42 — Sunday, April 26, 1992 - North Shore News Seniors want days of connection in ‘jig time’ OLD AGE people need the telephone. Actual statistical preamble, announce, ‘I've got facts reveal that old age Canadian people need it more ‘ive yards of manure for you."’ than mast. In Canada, the telephone is used more fre- quently than anywhere else in the world! But consider our far-flung ramparts. Now consider our spot- ty populated centres. The tele- phone is vital to our welfare whether physical, spiritual or psychological. Mind you, some of the stuff it disgorges we could do without — those chaps who call at dinner- time wanting to clean the carpet, or who disturb our afternoon naps with queries about somebody's cake-mix. They're tiresome enough. But increasingly, on business calls, we're subjected to those endless disembodied reiterations of how busy the lines are, how valuable our call is, how hanging up will only delay the inevitable. We long for the good old days when Central, that calm faceless beneficence, would connect us to our party in jig time. So what if she listened in? At least we could talk. Do you remember when our own system was computerized, oh, maybe five-six years ago? We all got a new number. | got a maver- ick. Somewhere in its genes was a mysterious affliction with a number out in Delta, if you can believe it. Thus, when my tele- phone summoned me one morning I heard a chap, withowt any Eleanor No, it wasn't a threat, he was quite pleased with himself, actual- ty. Well, I'm a country girl, and 1 know that ‘five yards’? in that context is not just from here to there. like a length of gingham, it’s also from down to up, like a woodpile. We were living on the tenth floor of a high-rise, with a modest balcony which § could see from where I stood by the phone. IT had a vision of it full and steaming in the sunshine with the gentleman’s offering. All I could manage was, *‘Sir, you have the wrong number.’ | hung up. The phone promptly rang and there was the manure man again. We went through this five times before he was fully persuaded that he was in cuckoo-land and quit. Same thing happened with him the following spring. In between | had formed an icy relationship with a lady who called through the summer asking, ‘‘Do you have any strawberries?”’ Each time I'd say, ‘‘hang on”’ and go look in the ‘fridge’ and report enough for the ice-cream maybe, or somebody’s cereal. She’d slam down the phone, mut- tering about the authorities. Actually, I got) on to the authorities myself, but all the telephone gurus could say was that this fascinating union of what years. And just about everything you might want to know about how to handle this condition comes under the aegis of Health and Welfare Canada. There’s a number in the phone book, 666-3040. Try it. Try it again. You might as well settle down comfortably, because that number will indeed bring you information about all services and benefits. 44 Talk about a virus! This one’s becoming universal. 99 we think are cold-blooded numbers was beyond their powers to correct. I corrected it. [| moved, and got a fresh new unattached number. It has nothing wrong with it ex- cept that it duplicates that of BC Rail. Actually, there is a one-digit difference, but people without their glasses easily confuse ‘‘5’’ and ‘‘6’’, so daily, increasing to hourly in the tourist season, I am asked when I plan to leave the station and do I do lunch? But those adventures are almost fun compared to the interminable time we spend, ear moistly press- ed, numbed by that smarmy voice promising, promising. Talk about a virus! This one’s becoming universal. It is now affliciting Health and Welfare Canada which is suppos- ed to be our friend and advisor. You’ve got your Senior’s Guide, of course, you picked it up at your drugstore, and have read about all the help and services available to you in your golden Sometime. Because it is also the number to which people apnly for information about Family Allow- ances —- you can imagine the multiple of problems and frantic intensity of some of those cails. And it is also the same nunber that explains Canada Pension to those who already get it, those who might be ready to get it soon, those who got it but now want to go back to work. This number is busy. OK, you say to yourself, PIl go myself, pay a visit. Probably more satisfactory in the end. See, the book shows you where to go, place right down there on Esplanade. Good, you can stroll around the quay market after- wards. But wait. You can’t just walk in. The book says that you need an appointment. Guess what number you call for that. Bingo — 666-3040. Some kind of plot, do you think? ASSESSING THE long-term housing needs of seniors on the North Shore is the goal of a survey being conducted by the Lionsview Seniors Society. Currently, North Vancouver Ci- ty residerits who are 55 years old or more are being asked to complete a questionnaire anonymously. Not enly did city mayor Jack Loucks participate with the assistance of the senior society's Sheila Gilmour, but the city is also supporting the survey with assistance in the form of cleri- cal work like photocopying. Anyone interested in par- ticipating in the survey can call : 985-3852 for more information. : ; REE ae l EWS photo Mike Wakefield Mr, Robert F. Long Mr. LS. (Len) Gatto President Chief Executive Officer GULF AND FRASER FISHERMEN’S CREDIT UNION Sist ANNUAL REPORT HIGHLIGHTS § Gulf and Fraser Fishermen's Credit Union reported another year of exceptional j results at the 51st Annual General Meeting held April 9th 1992. § President, Mr. Robert F. Long, in his report to the members announced “Our successful year allowed the Board of Directors to declare a 10% dividend 4 on Life Insured Non-Equity Shares, a 20% dividend on Membership Equity Shares and a 20% dividend on Patronage Equity Shares.” Mr. Long also stated f that “The Board has also declared a Patronage Rebate of 1% of the loan interest paid as well as demand and term interest earned for each member during 1991.” The Credit Union's assets reached just over $183 million at year end 1991. 4 This reflects an increase of over 70% in assets over the previous five years. Chief Executive Officer, Mr. L.S. (Len) Gatto, stated in his report that “The Financial Institutions Act of 8.C. prescribes that the minimum required capital F base which had to ¢3 maintained by the Credit Union during 1991 was 4%. Gult and Fraser not only met this requirement but attained a capital adequacy fatio of 11.06%. Gulf and Fraser continues in a sound financial position and its strength lies in the efficiency of operation, strong capital and loyal, supportive ; members.” Copies of the 1991 Annual Report may be obtained from: Jazz bands will perform ON TUESDAY, Handsworth Secondary’s jazz bands are pres- enting a Just Jazz concert in the school gym. The performance features the school's award-winning jazz bands plus the senior combo. Organizers report that ‘ta few guest jazz musicians’’ will also perform, plus Handsworth’s Alumni Jazz Ensemble. Tickets can be obtained at the Thank You Volunteers! Nationai Volunteer Week April 26 - May 2 1992 door for $4 or $2 for students ana | 'M recognition and appreciation of over 200 seniors. The concert begins at 7:30 volunteer residents who have given their time p.m. energy, and talents to enhance our health services and programs. With your participation we will continue to build a healthy community. a pe eno Tt BEN I 0 5 WT kT GULF AND FRASER North Shore Health FISHERMEN’S CREDIT UNION! Board and Staff Steveston Branch 3471 Chatham Street, Richmond, B.C. V7E 2¥9 Telephone: 271-5911 Fax: 271-8033 Partners in Caring 986-7111 New Volunteers Welcome Vancouver Branch 303 E Hastings St, Vancouver, B.C. Head Office Second Floor, 803 E Hastings St, Vancouver, B.C. V6A 1R8 V6A IRE Telephone: 254-2811 Telephone: 254-7270 Fax: 254-0215 Fax: 254-7332