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34- Sunday, May 29, 1994 - North Shore News

WE ALL at our age can
- tell you — at length, if
you’ ve got all day —
‘how much in the world
has changed since we
were young,
_ Communication, travel,
‘medicine, fashion in dress and
standards of conduct. Just ask
us how it. used to be and stand
back for the lecture. 7
But when you counjer™ with
“You’ve changed, too,” w
aren’t so quick with accep.

tance. We still cling conscious-—

ly to our bringing up, to how

we left it; we think of our-

selves as coming from another

‘place and time, from the olden

“ days, with now outmoded bag-
gage, | both intellectual and oth-
‘erwise.

- To be strictly honest, |
though, we admit that our men
have changed. We’re not talk-

. ing bald heads and vanished

i”. waist lines either. There’s evi-'

dence of actual liberation: -
: “Hah,” you think, “these »
_ guys have always been at the
_ controls, have always had the
upper hand.”. True, but that ' was.
-@ burden laid on them at the .
Start.

:. The tribe’s males have
always been expected to lead
_ the way, settle the scores, make
“the living and the decisions,
~ plan the expeditions and run
.. the world.

They’ve paid the price.

_ Nobody ever taught them how
to do nothing; to indulge their
- soft side. No one suggested
‘they try painting flowers or
designing furniture or making
cupcakes for relaxation.

It was work, work, work,
and a lot of them died of it.
That’s changing. Hurrah.

’ Young men push the bug-
gies, share the cooking and are
practising to be real people, not
masters of the universe.

And the change is showing
up in our senior men. We have
documented figures of real

(Vancouver |
WYouth
Theatre
SUMMER
> ACTING
PROGRAMMES
Kids & ‘Teens
July 4- 22
877-0678

progress. Look at this:

A baker’s dozen years ago,
in 1981, the West Vancouver
Seniors’ Centre opened.
Almost overnight they had
1,500 enthusiastic members;
1,425 of those members were
women. There were 75 men.

Today, the ratio has shifted
to a 60-40 situation, which still
reflects the burden men have
carried but also draws applause
for their growing flexibility.

Nowadays men don’t come
around just to club it in the bil-
liard room; they’re everywhere
involved, on committees and in
administration and leading
classes and sharing even in the
tea-parties. '

Like Silver Harbour, this
centre wouldn’t last a week
without its volunteers. There
are more than 600 working to
help with programs, teaching
them and organizing, helping
with the plant room, with the
trip-planning and driving and

visiting the isolated. For many
of the now 3,000 members, it's
their life.

It’s also elbow-to-elbow.

Luckily, they’ve got spare
ground. Judicious designing
will let them push out the walls
for expanded office space and
a small theatre space that will
accommodate a small stage
with sophisticated acoustics.
As well, everyone longs for
extension of all work areas,
better space for storage and
better changing rooms.

In addition, everyone antici-
pates with joy the cafeteria,
which will have seats for 75
and will encompass an outdoor
patio. The centre has a new
adventurous cook, and the
combination is a key part of
the wellness program.

It all costs a lot of money,
and there’s still a million dol-
lars to go for their share. New
Horizons,the Rotary and

Kiwanis organizations have

contributed, The West
Vancouver Foundation chan-
nels money their way, many
local businesses, small cafes
and car service people have
surprised them with generous
attention, and everyone is sure

the shortfall will be conquered.

It’s significant of the times
that the additions planned will

altogether cost just about what
the original 15,000 square feet
cost. And it's also good for a
ponder to consider that less
than a third of the seniors liv-
ing in West Vancouver District
are presently members.

It’s a vital connection-place ’
that has already proven its
worth to the community.

i Are you 50 years or better? You don’t have to leave the North Shore! a
p54 thoughtfully planned residences with you in mind. Each surrounds oneff ®
§ of two unique year round climate-controlled atrium covered courtyards. 2)

bedrooms, 1

1 bedroom plus den, two 1 bedrooms, all with two bath--

rooms, large patios. 2 elevators, lots of extras. 5 plans to choose from.
Buy now and select your colours. Price approximately $150,000. ..

iYou are invited to attend an informational meeting:
- June 4: 11 am, Saturday, Mt. Seymour United Church
1200 Parkgate Avenue ‘
Pre-view Tuesdays /Thursdays/Sat. 9%: 0 am fo 12:30 - 1200 Parkgate Ave, ;

Call: Cathleen 255-7733 or Betty at 929-1336 |

DOUG COLLINS:

For controversial editorial that is gudranteed fo
, peak your interest, be sure to read Doug Collins
‘on page 7 every Wednesday and starting

“ May 22nd every Sunday on page 4. .

»