Please note the following December closures and cancellations
以下是十二月中心休假及乒乓球取消時段
All centres closed on Dec24 (early closure, 12 pm), 25 and 26
全部中心十二月二十四（中午十二時之後），二十五及二十六日休假
Cancellations 乒乓球活動取消：
Bayview Hill
Dec 23,24,27,30,31
Langstaff
Dec 31
Oak Ridges
Dec 23,27,30
Rouge Woods
Dec 23,24,30,31
Merry Christmas
祝大家聖誕快樂
Charles Lee
Table tennis is widely regarded as one of the fastest and most dynamic sports in the world. Its fast-paced nature requires quick reflexes, precise hand-eye coordination, and strategic thinking, making it a mentally and physically engaging activity. Additionally, due to its relatively low-impact movements compared to high-intensity sports, table tennis is accessible to players of all ages and fitness levels. This characteristic makes it particularly appealing as a lifelong activity, allowing individuals to continue playing well into their later years.
Moreover, studies have shown that regular participation in table tennis can have significant benefits for cognitive health. The rapid decision-making and constant mental stimulation involved in the game help improve focus, memory, and problem-solving skills, which can contribute to keeping the brain strong and sharp. For older adults, table tennis serves as an enjoyable way to maintain physical agility while promoting mental acuity, offering a perfect balance of exercise and entertainment.
乒乓球被广泛认为是世界上最快速、最具活力的运动之一。其快节奏的特点需要快速反应、精确的手眼协调和战略思维，使其成为一项既锻炼身体又刺激大脑的活动。此外，与高强度运动相比，乒乓球的运动强度相对较低，因此适合各个年龄段和体能水平的人参与。这一特点使其尤其适合作为一项终身运动，玩家可以在晚年仍然继续享受这项运动的乐趣。
此外，研究表明，经常参与乒乓球运动对认知健康具有显著益处。比赛中的快速决策和持续的脑力刺激有助于提升专注力、记忆力和解决问题的能力，从而帮助大脑保持强健和敏锐。对于老年人来说，乒乓球既是一种令人愉悦的活动方式，也能帮助他们维持身体的灵活性，同时促进大脑的健康，是一种兼具锻炼和娱乐的理想运动。
We are truly grateful for the professional-quality photos that beautifully captured the spirit of our Christmas Potluck 2024
A heartfelt thank you to all the friends who participated in this festive event and contributed to its success. Your presence and enthusiasm made this gathering of our ping pong group truly special.
We extend our special thanks to Charles and Priscilla as well as the numerous volunteers for organizing and setting up the event, and Li Jian for his incredible effort in taking such stunning photos and videos of this occasion. His dedication and talent ensured that the moments we shared are preserved in vivid detail. These images will serve as cherished memories of the wonderful time we shared together.
We deeply appreciate the efforts of everyone involved in making this event so memorable and joyous. From the delicious food to the lively conversations and friendly matches, every element came together perfectly to create a truly unforgettable experience.
Thank you all for being part of this wonderful celebration! Last but not least, a big thank you to McConaghy Centre for let us use their beautiful hall for the event.
我们衷心感谢您为2024年圣诞聚餐活动拍摄的专业级照片，这些照片完美地捕捉了活动的精神与美好瞬间。
地点：McConaghy社区中心
诚挚感谢所有参与这次节日活动的朋友们，是你们的热情与支持成就了活动的成功。你们的参与让我们乒乓球小组的这次聚会显得格外特别。
特别感谢Charles和Priscilla，以及众多志愿者，感谢你们精心组织和布置活动。同时，也要特别感谢 李健，他倾注了巨大心血，拍摄了如此精彩的照片和视频。他的敬业与才华让我们共同分享的这些美好瞬间得以被生动地记录下来。这些影像将成为我们珍贵的回忆，永远定格在我们心中。
我们深深感谢每一位为这次活动做出贡献的人。从美味的食物到热烈的交流以及友好的比赛，每一个细节都完美地融合在一起，共同创造了一个难忘的美好时光。
感谢大家成为这次精彩庆典的一部分！最后，再次感谢McConaghy社区中心为我们提供了如此优美的场地举办此次活动。
A friendly reminder :
The Christmas Potluck will be held on Tuesday Dec 10 at McConaghy as scheduled. Please come by around 11:30 am. Please give us your food upon arrival so that it can be kept in the fridge or oven temporarily if necessary. We recommend that you bring a mask to be worn while you are getting food at the food table. Looking forward to seeing you there.
过七奔八之路是人生的一个重要节点。无论从哪个角度来说人过七旬也算是真正的老人了。至此，绚丽的夕阳已接近地平线，多彩的人生亦近尾声。据官方的公开数据，在所有自然人中只有44％的人能跨过70岁的门坎，从而转身走在奔八的路上。
七十到八十这是人生艰难的十年，是晚年生活的多事之秋。这个期间要经受衰老的加速，因为各部器官都在不可逆转地退化和损耗，就象一台即将报废的机器还在缓慢地运转。
这个期间是多种疾病的爆发期，由于人体免疫力的降低和变异，再难有效抵御病菌病毒的侵袭，小病经常有，大病随时来已是常态现状。
这期间由于头脑反应减慢，四肢不再灵活，头晕、噎呛、碰撞、摔跤等各种意外也会随时发生，而每一次意外都会带来难以承受的后果。
这期间还要经受失去亲朋、战友、同事、同学等同龄熟人的痛苦和悲伤，社交圈子越来越小，可倾诉的挚友越来越少，孤独寂寞感不断增加。
更危险的是这期间还会有一些人失聪失忆甚至失去生活自理能力，不但自己要忍受长期臥床的煎熬，也给子女增加了沉重负担。
这期间还会随时发生许多难以预料的事情，一件不经意的失误也能彻底改变你的人生。
谁的晚年都是一场血风腥雨，这绝对不是危言耸听，一曲《老来难》的传统戏曲已道尽了老年人的辛酸凄凉。
有人说若能越过古稀踏在奔八的起跑线上你就是一个非常幸运的人，因为有一多半的同龄人已经掉队失去了奔八的资格。
如果你达到了75岁，那么恭喜你，你已经是人生赢家了，因为这艰难的十年人生路你已行程过半，你的实际寿命已达到了全国平均预期生存年限的平均值。在这个里程碑式的加油站里，你只要抬脚翘首就可以隐约看到人生终点的那块标志牌了。
假如你一路坚持终于完成奔八的任务，那你就是一个人生十分完美的胜利者，因为你已经圆满到达攀登人生顶峰的大本营，可以躺平回味你的风雨人生路了。
接下来你可以对90岁、100岁那些缈茫的目标不屑一顾，随时随地可以决定前行或放弃，一切的一切都顺其自然、听天由命啦！
在我们的人生字典中已经没有了来日方长一说，我们唯一能够主宰的是：不悔昨天、不赌明天、珍惜今天、过好时下每一天。只要今天还能吃、还能走，那抓紧时间去吃些想吃的美食，想看些想看的美景，去完成曾经梦想要去完成的夙愿！抓紧，抓紧，人生不留遗憾！
请转发，让你的老年亲友、老同学、老同事共勉共享！
How to Navigate the Later Years of Life
The journey from seventy to eighty marks a critical phase in life. Regardless of perspective, reaching seventy signifies entering true old age. At this point, the vibrant sunset of life approaches the horizon, and the colorful journey of life nears its end. According to official data, only 44% of people surpass the age of seventy, stepping onto the road toward eighty.
The decade from seventy to eighty is one of the most challenging in life—a turbulent period in later years. During this time, aging accelerates as all bodily organs irreversibly degenerate and deteriorate, akin to a machine nearing obsolescence, still running but faltering.
This period is also a time of heightened susceptibility to illnesses. As the immune system weakens and becomes less effective at resisting infections, minor ailments become frequent, and major illnesses can strike at any time, becoming the norm.
Furthermore, cognitive and physical decline during these years can lead to accidents such as dizziness, choking, collisions, and falls. Each incident risks bringing severe consequences that may be difficult to bear.
This phase also entails enduring the sorrow of losing peers—friends, comrades, colleagues, and classmates. Social circles shrink, confidants grow fewer, and the sense of loneliness deepens.
More critically, some may face conditions such as hearing loss, memory decline, or even the loss of self-care abilities. This not only subjects the individual to prolonged suffering but also places a heavy burden on their children.
Unpredictable events may occur at any moment during these years. A single careless mistake could irrevocably alter one’s life trajectory.
The later years of life are often fraught with challenges, as the traditional opera "The Hardship of Growing Old" poignantly conveys the sorrows and struggles of aging.
Some say that if you’ve reached seventy and stand at the starting line of eighty, you are extraordinarily fortunate, as more than half of your peers may no longer be alongside you.
If you reach seventy-five, congratulations—you are already a life winner. By this milestone, you’ve traversed half of the arduous road from seventy to eighty, and your actual lifespan has reached the national average life expectancy. At this symbolic refueling station, you can almost glimpse the signpost marking the end of life’s journey.
Should you persist and complete the journey to eighty, you become a triumphant victor of life. You’ve successfully reached the base camp of life’s summit, where you can rest and reflect on your remarkable journey.
From here, you may scoff at the distant goals of ninety or one hundred, deciding freely whether to continue or let go. At this stage, everything follows the natural course of life, leaving it to fate.
In the dictionary of our lives, the phrase “there’s always tomorrow” no longer applies. The only things we can control are: no regrets about yesterday, no gambling on tomorrow, cherishing today, and living every moment to the fullest.
As long as you can still eat and walk today, seize the moment to enjoy the delicacies you crave, marvel at the sights you yearn to see, and fulfill the dreams you once aspired to achieve. Seize the day; make life free of regrets!
Please share this with your elderly relatives, old classmates, and former colleagues as mutual encouragement and inspiration!
各位球友，
以下是烈治文山市長者中心的 Kim Sato 给我们的電郵，內容如下：
中心收到 Rouge Woods 及 Oak Ridges 關於有球友不願分用球桌的投訴，請大家必須明白 55+ drop in program 的運作是先到先得，假如與你約定一起打球的朋友未到，我們鼓勵大家與已經進入球場的球友打球，結識多一些新朋友。
再者，大家不能預先放球拍或任何物件在球桌上預訂球桌；並且要在適當時段輪流令大家都有機會打球。請大家務必顧及他人並公平分享球桌。55+program之剛領守則
都在大部分每月通訊之中。各位可向各中心查閱。 多謝合作。
Charles and Priscilla
Please read the attached email from Jennifer about the current strike situation.
請注意，現在烈治文山市 CUPE 905 工會正在罷工，各社區中心的項工仍然運作，但今天工會在Bayview Hill 設立糾察線，請大家明白活動可能有延遲，請捉早到場，如有疑問，請參閱以下綱頁
Charles
RichmondHill.ca/about Disruption
