Page 1 of 6

HEAD OFFICE HIGHLIGHTS

#120, 200 Quarry Park Blvd SE Calgary, AB T2C 5E3 Ph:403-236-8802 Fax: 403-724-6110

MARCH 2018

Upcoming Courses:

CPI Course: - March 10, 2018 @ OPTIONS Day

Program

First Aid Course: - March 17, 2018 @ OPTIONS Day

Program

*Please Contact Tanya to

register for courses.

A big welcome to our newest employees! We are so

glad to have you as part of the team.

- Meagan Fiander @ the Day Program

- Kyle Engleson @ the Day Program

Don’t forget to

put your

clocks forward

1 hour!

Page 2 of 6

CULTURAL SPOTLIGHT WITH GERALDINE LALIC

Philippines

Capital: Manila Population: 102,068,400

Conventional Name: Republic of the Philippines

National Anthem: Lupang Hinirang (Chosen Land)

I was born in Angono, Rizal. Angono is a first-class urban municipality in the province of Rizal Philippines. It is best known as the Art Capital of the Philippines; being a hometown of National artist for music, Lucio San Pedro and National Artist Carlos Botong Francisco, as well as the site of the Angono Petroglyphs, (the oldest known work of art in the Philippines).

I went to Angono Municipal High School, where I finished grade 10. When I moved to Canada, I took some post-secondary courses to upgrade. After graduating high school, my Aunt who’s in Toronto, sponsored me. I was happy to have an opportunity to live in Canada. I feel very fortunate that I have a good job and able to help my family in the Philippines.

Most of my family is still in the Philippines. I have my husband, sister and my Aunt here in Calgary.

What I like about living in Calgary is my job. I like watching hockey games, I enjoy the mountains and love going for a hike. I feel so lucky to live close to Banff and Canmore.

What I miss about living in the Philippines is my family and childhood friends. I miss how we would run outside and get soaked if it’s raining.

Here is a favorite food recipe from the Philippines that I would like to share. This is a traditional Filipino dish. It is the Filipino version of the egg roll. It can be served as a side dish or as an appetizer.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil • 1 pound ground pork • 2 cloves garlic, crushed • 1/2 cup chopped onion • 1/2 cup minced carrots • 1/2 cup chopped green onions • 1/2 cup thinly sliced green cabbage • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper • 1 teaspoon salt • 1 teaspoon garlic powder • 1 teaspoon soy sauce • 30 lumpia wrappers • 2 cups vegetable oil for frying

Directions

1. Place a wok or large skillet over high heat and pour in 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Cook pork, stirring frequently, until no pink is showing. Remove pork from pan and set aside. Drain grease from pan, leaving a thin coating. Cook garlic and onion in the same pan for 2 minutes. Stir in the cooked pork, carrots, green onions, and cabbage. Season with pepper, salt, garlic powder, and soy sauce. Remove from heat and set aside until cool enough to handle.

2. Place three heaping tablespoons of the filling diagonally near one corner of each wrapper, leaving a 1 1/2-inch space at both ends. Fold the side along the length of the filling over the filling, tuck in both ends, and roll neatly. Keep the roll tight as you assemble. Moisten the other side of the wrapper with water to seal the edge. Cover the rolls with plastic wrap to retain moisture.

3. Heat a heavy skillet over medium heat, add oil to 1/2-inch depth, and heat for 5 minutes. Slide 3 or 4 lumpia into the oil. Fry the rolls for 1 to 2 minutes, until all sides are golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve immediately.

Page 3 of 6

In come the March winds,

They blow and blow,

They sweep up the brown leaves

That green ones may grow. –George Washington Wright Houghton, American poet (1850–91)

The month of March was named for the Roman god of war, Mars. Traditionally, this was the time of year to resume military campaigns that had been interrupted by winter.

• International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8!

• March has two full Moons this year! The first full Moon, the Full Worm Moon, occurs on the 1st at 7:51 P.M. EST. The second, the Full Sap Moon (also a Blue Moon), occurs on the 31st at 8:37 A.M. EDT. Click here to learn more about March’s Full Moons.

• Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 11, at 2:00 A.M. Don’t forget to set your clocks forward! See more details about Daylight Saving Time.

• St. Patrick’s Day is March 17. It falls on a Saturday this year. Read more about St. Patrick’s Day.

• The vernal equinox, also called the Spring Equinox, marking the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, occurs on Tuesday, March 20 at 12:15 P.M. EDT. On this day, the Sun rises due east and sets due west. In the Southern Hemisphere, this date marks the autumnal equinox. Read more about the First Day of Spring!

• According to lore, the last three days of March have a reputation for being stormy. Read about the Borrowing Days.

• Easter Sunday arrives on April 1, 2018, culminating the Holy Week for Christian churches and commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Read more about Easter Sunday and why the date changes every year.

1

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN MARCH 2018? . . .

Page 4 of 6

Page 5 of 6

“When traveling life’s journey, it’s good to have a sister’s hand to hold on to.”

Maria Lyon and her sister Sonia.

In This Photo: Bow Valley College Practicum Student Winnifred Bracewell (center), with Tony Dvorkin, Helen Mosquera, Ricelyn Abanilla and Murray McNamee at Repsol Centre.

The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you. -B.B. King

Page 6 of 6

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” The group of people in the photo below are striving to do just that, through their volunteer work at The Mustard Seed.

Trudi Marx, Cory Dove, Geraldine Lalic, Kim Wood, Rose DelaCruz

Volunteering at the Mustard Seed Resource Centre and the support we have received from Trudi Marx (Resource Sorting Centre Coordinator) has had a very positive impact on all of us. This impact was evident when Cory Dove and Kim Wood were at the Bottle Depot recently (taking in their house bottles and cans) and when it came time to collect their money Cory said to Kim “we should donate this money to the Mustard Seed”. So that’s what they did. Although It was not a huge amount of money, it is the meaning behind this gesture that makes us most happy. Before we started volunteering at the Mustard Seed Resource Centre, Cory and the rest of us were not fully aware of all that the Mustard Seed does to help those in need. Through meeting Trudi and attending volunteer training, we have gained a better understanding of what the Mustard Seed does. We have learned that The Mustard Seed has helped people experiencing poverty and homelessness in Alberta since the ’80s. We have also learned that the goal of the Mustard Seed is to help people move from a place of homelessness and isolation, to a place of wholeness and community. We are so pleased to be donating our time towards something so meaningful (even if it is a small role) and we are looking forward to many more shifts in the future. Written By:

Bev LeBlanc, Residential Director