A few days ago I got a copy of the video that was made at the October 2021 conference in Squamish.
It is a short but poignant video. Look out for the burgundy boys, that’s the mob from Coquitlam. Enjoy.
Wow what a conference!!!!!!!!!
I just got home from the first Men’s Shed Association of BC conference and I am bursting to share my thoughts.
The Squamish Shed had worked hard to make this a top-notch conference so it was no surprise that the program was varied, interesting and fun.
Karen Elliott, the Mayor of Squamish welcomed us and participated in the first session which was about the importance of partnerships. All the sessions were interesting and informative.
Colin Knecht of WoodWorkWeb.com wowed us with his top ten woodworking tips and jigs.
Dr. David Gayton advised us about the hopeless quest to survive old age and we did wellness exercises designed to fill us with energy. I don’t know if it was the quality of the program or the exercises but I never came close to nodding off.
At lunch there was a video message from John Latchford, the chair of the UK Men’s Shed Association and there was a report about the Canadian National Association from Doug Mackie. Doug was also presented with a spectacular commemorative plaque in recognition of all he has done for Men’s Sheds in Canada. Jim Gracie, who established the Men’s Shed Association of BC was also honoured.
At dinner Barry Golding, Men’s Shed researcher and author, addressed us from his home in Australia.
All around the room there were many examples of the fine work done in the Sheds.
But what made this conference stand out beyond any conference I have ever been to before were the people who attended. Men and women dedicated to making Men’s Sheds work. There were many moving stories about how being involved in a Shed had affected the lives of men. Then there were many stories of how the Sheds had benefitted their communities (often in collaboration with others).
I felt like I was with old friends who I had never met before but I was mostly moved to meet brand new Prince George delegation over a hamburger. In talking to Devon, I realized that he had probably learned in 1 day what it took me years to learn. I almost envy Devon for the fun ride ahead of him as he helps establish his new Shed.
Thanks Squamish, thanks BC Shedders, yon made this a truly great conference, I can’t wait for the next one. Also, thanks to the United Way for supporting the conference.
Mike Jennings. Coquitlam.
Mens Shed Conference Mentioned
Canajun EH!
Today I decided to go down to the Shed and put the new flag up.
Doesn’t get much more Canuck than that. The flag in the window is a permanent replacement for the paper flag we had there to honour all the essential workers who have seen us through the pandemic. Thanks to 2.
Happily the Shed is beginning to free up. It is open to all on Tuesday afternoons and Fridays and there is more working area thanks to the new container and Doug 2 being relegated to the old storage area.
Happy Canada Day to one and all.
Mike.
Inactivity Report April 2020
When this Covid-19 thing came along and it was suggested that we should self-isolate most members of Coquitlam Men’s Shed had no problem embracing the concept of staying at home, sleeping in, eating sandwiches, watching TV etc. This was something we couldn’t screw up.
Except for Doug 2. I can only assume that he was inspired by the scientists and Doctors across the world who are doing everything they can to come up with a vaccine or therapy to combat the virus.
After weeks of brainstorming, design and development we can finally unveil the Coquitlam Men’s Shed Social Distancing Tool (CMSSDT for short).
Thanks to the Government of CANADA for their generous grant.
We are expecting an order for several million from the US any day now. At the rate of 2 per month we are going to be busy for a while.
Inactivity Report – Mid December 2019
David Q and Karl were seen to be working this month. That darned “work ethic” seems to be creeping into the Shed again. Not to worry I am sure Doug 2 and I will be able to quash it before the New Year.
For some reason someone decided that this perfectly good set of kitchen cabinets needed work. Something about the draws falling apart, nothing Red Green couldn’t have fixed with some duct tape.
Forgetting all about the values they had learned from the Shed leadership, things like you are retired it is time to take it easy and have a cup of tea, these two got stuck in.
New material was consumed to make new draws using real wood.
And in the end, you wind up with something that closely resembles the original cabinet. Dah!!!
Definitely going to have to do some re-education with these two.
Inactivity Report – November 2019
What happened to the rest of the summer and the fall?
There was so much activity that there was little inactivity to report about but today was so special, here I am.
I am the healthiest, best looking 75-year-old you have ever known so I was stunned last Saturday to learn that I am in need of triple bypass surgery.
I shared this information with fellow shedder Doug Gale (the guy that gets into all our photos).
Tuesday is our breakfast meeting and this morning (3 days later) Doug had arranged for Rolf Gullmes, a volunteer with the Pacific Open Heart Association, to talk about his experience. My apprehension is still there but I also feel somewhat reassured and beginning to look forward to feeling strong again by next spring.
As well as Rolf there were two other shedders who have taken this path and others shared similar experiences.
Rolf emphasized the importance of asking your Doctor for a stress test if you even have a suspicion of a problem. I am lucky, I have a problem that can be solved by surgery, I don’t have a damaged heart. A delay and I may have had a heart attack which will damage the heart.
Thanks Doug, Rolf and the rest of the boys for your timely support. You are everything a shed should be.
Mike.
Activity Report – Mid July 2019
Last week, Teri Towner, one of our favorite city councillors asked us if we could do a little work for someone who really needed help. There were two tasks, so this is a 2 for one deal.
First we had to consult the tea leaves. This is done by putting some dry leaves into a container, pouring boiling water over them, drinking off the water and throwing the tea leaves over your shoulder. Don’t know why we do this but it seems to work fine.
The tea leaves hit Doug 2 and Cal in the face so they were given the job. Being a bit of a traditionalist Doug 2 went out looking for some child labour.
Cal on the other hand employed some technology, old tech in the form of a 1969 Barracuda with 400hp.
Our conclusion was that child labour is more environmental friendly.
Next we had to paint a couple of walls.
Yes that is Doug 2 again getting some pointers about painting from his grandson.
Mo, who had never painted before, turned out to be an expert. He left saying he was going to paint his house (I think we may have created a monster).
Once the painting was finished the plates on the electrical outlets had to be replaced. This is our version of “how many Shedders does it take to screw in a lightbulb?”
Upon completion we had another tea ceremony and a good time was had by all.
Activity Report Early July
Some of my fans have suggested that reporting on the inactivity that happens in the Shed may place the Shedders in a bad light (some wives have been sold the line that the Shedders are doing good works) so this report is intended to accentuate the positive (wish me luck).
In this photo Doug 2 (the deaf guy with the hearing protection) and Dan are setting up a router to make a mobile base for a big plant pot that happens to be the home of some small plants.
That is me in the background taking notes.
It is amazing what you can do with a sheet of plywood. Before they had finished they had also made a stack of Frisbees.
Looks great eh!
Any suggestions for a stack of plywood discs of varying diameters.
The Kiwi MEWE Attitude Adjuster
How to use this computer.
Situation 1) When having a trying conversation.
- Hand the Kiwi MEWE to the other person and ask them to set it to the word
they believe best describes your focus. - Take the MEWE back and rotate the first letter 180° (turn the first letter upside
down). - Continue the conversation from the new perspective. (It may also help to give
the other person a hug).
Situation 2) To decide who will do a nasty task.
- Set the MEWE to your preference and pass it to the other person.
- If the other person does not reset the MEWE, it shows the decision.
- If the other person does change the MEWE, it shows the decision.
(It may also help to give the other person a hug).
History- Used by the Maori for millennia the first outsider to see the MEWE was
Captain James Cook. Being a bit of an authoritarian he didn’t realize the MEWEs
potential. 250 years later a wayfarer from Hamilton Community Men’s Shed
landed on the western Canadian shore bearing a MEWE. After many adventures he
finally found Coquitlam Men’s Shed. The MEWE had directed the wayfarer to the
place on earth where it was most needed. Now Coquitlam Men’s Sheds decisions
are made harmoniously by the president.
Following these directions has been proved to-
- Prevent arguments.
- Save marriages.
- Improve and extend sex life.
- Get children to eat vegetables.
- Take dogs for a walk.
- Do nothing for cats.
- Streamline speed dating.
- Save lives.
- Remove wrinkles.
- Reduce weight.
For a small donation you can have this powerful device working for you.
Powered by a wood chips.
You may observe other effects, if so please send report to <coquitalmmensshed.ca>
A product of Coquitlam Men’s Shed Society under licence (dog).
Some of the facts stated above may be of the alternative variety.
Two models to choose from.
Desktop Model.
Tablet version.