In 1845, during the reign of Queen Victoria, May 24, the queen’s birthday, was declared a holiday in Canada. After Victoria’s death in 1901, an act of the Canadian Parliament established Victoria Day as a legal holiday, to be celebrated on May 24 (or on May 25 when May 24 fell on a Sunday).
An amendment to the Statutes of Canada in 1952 established the celebration of Victoria Day on the Monday preceding May 25. From 1953 to 1956, the Queen’s birthday was celebrated in Canada on Victoria Day, by proclamation of the Governor General, with Her Majesty’s approval.
“Victoria Day” is currently celebrated on the last Monday before May 25th in honor of Queen Victoria’s birthday, who was born on May 24th, 1819. Upon the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, “Victoria Day” was made into an official holiday after it was passed into law.
MAY HAS ARRIVED! Greetings! Have you noticed the colours? The daffodils and tulips are the first real splash of vibrancy after a grey winter. It is refreshing to know some warmer temperatures are ahead. More time outdoors with the sun can provide some extra motivation to move our bodies.Gratitude for your supportThank you to those who supported Million Steps to Mother’s Day powered by Cleo in support of the Breast Cancer Society of Canada. You are a part of a community of caring Canadians working together to end breast cancer.
There is still time to donate! You can make a contribution to an individual, team or make a general donation to the event.DONATE TODAYFor those who are still rallying support, incentives will be mailed out to participants who raise more than $250. Our long-time supporters at Cleo continue to generously offer incentives to our event participants. A $25 gift voucher will be provided for every $250 raised (up to a maximum of $500 per participant).
To qualify, donations must be received online by June 10th, 2022. Cash and cheque pledges must also be processed before this deadline.Keep moving with OptimityEven though the Million Steps to Mother’s Day event is now over, you can keep tracking your steps and movement with the free health app – Optimity. This award-winning, micro-learning app is loaded with short quizzes, exercises, stretches, meditations, and challenges that help millions of members live healthier, wealthier, and longer.
Check out the new Optimity Premium to get access to Headspace Plus and other big benefits! Your donations at workHow does it feel to help save lives through breast cancer research?Donations received by BCSC continue to fund innovative and cutting-edge breast cancer research across Canada. Take a read below and learn about some of the research projects that are currently in motion:
Monique Morin is an MSc student in the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, under the co-supervision of Dr. Muriel Brackstone and Dr. Jeremy Burton. Her research focuses on characterizing the breast microbiome in women at high risk of breast cancer and subsequently modifying it with probiotics. The goal is to see if harmful bacteria in the breast can be replaced with “healthy” bacteria to reduce inflammation in the breast tissue, a major contributor to the morbidity of breast cancer.
Rober Abdo is a PhD student in the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, under the co-supervision of Dr. Qi Zhang and Dr. Shawn Li. His project focuses on molecular profiling of breast cancer brain metastases. He will study samples from breast cancer patients with brain metastases to identify changes in the cancer cells that allow the cells to spread, evade brain defense mechanisms, and flourish in the brain microenvironment, using cutting-edge techniques known as NanoString Digital Spatial Profiling and mass spectrometry. Rober hopes that his work will identify critical changes that may serve as targets for the future treatment of breast cancer brain metastasis.
Sawyer Badiuk is a PhD student in the Department of Medical Biophysics, under the co-supervision of Dr. Eugene Wong and Dr. Jeff Chen. Sawyer studies the effectiveness of radiation therapy treatments for breast cancer that has spread to the brain using novel imaging techniques. Her research involves monitoring the response of the brain and cancer cells after treatment, to find an optimal radiation treatment that controls the cancer while also reducing side effects. The overall goal of her research is to prevent new and recurring brain metastases.
These socks were made for walkin’ …Our two winning designs have been produced by Collins Clothiers and are ready for purchase.Socks are $15 each plus applicable taxes and shipping. 50% of proceeds will be donated to BCSC, in support of life-saving breast cancer research.Order TodayRegional BranchesOur Regional Branches are volunteer-driven and advance our vision of an end to breast cancer. This new initiative provides opportunities for individuals and organizations to become active in supporting breast cancer research across Canada. You can support us locally by:· Fundraising for life-saving breast cancer research· Raising awareness around the importance and impact of our research· Advocating for access to testing and breast cancer treatmentsVolunteer with us! For more information about volunteer opportunities with BCSC, please connect with Susan Penney, Community Engagement Officer: spenney@bcsc.caVolunteer your time and talentJoin the BCSC volunteer team and use your time to help us achieve our mission to save lives through breast cancer research. Our volunteers make a positive and lasting impact in the lives of those living with and surviving breast cancer by working with the society on meaningful assignments including special events, fundraising projects, administrative tasks – and much, more!Even just a few hours of your time makes a difference in the fight against breast cancer.Learn more about our research at bcsc.caCONNECT WITH US!
Nelson Italian-Canadian Society Celebrates 50 Years
The Kootenays have a long historical connection with Italian immigrants. Over the decades, many Italians ventured to the region looking for opportunities for a better life for themselves and their families. These eager immigrants established themselves in the Kootenay communities working for the railroad, lumber mills, industry, and mines. Some also ventured into the realm of commerce, setting up storefronts to serve the recent immigrants.
In the early 1970s, several recent immigrants to Nelson began conversing about the need and desire to establish a cultural group. Trail with its larger Italian population had such organizations for several decades and the Italian-Canadian citizens of Nelson felt the desire to develop something similar.
April 11, 1972 saw the foundation of the Nelson Italian-Canadian Society – Società Italo-Canadese di Nelson (NICS). What began as a fraternal lodge to promote Italian culture in Nelson eventually grew into an organization that included fundraising efforts for community initiatives and charities.
Humble Beginnings
Albert Maida began phoning Italians in the community to see if there was interest in forming an Italian club. The response was positive. The first meeting was held at DiBella Electric with several individuals in attendance, some as young as 24 years old. Albert was elected as the founding president.
The first executive included Maida as President, Vice-presidents Frank DiBella and Gordon Correale, Secretary John Malito, and Treasurer Bill Freno. The executive was rounded out with Directors Sebastian Amenta, Armando Maglio, Gus DeVuono, Fiore Milinazzo, Cosimo Chirico, Mike DeMeo, Mike DeGirolamo, Kennedy Facchina and Pete Lisanti.
A Constitution and Bylaws were established and the task of translating the document from English into Italian was completed by Ada Porco. This allowed members who did not have full command of the English language to read it in their native tongue.
Within the early days of the Society, the founding executive had no problem signing up 86 members. Most of the members had emigrated to Canada during the 1950s and 1960s. There was a handful who were first-generation Canadians, having been born here.
The Nelson Italian Lodge as it was first known, evolved into the Società Italo-Canadese di Nelson/Nelson Italian-Canadian Society. It provided the recent immigrants with a support network to deal with a new country and language as well as a social group to maintain various aspects of Italian culture.
The Society held meetings on alternating Sundays at the Hume Hotel with regular turnouts of 70 or more members, each ready to debate the shape and direction the group would take. The keen interest of the members made getting on the executive a challenge with several people running for each position a standard affair.
The Society was initially a male-only group. It has since expanded membership to include women of Italian ancestry and spouses/partners of members in good standing. Membership peaked in 1986-87 at 120 as the children of the Italian immigrants in Nelson came of age, while the original “old guard” was still around.
The NICS is perhaps best known for its great banquets and dances. In its first year, a party at Mary Hall drew over 400 people. This first event set the standard where getting tickets to these popular events became very challenging as they sold out quickly.
The NICS Today
One of the Society’s long-held goals was to have a venue of its own to hold meetings and events. In recent years, the Society entered into a mutual agreement with the Nelson District Rod & Gun Club. The NICS invested in extensive renovations at the NDRGC Hall that resulted in a fully operable commercial kitchen and adjoining storage areas. This partnership satisfied the Society’s need for a place to meet and hold its events.
NICS annual events include the Festa del Vino/Wine Contest & Banquet, Society Members’ picnic, a bocce tournament, and Members’ Christmas Party. During the COVID pandemic, the Society expanded fundraising events to include sales of homemade Italian sausages and spaghetti sauce, Italian pizzelle cookies, and grapes and juice for winemaking.
Over the years, the Nelson Italian-Canadian Society has raised funds for and been involved in many local, national, and international initiatives and projects.
These include:
Lakeside Pathway Project
Gamma Probe Machine Fundraiser
LV Rogers Scholarships
Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation
Variety Club Show of Hearts
CT Scanner Fundraiser
Royal Canadian Legion Remembrance Day Wreath
Canadian Red Cross Disaster Relief (earthquake, tsunami, flooding)
Nelson Kidsport
Nelson Minor Hockey
MS Society
Nelson Community Food Centre
Nelson Rhythm Ropers
Lakeside Rotary Playground
Lakeside Bocce Courts
Trafalgar Breakfast Program
Our Daily Bread
Celebrating 50 years
The Society is pleased that with the recent easing of COVID restrictions, they will be able to host their 50th Anniversary Banquet on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at the Nelson District Rod & Gun Club Hall.
Membership in the Society has ebbed and flowed over the years. Recently the Society has seen a growth in membership with numerous new members joining. Members of the community who have Italian ancestry are invited to join the NICS.
For more information about the Society or to become a member, check out www.facebook.com/NelsonItalianCanadianSociety or email NICS President Paul Boscariol at president@nelsonitaliancanadiansociety.com
Tickets are going fast!! Going to sell out this year!! Message Jana cook for tickets 250 509 0901 – janacookbc@gmail.com Tickets also on Sale at Taghum Shell , Whitewater main office (602 Lake Street) & 602 Front Street (Nelson Box Office – 622 Front Street) . Buy 5 and get entered into a special draw! Thanks Jana
KidSport Nelson Launches 10th Annual Give the Gift of Sport Campaign National not-for-profit aims to raise $1,000,000 and help bring the power of sport Full Circle Donate online at KidSport.ca/GiftofSport !!
NELSON, BC – December 1, 2021– KidSport™ has launched their tenth annual Give the Gift of Sport™ fundraising campaign, calling on Canadians to donate online at KidSport.ca/GiftofSport. Over 30 percent of Canadian youth under the age of 18 cannot afford to play organized sport. With the support of the Government of Canada, corporate partners, and the generosity of donors across the country, KidSport’s annual campaign—running until January 4, 2022—aims to get more kids off the sidelines, into the game, and experience the gift of sport.
This year, by giving the gift of sport that you received as a kid, you can help create lasting memories and fill the gap for other kids who want to play. Help bring the power of sport Full Circle and Give the Gift of Sport at KidSport.ca/GiftofSport where personal, corporate or tribute donations can be directed to any of KidSport’s 166 community chapters.
The power of sport is in how it shapes us in those special moments – in the memories cherished today and stories told tomorrow. It nurtures our growth and strengthens our communities. “Sport has been the driving factor in shaping who I am, it has taught me all sorts of life skills and gave me the confidence to set goals and dream big when I was a kid,” adds Canadian race walker and Olympian Evan Dunfee. “KidSport believes that every child should have that same opportunity and help remove the financial barriers to make that happen.”
About KidSport: KidSport is a national not-for-profit organization that helps remove financial barriers that prevent kids from playing sport by providing assistance for registration fees to children aged 18 and under. Through a confidential application process grants are given so they can play a season of sport.
Since its creation in 2007, KidSport Nelson has disbursed over $275,000 and helped over 1400 kids from our region receive grants and sport introduction programming. Learn more about KidSport online at https://kidsportcanada.ca/british-columbia/nelson/
For more information: KidSport Nelson kidsportnelson@gmail.com 250-551-6974 follow/like us on Facebook @ Kidsport Nelson
Monique Morin is an MSc student in the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, under the co-supervision of Dr. Muriel Brackstone and Dr. Jeremy Burton. Her research focuses on characterizing the breast microbiome in women at high risk of breast cancer and subsequently modifying it with probiotics. The goal is to see if harmful bacteria in the breast can be replaced with “healthy” bacteria to reduce inflammation in the breast tissue, a major contributor to the morbidity of breast cancer.
