20 - Sunday, September 16, 1590 — North Shore News

On the lookout for a squadron of angels

THE INVITATION | said ‘*tea party.” You don't get many of those any more. We ‘‘do lunch,’’ these days, and go for coffee, and join people for drinks, but the tea party is not your usual exercise in these jaunty times.

There was a time when it was the very bones of a community's civilization. Entertaining at tea brought some fleeting sense of proper behavior to the rough, tough, burgeoning west. Invita- tions were taken very seriously, and added to one’s focal profile.

There were levels of tea parties, naturally. Some were simply friendly introductions for new- comers to the neighborhood. Some honored a returned travel- ler who would bring a whiff of worldly fashion to the outpost. Some were given simply to catch up with all the hostesses one ow- ed.

The rules in any case were quite rigid and accepted. One wore a hat, gloves of course; conversation must be confined to talk of books and music and the garden. Scan- dal was not an allowable topic, however juicy, nor was the price of anything. One was welcome towards four o'clock, and ex- pected to depart close to five.

The tea-party to which I was bid was plainly different, not your traditional rite. It stipulated presence requested for two o’ctock, for one thing, and was to be held in the main recreation space in the West Vancouver Seniors’ Centre. It was in celebra- tion of the 15th anniversary of the Special Services group, so it was not your teacup-in-hand and teaplate-on-your-lap kind of thing. Hat and gloves would not be re- quired.

With 70 working members and 120 receiving ministrations, all wanting tea and cookies, distribution would be carefully

Eleanor Godley

THE VINTAGE YEARS

controlled. It was. All were well served.

The origins of this society are worth our attention. To bring it to its present excellence took two different angels. The first one was Violet Hanna, 88 years old and restless about housebound neighbors. She had just got her driver’s licence renéwed and so was in no need of helpful trans- port, but what about those without? What if she and some of her mobile friends took turns tak- ing folks to get their groceries or to get their hair cut or to pick up some bedding plants or to visit the doctor? Why not?

So it gradually jelled, in 1975, and the government’s New Horizons program contributed a little towards expenses, as did the Vancouver Foundation, impressed by altruism. The number of peo- ple undertaking to help grew siow- ly — now there are phoners who make daily calls, drivers who are available for various pleasant kinds of outings, visitors who will make and share a cup of tea. The whole simple neighborly concept got an award from the Ministry of Health and Welfare for sheer hu- manitarianism.

The second angel was the

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story-book type. She had been the recipient of some of the society's attentions, being elderly and frail, and on her death left a hand-ome bequest: which has enabled the group to be at least partly self- supporting. They are able because of it fo pay a small emolument to their secretary and treasurer for their responsibilities. and to make up to the drivers some of their running expenses.

Most of the people on their roster got there simply by word of mouth. No fee is collected, though a donation is not refused if offered. The Capilano River marks a firm perimeter, making Woodcroft residents eligible for attention, despite that they are in the embrace of the District of North Vancouver. And occa- sionally a client will go to live on the West End but continue to be regarded as one of the flock.

The members enjoy minimal of- fice space courtesy of the West Vancouver Seniors’ Centre, which is suffering overcrowding as is our Silver Harbour facility. Vhere isn’t an inch to spare anywhere even were such a desirable service available locally. The Seniors Hub, in Delbrook Centre, has some contact. with occasional drivers, and with reasonably pric- ed odd-jobbing for seniors, but it’s on no sort of regular progran:.

The North Shore Information and Volunteer Centre, now called Community Services, can find you a lawyer or a lawn-cutter, but in time, and for a fee, of course.

The fact is, we don't need More agencies, or groups, but we need some cohesion, a move which has been afoot for several years. There are good people alf around us, keen to be helpful, but routes get criss-crossed. At pres- ent, if you’re using the telephone book for help, the only seniors fisting for North Vancouver is Sitver Harbour. This forces them into the role of referral agency.

We could use a whole squadron of angels.

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THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF NORTH VANCOUVER

NOTICE OF COURT OF REVISION 1990 LIST OF ELECTORS

NOTICE is hereby given that a Court of Revision for the List of Electors will be heid in the Council Chamber. City Hail, 141 West 141th Street. North Vancouver, BC., on Monday. October 1. 1990, at 7:00 0 m. for the purpose of correcting and revising the List of Electors for the year 1990.

The Court shall near any application to stnke out the name of any person which has been improperly placed thereon, or to place on the said list the name of any person improperly omitted therefrom.

The fist as prepared will be avatlable for inspection on or after the 15th day of September, 1990. B.A. Hawkshaw City Clerk

City Hait 141 West 14th Street

North Vancouver, BC.

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Presented by: Honourable Stanley B. Hagen Minister of Regional and Economic Development

In Cooperation with: Honourable Jack Davis, MLA - North Vancouver ~ Seymour Honourable John Reynolds,

MLA - West Vancouver - Howe Sound Mr. Angus Ree,

MLA - North Vancouver - Capilano

For more information or to register: North Shore Economic Development Commission 148 East 2nd Street North Vancouver, B.C. V7L 1C3 Phone: 984-3580

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