No politics, religion, sex, race, direct selling & MLM. For Singaporeans & PRs, over 45.
Christmas will soon be over. and before we realise we are all into the new year. For many of us, we have our wishes which we like to see come true next year. On behalf of the Club, I like to take this opportunity everybody a Happy New Year, with loads of good health.
Terence Seah
There will be some changes to our membership criteria and rules. The changes are minimal, and intended to stress and clarify key points.
1. No new memberships will be accepted after 31 Dec 2012. Membership application will reopen in Feb 2013, with new criteria. We will do another review of members who are not active.
2. Members who participate in SHC activities but have not entered the Club at least once during the lifetime of the membership, at SilverHairsClub.com may have to contact admin@SilverhairsClub to verify their membership, from time to time. Members using different registered email addresses would also have their membership cancelled.
3. The club strictly forbids discussions and invitations on religion, sex, race, politics, direct selling and MLM in the forum as well as in all SHC activities. Definitions of sex: No sexual procurement and sexual harassment. Definition of direct selling: No selling of products and services, except during Club’s fleamarts. No distribution of business cards with the intention of promoting one’s products and services, except during Club’s business gatherings.
MLM and get rich fast programs are strictly forbidden, including invitations to visit websites.
SilverHairsClub will remain flexible and understanding in enforcing the above rules. If in doubt, members are required to check with admin@SilverHairsClub.com.
4. Collection of email addresses from the website or at gatherings, with the intention to spam, send promotional materials, invitatons and stories, without the approval of members is not permitted.
Please observe these minor changes.
Terence Seah
Recently, I was playing with my mobile phone, and suddenly while fiddling with the phone, I came across an application which I could download free. I think a number of you are already using a couple of applications which you can share with fellow members. Hew Lee, i am sure, you are very experienced with mobile phone applications. Guess, Yew Kwong, if you are around, I am sure you too must have loaded some applications. Many are free.
Well, let me tell you about the little application which I loaded. It’s called Anti Mosquito. It takes less than one minute to download it to my phone. When I launch Anti mosquito, it emits a high frequency sound which I could not hear. But it is effective. The sound chases away mosquitoes; and as I am sensitive to mosquitoes, this application works well for me. Now, whenever i go near plantations, I activate the application.
Calling all IT savvy members, do let us know what applications you have downloaded to your phone, share with us how you use it and its usefulness especially to SilverHairs.
I look forward to you sharing. It may turn out to be fun, or it may turn out to be useless. But, less hear it from you.
Terence Seah
Hi everybody,
I will be arranging a WordPress software upgrade between now to 2nd week Jan 2013. Hopefully, by then, members can have the capability to upload pictures on their own. Currently, we cannot. There may be some inconveniences here and there, but I hope that at the end of it, we will get to benefit for it all.
Please be informed.
Terence Seah
Many of us may already have made plans for Dec, and into January 2013. Guess our kids will be having their school holidays, it’s time to clear our annual leave, or really we are at the time of the year where we just need a good rest. Retirees or semi-retirees may have more time at their hands, to watch the forever unending Taiwan or Korean movies, or perhaps scoot up to Genting highlands.
But at the same time, many of us will not have plans, perhaps make plans to do nothing. This is always an expensive time of the year, holidays, Christmas, parties and presents. We have different life scenarios.
Sharing what we do is a great way for others to know more about us. SHC makes this possible. We tells others we like to eat nice laksa, and laksa lovers will start to gather together. Simply share that we like playing mahjong on a Sat, and suddenly a gang is formed.
If we share with others that we have this itch to go to Port Dickson, you never know, a bus pops up and there we go as a small gang. I love home potlucks, make soya beancurd, wow, another group is formed. I think it is nice to share our interests and desires now, rather than wait until we are immobile. This is how SilverHairs friends are developed. The club provides the opportunity, you have to share, rather than wait for someone to come over to you, and say, Hi.
December is a good time for topics. It’s a time to think about what we will do in 2013. Perhaps, you may want to start a fishing group, a small business to make and sell kaya, even to go out and ask friends for snake grass, hoping to find a cure for cancer. So, if you have just bought a series from Korea, share with everybody.
If you are planning to get married, why not, tell us your plans. Complete your dream to start charity work in Cambodia, NE Thailand or even in India. Gosh, so many things we can do in Dec. I look forward to hearing from you share your Dec plans.
Please be encouraging. Encourage your fellow SHC friends to share too. This is what I mean by participating.
Terence Seah
I have always been curious about anything and everything. My latest curiosity is the headlines in our local media and the government asking Singaporeans to use food trays and return these food trays to designated areas after eating. There are many view points on why, how and what are the benefits. Am sure you have your talking points. Share it then, maybe we will come up with something more workable.
Just a short while ago, I was eating in my local kopitiam. I was observing the cleaner. At the table and with a tray, she selected certain bowls and pour all the similar food together and put them into a bigger bowl. Suddenly it strikes me that what a waste if we were to put everything on a tray and send it to the disposal bin. Could she have sorted out the food, there is always spare meat in a fish, soup is rarely finished and there is always plenty of sauce left. Someone could have enjoyed the remainder. i suddenly thought it would not be a good idea to return our food trays.
Mind you, I support returning of food trays, but this observation gives me second thoughts.
What ideas do you have?
Terence Seah
The rain disappear every end Oct in Central Thailand. This explains why I haven’t organise any coastal driving trip in Sept and Oct. I am in Bangkok 8 – 13 Nov 2012. And Deepavali falls on tues 13 Nov.
If you happen to come to Bangkok for a holiday, and wish to go explore coastal Chonburi, let me know. We will take the same route as the other earlier groups. We dont have to do the same routing, we can go to other places, way outside Bangkok during the same period. Staying in Bangkok is also fine. Can take you around places you have not seen.
Do let me know before Nov 6; as after this date, I would likely change plans. Feel free to ask any questions.
Terence Seah
Insomnia is a sleeping difficulty. "Do you experience difficulty sleeping?" It is common in the elderly. I understand it is a sleep disorder not attributed to medical, psychiatric, or environmental causes.
SilverHairsClub has a number of members who cannot sleep at night, especially between 3 and 5am. I had a discussion with some of them, to find out what they can do about it. They watch a movie or they just toss around on the bed. Some take sleeping pills, and this became a habit. No one whom I spoke to, went out for a walk because other members of the family are fast asleep.
Cannot make a cup of coffee or tea, as this will make the situation worse. Some advise me to do some work at that time, for example, to do some end-of-day US trading.
They tried all kinds of concoctions but non work.
Are you one of those with sleeping difficulties during the early hours of the morning? Any suggestion on how we can do something or take advantage of the time looking at the ceiling? Perhaps, we can come up with some good ideas to make night into day. Look forward to your suggestions and ideas.
Terence Seah
Dear fellow SilverHairsClub members,
I like to share a thought with you at this time of the year. It’s the usual
time of the year, when we have the feeling that the year is short, and that we
may not have done some meaningful for ourselves. Before we realise it,
2013 is here.
Many of us are busy, even though we are over 45. Some of us are working to make a
living. This includes me. Or we may be busy catching up with
friends for coffee or mahjong. Still, among us, many are busy nannying
our grandchildren. While others are karaoke’ing the afternoon out or
dancing the nights away. For some, it’s charity and social work or
trading online. I wonder how many among us are active with other
activities eg watching Korean or Taiwanese movies every day.
We have friends, and some of us do not need to think of making more friends.
Obviously, we don’t want to make friends whom we will regret meeting.
It’s always nice to have some close friends, whom we can share our interests
and ideas. Friends whom we can chat during lonely moments; maybe not now
but in later years.
For the last 7 years, SHC activities have been centred around "providing a
platform for Silver Hairs to make new and more friends". This has
worked well for some members, and we would continue to focus on this objective.
It’s also time to revisit our efforts. It’s time for non-active members to contribute
actively to the Club. Have you shared your interests and activities with
Club members? Have you organised any card games, handicrafts, going
downtown or travel and shopping trips to Johor Bauru with fellow member?
What about mah-jong sessions? Computer knowledge sharing, cooking
sessions, going classes together and visit exhibitions. Ever organised a
mini-potluck?
Have you ever offered a hand with Club administration and committee work? We
have always been looking for volunteers, have you raised your hands? Many
members have organised at least one activity for SHC, but unfortunately many
have not.
Perhaps, this is the time of the year, for you to think of making a contribution to
SilverHairsClub. Introduce yourself to the Club, and you will be
surprised what it means to be an active member of SilverHairsClub.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Terence Seah
We shall have another relaxing gathering for retirees at the MPH cafe, Robinson Road on:
if there is some topic you would like to raise with me, please let me know.
I would be pleased to discuss topics on what SHC can do for you. Obviously, if there is a role you can play in SHC, I would be more than willing to hear from you too.
Look forward to your coming.
Terence Seah
Registration list:
Halloween night is a night out for monsters and eerie things. For many years, I have noticed Halloween nights being celebrated and enjoyed in clubs by young people all over the world. However, I have not attended any one of them. I know participants wear eerie attire, carrying with them a spear on one hand, and a arrow tail behind their back.
I think this occasion can be a fun time to get together, squeezed ourselves in a small pub, with tight opportunities for dancing and talking loudly and closely at each others ears to share a conversation. And, when the music stops or the singers decide to take a rest, wow, we have some minutes of rest intereval.
I had been invited before to a pub next to and just after 112 Katong, and I thought it would be a nice place to celebrate Halloween night. The music and songs on Tues is nostalgic and rather suitable to most of us. Most drinks are at $10 each, pay upon delivery of the glass. I think they do not serve coffee, tea or soft drinks. Many tables and stools, and yet can be cramped for a SHC crowd. There is a 2 piece band, with a singer, likely he can entertain us if we make a request. Did not see any food, so likely we have to eat before coming.
Well, if you like a night out, one day before 31 Oct, come together for a drink or two, listen to some great music and catching up the weird ones among us celebrating Halloween night, come join me at this place, I think the name is 57 Chevvy at 8pm. You can leave anytime before the clock strikes 12 or sneak out if you find the tempo too soft or hot for you.
No attendance will be taken. You dont have to register if you prefer not to. Yu can come with anybody, any dress, anytime or sneak in ans out quietly. Simply come in, find a seat, if you can get one, pay for your own drink and figure out who’s there that night.
See you on 30 Oct night. Registration NOT needed.
Terence Seah
Hi fellow members,
I would like to find someone among our club membership, who has an electronic sewing machine. It should have the capability of storing the SilverHairsClub logo and the words "SilverHairsClub" in its memory.
In the early past, we had explored a T-shirt for members, but we have not been successful because we were unable to confirm the numbers. At the same time, there are so many varied brand names and designs. We gave up the idea long ago. The idea surfaced again, so let’s give it another go.
However, we do have the SHC logo and an established brand name "SilverHairsClub".
What I am looking for is a member who would offer this sewing services, laying the logo or the name "SilverHairsClub" on a T-shirt or blouse or skirt, provided by the SHC member. This can be an old or new shirt or blouse, any colour, any design or size.
I am hoping this person with the sewing service can provide this service for a fee of $4. However, members will pay $3 for each logo imprinted. No pick up service. I have not thought further of other details.
Meantime, if you can provide this service, please contact me at terences@SilversHairsClub.com.
Terence Seah
All of us have dreams. Our lives are full of happenings, from the moment we were born, to going to schools, starting a career, and finally to getting where we are today. But, there are so many tasks we have yet to complete. Yes, we should be contented where we are, and perhaps look back at our younger days.
Our last "Stars-in-Concert" was held in 2009; and the theme years then were the 60s and 70s.
As with all Club activities, the objective of our events is to bring SilverHairsClub members together, meet new friends, and getting to know one another better. A theme helps all of us focus on creating an event which all of us can link ourselves to. Next year 2013, we shall have another "Stars-in-Concert", and this time, the theme shall be "Our Secondary School Days".
We will have a concert. There will be a stage, and there will be an audience. As of now, the stage is empty, and the audience has no seats. Tickets have not been printed, and all we have is an idea, to create "Stars-in-Concert, Our Secondary School Days".
So nice, if we can see each other in school uniforms, girls with "deep blue" skirts and white blouse and the boys in dark blue long pants, white shirts. All of us have a school batch, while others come with a school tie.
What shall we have on stage? Think about your school concert. What was it like?
And, we are likely to have our Awards night during our Stars-in-Concert too.
If you like to be part of the organising team, do let me know. Let’s get our schoolmates together; and if they are not members, maybe this is a good time to bring them in.
I look forward to your wildest dreams and thoughts, our Secondary School Days.
EO Terence Seah
Secondary students’ school list:
The following persons have offered to help in "Stars-in-Concert – Our Secondary School Days"
It’s being sometime since we last had our SHC monthly gathering in the CBD.
Well, let’s put the date and place back again.
This year is the SilverHairsClub’s 7th anniversary. If you can make it
to this gathering by 6.45 pm, we will have a photoshoot and a large birthday
cake cutting session at 7.00 pm. If you like to be a part of this
memorable event, please come and join your friends at the photoshoot.
Terence Seah
Registration:
I hope you will share with us your O-level days. And, to start with, I like to share with you mine.
Secondary school days were indeed memorable days. I remembered having to go through subjects which I had never liked. They included history, gergraphy and literature. To me, these subjects were too academic, and I did not think there was any value in studying them. In fact, I loved science and mathematics. I was brought up to think that being a science and maths genius would land me a good job when I leave school. Well, I worked and studied hard, and landed with 5 distinctions for my O-levels. I felt I achieved well, at that time.
During my secondary days, I was not conscious of having a girl friend. I had many friends, but being in a boy’s school "Montfort School" in Hougang, all my friends were boys. We had a great time, and if I remembered clearly, I went cycling up and down Punggol road, catch small crabs with a tiny coconut hair, swim in the murky mangrove swams and enjoy teasing girls in the nearby convent school.
They were all memorable days. I remembered songs like "To Sir with Love", "Mrs Robinson" and the entire Abba series. I looked forward to Fun Fairs, fund-raising Saturdays and playing "Hum Tum Bola".
I think some of us went to Poly and other went to Technical schools. But, those days cannot be forgotten. Do share with us your memories of your secondary school days, leading to O-levels or a Poly of Technical diploma?
I also hope you will also share with us one or two songs which you remembered very clearly during these days.
Terence Seah
The last gathering for retirees worked out well. We shall have another few more sessions. This time, Vincent Khoo will be the EO. Vincent is knowledgeable with Thailand, and has been living there for the last 20+ years. I think he is now 78 years old, still fit and ready to live many more years.
This retirees gathering is a good opportunity for SHC members to interact with other SilverHairs. Working SHCians can come too, if you are not working that day. There is no topic or agenda. It’s for you to get to know new friends.
I wont be attending, as I am not available this period.
Vincent Khoo/Terence Seah
Registration List:
This event is cancelled, due to unforeseen circumstances.
Terence Seah
In early 2013, we will organise a romantic tour to North East Thailand during the period 19 – 27 Jan 2013. This is about three weeks before Chinese New Year.
Trip now confirmed to start Sat 19 Jan 2013 at Udon Thani province airport and end Tue 22 Jan 2013 at Udon Thani airport. Travel between Bangkok and Udon Thani can be via a domestic 1 hr flight (Nok Air) between Bangkok and Udon Thani or a coach bus ride of about 6 hours. More details soon.
The trip starts at Udon Thani airport or Khon Khaen landing up in Nong Khai, with a cross-over to Vietianne in Laos, and then back to Nong Khai.
Why is it romantic? The most romantic part of this trip is the Friendship bridge between Laos and Thailand. Looking at it at 11pm gives one the impression that life is sweet and still, with the Mekong river glittering under the moon, and if you get up at dawn, the mist over the river will just make you wonder. LIFE is romantic. Weather is dry, and temperature is likely to be 10 – 20C.
Nong Khai was the US R&R site during and after the Vietnam war. Today, the place is the gateway to Laos and China. It is beautiful, and if you are thinking of a place to retire, hmm, maybe this is the place. http://www.thaismile.jp/FotoGallary/ThaiPics/e_ThaiPhoto_NongKhai.html
I have not thought of how to get there, short of taking a connecting bus from Bangkok to Udon Thani. More details will be given later. There will be some adjustments, but this is the general direction.
If you are interested, do stick your name here. Please make your final decision by 30 Nov 2012.
Terence Seah
Registration:
Some of you may be planning a holiday to Myanmar. We hear Myanmar has Jade markets, beautiful Mandalay, ice caps in the North, hot springs, a long coast line and many temples. The country has just open, and you can now hear from William Chew, who has resided in Myanmar for more than 20 years.
William is one of the co-founders of the SilverHairsClub. There are many Singaporeans who have lived in Myanmar and they enjoy the quiet lifestyle of one of the last countries to be open to the world. You are invited to listen to him on Skype, ask questions and get to know from him first hand, what it is like to live in the country. William will be in Yangon at the time of this Skype session.
To participate, please register here, and send your Skype account name to swift_squirrel. Doors will be open at 2055 hrs. Please OFF your video and TV when you enter the conference room. Take a seat, as the program starts).
(Skype sessions, just like SHC Live! are open to all SHC members. If you wish to run a similar program for other members, please contact me at terences@SilverHairsClub.com. Please do not call me on the phone).
Terence Seah
Registration List:
1. Terence Seah
2. William Chew – topic leader
3. Kheng Lim
4. Charles Wee
5. Winnie Tan
6. Geraldine Ting
7. Helen Kwek
8. Patricia Low
10. Thomas Goh
11.
Dan Huang and Robert Ong have been organising the Westerlies and Easterlies for retirees or semi-retirees for some time now. Now, let’s have one gathering for retirees and semi-retirees in the Central CBD area. I have quite a number of lunch vouchers as well as coffee/tea vouchers which can be used at the Robinson Road, MPH cafe at 63 Robinson Road.
I would like to meet up with you; this would be a good opportunity for SHC members to interact with other SilverHairs who are coming too. Working members may also register to come if you are available. If this is successful, we might try to encourage more of these events.
Date: Thu 13 Sep 2012
Time: 1430 to 1630 hrs. We finish at 1630 hrs sharp.
Place: Robinson Road, MPH cafe, 63 Robinson Road, nearest Tanjong Pagar or Raffles place MRT.
Dress code: Proper.
Charge: Only members who register here personally would be given a late lunch or coffee/tea voucher on the actual day. Please indicate if you prefer a lunch or cofee/tea set voucher.
Strictly for SHC members only. Those who have not registered here can buy their drinks or meals at the counter.
Requirement: All members must bring their own name tag. You can make one yourself. Click here.
Terence Seah
Registration List:
This Saturday o1 Sep 2012, we shall have another SHC Live! session.
To participate, do let us know if you are coming. Your registration is important. Please contact swift_squirrel on SKYPE to register so that we know you are a SHC member.
Terence Seah
Dear fellow members,
This month, I shall focus on another part of Club members’ needs.
SilverHairsClub was formed in 2005 for the benefit of Singaporeans, over the age of 45. Therefore, it is important we meet your needs to meet other
SilverHairs. If you find that the Club does not meet its objective of providing a platform for you to get to know
new and more friends, please do share with us. Your feedback would be shared with other members. You may also want to do something which you have behind your head.
I like to encourage you to take this opportunity to meet other SilverHairs. If you have not visited SHC before, feel free to write to me or voice your ideas on this forum; but you must first register to enter SilverHairsClub.com.
If you are always busy, you may like to join SHC Live!. This is a live event, where you can meet
other members on the internet, from your home. We have a Men’s night on Sat 18 Aug 2012. Click here for details https://silverhairsclub.com/?p=4463. There is a ladies’ night too. Watch out for more details on SilverHairsClub.com when the organisers are ready with their details.
Please feel free to organise an activity or event for other fellow members. And, do take the lead.
For members who would like to make use of their experience and available time, and would like to take up part-time work opportunities,
please feel free to also write to me at terences@SilverhairsClub.com. As SilverHairs and seniors, we can still reach
out to society and contribute to society. Currently, SilverHairs Enterprise is focused on opportunities in the
part-time area, for SHC members only, in areas of Eldersitting, errand runners, Office stand-ins, and Chinese tuition online.
I like to extend an invitation to members who can help to make our Blue Helmet projects a reality and success.
We have started in the area of Eldersitting, and I am happy with the progress. Two members have
volunteered as Enterprise administrators Jenny and Vivian, and a few members have already worked as part-time Eldersitters. Feedback from clients have been good.
If you like to be an Eldersitter, read more about it in SilverHairsClub.com. We see there is a demand for eldersitters, and we intend
to recruit more eldersitters.
In Jan 2012, a few members have suggested we attempt govt or public funding. We tried, and with the
help from participating members, we submited our proposal. Unfortunately, the deciding department felt
that the SilverHairsClub members are not a disadvantaged group, and in Mar
2012, notified us that it could not support our project. Nevertheless, under the SilverHairs
Enterprise, we decided to proceed on. We pursue the eldersitter project because this project is our way of contributing to the elderly society. Fit and healthy seniors providing eldersitter services to the less fit elderlies.
We recruited fit seniors from SHC from April to June. Members are interested
in part-time work, and all of them have experience looking after their elderly
parents and many have worked in eldercare organisations. Besides a part-time work income, we also want to interact with society. We are definitely wanted by society.
In May, after reviewing various systems, we went ahead to purchase and design
an online service booking system where our clients can book for eldersitters on
the internet. Besides recruiting eldersitters, we also took in two administrators working Mon to Wed and Thur to
Sat to take calls, take online bookings, and pair clients with our eldersitters. While we do face snags here and there, I am happy with the progress.
In June and July, we launched a series of advertisements in the Straits Times, Today newspapers and classifieds to test the effectiveness of advertising, and
which days are worth our spending advertising money. We trial tested our procedures from system
tests, advertising, liaison between administrators and eldersitters, payment, live accounts, handling the clients and managing returning clients. We have
almost completed the basic steps. Of course, more needs to be done.
During this period, we determined public needs, relative to services we
provide, and our eldersitter services are mainly companionship-type services. We have no plans to go into nursing or
medical support services. Following the good advices of supportive members, we are now venturing out to make links with
organisations whose patients require after care assistance.
This is the stage we are in now. If the eldersitter srevices continue to meet our needs, we will quickly move into
other part-time work opportunities for members. If you are interested in any part-time opportunities for SHC members, please write to me.
We are now into the second half of 2012; and would be celebrating SilverHairsClub 7th anniversary in Oct. Give it a thought.
Terence Seah
SilverHairsClub &
SilverHairs Enterprise
Based on last night’s SHC Live!, we shall add a theme and agenda to our next SHC Live! Some EOs have volunteered; and you will hear from them soon.
Next SHC Live!
To participate, do let us know if you are coming. Your registration is important. Please contact swift_squirrel on SKYPE to register so that we know you are a SHC member.
Terence Seah
The last SHC Live! was a good success; and I like to make it more frequent for now. This will give more members an opportunity to meet other members, especially the new ones. Technology has made it possible for seniors like us to communicate without leaving our homes. Imagine we are 80 years old, and cannot walk or leave our homes, and we can still talk with one another live over the internet. I will moderate the initial few events, and then I will ask fellow members to act as EOs to take initiative to organise SHC Live!, especially those sessions with agenda. Please raise your hands, dont be shy.
Next SHC Live!
To participate now or anytime, your registration is important. Please contact swift_squirrel on SKYPE to register so that we know you are a SHC member.
PS: The 3rd SHC Live! will be held on Sat 18 Aug 2100 – 2330 hrs.
Rules apply: Strictly no politics, sex, race, religion, direct selling and MLM.
Registration List:
Terence Seah
This Posting is approved.
William Chew, one of the founders of SHC, is opening opportunities for retirees to discuss possible options in Myanmar.
Send all your interest to email: SHE@SilverHairsClub.com with details specific to the needs above. Please note only emails with sufficient details will be forwarded to William Chew.
Many of us have been in Singapore for more than 45 years. We have a short history; and yet it is full of memories for us. Let’s take this opportunity to share our feelings about Singapore. It is very nice of Dolly to put up this National Day song; and I like to invite you to also share with fellow members your favourite ND songs. Wishes too.
Enjoy this occasion.
Terence Seah
Dear members,
As we get older, we become less mobile and less willing to leave our house. We may also be busy, got grand children to look after or just back from a wedding dinner or dance. We may be somewhere else in the world.
But, we still need to meet friends, keep in touch, and not feel lonely, just because we are house bound.
Let’s have another way to meet friends, old and new, keep in touch via SHC Live!
Technology has made this possible. Singapore is going to have one of the fastest broadbands. Most HDB flats and houses are going to be connected. We can be connected from anywhere in Singapore. See one another. SKYPE is one of the applications we can use. Go into SKYPE.com and sign up for an account online. If you are not sure, ask online and someone can help you.
Next and first SHC Live! is on Sat 4, starting 2200 hours. We will connect you 10 minutes before 2200 hours. So make sure your SKYPE is on.
Terence Seah
Please register here.
For a long time, we have discussed offline and here on this forum the idea of taking SilverHairsClub to another level, and making the club more structured and registered. We have all discussed, and the preference is to have SHC what it is today.
Next, I had offered to member/s to take over SHC, with the aim of shouldering the costs, legality and management of SHC, and maintaining SHC as it is today. However, I have not been able to find someone or groups to take over this role. As I have mentioned many times, I am in Singapore no more than 3-4 days a month, and have not been able to participate in most activities too. Most members are aware of my travelling patterns and absence from activities.
I had also offered to members to form a registered or business entity to own and run SHC, while leaving SHC social activities as it is to the Club manager. I did not receive any viable plans or concept.
This brought me to the idea of creating a new business organisation end 2011 – "SilverHairs Enterprise Pte Ltd" which owns SilverHairsClub.com and SilverHairsClub, a social and informal club for Singaporeans over 45 to meet new and more SilverHairs friends. SilverHairs Enterprise is intended to be the formal link with outside organisations and the public.
The initial targets of SilverHairs Enterprise PL (SHE) is to look at part-time work opportunities for SHC retirees and to find means to keep the club financially sound, without collecting membership fees.
I like to set a one-year goal to relinquish my responsility as founder of SHC, and be an ordinary member. I really do not have the time and resources to continue running SHC as it is. 3-4 days in Singapore now and in the coming years is not possible to run SHC and now SHE as it is. Neither can I continue to fund the organisations indefinitely.
To make this possible, I intend to identify volunteers to work inside SilverHairs Enterprise PL, as I and SHE obviously cannot afford to pay salaries. We do not receive government support, and neither are we a charity organisation where we can solicit funds. When the different roles become successful and profitable, SHE will be able to pay for this part-time roles.
This is the way forward, as I do not wish to see SHC and SHE discontinued when I am unable to do so. I also prefer to go over future ideas and tasks, rather than relook back at what we have discussed over the last few years.
If you feel you have the experience and would like to work for SHE in a volunteer role, I would like to discuss with you how you can fit into SilverHairs Enterprise Pte Ltd. This is where you can re-engage yourself with outside organisations and the public. You may write to me at terences@SilverHairsClub.com. As a member, please feel free to offer your comments and ideas here. If you like to track back to the last discussion, read here.
Terence Seah
All of us are familiar with Home Potlucks. To our friends and new acquaintances, it is always nice to cook a meal, invite others to bring something, and enjoy time together, get to know each other and find common interests.
Very often, the host has to put in a lot of effort to make sure the Home Potluck runs as planned, and the food and drinks are sufficient for the group. The schedule has to be right, the cake just well baked, the curry hot and yet caters to those who have delicate lips, the apartment is cleaned, before and after the event and the guests are able to gel with one another.
If we are the sociable type, we always like to be invited. If I find that someone else is invited, and I am not, I tend to sulk and wonder why I am to invited. Maybe, it’s another clique, and I am not in that group. Sometimes, we rather not put up a Post on a home potluck, for fear that we invite someone we dont like or we receive overwhelming responses. Or maybe, we might have two persons who do not like one another, for whatever the reasons.
Then, if we have many responses, it will cost a lot to buy the food and the drinks. And, it will also be a big headache to do the preparation and ooh, the clean-up. Maybe, we can organise one or two Home Potlucks. But, how about every month? No, sometimes, we think better not, to avoid all the headaches. It’s sad if these concerns prevent us from having regular Home Potlucks. Some participants may not bring anything, and just say I shall drop in. Others may bring an item, that two other members have brought along too.
Many of our members are excellent cooks, prepare great dishes and make beautiful kueh kueh. Would it not be nice if we get to taste these foods?
How do we encourage Home cooked food? Sometimes, words are better not said, but I tend to think that we should be open about having home potlucks, some guidelines maybe, some costs ideas?. We then can call these home potlucks an SHC-style Home Potluck. What about "Invite and be Invited"?
(Please do not point or push anyone who respond to this Post to organise a home potluck. This can discourage views and opinions from being raised). Let’s have open ideas and discussison on a SHC-style Home Potluck.
Terence Seah
We are now into the second half of 2012.
Monthly gatherings:
Let’s think about the SHC monthly gatherings. Most of us know there is a monthly gathering, organised during the week day from around 4pm to 8pm, usually in the city. This event caters well to the still-working SilverHairs and some retirees. Since the beginning of 2012, the monthly gatherings have expanded to cater to members, mainly retirees living in the East and the West. Robert Ong has been steadily organising the monthly gatherings for the Easterlies; while Dan Huang is now organising the monthly gatherings for the Westerlies. Most times, the participants are retirees, as these events are held during the off-peak periods and during the weekdays. If you are looking to meet new SilverHairs friends, and looking for common interests and companionship, look for Robert Ong and Daniel Huang in the SilverHairsClub.com. Their events are published there monthly. If you make time to join these events, I am sure the EOs would be most pleased to make this gathering a monthly activity.
Healthy activities:
SilverHairsClub is for the over 45s. We all see the need for healthy activities, exercises and fresh air, amidst scenic surroundings. There is the walking group, the cycling group and the badminton group. Their activities are organised almost every month; read more about them in the Club’s forum.
Annual Dinner & Dance:
This month is our monthly Dinner & Dance. It’s titled "Arabian Night"; and the organisers assure us there will be plenty of dancing, games, music and fun. If you are looking for a night of dancing and dancing, all dressed up for the evening, you may be able to get tickets to this evening event. Register now in the Club. I think there is still room for you.
Interest groups activities:
There are many other groups, each organised by dedicated members. Join the IT group, the Photography group, the IT Balloon group, the beginners guitar group, the line dancing group, the month end Kovan dancing session and even the online fleamart. Do join them.
Membership changes:
There are some changes in the membership procedures.
* With effect 1 July 2012, new membership applications will be processed during the 1st 7 days of each month.
* Members, whose email address has changed, and have not informed the administrator, will be delisted. You would have to apply new. You can tell you are delisted, if you can no longer log into SilverHairsClub.com.
Membership to SHC will continue to be free. As the Club does not have an activity organising committee, members are expected to organise one activity for the Club and its members, during the membership term. If you have not done so, please speak with the senior members who would be able to offer you some ideas. These activities can be related to your interests, hobbies, leisure, charity, travel, small business, etc.
Part-time work for retirees and working members with some free time:
In the coming months, we will focus on paid part-time work opportunities for retired SilverHairsClub members, as well as working members who have some free time. We have now a good size start-up group to launch Eldersitter services to elderlies in Singapore. A number of members have also applied for part-time nanny services, confinement ladies, office stand-ins, errand runners and drivers, and we are now consolidating the names list. We have recently received a suggestion to offer online Chinese tuition to overseas adults in western countries. Retirees and those with the time, are invited to participate. We shall also pursue this idea.
What you can do to help?
You can help spread word around to help our retirees, who are still fit and healthy, to find part-time work. Our retirees have the experience, wisdom and knowledge, being over 45. Working part-time is not just for the money; a part-time job helps us keep in touch with the outside world. We may have retired from full time work, but we have experience and knowledge that can still be put to good use, during our Silver years. A part-time job is our way of continuing our contribution to society and to a labour tight Singapore.
* Your friends or colleaques may be looking for a fit senior to look after their elderly parents, keep them company or send them for a hospital appointment. Hire an Eldersitter from our group of retirees.
* Does your office or factory need part-time staff as stand-in? Ask your company HR, your boss, or your family friends to register with SilverHairs Enterprise by sending an email to SHE@SilverHairsClub.com.
* Is your married children, expecting a baby, and looking for a nanny or a confinement lady? SilverHairs Enterprise may have someone for you.
Please do your part to spread the word around. Contact SHE@SilverHairsClub.com for any suggestions, queries, ideas or opportunity. I shall be very happy to hear from you, as the Blue Helmet project has taken us years to discuss and conceptualise. Many members have contributed to ideas, met at many meetings, spent their time and weekends, and effort to come together.
Thank you.
Terence Seah
SilverHairsClub
Hi everybody,
I would like to start a discussion, and would like to hear from you. What you do and your experience can help some of us decide where we can get our medications, health products and medical accessories. Do not discourage the discussion with what you think is improper or even illegal. But, if you have experienced any good or bad, then, that’s it, we should hear from you.
Here goes. Cheaper or better?
Many seniors and elderlies suffer from some long term sickness. We see a doctor, get a prescription, and we get most of our medication from polyclinics, private clinics, general hospitals and specialist medical centres. For some of us, the medisave allocation gets used up, during the first appointment with the doctor during the area. Some medication is expensive, and requires life long consumption.
Where do we get medication, especially the specialised and expensive ones on a continued basis? We can also buy generic medication, instead of original branded medication.
Where do you buy your medication? Do you go get them from JB, KL or Thailand? Numerous pharmacies in JB. Or do you get them from India, where there are lots of generic medication. Or you try sourcing them from the US and Europe. Give some examples and price comparisons. Have you good experiences or bad ones? Share with us your experience and observations of differences.
Again, please do not discourage anybody from sharing their experiences or recommendations. Be open, and expensive does not mean they are always good or the best.
Terence Seah