some instruction and help in getting started from the Cote St Luc Sports Coordinator, Tony Sulpezio, which was greatly appreciated. The gym was available to us until June 2. If you are interested in participating in this activity in the fall, don’t hesitate to contact me at Henry.leighton [at] mcgill.ca. MURA supplies the pickleballs but players are responsible for providing their own paddles (price is about $40).
Restaurant-Dinner Group - Joan Wolforth
Two years ago, we were meeting each month at different BYOB restaurants and enjoying a meal together. Two years ago, we could plan a whole year of locations in advance. And then you know what happened. Our last restaurant visit was in February 2020. When will be our next? The vagaries of covid, the government rules for restaurants, and, probably, realistic assessments of our health vulnerabilities, have made such a prediction impossible. A couple of times I had hopes of being able to begin plans to meet up again, most recently in December 2021. And then…Oh Dear, not again. But I remain optimistic. I hope most of us have taken advantage of triple and quadruple vaccine boosters. For some, levels of immunity will have been enhanced by having contracted the virus and survived. Perhaps, now that restaurants are open again, and table occupation is no longer restricted by number or family connection, we can think of a terrace or airy dining space for the upcoming summer. I will be contacting those on my “registered” list soon. If you are interested in being included, please contact me at joan.wolforth [at] mcgill.ca.
Contributions by members - Lawrence Mysak, Debbie Mercier, and Kate Maguire
Ukraine: Past Reminiscences and Future Support
By Lawrence Mysak, Emeritus Professor, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, McGill; Past President, Academy of Science, Royal Society of Canada; and Past President, International Association for the Physical Sciences of the Oceans
There are 1.4 million people in Canada of Ukrainian descent, the largest such diaspora outside of Ukraine and Russia. I am one of these people, a second-generation Ukrainian Canadian who grew up on the prairies.
My mother was born in 1907 in Gimli, Manitoba to parents who came to Canada from western Ukraine in 1899. In 1910 the family moved to Saskatchewan and started farming near Saskatoon. My father was born in 1906 in western Ukraine in the village of Kluventsi, near Ternopil. He emigrated to Canada in 1912 with his mother to join his father, who had arrived a few years earlier to establish a farm near Regina. My parents met in Saskatoon during the 1920s when they were at Normal School, training to become country teachers. They married in 1930 and had two children, Helen born in 1932 and me, born in 1940. Both Helen and I spoke Ukrainian before we learned English.
After World War II, I spent many summers on the family farms and learned about the value of hard work and survival on the land. Both sets of grandparents put a high priority on education. They established one-room schools in their respective communities and encouraged their children to go on for higher education. Several of their children served in the war, and fortunately, they came home safely.
My late wife, Mary Mysak, and I travelled to Ukraine three times, first as camping auto tourists in 1972 during the height of the cold war, and then twice after Ukraine gained its independence in 1991. In September 1993 I was invited to give a public lecture at the fall opening of the University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy (founded in 1615); during this visit I also gave a lecture on climate physics at the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NASU). In 2002, as a guest of NASU, I gave climate and oceanographic seminars in Kyiv, Sebastopol and Lviv as part of a lecture exchange agreement between the Ukrainian academy and our national academy, the Royal Society of Canada. During this third visit, my sister Helen joined us.
It is now easy for me to understand why today, the citizens of Ukraine are defending their country against the brutal Russian invasion with such tenacity, courage, and resilience. Over the past several centuries, Ukraine has been ruled by Mongolia, Poland, Lithuania, and Imperial Russia. Only once has it been an independent country and that was for one year around 1918, just after World War I. Since then and up to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine was very much under the domination of Moscow, except for a brief period during World War II when it was taken over by Germany. When travelling there in 1972 by car, we were under continuous observation by the police, and our travel routes were very constrained. Talking to any person on the street was discouraged; much later we learned that locals could lose their job for doing this. Orest Subtelny’s internationally acclaimed book “Ukraine: A History”, University of Toronto Press (1988) is an excellent history of Ukraine prior to independence in 1991. Subtelny’s book has many details about what Ukraine has experienced in its struggles for independence. A fourth edition of Subtelny’s book appeared 2009, which is available at the McGill Library. The three new chapters at the end of this edition give an illuminating account of how independence was achieved, and of the struggles Ukraine has had in dealing with the new political freedom and the global economy.
In 1993, when Ukraine had now been independent for two years, it was quite evident to us that, like elsewhere behind the old iron curtain, the people had difficulty adjusting to democracy and self-rule. They were challenged with a new financial system and setting up nongovernment-run shops and companies. Restaurants were hard to come by (we always carried with us a box of crackers and nuts for snacks), and the people were cautious about showing any initiative. But they were happy to be free of communism and looked forward to a future with strong ties to Europe. An experience that Mary and I will never forget was at an open-air luncheon under the fragrant fruit trees at the country house owned by the president of the University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy. After a wonderful spread of food and wine, singing by the 25 guests began. Given the history of the country, Ukrainian folk songs tend to be sad. But there was joy in the way the songs were sung that day. “The indomitability of the human spirit” was how Mary described that moving scene in 1993.
During our third visit in 2002, conditions were notably better. Restaurants and markets were flourishing and much of the drabness of the Soviet era had disappeared. Conversations with the people on the streets were relaxed. The country was still learning to deal with democracy and corruption, but we felt that Ukraine, with a population of nearly 50 million, was on its way to taking a more prominent role in the western world. A special highlight for Helen and me was the meeting of distant relatives in Ternopil (just east of Lviv) at the end of our visit. We met my father’s cousin, Rozalia (then about 80) and three generations of her family, including a friendly six-year-old Andrewko. Today he is fighting in the war in Ukraine.
An excellent article in the March 26 issue of The Globe and Mail by Mark MacKinnon (pages A11-A13) gives a knowledgeable account of Ukrainian history during the past 20 years. The struggle with democracy and corrupt politicians continued for some time, and it is only with the last two presidents, chocolate tycoon Petro Poroshenko and actor Volodymyr Zelensky (elected in 2019), that Ukraine has been able to break free from domination by Moscow and develop closer ties with Europe. This, of course, is one of the reasons why Putin invaded Ukraine; he again wants Ukraine to be under the umbrella of Russia. The Ukrainian people’s staunch defense of their country during the current war has been unexpectedly strong and admired worldwide. This defense has been made possible with the help of extensive military training and weapons received from the western world.
If you would like to know how to help Ukraine and their refugees during this difficult time of war, here are some ideas:
On April 3, the I Medici di McGill Orchestra, under the baton of guest Maestra Veronique Lussier, gave a packed-hall benefit concert for people affected by the war in Ukraine. The goal of raising ten thousand dollars for Doctors Without Borders/Médicins Sans Frontierès (MSF) for their humanitarian work in Ukraine was achieved. Further donations to MSF are welcome.
In the McGill Reporter (March 17, 2022) and the McGill Communications newsletter, activities organized by McGillians which are supporting Ukraine have been listed (e.g., see the newsletter of March 29). Requests for donations and volunteers are listed in these publications.
Outside of McGill, donations to the Canada Ukraine Foundation (cufoundation.ca), a non-profit charity, are welcome. This is where I have made a major donation.
Lastly, I note that the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (ucc.ca), an NGO, is focussed on developing lists of Canadians who are willing to assist and house Ukrainians, especially families with children, who will be arriving in Canada. Very recently several plane loads of displaced Ukrainians have arrived in Newfoundland, Winnipeg, Montreal and Halifax, and the assistance of the UCC in helping these newcomers settle In Canada has been most appreciated. On a personal note, I am delighted to tell you that one of our close family members has recently taken in a Ukrainian family of three to their home in British Columbia.
Today it is hard to imagine how and when the invasion and war will end. But eventually, the process of rebuilding the country will begin, and this will take enormous resources – billions of dollars - from Europe and North America. At that time, it is likely that many of the refugees will be able to return home and help with this work. I even hope that one day the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) can renew academic exchanges with the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. This is in keeping with the message in the op-ed piece in the March 30 issue of The Globe and Mail written by the RSC executive. Here it is argued that continued support for the international research community is crucial, and that grassroots bilateral relationships must be nurtured because they help to build trust across borders.
I Want to Help!
Ukrainian Canadian Congress. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) is the voice of Canada’s Ukrainian community. The Congress brings together under one umbrella all the national, provincial, and local Ukrainian Canadian organizations. Use this link to the UCC.
Protein, Protein, Protein - by Debbie Mercier
If I retained one key message from the joint lecture organized in March 2022 by MURA & MCLL (The McGill Community for Lifelong Learning), it is eat more protein as you age!
Prominent McGill medical researcher, Dr. José A. Morais, MD, FRCPC, CSPQ, and Director of the Division of Geriatric Medicine, McGill University, joined us to discuss nutritional issues in older adults. Dr. Morais tells us, convincingly, that “Nutrition is a cornerstone to maintaining good health and physical functioning with aging.” Dr. Morais shared some of the findings from his research on the assessment of protein metabolism and cellular regulation at whole-body and muscle levels and whether protein requirements change with age, frailty, and diabetes.
Dr. Morais began his presentation by explaining to participants that Canada’s New Dietary Guidelines (2019) do not reflect the specific needs of older adults. Instead Canada’s Food Guide only contains general recommendations for healthy eating through the lifespan to prevent obesity.
With decreased energy requirements in seniors, changes in hormone levels, and the effects of chronic diseases and their treatments, these guidelines must also be adapted to the special needs of our aging population. As we enter our 70’s (when many of us feel “early satiety” or feel full sooner), our dietary focus should shift towards ingesting sufficient calories and protein to maintain muscle mass (and consequently, immunity). If we eat wisely (again, for our age!) and add 500 mg/day of vitamin D, we will maintain bone health, muscle and brain functioning, a healthy blood pressure, etc. Bottom line: we old folks need “nutrient-dense nutrition” and PROTEIN (lots of it!), as well as an array or variety of different foods. If nothing else convinces you to be mindful about your nutritional intake as you age, this will: You have a 12% lower risk of frailty for each 20% increase in protein intake. Also, 34% of Canadians over 65 are at some level of nutritional risk.
Malnutrition leads to reduced cognition, more infections, accidents, worsening osteoporosis, and mortality. It is reversable, but left unchecked, it leads to institutionalization in hospitals and CHSLDs – something we would all prefer to avoid, I’m sure.
Here are some protein rich foods to consider having with EACH MEAL. Dr. Morais advocates distributing protein in ALL THREE meals every day and he discourages skipping meals: eggs, fish and shellfish, lean meats (beef, pork) and poultry, nuts and seeds (peanuts, almonds, etc.), lower fat dairy products, beans, peas and lentils, fortified soy beverages, tofu, soybeans and other soy products. Avoid processed foods and sugar and EAT MINDFULLY! Another interesting tidbit: as we age, our perception of thirst is impaired. We require 2 liters of water and other liquids each day. Soup is a liquid. At least one liter of water and other liquids should be ingested daily – separate from meals. And don’t forget the value of physical activity! Let’s all get off of our COVID couches and start moving again this summer!
MURA Member Survey 2022 Highlights by Debbie Mercier
At this year’s Annual General meeting on June 1, 2022, Kate Maguire summarized the results of the survey that had over 100 MURA members’ input. The vast majority of respondents were amazed and appreciative of the current roster of in-person and virtual information sessions, events, and activities that MURA volunteers organize for members. The virtual activities that have materialized during COVID were mentioned as blessings for those of us who live out of town, or who have transportation and/or mobility issues.
One topic that garnered quite a few comments in the survey was the issue of “Maintaining Health in Retirement.” Coincidentally, MURA President Ante L. Padjen, and Board Member Debbie Mercier are in discussions with the McGill Community for Lifelong Learning (MCLL), exploring several additional joint sessions between our two groups, beginning in November. Some of you may recall the March 2022 lecture “Nutritional Issues in older adults” by Dr. José A. Morais, MD, FRCPC, CSPQ, and Director of the Division of Geriatric Medicine, McGill University (see article this newsletter). MURA will work towards launching a series of topics and speakers for five joint sessions in collaboration with MCLL in November (2022), and into 2023: January, February, March, and April on health-related topics of concern to our members. Stay tuned!
Some new initiatives that were mentioned in the survey responses include:
(Note that these suggestions will need a MURA member to volunteer. What are YOU passionate about enough to step up to help to organize?)
- Bowling league
- Volunteer opportunity information
- Photography group
- Painting
- Yoga
- Movie club
- Gardening tips
- Armchair travel
- Lectures by members
Thank you to all survey participants for sharing your opinions and ideas and for working in tandem with MURA Executive and Board to keep our group active, engaged and vital!
Old Dogs - New Tricks by Kate Maguire
“We hear you know how to edit websites. MURA needs a site editor - can you do this for us?” I had missed a MURA Board meeting and someone had “volunteered” me in my absence. The year was 2015 - I hadn’t edited at McGill site since 2003 and figured it would all come back to me, so I said “I can do that!”
Since MURA is not a certified McGill unit, we were denied access to the McGill web platform. However, there was an agreement to “host” a site that was created by MURA. I didn’t know about that detail until after I had agreed to take on this task. Wes Cross, the MURA treasurer back then, and David Brown, wasted no time assembling a site using a free Microsoft web editing program (Expression 4). Wes was moving to Nova Scotia and I was to be his replacement. He explained that the site is very similar to the Frontpage program I’d worked with, and it was.
Then, alas, Microsoft discontinued support of Expression 4, and it became very clear that MURA needed to be on the McGill platform known as the Web Management System (WMS). We asked Richard London, McGill retiree from Information Systems Resources (ISR), if he could help MURA with its appeal to be part of the WMS, and he knew exactly how to write that proposal.
We were granted access in January 2021 with the condition that I be trained to edit a McGill site. Sure! This old dog can learn new tricks, I thought. I am one of those people who enjoy learning and applying technology, so I welcomed an opportunity to incorporate something new into my bag of old dog tricks. Training began in March 2021, and due to the pandemic, the sessions were virtual. McGill had to pivot quickly to online teaching, and the WMS was no exception. It was obvious at the beginning that there was a vast array of web tools that would take some time to master. My “partner-in-crime”, David Brown also took these courses, as we needed a backup! During the training, we were frequently reminded to have patience when creating a site from scratch.
After completing the courses, we began to work on the new site in June 2021 and the bilingual site went live on March 17, 2022! Kudos to the WMS team who provided excellent training and never hesitated to help when support was needed! And, thank you, David, for being my partner-in-crime!
The MURA Newsletter is published once a year. It includes contributions by members on their experiences in retirement, various activities, travel, volunteer engagements, and reflections on this very special phase of life. Members are welcome to submit a brief text on the subject of their choice either in French or in English to our Editor, Debbie Mercier, at debbie.mercier [at] mcgill.ca. Members' suggestions concerning the content and format of future issues are welcome. Use this link to view past issues of the newsletter.
