Fifty Five Plus Games

3 MANITOBA LIQUOR & LOTTERIES 55 PLUS GAMES | SUPPLEMENT TO THE WINNIPEG FREE PRESS 7th Annual SENIORSHOUSING & LIFESTYLES EXPO Your Lifestyle... Your Choice For more information, please contact A&O at 204-956-6440 or visit our website at www.ageopportunity.mb.ca EXHIBITORSINCLUDE:housingfacilities,carefacilities,housingsupportservices, financial services, moving & storage options, realtors, home safety & security, public & non-profit agencies that provide sevices or assistance to older adults. Date: Tuesday May 27, 2014 Time: 10 am-3 pm Location: Victoria Inn 1808 Wellington Ave. Wpg FREE ADMISSION! L yle Watson is feeling pretty chuffed as special-events coordinator of the 2014 Manitoba 55 Plus Games in Neepawa — with good reason.Watson reached for what he describes as a "pie-in- the-sky" goal for a guest speaker, and he got more than pie. He got the whole enchilada — Lloyd Robertson, host of CTV's W5 and one of Canada's most famous news anchormen. Ashewasconsideringaguestspeaker for the Athlete's Banquet, Watson thought back to when his family got their first television back in the late 1950s, about the time Robertson was starting to make his mark at CBC in Winnipeg. As serendipity would have it, Watson also received a copy of Robertson's book, The Kind of Life It's Been, as a Christmas gift from his daughter. "I grew up watching him and I've always had a great deal of respect for him," he says. "His integrity is outstanding. His professionalism as a journalist and the host of the W5 investigative series for CTV certainly stands out in my mind." Watson shared the idea with his committee and then extended the i nv i t a t i o n , e v e n though he thought it was a longshot. "But you know, when I did contact Lloyd he was very honoured and gracious. Both he and his wife Nancy are coming, and we're all looking forward to it,"he says. "I think he connects with a lot of people." Robertson is bringing along 50 copies of his book, and those who receive a copy will have the opportunity to have it autographed in person. How those books will be distributed will be announced closer to the event. Following cocktails, dinner and presentations at the Yellowhead Centre on Wednesday, June 18, there will be an old-time dance band featuring Virden fiddler Grayson Ross. A Variety Night on Tuesday, June 17 at Neepawa's historic Roxy Theatre will kick off the fun and games with a mix of local performers ranging in age from 11 to 86 years. "We have everything from musicals to song and community groups. We havetheNeepawaCommunityChoir with a professional accompanist and director.Andwe'llhaveacomedyskit as well with our local Whitemouth comedy group and more," Watson says. A fundraising event featuring the band Country Blend is set for Monday, May 19 at the Roxy Theatre. Tickets are available from any committee member or you can phone Watson at 204-476-3585. All the special events are open to anyone who wishes to attend. "Neepawa and the Neepawa host committee are putting together a real fun-filled three-day opportunity to come and enjoy our community," Watson says. "It's just a great time of the year to get together for fun, food and fellowship and to enjoy some friendly competition and some entertainment. Veteran news anchor Lloyd Robertson signed on as guest speaker. Good News for the Games A s the Manitoba director on the Canada 55 Plus Games Association board of directors, Lois Dudgeon is always happy to recruit competitors from her home province. Everyone who participates and registers at the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries 55 Plus Games in Neepawa is eligible to play at the Canada Games Aug. 27-30 in Strathcona County, Alta., just east of Edmonton. And Dudgeon is hoping to see a large Manitoba contingent. "They are the only multi-sport event for adults 55-plus in and across Canada," Dudgeon says. "Ourmissionistoinfluencepersonal behaviour and social supports that encourage healthy, active living for older adults in Canada." The games offer competition in 24 events including track and field, Scrabble, slo-pitch, golf, bowling and more. With the average age of competitors hovering at around 69 years, including participants up to age 90, Dudgeon is working to fill out the ranks with people who are just turning 55. Pickleball is one of the more active events that appeals to people in that age bracket, and it's included in the Canada 55 Plus Games for the first time this year. "It's picked up right across Canada in the last couple of years," she says. "It is so much fun!" Because the games are fairly close to home this year, Dudgeon is hoping the ease of travel will also be a factor in drawing some new faces. "If I was to take a full team — everybody I was allowed from every event — I could have a team as big as 700 or more. This year, because a lot of people will be able to drive, I am hoping for between 150 and 200," she says. "I always get excited when my numbers are up. I've never had more than two ball teams, but this year I've already got four!" Dudgeon only has a few short days following the Manitoba 55 Plus Games to meet her deadline for Strathcona County, so it's imperative that participants register in Neepawa. "Bring your cheque books! We have to be registered before we leave Neepawa," she says. It's easy to sign up for the Canada Games. Announcements will be made at all the events throughout the Manitoba Games with details on where to find the registration table. "We have fun participating in these games even though it is friendly competition. In a lot of the correspondence I send out, I say these games are the older adults' Olympics," she says. "But my bottom line is that these games are all about fun, fitness, and friendships." On the Road to the Canada 55 Plus Games Tickets Tickets forVariety Night cost $8 each. Tickets for the Athletes Banquet cost $25. You can order tickets through the Active Living Coalition for Older Adults in Manitoba (ALCOA-MB) online at www.alcoamb.org.

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