Mavis GrantOliver’s own global butterfly Mavis Grant has been to 50 countries and lived and worked as a nurse in 5. She decided to stay in Oliver in 1984 to work at the SOGH. And we are happy she did!

Mavis, left at graduation 1960

What advice do you have for young nurses?

Remember the patient is a human being. Sometimes forgotten in this technical world!

Things ain’t what they use to be!

What’s better?

Some of the technology but sometimes it gets away. Nursing is still a hands on job!

What’s worse?

Giving up on the personal touch, I witnessed it 5 months ago when I had knee surgery!

What is the biggest difference between you as a teen and teens now.

There was no “pill”. Now with all illicit drugs things are very different. Now we have the baby, then buy the home and then get married!

How do you make peace profitable?

Be friends with people around the world, get to know people in their homes over the breakfast table.

Of the 50 countries you have visited what are your fav countries?

Myanmar, I was there in 2013 and Taiwan, in Taipan I stayed with a friendly family.

Would you ever run for office?

NO! A very fast NO!

What is your fav time in history?

I was in India when the Indo-Pakistan war broke out in December 1971. Was a scary time wondering how to get out of country.

As a child in England during the war, were you evacuated and what memories of the war do you have?

I was not evacuated as I lived in the country.  I remember having my first ice cream and banana when I was 7 or 8.  It still bugs me to waste food.

Do politics affect you?

They do in health issues, housing, the environment and education. The politicians are trying.

Who are your heroes?

Winston Churchill, he was a premature baby. I really enjoyed going into his war room’s in London’s museum.

And just where is our Global butterfly off to next?

California!

Mavis is a member of the Friendship Force International. I first met Mavis when she was coordinating the Children’s International Art Show for the Russian Olympics. A few years later she was working on the Nobel Peace Prize Children’s Art Show.

Mavis with Miss Marina who’s painting was chosen for the Russian Olympics Children’s Art Show

Mavis join the Friendship Force in Feb of 07. She saw and ad for a trip to Brazil and Peru. It sounded interesting and she wanted to get involved.

If you are a young retired person that likes to travel and spread friendship check out the website.

https://www.thefriendshipforceofpenticton-okanagan.org

Last Question

If you were going to write a song about Oliver, how would it go?

Friendly town

Beautiful area,

Drink wine!

In your ball gown!

However I don’t have a ball gown!

Have you always wanted a Harley?

For Sale

72 Harley Davidson, 1200 Shovelhead, screaming yellow.

This pretty machine was bought in 2003 and completely rebuilt in 2004. It has 8000 miles since the rebuild and feels great on the the open road!

The owner, sadly, is parting with it due to health issues.

$5000. firm, comes with all extra parts and motorcycle jack.

For info connect with Patty or Bill at pbgebbie@me.com or 778.439.2079.

Thank you 3D Moving! Great Job again! You make a stressful day very nice!

For easy moving connect with

3D Moving 250.495.3959 . . . 3dmoving@telus.net

Let’s start our Sunday with some Children’s Art from Miss Raylynn. 10 years old and a budding artist. Her work can be seen at the Leza Macdonald Art Gallery on Main St.“Stay happy and be Positive” Mixed media

Acrylic on Canvas by Raylynn

“Dog with Japanese Flag” may be viewed at the Cock and Bull restaurant on Main St.

Surround yourself with Children’s Art, it feels good!

Oliver’s first Vaisakhi Festival Parade, in celebration of Sikhism.Someones having fun!

The Ladies look gorgeous in these beautiful bright colours.

Yellows and oranges the colours make you feel happy!

The ladies are on their way to the community centre for a lunch of traditional East Indian Food for free!

There is free food because families cook up favourite dishes, labouring with love over the preparations.

This is a type of Sewa a selfless service or a voluntary service, this is a basic principle of the Sikh religion.

Yvette and Patrick got married today! Gorgeous dress Yvette! But what is that fashion accessory Patrick is sporting?

Wishing you a Happy Happy Life together!

Now is the time to gather your friends, have some fun while doing some good and head to Medici’s for  Oliver’s Grandmothers for Africa 4^th annual Spring Bling.  Its on Friday, April 27^th from 10 am to 2 pm.  You will find tables laden with fair trade jewellery, bling of every description, accessories, wine gift and carry bags, bowl buddies, lots of handicrafts made locally and also made by self help groups in Africa, and home and garden items.  Spring is in the air!

Oliver’s Grandmothers for Africa are really fired up this year after hearing from a Kamloops Grannie just recently returned from Uganda and Tanzania.  Mary Baker

saw first hand the work we support through the Stephen Lewis Foundation.  Grandmothers carrying the full weight of the HIV/AIDS pandemic feel truly supported in solidarity and shared purpose with the Grandmother to Grandmother movement pioneered by the Foundation.

Unlike many other charitable organizations where money is dished out to ‘those poor people’, the Grandmothers to Grandmothers model is much different.

African Grandmothers have a strong say in what is needed in their home communities and they plan together how to reach their goals.   They feel equal and able whether it is in developing small loan groups,  food security plans,  or approaching their own governments to lobby for much needed health care services.

These women know how difficult it is for young girls to stay in school and not be married off in their early teens.   They know what is needed to make a difference and the Stephen Lewis Foundation not only provides organizational expertise, it

listens and invests resources directly at a grass roots level.  It sounds simple enough but it makes all the difference to African Grandmothers and they are very quick to voice appreciation.   Increasingly we see them moving into leadership positions and hammering out an agenda for positive change.

Mary showed pictures when 200 Tanzanian grandmothers plus grandmothers like herself from Canada, Australia, the UK and the USA  paraded and danced through the streets at Arusha to make history.   They called on the international community to support them in advancing their cause.   They called on their own government to protect them, listen to them, give them opportunities.   They are demanding a seat at the table where decisions and policies are made that affect them and the multitude of children in their care.

Come to Medici’s on Friday, April 27^th and be part of the solution.  We need each other!

For the 13th Annual Spirit of Oliver Awards

Group

Oliver Crime Watch

Highway to Healing

Youth

Simi Gill

Individual

Ron Johnson

Klaudia Deshencs

Jen Allgeier

Ken Clark

Susan Capyk

Greg Norton

Carol Sheridan

Beth Garrish

Community Builder

Amand Workman

Randee Ede

Leza Macdonald!

Congrates to all my fellow nominees!