Al Thompson has been a scouter for 62 years, 48 of them with Westfield Scouting based at Westfield United Church. That’s almost as long as the 50-years the Westfield charter has been in existence. The scouting movement began here in January 1960 in this church and is still going strong. That success and the long relationship with the Westfield United Church, was celebrated on the weekend of January 16 and 17. Former Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Leaders were invited along with current members for campfire songs, skits and sharing stories and memories. A collection of Westfield Scouting memorabilia was on display in the church and even the Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick, Graydon Nicholas was on hand for the festivities. 81-year-old Al Thompson was beaming throughout the weekend.

“We weren’t real rural and we weren’t real city, we were in between,” says Thompson when asked why Westfield Scouting has been so successful. “We had no gym here. All we had was outdoor rinks. Everything was done outdoors. We were outdoors in the summer, winter, spring and fall.” Thompson believes that connection with the outdoors is what kept the kids interested through all these years. And he says that tradition continues here. They just received 14 pairs of snowshoes for the Cubs and Scouts.

Hundreds of boys and now girls too, have gone through the program at Westfield United Church. Thompson says many of the community leaders of today were once Scouts. He says the reward for him is seeing his former Scouts today and seeing what they’re now doing. “There are kids here in Beavers, Cubs and Scouts and their fathers and uncles were in Scouting here too,” says Thompson. “It means something.”

Thompson gets emotional when he remembers a World Scout Jamboree he attended years ago during the Falklands War between Britain and Argentina. Scout groups from both those countries were on stage dancing a jig together and Thompson remembers one of the leaders saying, “If Scouting ran the world, there would be no wars.”

There were no jigs at the 50th Anniversary of Westfield Scouting but long time, west-side scouter Dave Goss brought his guitar and lead the kids in a few songs. Al Thompson could be seen singing along too

Mandy Fillmore has lived in Grand Bay-Westfield all her life and now she’s raising her three children here. One child attends Grand Bay Primary School while another goes to  Inglewood Elementary. Her youngest child is starting school next year. Fillmore wants to see more opportunities for her kids and all children in the community. “I’d like to see more for them in the schools,” she says. “I’d like them to have the same opportunities that kids in Rothesay and Quispamsis and even in the city have for extra curricular programs and facilities, things like  libraries, gyms, access centres. Right now we don’t have it.” While she likes the idea of a small school she knows a larger, newer building could offer the programs that aren’t available in the old Grand Bay Schools. Fillmore joined others at the recent District 8 Education Council Town Hall Meeting, calling for a new school in Grand Bay-Westfield.

Mayor Grace Losier told the audience of about 35 parents and school officials in the auditorium of River Valley Middle School how Grand Bay Primary and Inglewood had changed very little since the days when she attended those schools. She says the town is growing with a new collector road being built and housing developments in the works and the time to start asking the government for a new school is now. Losier says the educational opportunities afforded children attending these old schools don’t mirror those being offered in the newer Westfield Elementary and the lack of a proper gym at Inglewood and Grand Bay means the schools cannot even meet the prescribed curriculum of the Department of Education. “The community has to get behind it and want it,” says Losier. “There’s a good course of voices here and a real willingness to work toward this. Our minister (Jack Keir) is supportive. He understands there is a disadvantaged community here and we want all our kids to be afforded the same opportunities.”

This is the first of a series of town hall meeting being planned by the District 8 Education Council. While other issues were discussed, like special needs students, trades in the schools and high school enrolment, the need for a new GBW school was the main topic of the night. Some suggested a new school facility could become more of a community cultural centre, similar to the Centre Scolaire-Communautaire Samuel-de-Champlain building for the French community in Saint John. District 8 Education Council Chair, Rob Fowler agreed there is a need for a new school in Grand Bay-Westfield. “We have substantial growth coming to the area and we have very old, antiquated buildings with very little if any recreational facilities,”says Fowler. “Grand Bay Primary and Inglewood particularly, I wouldn’t call them gymnasiums that they have. They are just extra large classrooms. You can’t hold any type of physical activity of any significance in those kind of facilities. It’s not a reasonable expectation for kids to grow up in that kind of environment when there are much better facilities everywhere else.” Fowler says a new school building in the town would mean the closure of Grand Bay Primary, Inglewood and possibly Morna Heights School. He says even if we got the go-ahead today, a new building is still years away. He says the next step is to form a local steering committee and submit the request to Fredericton. “I think the government would have a hard time turning it down on the merits of the proposal,” he says. “When you look at the opportunity to close down three antiquated, run down, older buildings into one brand new facility with a whole lot of community support, I wouldn’t want to be one of the guys to say no.”

Mandy Fillmore has lived in Grand Bay-Westfield all her life and now she’s raising her three children here. One child attends Grand Bay Primary School while another goes to  Inglewood Elementary. Her youngest child is starting school next year. Fillmore wants to see more opportunities for her kids and all children in the community. “I’d like to see more for them in the schools,” she says. “I’d like them to have the same opportunities that kids in Rothesay and Quispamsis and even in the city have for extra curricular programs and facilities, things like  libraries, gyms, access centres. Right now we don’t have it.” While she likes the idea of a small school she knows a larger, newer building could offer the programs that aren’t available in the old Grand Bay Schools. Fillmore joined others at the recent District 8 Education Council Town Hall Meeting, calling for a new school in Grand Bay-Westfield.

Mayor Grace Losier told the audience of about 35 parents and school officials in the auditorium of River Valley Middle School how Grand Bay Primary and Inglewood had changed very little since the days when she attended those schools. She says the town is growing with a new collector road being built and housing developments in the works and the time to start asking the government for a new school is now. Losier says the educational opportunities afforded children attending these old schools don’t mirror those being offered in the newer Westfield Elementary and the lack of a proper gym at Inglewood and Grand Bay means the schools cannot even meet the prescribed curriculum of the Department of Education. “The community has to get behind it and want it,” says Losier. “There’s a good course of voices here and a real willingness to work toward this. Our minister (Jack Keir) is supportive. He understands there is a disadvantaged community here and we want all our kids to be afforded the same opportunities.”

This is the first of a series of town hall meeting being planned by the District 8 Education Council. While other issues were discussed, like special needs students, trades in the schools and high school enrolment, the need for a new GBW school was the main topic of the night. Some suggested a new school facility could become more of a community cultural centre, similar to the Centre Scolaire-Communautaire Samuel-de-Champlain building for the French community in Saint John. District 8 Education Council Chair, Rob Fowler agreed there is a need for a new school in Grand Bay-Westfield. “We have substantial growth coming to the area and we have very old, antiquated buildings with very little if any recreational facilities,”says Fowler. “Grand Bay Primary and Inglewood particularly, I wouldn’t call them gymnasiums that they have. They are just extra large classrooms. You can’t hold any type of physical activity of any significance in those kind of facilities. It’s not a reasonable expectation for kids to grow up in that kind of environment when there are much better facilities everywhere else.” Fowler says a new school building in the town would mean the closure of Grand Bay Primary, Inglewood and possibly Morna Heights School. He says even if we got the go-ahead today, a new building is still years away. He says the next step is to form a local steering committee and submit the request to Fredericton. “I think the government would have a hard time turning it down on the merits of the proposal,” he says. “When you look at the opportunity to close down three antiquated, run down, older buildings into one brand new facility with a whole lot of community support, I wouldn’t want to be one of the guys to say no.”

The long time MP for New Brunswick Southwest is stepping down immediately as Minister of Veterans Affairs and as New Brunswick’s senior representative in Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservative government. Greg Thompson will remain as MP of this riding but he will not re-offer in the next federal election. Thompson was first elected to parliament in 1988 and has won 6 out of the last 7 elections. Thompson who is 62, told River Valley News he wanted to retire on his own terms and he felt the timing now was right for himself, his family and the government. “I wanted to go out on a high, not a low and I feel good about what I have done, so really I just felt the time was right,” says Thompson. “I felt that I’ve done the best job that I could and am pretty proud of my record and that’s really the note I wanted to go out on.” He says his decision leaves his successor in Veterans Affairs plenty of time to get up to speed on the portfolio before a new session begins and the local riding association has time to find a candidate to replace him before the next election is called.

Thompson says his responsibility as minister requires a lot of travel and has not allowed him to spend as much time in the riding as he would have liked. “In some regards the consistency suffers because you’re not there when you normally would be so I’ll have a chance to refocus on my riding in the last months or years of my tenure as a member of parliament,” says Thompson.  ”I’m really grateful to the people of New Brunswick Southwest for the confidence they’ve placed in me. In the closing days of my career I can really refocus on the riding.”

Thompson says being a member of parliament and representing your constituents is the best job in government. “The most gratifying part of the job is the difference you can make in the lives of ordinary constituents that come to you with a problem and often with no other place to go and you can make a difference in their lives and be there for them when they need you,” says Thompson. “The letters and support I get from ordinary people is really gratifying.”

Thompson says when the next election is called and he retires from politics, he and his wife are looking forward to doing the things they enjoy here in New Brunswick. “I like landscaping and my wife loves gardening and I do too but she’s better at it then me, so we can focus on that,” says Thompson. “I love landscaping and rock wall building and I actually love working in the woods with my chainsaw and cutting my own hardwood.  I also enjoy golf although anyone who knows me at Westfield will tell you I’m not a very good golfer. Maybe I can get out with Milt a few times. He’s the worlds second worst golfer.”

Greg Thompson couldn’t end the interview without speaking about the woman who used to own the River Valley News. “Diane Bormke was a great supporter of mine,” he says. “I really miss Diane and all the things she did for me. She believed in me and never asked for a thing. It was always about her community.”

Thompson says his role as a member of cabinet is truly gratifying but the truth is you’re on the road all the time and you don’t have a chance to enjoy your home, your friends or your community. He plans to change that soon.

The long time MP for New Brunswick Southwest is stepping down immediately as Minister of Veterans Affairs and as New Brunswick’s senior representative in Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservative government. Greg Thompson will remain as MP of this riding but he will not re-offer in the next federal election. Thompson was first elected to parliament in 1988 and has won 6 out of the last 7 elections. Thompson who is 62, told River Valley News he wanted to retire on his own terms and he felt the timing now was right for himself, his family and the government. “I wanted to go out on a high, not a low and I feel good about what I have done, so really I just felt the time was right,” says Thompson. “I felt that I’ve done the best job that I could and am pretty proud of my record and that’s really the note I wanted to go out on.” He says his decision leaves his successor in Veterans Affairs plenty of time to get up to speed on the portfolio before a new session begins and the local riding association has time to find a candidate to replace him before the next election is called.

Thompson says his responsibility as minister requires a lot of travel and has not allowed him to spend as much time in the riding as he would have liked. “In some regards the consistency suffers because you’re not there when you normally would be so I’ll have a chance to refocus on my riding in the last months or years of my tenure as a member of parliament,” says Thompson.  ”I’m really grateful to the people of New Brunswick Southwest for the confidence they’ve placed in me. In the closing days of my career I can really refocus on the riding.”

Thompson says being a member of parliament and representing your constituents is the best job in government. “The most gratifying part of the job is the difference you can make in the lives of ordinary constituents that come to you with a problem and often with no other place to go and you can make a difference in their lives and be there for them when they need you,” says Thompson. “The letters and support I get from ordinary people is really gratifying.”

Thompson says when the next election is called and he retires from politics, he and his wife are looking forward to doing the things they enjoy here in New Brunswick. “I like landscaping and my wife loves gardening and I do too but she’s better at it then me, so we can focus on that,” says Thompson. “I love landscaping and rock wall building and I actually love working in the woods with my chainsaw and cutting my own hardwood.  I also enjoy golf although anyone who knows me at Westfield will tell you I’m not a very good golfer. Maybe I can get out with Milt a few times. He’s the worlds second worst golfer.”

Greg Thompson couldn’t end the interview without speaking about the woman who used to own the River Valley News. “Diane Bormke was a great supporter of mine,” he says. “I really miss Diane and all the things she did for me. She believed in me and never asked for a thing. It was always about her community.”

Thompson says his role as a member of cabinet is truly gratifying but the truth is you’re on the road all the time and you don’t have a chance to enjoy your home, your friends or your community. He plans to change that soon.

The first ever Canadian Cancer Society’s Grand Bay-Westfield Relay for Life will be held on Friday, June 11th from 7pm to 7am on the running track at River Valley Middle School. The Relay for Life is a 12 hour celebration of survival, a tribute to the lives of loves ones and a night of fun, friendship and fund-raising to make cancer history. You can Celebrate the Survivors’ victory lap,  be inspired by the luminary ceremony, enjoy activities and entertainment, all the while knowing you are supporting a great cause.

In the months leading up to the Relay for Life we’ll be publishing the stories of cancer survivors from this community. These are the personal experiences, told in their own words, of friends and neighbours who have battled cancer. We begin the series with cancer survivor Rachel Quinn of Grand Bay-Westfield.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in January of 2005. About a month before, I knew there was something wrong. I sensed that my body wasn’t right. Once I was diagnosed, I quickly had surgery, a mastectomy. I had a month to recover and then jumped right into chemo and after another short break, started radiation.

It’s a horrible feeling, the worst feeling I ever had in my life. You’re terrified. You feel threatened with your survival, you’re terrified for your kids and your husband. It’s a total loss of control because you think how could this possibly happen to me. It just can’t be happening. There’s certainly denial for a period of time. It’s just a terrible thing to be told that you have it. I think that’s the worst part of the whole thing, being told that you have it and facing it yourself.

You do feel very defeated, physically, emotionally and spiritually but you just have to fight your way back up. As a survivor you have to look at those areas of your life and work your way back up again. You have to come to terms with it. It might not be good news for you but you have to face it and deal with it.

The treatments were really hard. There are harder things for people to deal with but it’s not easy. I was really sick with all the chemo. The surgery was no big deal but the chemo was the hardest thing. It’s hard for your kids to watch you go through that. Whenever I had chemo, the kids would be away just for the first few days after I came home until the worst of it was over.

I still go in for check-ups and each time you feel slightly more confident. It’s been five years for me. I still get a little uneasy feeling. I spent five years surviving and working at survival. After you’re hit with something like this, I realized I had to change some things in my life, physically, emotionally, spiritually and I still work at those things every day. I can’t forget that I have had it. I want to move on but you have to work hard at your health. I think about it every day.

I was asked to speak as a cancer survivor at a Relay for Life event in Saint John a year after being diagnosed. I hesitated to do that because I knew I would be very emotional. It was still very close at that time but I felt I had to push myself through that. I made myself do it. My main message was to say thank you to the runners and walkers for doing this. There is so much people don’t know about cancer and prevention and I think we all have to become more aware. There is so much that can be done with any money that is raised.

Cancer is close to everyone. We think it’s not going to happen to us but it can happen. I believe, after being a survivor for five years, that there can be a lot less cancer in the world. I think the things that should be done are more preventative. Treatment is necessary but I think there’s so much out there about preventing cancer in the first place that people don’t know about and we have to educate ourselves about it. That is so important.

The organizers are seeking teams to make the very first Grand Bay-Westfield Relay for Life a success so please join with friends, family and colleagues and register as a team.

By joining us, you’re helping to make cancer history. Interested teams please contact Jim Balcomb at 738-8441 or by email:  jim@harriganinsurance.ca. Cancer survivors wishing to participate are asked to email Erika Kelly at erikakellyrelay@ymail.com.

For further information or to register online please visit:  www.cancer.ca

The first ever Canadian Cancer Society’s Grand Bay-Westfield Relay for Life will be held on Friday, June 11th from 7pm to 7am on the running track at River Valley Middle School. The Relay for Life is a 12 hour celebration of survival, a tribute to the lives of loves ones and a night of fun, friendship and fund-raising to make cancer history. You can Celebrate the Survivors’ victory lap,  be inspired by the luminary ceremony, enjoy activities and entertainment, all the while knowing you are supporting a great cause. In the months leading up to the Relay for Life we’ll be publishing the stories of cancer survivors from this community. These are the personal experiences, told in their own words, of friends and neighbours who have battled cancer. We begin the series with cancer survivor Rachel Quinn of Grand Bay-Westfield.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in January of 2005. About a month before, I knew there was something wrong. I sensed that my body wasn’t right. Once I was diagnosed, I quickly had surgery, a mastectomy. I had a month to recover and then jumped right into chemo and after another short break, started radiation.

It’s a horrible feeling, the worst feeling I ever had in my life. You’re terrified. You feel threatened with your survival, you’re terrified for your kids and your husband. It’s a total loss of control because you think how could this possibly happen to me. It just can’t be happening. There’s certainly denial for a period of time. It’s just a terrible thing to be told that you have it. I think that’s the worst part of the whole thing, being told that you have it and facing it yourself.

You do feel very defeated, physically, emotionally and spiritually but you just have to fight your way back up. As a survivor you have to look at those areas of your life and work your way back up again. You have to come to terms with it. It might not be good news for you but you have to face it and deal with it.

The treatments were really hard. There are harder things for people to deal with but it’s not easy. I was really sick with all the chemo. The surgery was no big deal but the chemo was the hardest thing. It’s hard for your kids to watch you go through that. Whenever I had chemo, the kids would be away just for the first few days after I came home until the worst of it was over.

I still go in for check-ups and each time you feel slightly more confident. It’s been five years for me. I still get a little uneasy feeling. I spent five years surviving and working at survival. After you’re hit with something like this, I realized I had to change some things in my life, physically, emotionally, spiritually and I still work at those things every day. I can’t forget that I have had it. I want to move on but you have to work hard at your health. I think about it every day.

I was asked to speak as a cancer survivor at a Relay for Life event in Saint John a year after being diagnosed. I hesitated to do that because I knew I would be very emotional. It was still very close at that time but I felt I had to push myself through that. I made myself do it. My main message was to say thank you to the runners and walkers for doing this. There is so much people don’t know about cancer and prevention and I think we all have to become more aware. There is so much that can be done with any money that is raised.

Cancer is close to everyone. We think it’s not going to happen to us but it can happen. I believe, after being a survivor for five years, that there can be a lot less cancer in the world. I think the things that should be done are more preventative. Treatment is necessary but I think there’s so much out there about preventing cancer in the first place that people don’t know about and we have to educate ourselves about it. That is so important.

The organizers are seeking teams to make the very first Grand Bay-Westfield Relay for Life a success so please join with friends, family and colleagues and register as a team. By joining us, you’re helping to make cancer history. Interested teams please contact Jim Balcomb at 738-8441 or by email:  jim@harriganinsurance.ca. Cancer survivors wishing to participate are asked to email Erika Kelly at erikakellyrelay@ymail.com. For further information or to register online please visit:  www.cancer.ca

If you remember my last article, Naomi and I were staying with Cindy and David, friends of mine, who live in New Hampshire. My wife Kim, had come to visit us there.

On Sept. 24th Kim took Naomi to the Post Office to get our bump box, (a parcel we had mailed to ourselves from New York State filled with sweaters and my boots and various other items that we knew we would need but did not want to carry). Our bump box had not arrived yet.

Cindy drove Curly Dan and I to Franconia where we waited for Kim and Naomi. When they arrived we said our good-byes. Kim drove home to New Brunswick and Curly Dan, Naomi and I started up the arduous climb. Although it was difficult, the views were spectacular. In my opinion the absolute best on the whole Appalachian Trail. Mt. Lincoln and Mt. Lafayette were beautiful. Both of these mountains are over five thousand feet high. The leaves were turning red and orange and the mountains were magnificent. We took too much time enjoying the views and we did not make Gale hut where we were planning on staying.

In the White Mountains you are not allowed to camp where ever you want. The Appalachian Mountain Club or AMC has exclusive rights. You are required to stay at one of the lodges which are very expensive. However, they allow Thru-hikers to work for stay. Thru-hikers really resent this and write all kinds of nasty comments in the log books at the lodges. After all, most of us have walked 1800 miles (2900 kms.) from Georgia without paying a cent to sleep in a shelter and camping where ever we wanted. Thru-hikers have several names for AMC like American Money Club and others that I will not repeat in this article, but use your imagination.

When we arrived at the summit of Mt. Garfield we found a burnt out basement. Flying Bear and Laughing Bird were there. We decided that we would illegally camp out in the basement. The wind was blowing a strong gale but the basement offered some shelter. I went to get water and Naomi made supper. We all bedded down at 8pm. The wind just howled and it was desperately cold. In fact, the wind was blowing so hard that my sleeping bag was slapping me in the face. Even though we had hiked over dangerous cliffs, walked inches away from poisonous snakes, had bears within a few feet of us at night, hiked through hurricanes and flash floods, this was the first time that I felt that our lives were in danger. At 9pm I told Naomi, “Let’s move before we freeze.” She agreed.

We hiked back down the mountain until we were below the tree-line. I found a spot where we could crawl under the thick, stubby spruce and put out our ground sheet. Although we spent a cold night, we survived.

The next morning we climbed back up the mountain to the basement. I was truly afraid that our friends would be froze to death. Curly Dan, Flying Bear and Laughing Bird were all still alive and did not seem any worse for the wear.

The Orange Lodge in Queenstown is open this winter and the parking lot is now being cleared after each snowfall. Lodge officials were finally successful in finding someone in the local area with equipment heavy enough to do the job. Many feared the only community meeting facility between Brown’s Flat and Gagetown would be inaccessible this winter after the province decided to end the practice of plowing churches and community halls. Until this year the Department of Transportation plowed the parking lot free of charge. That policy changed last spring as a cost saving measure for the province.

Lodge officials initially had trouble finding someone to plow the yard and were worried about their ability to keep the hall open this winter.  When word of this predicament spread, the community banded together and a committee was formed. Petitions and protest letters were circulated and  both the Minister of Transportation and the Premier were lobbied to change the policy.  The Master of the Lodge, George Lacey says they finally convinced Denis Landry, the Minister of Transportation to agree to plow the hall until January 5th but word of that decision never got passed down to the DOT crews who actually do the plowing.

Lacey says they’ll be able to do the plowing for now but there is a concern down the road they won’t be able to continue paying for it. “For this winter we should survive,” he says. “But we’re kind of disappointed by their reaction to the whole thing.”

Osteoporosis is a silent disease in that there are no symptoms until the first fracture. These are fractures that are the result of little or no trauma. Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone density and deterioration of bone tissue. This can occur in males and females and is more common in older individuals.

The risk of fracture is the concern for one who is diagnosed with osteoporosis. Osteoporosis alone is not the sole indicator of this risk. The key risk factors for fracture are age equal to and greater than 65 years; a previous non-traumatic fracture; a family history of non-traumatic fractures and long-term use of oral corticosteroids such as Predinisone. More woman die due to complications of osteoporosis than from cancer of the breast, uterus and ovaries combined. Thirty-four percent of men who suffer a hip fracture due to osteoporosis will die of complications within a year of the fracture.

We can’t prevent osteoporosis but we can prevent fractures due to osteoporosis. Medication, diet and exercise can help reduce the risk, while genetics cannot be changed.

Exercise is effective at any age in making stronger bones. Children who exercise on a regular basis have stronger bones than those who do not. Exercising throughout puberty is particularly effective.  Physical activity in men, in particular impact type, is associated with greater bone mass. In pre-menopausal women, both impact and non-impact exercise prevent bone loss, with impact exercise more beneficial.  In post-menopausal women impact exercise may reduce the rate of bone loss or lead to some bone gain. In men and women, excessive physical exercise can be detrimental to bone strength.

Impact – type exercises include brisk walking and marching on the spot. Non-impact type exercise includes strengthening (resistance) exercises. These include exercises using hand held weights, exercise bands and body weight for resistance. Balance and posture exercises are important to re-teach muscles correct muscle patterns to protect the spine. Exercises should avoid end-range trunk forward and side bending and rotation. Exercising 4-5 hours per week at a moderate intensity and impact is the most beneficial.

Exercise programs should be individually tailored for those who are at risk of fracture, are at risk of falling or have fallen and have other medical conditions.

Physiotherapists are your best resource for prescribing an effective and safe physical activity program.

Patricia Sennett is a Licensed Physiotherapist. Contact her at:

Human Performance Centre

749 River Valley Drive, Suite 2

Grand Bay – Westfield, NB

E5K 1B6 738-8299

Osteoporosis is a silent disease in that there are no symptoms until the first fracture. These are fractures that are the result of little or no trauma. Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone density and deterioration of bone tissue. This can occur in males and females and is more common in older individuals.

The risk of fracture is the concern for one who is diagnosed with osteoporosis. Osteoporosis alone is not the sole indicator of this risk. The key risk factors for fracture are age equal to and greater than 65 years; a previous non-traumatic fracture; a family history of non-traumatic fractures and long-term use of oral corticosteroids such as Predinisone. More woman die due to complications of osteoporosis than from cancer of the breast, uterus and ovaries combined. Thirty-four percent of men who suffer a hip fracture due to osteoporosis will die of complications within a year of the fracture.

We can’t prevent osteoporosis but we can prevent fractures due to osteoporosis. Medication, diet and exercise can help reduce the risk, while genetics cannot be changed.

Exercise is effective at any age in making stronger bones. Children who exercise on a regular basis have stronger bones than those who do not. Exercising throughout puberty is particularly effective.  Physical activity in men, in particular impact type, is associated with greater bone mass. In pre-menopausal women, both impact and non-impact exercise prevent bone loss, with impact exercise more beneficial.  In post-menopausal women impact exercise may reduce the rate of bone loss or lead to some bone gain. In men and women, excessive physical exercise can be detrimental to bone strength.

Impact – type exercises include brisk walking and marching on the spot. Non-impact type exercise includes strengthening (resistance) exercises. These include exercises using hand held weights, exercise bands and body weight for resistance. Balance and posture exercises are important to re-teach muscles correct muscle patterns to protect the spine. Exercises should avoid end-range trunk forward and side bending and rotation. Exercising 4-5 hours per week at a moderate intensity and impact is the most beneficial.

Exercise programs should be individually tailored for those who are at risk of fracture, are at risk of falling or have fallen and have other medical conditions.

Physiotherapists are your best resource for prescribing an effective and safe physical activity program.

Patricia Sennett is a Licensed Physiotherapist. Contact her at:

Human Performance Centre

749 River Valley Drive, Suite 2

Grand Bay – Westfield, NB

E5K 1B6 738-8299

The New Brunswick Youth Orchestra (NBYO) is adding sizzle to Saint John this February, with back-to-back concerts featuring hot Latin beats, and guest performances by the sultry chanteuse, Jill Barber, fresh off her tour with CBC Radio’s “Vinyl Café”.

With this extraordinary mix of Canadian talent, the show is fast becoming the must-see event of the season, providing a rare chance to see New Brunswick’s brightest young musicians showcase their talents among the majestic backdrop of the Imperial Theatre.

“I think Saint Johners will be absolutely taken by the exceptional level of talent, energy, and passion that will emerge from that stage,”said Ken MacLeod, president of the NBYO.  “It’s world-class music at a world-class venue, and it’s something this city can take exceptional pride in.  The orchestra broke new ground when it was founded right here in Saint John 1965. So to bring it home to the Imperial during Saint John’s 225th Anniversary is truly a fitting tribute.”

Inspired by the direction of conductor James Mark, the orchestra has been making international waves lately with performances at Carnegie Hall in New York City, the “Forbidden City Concert Hall” in Beijing, China, and Auditorium Paganini in Parma, Italy, as well as a recent win at the East Coast Music Awards for Best Classical Recording. Today the group is made up of more than 70 young English and French-speaking musicians from all parts of the province, ranging from 12 to 22 years of age.

And if you believe they don’t write songs like they used to, you’re sure to be inspired by the evocative tunes of singer/songwriter Jill Barber. Hailing from Halifax, the double Juno nominee and multiple ECMA winner is currently on tour across North America and the U.K. to promote her new album Chances – a throwback to the golden age of music with ten original, fully orchestrated songs. Featuring six numbers that were co-written with Ron Sexsmith – who’s collaborated with Elvis Costello and Coldplay – the album is a timeless masterpiece that instantly transports listeners to another time and place.

In addition to orchestral performances with current CBC Radio star Jill Barber, the show will also feature an appearance by the Saint John High School Concert Choir supported by the full sound of a symphonic orchestra –  a fitting tribute to Saint John’s 225th celebrations and the School’s historic status as the first high school in Canada The choir is enjoying success in its own right, and was recently selected as the only choir in Canada  to participate in the world choir competition in New York.

Tickets for the concert are on sale now and are available in person at the Imperial Theatre box office, by telephone at 1-800-323-SHOW (7469), or online at www.imperialonline.ca. Only 1,800 tickets are available and are expected to sell out fast for this extraordinary concert event.

L’Hiver Hot Concert by New Brunswick Youth Orchestra featuring performances by Jill Barber and the Saint John High School Concert Choir – a Saint John 225th Anniversary event.

Sunday, February 7, 2010. Matinee at 2:00 pm, Evening Performance at 7:00 pm.

Saint John Imperial Theatre

$18.50 for seniors and students, $25.00 for general admission

All proceeds to support the programs of the NBYO

The New Brunswick Youth Orchestra (NBYO) is adding sizzle to Saint John this February, with back-to-back concerts featuring hot Latin beats, and guest performances by the sultry chanteuse, Jill Barber, fresh off her tour with CBC Radio’s “Vinyl Café”.

With this extraordinary mix of Canadian talent, the show is fast becoming the must-see event of the season, providing a rare chance to see New Brunswick’s brightest young musicians showcase their talents among the majestic backdrop of the Imperial Theatre.

“I think Saint Johners will be absolutely taken by the exceptional level of talent, energy, and passion that will emerge from that stage,”said Ken MacLeod, president of the NBYO.  “It’s world-class music at a world-class venue, and it’s something this city can take exceptional pride in.  The orchestra broke new ground when it was founded right here in Saint John 1965. So to bring it home to the Imperial during Saint John’s 225th Anniversary is truly a fitting tribute.”

Inspired by the direction of conductor James Mark, the orchestra has been making international waves lately with performances at Carnegie Hall in New York City, the “Forbidden City Concert Hall” in Beijing, China, and Auditorium Paganini in Parma, Italy, as well as a recent win at the East Coast Music Awards for Best Classical Recording. Today the group is made up of more than 70 young English and French-speaking musicians from all parts of the province, ranging from 12 to 22 years of age.

And if you believe they don’t write songs like they used to, you’re sure to be inspired by the evocative tunes of singer/songwriter Jill Barber. Hailing from Halifax, the double Juno nominee and multiple ECMA winner is currently on tour across North America and the U.K. to promote her new album Chances – a throwback to the golden age of music with ten original, fully orchestrated songs. Featuring six numbers that were co-written with Ron Sexsmith – who’s collaborated with Elvis Costello and Coldplay – the album is a timeless masterpiece that instantly transports listeners to another time and place.

In addition to orchestral performances with current CBC Radio star Jill Barber, the show will also feature an appearance by the Saint John High School Concert Choir supported by the full sound of a symphonic orchestra –  a fitting tribute to Saint John’s 225th celebrations and the School’s historic status as the first high school in Canada The choir is enjoying success in its own right, and was recently selected as the only choir in Canada  to participate in the world choir competition in New York.

Tickets for the concert are on sale now and are available in person at the Imperial Theatre box office, by telephone at 1-800-323-SHOW (7469), or online at www.imperialonline.ca. Only 1,800 tickets are available and are expected to sell out fast for this extraordinary concert event.

L’Hiver Hot Concert by New Brunswick Youth Orchestra featuring performances by Jill Barber and the Saint John High School Concert Choir – a Saint John 225th Anniversary event.

Sunday, February 7, 2010. Matinee at 2:00 pm, Evening Performance at 7:00 pm.

Saint John Imperial Theatre

$18.50 for seniors and students, $25.00 for general admission

All proceeds to support the programs of the NBYO

Corporal Rob Landry presented council with the RCMP statistics for the month of December. Landry told council that nothing really stands out and again this month there were lower numbers for traffic tickets. He explained that mischief calls were up slightly from the same month last year. Landry told council that mischief can be anything from causing damage to complaints of a loud party. When things get out of hand, he says the police use the criminal code to resolve issues. In December in GBW there were 49 traffic warnings issued and 20 tickets handed out. In the rural area, 43 traffic warnings were given and 13 tickets written. Vehicle collisions reported in the area outside of town was high at 19 compared to only 3 collisions within Grand Bay-Westfield.

Mayor Losier told council the value of new housing starts in the community was up in 2009 over the previous year, despite a slow start. It was 2.7 million dollars compared to 2.5 million in 2008.

Council reminded pet owners that it’s time to pick up a new 2010 licence for your dog. Sewerage bills for the year will be sent out in the latter part of January.

Council agreed to pay 2010 membership dues of $722.63 to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Mayor Losier reminded council that as a result of lobbying by the FCM the town should receive GST rebates and Gas Tax refunds of almost $445,000 this year.

The town agreed to donate its free day at Harbour Station this year to the 2010 Francophonie Games being held at Harbour Station in June.

Bills totalling $354,512.94 were paid.