Seniors Week

This year's Seniors Week Tea on Monday, June 5th, from 1:30 to 3:30pm, will be a revised and smaller version of what we have experienced over the last several years. (aside from Covid years, of course).  Be sure to check out the poster on the bulletin board as you enter the club.

The most important change is that, due to only being able to seat a maximum of 350 seniors, it is necessary to reserve a spot.  You can do this either by getting online as follows:

•  Click on this link Seniors Afternoon Tea Party
•  Click on "RSVP HERE" (blue box)

Or call Sharon at 403 938- 7823

Reserve early so you don't miss out.

Other activities planned for the week are also detailed on the website for the Town at Okotoks Senior Week Activities

or search www.okotoks.ca

The Club is also participating in the seniors week celebration by suspending the $2.00 user fee for activities, as well as having an "open house" for seniors in our community to drop in Tuesday through Friday, 10-4 to see what we're all about.  All regularly scheduled activities will continue

as always, just a few more people milling about to check out the Club.

PAINTING WITH HEATHER

Wednesday TBA from 1pm to approx 4pm

* * * Painting TBA * * *

Spots only for 12 painters - book by contacting Jackie at the Seniors Centre
There is always a waiting list so if you can't make it - be sure to let us know
so that someone else can have your spot.
 
Cost is $20 Plus a $2 drop in Fee = $22
(Please bring proper change)
That will cover all supplies - canvas, paint, brushes etc. etc.

I will take you through a step by step process & no previous experience needed.

Mark your calendars for the

Pop-Ups TBA

(These Pop-Up items are for our outreach programs, so there will be no user fee)

Postponed to the Fall – Game Card Holders – No maximum participants

These holders were very popular last Christmas so we will be making more for this Christmas’ sale by donation, the total funds received will again be distributed to the Okotoks Food Bank and the Okotoks Resource Centre.

Bring cotton fabric pieces to share – you will need pieces approximately 8” square for the main part of the holder, and approximately 4” to 4-1/2” for the outside circle – and if you have large buttons (about 3/4” to 1” round, with holes to pull thread through) to use/share. All other parts of this project are supplied, although Sharon will be bringing extra fabric you can choose from, too.

June

 Please join us for our May Dinner

Hansel & Gretel’s Catering

$25 each (must be members)

Hawaiian Pasta Salad

Mixed Greens with Pineapple Dressing

Slow Roasted Pork Roast

With

Apple Sauce

Roasted Chicken

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Mixed Vegetables

Bread Basket

Butter

Selection of Desserts

Entertainment to follow by Ron’s Entertainment

Doors open at 5 pm

Dinner at 6 pm

Bar Service and 50/50

Tickets have been SOLD OUT!

Cash or Check only.

Please no $50 or $100 bills at any of the events.

Please refrain from scented products (perfume, cologne, lotions, hairspray, etc.) at all events at the club. 

 Tech Sessions in 2023

The Technical help Wednesday evening has been evolving and so now we are going to one Wednesday per month. Which will be the 1st Wednesday of the month. Please bring your devices. Please no government papers or claim forms the information is too personal and should be discussed with a Government Agent.

Last Session - June 7 at 4:30

We are allotting 10 to 15 mins per person, so please email me with your questions for your lap tops, iPhones/android phones or iPads, bring them to the ladies and find the answers.

Email gillhowarth@shaw.ca and I will email you back with an appointment time.

We had a lot of happy people last month and the ladies are happy to help.

See you then,
Tech Team
 

Session 2 Topics

• Review Session 1 topics

• Composing Emails -  204 iPhone iPad Email

• Phishing E-Mails – Things to look for in an email
• Blocking Callers 
• Reminders on Security – The things you have learned in life are useful to you.
• Concept of the week – What is WIFI and why should you connect?

Android Phones and Tablets

• Check out this book.
• Setting up Email - Check out page 189 in the book link to use Gmail app
• Blocking Caller on Android

Session 1 Topics

• 124 - Texting

• 203 - Safari Basics

• 450 iPhone Photo Basics to 452 - iPhone Photography, check the catalog for more information

2023 Alberta Summer Games (ASG)

Okotoks and Black Diamond

July 20-23, 2023

We are proud to host the  2023 Alberta Summer Games (ASG) in Okotoks and Black Diamond.   

Athletes aged 11-17 representing eight Provincial zones will compete in 14 sports:

• Mountain Biking (Black Diamond)

• BMX

• Beach Volleyball

• Football

• Rugby

• Box Lacrosse

• Swimming

• Soccer

• Athletics

• Triathlon

• Canoe/Kayak

• Softball

• Baseball

• Basketball   

We are preparing for 3000 athletes, coaches and technical officials and an accompanying 6,500 guests that will come to enjoy the Games.  ASG 2023 is a monumental event for our community and for high performing sport in Alberta and VOLUNTEERS are the driving force, heart and soul behind the Games.  Each volunteer is committed to ensure that the community comes together in a celebration of pride and that participants have an unforgettable experience. From meal preparation, to transportation, to hospitality, and sport competitions, the enthusiasm and expertise of volunteers is what makes it all happen.  Volunteers in the Games are involved in every aspect of sport and we have many opportunities for individuals to get involved in their area of interest.  The 2023 ASG Host Society supports the development of volunteers and believes that the Summer Games are a catalyst to personal and community leadership development.  Volunteers will receive volunteer packages including: a t-shirt, Games credentials, volunteer handbook, information about special training, and volunteer lounge and appreciation entry info, at the Volunteer Rallies/Orientations on June 17 and June 22 at the Okotoks Recreation Centre. 

To check out VOLUNTEER opportunities and to register as a volunteer, please visit the ASG website https://www.2023asg.com/volunteers.

Any opportunity to pass this information on to the Okotoks & District Seniors Club would be appreciated.  Myself or someone from the ASG organizing committee would be happy to come to talk with you about the Games and volunteering or to provide a poster or other information to leave at the Club if that works better for you. 

Sincerely,

Diana Froc

2023 Alberta Summer Games Volunteer Director

ph. 403-923-6551

Ongoing opportunity to volunteer utilizing your sewing skills.

Mission Thrift store supports the Samaritans Purse by adding teddy bears to the shoe box campaign every year but they also support many other causes with these cute little bears around the world all year long.

Be a part of the bigger picture of the teddy bear factory in sewing this simple bears out of the recycled fabric.

If you are interested please contact Bonita at 403-563-8670 call or text if interested.

A picture of the bear is below.

Drop off/pick up of teddy bear pattern will be at the senior club, Tuesday to Friday when club is open. (10am - 4 pm)

Thank you!!!

Bonita

WANTED

VOLUNTEERS

TO DELIVER FOR

OKOTOKS MEALS ON WHEELS

APPLY TO okotoksmealsonwheels@gmail.com

 WITH YOUR NAME AND PHONE NUMBER

VOLUNTEER COMMITMENT:

1.5 HOURS, 2 – 4 TIMES PER MONTH

AND YOUR OWN VEHICLE

Gift Bags for Seniors Outreach Program

Christmas 2023

Updated May 19, 2023

With the help and donations from our members and the community we were able to give out 96 bags this last Christmas, and have had very positive responses back from those who received them.

This year we are expecting we will need 150 bags so we will be collecting donations all year for the items needed to fill these bags, which will be distributed by the Okotoks Meals on Wheels, Sandstone Lodge and Tudor Manor, and other seniors living alone in our community usually visited by the United Church members.  Many of these items can be purchased at a Dollar Store, and you may purchase the number of units of any of these items that you are comfortable with.  These items can be dropped off to Jackie throughout the year, and we will fill the bags again at the end of November.  Before purchasing any items on this list, please check out the sample basket at the Club.  If you have suggestions for other items please email Jackie at the Club before purchasing to confirm they are appropriate (no food items, please).  Any other items you are considering need to be passed by Jackie before purchasing.

We are getting close to 150 of several items and will be updating this list again at the end of May to show the items that have reached the goal.

Other items we are working on for Christmas outreach programs:

• If you knit or crochet, the knitting group is making jar lid openers, bath/shower soap holders, dish cloths and hanging towels, and Christmas ornaments.
• If you sew, we will be holding pop-ups to make walker totes and bowl cozies.

Items needed:           

• Puzzle/activity books – small; various types (i.e. Sudoku, crosswords, logic, word find, or one susch as PlayPad that contains various types of activities)

• Deck of Cards
• Adult colouring books – smaller than 8-1/2”x11”

• Jigsaw puzzles – 100 piece box as the piece size is larger

• Small notebooks

• Sticky notepads

• Colouring pencils - FILLED

• Pencil sharpeners – can have 1 or 2 holes (larger hole is for crayons)

• Pears, Neutrogena or Ivory soap bars (hypo-allergenic, scent free) 1 per box/individually wrapped

• Body wash – not scented

• Bath sponge or glove, or cotton knitted facecloths/dishcloths

• Shampoo and conditioner – not scented

• Hand lotion - hypo-allergenic, not scented

• Emory boards for nails

• Toothpaste – not small sample/travel sizes but next size up

• Toothbrushes (soft) - FILLED and toothbrush holders

• Dental floss

• Hand sanitizers – small

• Bandaids – small boxes of about 26 fabric

• Lypsol, Chapstick, Blistex or Burt’s Bees type lip balm

• Kleenex packages, purse/pocket size - FILLED

• Antibacterial wet wipes – small packages

• Comb and brush

• Magnet for fridge that has a hook on it

• Plastic spiral expandable wrist bands with key hoop

• Cute label holders that can be placed on the handle or bar of a walker (such as suitcase tags)

Step Sheets and Demo/Teach Videos for our Line Dances

Dance	Class	Song	Artist	Demo / Teach Video
A Little Love Worth Waiting 4		A Little Love Worth Waiting	Bouke	Various on Step Sheet Link
Anything Goes		Why Don't We Just Dance	Josh Turner	Teach & Demo
Beautiful Day		Beautiful Day	Dave Sheriff	Teach & Demo
Black Coffee		Black Coffee	Lacy J Dalton	N/A
Boot Scootin Boogie		Boot Scootin Boogie	Brooks & Dunn	Teach & Demo
Broken Stones	Beginner	Broken Stones	Paul Weller	Demo & Teach
Bullfrog	Beginner	Got a Feeling	Tim Hicks	Teach
Ceecee		Oh Cecilia (Breaking My Heart)	The Vamps	Various on Step Sheet Link
Charleston Cowboy	Beginner	Sold	John Michael Montgomery	Teach
Come Dance with Me		Come Dance with Me	Nancy Hays	Teach
Confusion		Stuck On You	Elvis	N/A
Cowboy Boogie**	Beginner	Ladies Love Country Boys	Trace Adkins	Teach
Cowboy Sweetness		Cowboys are my Weakness	Trisha Yearwood	Demo and Teach
Crash and Burn**	Beginner	Crash and Burn	Thomas Rhett	Teach
Cut A Rug	Beginner	Sugar, Sugar	The Archies	Teach & Demo
Darlin	Beginner	Darlin	Johnny Reid	N/A
Don't Step on My Soul		40 Days and 40 Nights	Tim McGraw	N/A
Electric Slide	Beginner	The Wanderer	Dion	Demo & Teach
Eye Candy		Runaround Sue	Dion	Various on Step Sheet Link
Fandango	Beginner	If That's the Way You Want It	Brooks & Dunn	N/A
Fun for All	Beginner	California Dreamin'	The Mamas and The Papas	Teach & Demo
Gin and Tonic		Love Drunk	Locash Cowboys	Various on Step Sheet Link
Good Time		Good Time	Alan Jackson	Teach & Demo
I Cry		i Cry	Bouke	Teach & Demo
Let's Chill**	Beginner	Ice Cream Freeze	Mylie Cyrus	Demo & Teach
Little Dean Waltz		Famous Last Words of a Fool	George Strait	Various on Step Sheet Link
Little Red Book		He Drinks Tequila	Sam Kershaw	Demo & Teach
Little Rhumba	Beginner	Like She's Not Yours	The Bellamy Brothers	Teach
Lonely Drum		Lonely Drum	Aaron Goodvin	Demo & Teach
My Gypsy Queen		Gypsy Queen	Chris Norman	N/A
New York, New York	Beginner	New York, New York	Unknown	N/A
Old Time Rock and Roll		Old Time Rock and Roll	Bob Seger	N/A
One Night at a Time**		One Night at a Time	George Strait	Teach & Demo
Peaches & Cream		You're Sixteen	Ringo Starr	Various on Step Sheet Link
Rita's Waltz	Beginner	Rock and Roll Waltz	Kay Starr	Teach & Demo
Rockin the Wagon Wheel		Wagon Wheel	Darius Rucker	Various on Step Sheet Link
Shy Waltz**		The Last Waltz	Englebert Humperdink	Demo and Teach
Stealing the Best	Beginner	Dance Above the Rainbow	Ronan Hardiman	Various on Step Sheet Link
Stroll Along Cha Cha	Beginner	I Just Wanna Dance With You	George Strait	Demo and Teach
Susie Q	Beginner	Ready to Roll	Blake Shelton	N/A
TC Slide		Bubba Hyde	Diamond Rio	N/A
Texas Stomp**		I'm From the Country	Tracy Bird	Demo
The Last Cheater's Waltz		The Last Cheater's Waltz	TG Sheppard	Teach & Demo
Triple Mix		From a Jack to a King	Johnny Hansen	Demo & Teach
Two Steps Forward		Two Steps Forward	The Castaways	N/A
Zatchu		Blue Finger Lou Zat You Santa Claus	Anne Murray Bruce Poindexter	Demo & Teach
** Dance has been modified

Line Dance - Dance Steps

Line Dance Teaching Links

Line Dancing with Patti - Basic Steps (12 mins)

LD w Patti - Jazz Box, Kick Ball Change, Rocking Chair, Kick and Point
Line Dancing with Patti - Turns
Dance with Cathie - Scissor Step
LD Steps with Gail Eaton (1 hr)

Check comments under video for time link for each step taught

0:3:44 Grapevines

0:5:40 Side Together Side Touch/Brush

Summary of Our Euchre Rules for 4 Players

• One player deals out one card at a time face up to each player until the first Jack appears.  This player deals first.

• The game uses a partial deck of 24 cards.  From the 9 to the Ace.

• 5 Cards are dealt one at a time to each player.

• The remaining 4 cards are the kitty, and the dealer turns over the top card to be possibly called as trump.

• The team that declares trump must win three of the five tricks to score a point.

• If your partner is the dealer and you tell him to pick it up, you must play alone.

• The dealer cannot pick up a jack if they have no cards in that suit.

• If all players pass in round 2, the dealer must choose a trump (this is called Screwing the Dealer).

• If your hand has no face card and no ace, toss in your hand and the next player deals.
• A winning trick must be turned over and can only be viewed if there is a renege alleged.
  

• Scoring is done with two 5’s. Each suit symbol represents 1 point.

• The Player to the left of the dealer starts by leading a card for the first trick.

• The first team to get 10 points wins the game.

• Winners from each game move to the next table and take a new partner.

We occasionally play Euchre with 3 players. Here are the Rules for 3 Players

• One player deals out one card at a time face up to each player until the first Jack appears.  This player deals first.
• The game uses a partial deck of 24 cards.  From the 9 to the Ace.
• 5 Cards are dealt one at a time to each player and the empty seat (optional hand).
• The remaining 4 cards are the kitty, and the dealer turns over the top card to be possibly called as trump.
• Each player is playing on their own.
• The player that declares trump must win three of the five tricks to score a point.
• The dealer cannot pick up a jack if they have no cards in that suit.
• If all players pass in round 1, the dealer may exchange their hand with the optional hand before declaring the possible trump or passing.
• If all players pass in round 2, the dealer must choose a trump (this is called Screwing the Dealer).
• If your hand has no face card and no ace, toss in your hand and the next player deals.
• A winning trick must be turned over and can only be viewed if there is a renege alleged.
  
• Scoring is done with two 5’s. Each suit symbol represents 1 point.
• The Player to the left of the dealer starts by leading a card for the first trick.
• The first player to get 10 points wins the game.
• The two players with the highest points for the game move to the next table.

Scoring

Calling player makes 3 or 4 tricks                                                 1 point

Calling player makes 5 tricks                                                        4 points

Opponents make 3 tricks (Euchred Each Opponent)                   2 points

It is not necessary for a player to declare that they will play alone.

But it is a nice gesture and lets the opponents know you have a good hand.

Euchre Information and Rules for 4 Players

The Deal

• Players divide into two teams and sit across from each other.

• Determining the first dealer: One player deals out one card at a time face up to each player until the first Jack appears.  This player deals first.

• The game uses a partial deck of 24 cards.  From the 9 to the Ace.

• 5 Cards are dealt one at a time to each player.

• The remaining 4 cards are the kitty, and the dealer turns over the top card to be possibly called as trump.

• The team that declares trump must win three of the five tricks to score a point.

Bidding Round 1

• The player to the left of the dealer starts first by deciding if they want the suit as trump.  If they don’t, they say ‘Pass’. If they think they can make 3 tricks with their partner, they tell the dealer to ‘Pick it up’.

• If the suit is declared trump by any player (not your partner) during the first round of bidding, the dealer must pick up the card and discard one face down (the dealer gets the card no matter which player orders it up).

• If your partner is the dealer and you tell him to pick it up, you must play alone.

• If all players pass, the dealer may pick up the card to declare trump.  The dealer then discards one card.

• The dealer can also pass the trump by turning over the card.

• The dealer cannot pick up a jack if they have no cards in that suit.

Mah Jongg Summary

 *****  Under Construction  *****

Objective of the Game

Group 14 tiles into sets of singles, pairs, 3 kind, 4 kind, or 5 kind based on a set list of hands (on the NMJL card) for a Mah Jongg.

Mah Jongg Card

A Mah Jongg card is required to play the game.  The card is available for purchase from the National Mah Jongg League website. 

A new card comes out annually for April 1.

At Our Club

We play American Mah Jongg.  If you would like to know more about the game drop by on a Thursday prior to game time.

Mah Jongg Links

National Mah Jongg League website          

Ordering a Mah Jongg Card at NMJL                                               

Michele Frizzell YouTube Channel               

Mah Jongg Lessons with Michele Frizzell

Mock Card for Michele Frizzell Lessons

Mah Jongg Manual in PDF Format

Mah Jongg Tiles

There are 3 suits with tiles numbered 1-9. Dots, Bamboos and Characters

There are 4 Winds (North, South East and West) and 3 Dragons (White, Green and Red)

There are 8 Flowers and 8 Jokers

Each numbered suit has an associated colour and the matching Dragon.

Dots - White

Bamboos - Green

Characters - Red

If a hand is in 1 colour and has dragons. the dragons used must be the same colour as the suit.

EG - 3333 6666 9999 DD (Any 1 suit)

Computer Games - A National Mah Jongg Card is required to play.

2 Week Trial

Real Mah Jongg                                             

I Love Mah                                                       

Free Game

Mah Jongg for Fun  (Still only 2022 Card)

Mah Jongg Lite  (Not as friendly)

Game Process

• Tiles are turned upside down and mixed.

• Each player makes a wall with 2 rows of 19 tiles in front of their rack.

• Player in position East starts by rolling dice to cut their wall, the dice indicates stacks of tiles left behind.  The remaining tiles are pushed right side to the centre.

• Each player starting with East takes 4 tiles until everyone has 12 tiles (counter clock wise).

• A new wall is moved to the centre when the previous wall has no more tiles (clock wise).

• Each player then takes 1 more tile.  East also takes their first pick and takes tiles 1 and 3 from the top row.

• East has 14 tiles all other players have 13 tiles.

• Players sort their tiles looking for a category to play and move tiles they don’t want to the right. 

• All hands require 14 tiles for a Mah Jongg.  The last tile is picked for a Mah Jongg

• Unwanted tiles are now passed to other players to try and improve hands.  This is the Charleston.

• The Charleston has 2 rounds, where each player passes tiles to the other players. This is followed by an optional Curtesy Pass to the player across from you.

1. Round 1 is mandatory – 3 tiles are passed Right, Across and Left

1. Round 2 is optional (can be stopped on a player’s request) – 3 tiles are passed Left, Across and Right

1. The last pass in each round can be a Blind Pass. You can take 1-3 of the tiles you would receive and pass them on.

1. 0-3 tiles can be passed in Curtesy Pass, players need to agree on number of tiles

1. Jokers cannot be passed

• Play starts with East discarding a tile

1. The tile is named when discarded EG. 5 Crack, West, Red

1. A discarded tile can be called by anyone if they can make a Pung, Kong or Quint for an exposed hand.

1. The called tile must be displayed with the required tiles to make a Pung, Kong or Quint.

• North is next (counter clock wise) who can call the tile or pick a new tile. 

1. North picks a tile and decides if the tile is needed for their hand. 

1. If the tile is kept, it will be placed on the rack (racked). 

1. Once a tile is racked, the discarded tile can no longer be claimed. 

1. North must then discard tile. They can discard the tile picked or another tile.

• Play continues in this manner with players trying to build their hands.  It is best to continue to collect tiles for a category, slowly narrowing down the hand you are trying to make. 

• A new wall is moved to the centre when the previous wall has no more tiles (clock wise order)

• When you no longer have tiles to discard, it means you need 1 more tile for a Mah Jongg. 

• You may call for a discard tile for this last tile no matter the type of block (Single, Pair, Pung, Kong or Quint)

• The last wall to come out is the short wall in front of East.

• If one of your tiles is discarded before you are ready for it and you can no longer make you hand, you then play defensively. You try not to discard a tile an opponent may need.

• If all tiles have been picked and no one has declared Mah Jongg you have a Wall game.

Jokers

• A joker may be used as a wildcard for a Pung, Kong or Quint.
• A Pung, Kong or Quint may be made entirely of jokers
• If someone has called a tile and exposed a Pung, Kong or Quint with a joker, the joker can be exchanged for the tile the joker represents
• Pick your tile or call for a discard first, before exchanging for a joker.
• A discarded joker cannot be called