Letter to the Editor
Re: article “Preparing for Life on the Coast”
Summer 2019
As one of many retired Alberta teachers who have
moved to the warmer climes of Vancouver Island
and vicinity, I was highly interested to read the
article by Linda Pearce about life here. I have to
say that I was appalled and forced to write a
rebuttal. All that she stated has some truth;
however, I was dismayed by some of the negative
aspects of the article.
Yes, life is different. There are things that
are worse than living in Alberta and things that are
better. I must say that I am an Albertan — a prairie
girl. I lived in Alberta for the first sixty-three years
of my life, before moving to the island. I love to
return to Alberta to see the wide-open prairies with
that big magic blue sky.
I could itemize all my complaints about the article,
from unnecessary earthquake insurance, getting a
dehumidifier to deal with the wet climate, setting up
deer fencing, and the efficiency of baseboard heating.
Yes, I pay more for some things such as car insurance
and provincial sales tax; however, I pay less for home
heating, property tax, BC income tax, and food.
Besides, a cold day is -5°C, and “you don’t
shovel rain.” ●
Patricia Teskey
Macleod
Opportunities
The MS Society Edmonton and Capital Region
Chapter is recruiting volunteers for our Friendly
Visiting Program.
The aim is to reduce social isolation and enhance community
connections by pairing volunteers who want to have an impact on
the life of someone living with multiple sclerosis and residing in
a long-term care home near you. During weekly visits, volunteers
often enjoy spending time reading, playing games, talking, or
engaging in activities of common interest, for about an hour. ●
“Any time you visit somebody, it improves their
quality of life. Somebody that will take the time and
spend an hour or more and not be worried that they
have to go to this or that — that’s kind of a blessing.”
— Clare, receiving friendly visits from Robin since 2010.
10 | arta.net
For more information on
volunteer opportunities in your
community, please contact:
Edmonton & Capital
Region Chapter
780-463-1190 or
info.alberta@mssociety.ca