When searching for the secret to a long life, one checks with the experts.
At 105 years old, Courtenay, B.C. resident Ken Dimond would be considered such an expert.
His advice?
含羞草研究社淭he secret is to wake up every morning!
含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檒l tell you what it really is,含羞草研究社� said Dimond, as he prepared for his 105th birthday celebrations at Casa Loma Seniors Village. 含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 because I含羞草研究社檝e got a good hobby - model ship building.
含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檝e been trying to do them here (Casa Loma) but somehow or other, I don含羞草研究社檛 seem to find enough time. I keep working at it, though.含羞草研究社�
Dimond was born March 10, 1917 in Brandon, Man., but didn含羞草研究社檛 stick around for very long.
含羞草研究社淚 stayed there for two weeks, but didn含羞草研究社檛 like it,含羞草研究社� he quipped.
He grew up in Stoughton, Sask. and remained on the prairies for most of his career as a machine fitter.
He retired in Flin Flon at the age of 65, in 1982.
He含羞草研究社檚 a recent addition to the Comox Valley, having moved into Casa Loma 14 months ago, from Maple Ridge, B.C., where he spent the previous 25 years of his life.
He and his late wife, Pearl, raised two children - Roy, and Marjorie.
His move brings Dimond close to his grandchildren - Marjorie含羞草研究社檚 children. His grandson, Eric Staal, lives in Cumberland, and his granddaughter, Christina Goldsztajn, lives in Comox.
含羞草研究社淗e was always meant to live this long, but I think this has helped keep him healthy and mobile and safe,含羞草研究社� said Goldsztajn, who has a favourite childhood memory of 含羞草研究社榞randpa.含羞草研究社�
含羞草研究社淗e used to pick me up after school - he was my caregiver during the week, and he used to let me tell him where to turn, in the car. Sometimes I would just make him drive mindlessly forever, because I liked sitting in his Mustang with him, cruising. He never complained, and then he gave me that Mustang for my birthday when I turned 20.含羞草研究社�
Staal said Dimond gave him an appreciation of nature.
含羞草研究社淕oing for walks in the forests - that含羞草研究社檚 my fondest memory,含羞草研究社� said Staal. 含羞草研究社淗e would take me out all the time exploring the different parks around the Lower Mainland. That was very formative for me and it含羞草研究社檚 still what I love to do today.
含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 wonderful (to have him close by.)含羞草研究社�
Dimond is an inspiration to both tenants and staff at Casa Loma.
含羞草研究社淗is two mottos in life are, 含羞草研究社榊ou gotta get going to keep going,含羞草研究社� and, 含羞草研究社楧on含羞草研究社檛 worry, don含羞草研究社檛 hurry, be happy,含羞草研究社櫤卟菅芯可鐫 said Casa Loma community relations manager, Miranda Sorenson. 含羞草研究社淗e keeps his body young with lots and lots of walking. He says there is no better way to make friends than by walking with them.含羞草研究社�
terry.farrell@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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