MURAnews Fall 2025

Hi Everyone … and welcome to the cool, crisp days of Fall. The weather change also meant it was time for our Recent Retirees Reception, if you’ll forgive the alliteration. This is our annual free event for all newly retired employees.

MURA’s Vice President, Diana Parker, took attendees through germane pension and benefit information, highlighting how MURA can help its members. I had a chance to talk to people about where MURA is at right now and what we are trying to achieve. At last year’s event, we held some brainstorming sessions to determine where and how we could make a difference. It was successful on several levels. The retirees got to know each other while working together to achieve something. Council got lots of good ideas, an understanding of our membership’s interests, and direction for the future. Consequently, Council is moving forward on three substantial projects this year, and we asked this year’s retirees for their input.

Contacting MURA Mail: Gilmour Hall B108, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8 Phone: 905-525-9140, extension 23171 (voicemail is checked once a week) Email: mura@mcmaster.ca

News and Events

We’re excited to announce that MURA’s annual Holiday Lunch will take place on campus at the CIBC Banquet Hall in the Student Centre. Thanks to the generous support of the University President’s Office, some event expenses have been subsidized, allowing us to offer tickets at a reduced cost for retirees.

Event Details

• DATE: Tuesday, December 2, 2025
• TIME: 11:30am – 2:30pm (Doors open 11:30 a.m., lunch served at noon)
• LOCATION: CIBC Banquet Hall, Student Centre, McMaster University

Holiday Lunch Menu
Enjoy a traditional holiday buffet featuring:

• Salads, veggies & dip, and fresh rolls
• Roast turkey with sage dressing
• Baked ham with raisin cider sauce
• Mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables
• Vegetarian dishes (clearly marked)
• Festive cookies, fresh fruit, and tea & coffee

A cash bar will be available with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for your pre- and post-lunch enjoyment, while you celebrate the festive season with fellow retirees. You will also have a chance to win draw prizes!

This is a good opportunity to renew friendships with your former working colleagues. Arrange to arrive a little early to choose and share a table. Each table seats eight people.

Ticket Information

• Price: $34.00 per person
• Seating Limit: 120 guests (first-come, first-served)
• Booking Deadline: Monday, November 17, 2025

You will not be able to pay for your meal on the day of the event.

How to Purchase Tickets
Online: Buy tickets with a credit card at alumni.mcmaster.ca/muraholidaylunch. 

• Click the “Registration” button, and on the “Primary Fee” drop-down box, select “$34 - Primary”.
• Once you complete the registration, you will receive a message on screen and an email confirmation from alumni@mcmaster.ca. Be sure to check your Junk or Spam folder if you don’t see the confirmation in your inbox. 

Alternative purchasing: If you do not have a credit card or online access please call or text Mary Gauld, MURA’s event coordinator, by November 17 at 905-906-5604 for help with your registration.

Retirees without a parking permit or transponder: 

• McMaster Retirees without a parking permit can park in Lots B, D, E, or the underground Stadium lot. Use the Sterling Street entrance and select a lot displaying “Visitors - Open.” Take an entry ticket from the machine and exchange it for a complimentary “Exit Ticket” at the luncheon registration table.
• If none of these lots indicate “Visitors - Open”, use the Help button at a Lot entrance that indicates “Full to Visitors” to gain access or be directed to an available lot.
• Parking lots with the entry gate arms open operate on the HONK app. These lots do not work with transponders or parking Exit Ticket passes, so please do not park in a lot with the arm up or you will receive a ticket.

Retirees with valid transponders: McMaster Retirees with valid transponders may park in lots that show “Transponders – Open”. Retiree parking permits will allow access to Lots B, D, E, H, I, K, N, P and the Underground Stadium after 10:30am on this day.

Accessibility Parking

For those with an Ontario Accessible Parking Permit who require reserved parking, please contact Mary Gauld, MURA’s event coordinator, by November 17 at 905-906-5604 about your parking needs.

New Parking Lot map
McMaster Parking Office offers a new clickable parking lot map, which shows locations of each parking lot. The linked page includes instructions to expand the map (click on View larger map icon in the top right corner) to access the more detailed interface. 

Carpooling Encouraged

Parking spaces are limited, so consider carpooling. 

We look forward to celebrating the holiday season with you.

MURA Walks

The summer walks were very successful. Most were held on very hot, very sunny days! In July, we met at the Royal Botanical Gardens, and the walk was led by Lu and Shari Wang. They are wonderfully knowledgeable about the RBG as they volunteer there. Another good turnout of 20 walkers. This was a good hike along various paths in the park. We saw blue herons, lots of turtles and frogs, and some other wildlife. Even though it was a very hot day, the forest kept us cool!

In August, we met at the air-conditioned Farmers Market, located in Downtown Hamilton. A bit of background was provided by Alex Morgan (daughter of Sonja DePauw and Dave Morgan). We wandered the stalls, picked up something to eat, and were entertained by a wonderful saxophone player at a lunchtime concert! It was a fun day.

Unfortunately, the walk in September had to be canceled. I will be scheduling more walks for November and December – keep your eyes open for email notices! 

If you have ideas for walking locations, I would love to hear from you. You can reach me by text at 905-906-5604, or email at gauld@mcmaster.ca.

See you at the walks!

Thank you to all the new retirees who joined MURA council members for the orientation at Alumni Memorial Hall on October 7th. We greatly enjoyed meeting with you and the food was great too. Thanks to our Special Events Coordinator, Mary Gauld, who organized the event again this year. Diana Parker (Vice President) talked about the benefits and perks of being a McMaster retiree and Jan Nicholson (President) engaged us in a brainstorming session that led to some excellent ideas on upcoming MURA projects. We always enjoy this opportunity to meet new retirees in person and chat about what MURA offers. You can find a few useful handouts on the New Retirees Event 2025 page on the MURA website. If you are a recent retiree who missed the session, we welcome you to come and chat with us at the Annual Holiday Lunch on December 2, 2025!

Daniel Coleman, retiree, emeritus professor in the Department of English and Cultural Studies, has been recognized this year by the Royal Society of Canada. Coleman is internationally renowned for Canadian literary and cultural studies research and teaching on the “ecology of knowledges”, a term he uses to describe the ways of knowing that emerge between different cultures in contestation and dialogue. His work over the last 30 years has invited a wider understanding about how narratives of race, nationalism, immigration, diaspora and indigeneity shape the canons of what we know. 

Coleman will be inducted into the Royal Society of Canada at its annual Celebration of Excellence and Engagement in Montreal on November 12 to 16, 2025, along with six other McMaster University Researchers.

Read about Daniel Coleman and the 6 other McMaster researchers named to the Royal Society of Canada in the McMaster News article by Daniella Fiorentino: Seven McMaster researchers named to Royal Society of Canada.

What’s Happening at Mac

By Marcia MacAulay and Judith Shedden

Chancellor Nicholas Brathwaite

Nicholas Brathwaite is the next chancellor at McMaster, assuming the role on January 1, 2026. He brings a legacy of innovation and global leadership, and a long history of philanthropy. Prior to his illustrious Silicon Valley career, Brathwaite was a student at McMaster (Applied Chemistry, class of 1982) and Waterloo (Polymer Science). He was awarded an honorary doctorate from the DeGroote School of Business in 2018. His successful Silicon Valley career reflects his visionary entrepreneurship in technology, where he has shaped the development of cutting-edge electronics and led global deep-tech investments backing disruption technology worldwide. He and his wife Janice cofounded the PETNA Foundation, championing youth, education, equity, and community across the Caribbean and North America. Brathwaite attributes his experiences at McMaster as fundamental to his success. In his own words, he has “a love for McMaster that is hard to even describe”. He looks forward to returning to McMaster. 

Read more about the appointment in McMaster News: Nicholas Brathwaite announced as McMaster’s next chancellor.    

A Rare 18th Century Encyclopédie Arrives at McMaster

A complete first-edition set of one of the most important publications to emerge from 18th century Europe is now part of McMaster’s William Ready Division of Archives and Research Collections. The Encyclopédie, ou dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers has been described as the supreme work of the French Enlightenment. As described by Myron Groover, archives and rare books librarian at McMaster University Libraries, this rare set details vast knowledge of the inner workings of every conceivable industry, handicraft, and means of manufacturing from its time. Published in Paris from 1751-1772, it includes 28 folio volumes with more 

than 71,000 articles and almost 3,000 illustrations. Written by authors at the forefront of Enlightenment thinking, including Rousseau, Voltaire, Montesquieu, and Diderot, it not only documented trades and industries of its time but challenged social and political norms of the 18th century. 

The volumes acquired by McMaster are bound in matching covers from the period of their production, a rare feature for a set of this size and age. Bronwen Glover, archives and book conservator at McMaster University Libraries, is undertaking the intricate work of conserving the aged volumes so they can be handled. Excitingly, the preliminary restoration work has revealed traces of earlier manuscript texts, unseen for over 200 years, which were recycled into the books’ covers to strengthen them. 

Read much more about one of the most significant intellectual works of the 18th century in the McMaster News article by Jaime Rivard: One of the most significant intellectual works of the 18th century now at McMaster.  

A Temporary Pause for New Storage Limits

McMaster announced in early August that it will, once again, pause the implementation of its new Microsoft storage limits (including Outlook and OneDrive). University Technology Services (UTS) will continue to communicate with faculty, staff, and students to find balanced storage management solutions. 

McMaster encourages all users to continue to manage their data, reduce unnecessary files, and adopt efficient storage habits. The UTS Microsoft Storage Limits page provides up-to-date details on 

current storage limits across different roles at the university (including emeriti and staff retiree roles), and additional information can be found on their Microsoft Licensing page. Tips on storage reduction (including how to check your storage usage on OneDrive and Outlook) are offered on the UTS Digital Declutter webpage. 

For support with McMaster Microsoft apps issues, please contact the UTS Service Desk. 

Adapted from the McMaster News article: New Microsoft storage limits paused. See also Your Email Account with McMaster, in the MURAnews Summer 2025 issue.

Upcoming Alumni Celebrations

Professors of Class of 1976 50th Anniversary
Professors of Class of 1976 MD Program 50th Anniversary

Planning is underway for spring celebrations of these milestones. Retired faculty are invited to attend these activities. Celebrations will be held on: Friday, June 12, 2026.

Alumni enjoy the opportunity to meet with former faculty. These events will have a morning meet and greet and luncheon on campus. Faculty members who taught Class of ’76 grads (September 1972 to April 1976) or the MD Program ’76 grads (taught early to mid ‘70s) are invited as complimentary guests of the alumni association.

If you would like to attend, contact Laura Escalante, Alumni Officer:

• Email: escalan@mcmaster.ca
• Phone: 905-525-9140, extension 21314

Doris Sloan, McMaster Alumni, Class of 1945

At 102 years old, Doris (Wertheim) Sloan recently celebrated the 80th anniversary of her graduation from McMaster, with a Bachelor of Arts in English, Class of 1945. As the Class of 2029 is 

welcomed to campus, one might reflect on the experience of a student graduating in 1945. World War II deeply influenced student life, with daily casualty lists and the constant presence of loss and uncertainty. 

Sloane has maintained a strong connection to McMaster throughout her life, volunteering for alumni events and supporting the university through donations. She continues to be the oldest actively engaged member of McMaster’s alumni community. Her extended family includes several McMaster graduates, including her brother Douglas Wertheim ’40, her late husbands James Sloan ’44 and Gordon N. Guyatt ’46, and her stepson, McMaster professor Gordon H. Guyatt.

To commemorate her legacy, a bench and tree by Gilmour Hall mark the spot where she and her lifetime university friends once gathered. 

Read more in the McMaster News article by Scott Koblyk: Doris Sloan ’45: A Mac Grand for 80 years and Counting.

courtesy of Rose Anne Prevec
Instagram: @groundhog_hill

Traffic Lights Up at Sterling

For many, the new traffic lights at the Sterling Street entrance to campus are a welcome sight. It is a busy intersection used by pedestrians, cyclists, commuters, city transit buses and delivery trucks that had grown out of its four-way stop. It is much easier to navigate with the lights, curb and sidewalk upgrades, and refreshed rainbow crosswalk. Thanks to Facility Services, Public Affairs and the Pedestrian Safety Working Group, who collaborated to light up the intersection.

Read more in the McMaster News article by Holly Gibson: Better light than never: Long-awaited traffic signal coming to campus.

Brighter World

Latest News in Research at McMaster

By Dawnelle Hawes 

Health & Medicine; Community exercise programs help seniors fight age-related decline¹ (August 19, 2025)
A five-year study² followed 124 older adults in a supervised exercise program with the MacSeniors Exercise and Wellness Program in the Physical Activity Centre of Excellence (PACE). Cardiorespiratory fitness (measuring how efficiently the heart, lungs, and blood vessels supply oxygen to muscles during continuous exercise) and muscle strength (measured by a single maximum lift) are critical parameters determining quality of life, the ability to perform activities for daily living, and the potential risks for illness and death. The participants were monitored for improvement in these areas.

The Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines, a minimum baseline for the program, recommend at least 2.5 hours of moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic activity each week. This activity can be divided into 10-minute blocks. In addition, strength activities using the major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdominals, chest, shoulders, and arms) were encouraged at least twice per week.

Even at an age where physiological declines are expected, the results showed that women actually improved in cardiorespiratory fitness during the study. Men did show a slower decrease in cardiorespiratory fitness. All participants maintained above-average strength as anticipated for their age group. As always in research on physical activity, other factors may contribute to the results, such as improved sleep habits, healthier eating habits, or the social encouragement of working in a group. These are wonderful side outcomes of this kind of study.

Stuart Phillips, co-author on the study, concluded, “It is never too late to get started and the impact is significant in terms of the effect it will have on participants’ daily lives.”1 A supportive environment along with a program that is evidence-based, can empower older adults with the knowledge and confidence to independently continue.

Impact & Service: ‘They’re transforming lives, mine included’³(July 31, 2025) 
Wayne Greenway had been diagnosed with sarcopenia, a gradual loss of muscle mass and strength. Although typically linked to aging, sarcopenia is significantly impacted by lack of movement and certain relevant health conditions. After three bad falls, Wayne realised that he would soon require long-term care without a change in lifestyle. In an effort to improve his strength, he started working out but lacked the knowledge to train safely. He soon, however, became discouraged because of resulting injuries and was advised to seek professional guidance.

Wayne was accepted into the three-month study, examining the impact of collagen vs. whey protein at more effectively building muscle and strength in older adults. The closely-supervised exercise program provided Wayne with the knowledge and confidence to continue with resistance training three days a week at the Pulse after the study. In addition, he added more protein to his daily diet.

Although the focus of the study was to advance science, the researchers found that mental health improvements equalled physical health improvements.

An update to this article shows that Wayne Greenaway ran the 5K Toronto Island Run on September 7 in just over 43 minutes. What a testament to the power of appropriate exercise!

References

1. Available in McMaster News online at: Community exercise programs help seniors fight age-related decline
2. Coletta, Giulia L.; McQuarrie, Angelica M.; Phillips, Stuart M.; MacDonald, Maureen. Long-Term Enrollment in a Community Exercise Program Attenuates Age-Related Declines in Fitness in Older Adults. Exercise Sport, and Movement. 3(4). Fall, 2025.
3. Available in McMaster News online at: They’re transforming lives, mine included

Your Money/Your Health

Caregiver Forum

Supporting Caregivers in our Community

Caregiver Anne’s “I Can Do” Story

Beginning the Journey

Anne’s caregiving journey began in 2019 when her husband, Tom, was diagnosed with prostate cancer. When Anne and I sat down to talk, she was passionate about sharing her “can-do approach” to caregiving with others.

Anne credits her Christian faith for inspiring her kindness, compassion, and love for others. She brought this same spirit to caring for her husband and easing his suffering.

Main Facilitators

Anne and Tom managed well on their own for several years after his diagnosis. Despite encouragement from family members to consider downsizing, they chose to stay in their home. They balanced managing his health care, hormone therapy and chemotherapy, with enjoying life – traveling abroad twice. Even though Tom needed a wheelchair, Anne felt the joy of travel far outweighed the risks.

Tom had several hospitalizations. Each time, Anne was offered community care (now Ontario Health at Home) but declined, confident they were managing well.

About a year before Tom’s death, Tom’s health declined. Kidney problems caused swelling in his feet and ankles, and he became weaker. Anne contacted Ontario Health at Home for an assessment, and Tom was deemed eligible for long-term care.

But Anne’s “can-do” spirit guided her decisions:

“I wanted him not to have to do that. I started with a can-do attitude – I can do the toileting, laundry, help him into bed. I wanted to sleep beside him. I can bring his food, and he was still feeding himself at that point.”

Instead of long-term care, they gradually added home support e.g., physiotherapy, nurses, and personal support workers (PSWs). Although the care was for Tom, Anne emphasized that the PSWs supported her too:

“I’m not sure it was in her official purview, but she’d prepare raw vegetables so I could grab a quick fix while caregiving. That allowed me to properly care for him.”

By supporting both the client and the caregiver, Anne and Tom managed at home until Tom’s final few months, when a dedicated PSW took over his direct care needs such as toileting and bathing.

Caregiver Insight

“Support for the caregiver is just as important as support for the person receiving care.”

Biggest Challenges
For Anne, one of the hardest parts was balancing the risks and rewards of both treatment and activities that preserved Tom’s quality of life.

Tom fell twice – once at home after a long day of appointments and once while out for lunch at a restaurant. Anne reflects that it wasn’t about preventing every fall but about living meaningfully despite risk. Their story shows how every caregiver and loved one must balance risk with what matters most to them in life.

Caregiver Message
Risk is part of living. Supporting choice, dignity and joy may mean accepting some risk.

Pearls of Wisdom
Anne’s experiences reflect her “can-do” attitude, but she also shared lessons for other caregivers:

1. Watch for and respond to changes in functioning

• Any symptoms, such as Tom’s fatigue and swollen feet and ankles, which affect mobility can increase fall risk – even with a walker. 
• Any trouble transferring (getting in and out of bed, chairs, or vehicles) often signals a change in condition and the need for more support. 

Key Takeaway:

Changes in mobility or function are early warning signs. Respond early by asking for help or reassessment.

  2. “You can do it” but… “Know when to ask for help!”

Caregiving often feels like a team of two – you and your loved one. Anne encourages caregivers to widen their circle of support to share the load and reduce risk.

When getting Tom to appointments became difficult, she asked a friend to help with transfers. After Tom’s fall, several people in the restaurant offered to assist – but Anne hadn’t thought of asking anyone beforehand.

Anne now emphasizes that asking for help isn’t giving up – it’s what allows you to keep going.

Final Reflection
Anne’s story reminds us that caregiving is both an act of love and endurance. Her “can-do” spirit shows the power of determination, faith, and community support – and invites us to reflect:

What more can we all do to help caregivers keep caring?
________________________________________
If you have a caregiving story to share or would like to share your feedback about this story, please contact Dawn Elston at elstond@mcmaster.ca.

Food Safety Tips

By Denise Anderson 

With ever increasing prices of food, and groceries in general, getting value for your purchases can sometimes be a challenge. We’ve all experienced the frustration of throwing something out that you just bought a day or two ago, but more importantly, food safety is a vital part of maintaining good health and preventing illness. Whether you are shopping for groceries, preparing meals, or storing leftovers, following proper food handling practices significantly reduces the risk of contamination and foodborne disease. If you keep a few simple safety tips in mind – like picking fresh produce and keeping your kitchen clean – you can protect yourself from harmful bacteria and ensure the meals you enjoy are safe and nutritious.

Health Canada provides information on general food safety tips that can help you navigate the safe selection, preparation, and storage of food to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. In addition to the information below, you can also find helpful tips for leftovers, barbequing, home canning, and much more.

Food safety and you
Proper food handling and storage are essential to prevent foodborne illnesses. Key practices include washing your hands thoroughly before and after handling food, using separate cutting boards for produce and raw meats, and regularly cleaning kitchen surfaces, utensils, and reusable grocery bags. Fresh fruit and vegetables should be washed under fresh running water, and produce with firm skins scrubbed with a vegetable brush.

Maintaining appropriate temperatures is very important. Refrigerators should be kept at 4°C (40°F) or lower, and freezers at -18°C (0°F) or lower. Store raw meats separately, preferably on the bottom shelf in sealed containers, and refrigerate or freeze them promptly. Thaw food in the refrigerator, cold water, or microwave, never at room temperature, and cook foods to recommended internal temperatures, using a thermometer to check. Leftovers should be refrigerated or frozen within two hours, used within two to four days, and reheated to at least 74°C (165°F) to ensure safety.

Safe food storage
Proper food storage prevents food poisoning and maintains food safety at home. You cannot rely on the smell or taste of food to judge its safety; if you’re not sure, then discard questionable items. When shopping, purchase cold or frozen foods at the end of your trip and store them as soon as you get home. Raw meat, poultry, fish, and seafood should be kept separate from other groceries, using dedicated reusable bags. Inspect fruits and vegetables for bruises or damage before buying, and store perishable produce promptly in the fridge.

Safely defrosting foods
Safe methods for defrosting include using the refrigerator, microwave, or cold water within a sealed package. The refrigerator is safest, while the microwave should only be used if the food will be cooked immediately. Defrosting at room temperature is not recommended. When frozen food gets warmer than 40 degrees or is at room temperature for more than 2 hours, it’s in the danger zone where bacteria multiply quickly. When defrosting in water, ensure food is wrapped in leak-proof packaging and change the water regularly. For leftovers, defrost only if the food remains properly sealed, and consume immediately after thawing.

How to read food date labels and packaging
Date labelling on pre-packaged foods provides important information about product freshness, shelf life, and quality. "Durable life" refers to the period an unopened product maintains freshness and nutritional value, and "best before" date indicates when this period ends. Some items may use a "use by" date, while specialized products like infant formula must list an "expiration date," signalling when the product may no longer meet nutritional content and should be discarded.

"Best before" dates relate to the quality of unopened products, not safety. Foods can be consumed after the "best before" date, though they may lose freshness, flavour, or nutritional value. Once a product is opened, its shelf life may change, and you should not rely on sensory cues such as smell or appearance to determine safety. 

Resources:

1. Explore Health Canada's Safe Food Handling Interactive Tool 
2. Safe Food Handling for adults ages 60 and over (downloadable PDF)
3. WebMD’s Defrosting Tips

Parking on Campus

Permit Expiry Renewal Reminder

Retiree parking permits are issued on a 12-month basis and must be renewed annually. Renew prior to your expiry date by email, phone or by postal mail. Your transponder number is on the front of your transponder. If you have questions or have not made a note of your expiry date, please contact McMaster Parking Services by email at parking@mcmaster.ca or at 905-525-9140 ext. 24232.

Note that central-campus parking (with a transponder) is available to McMaster retirees as follows:

• May to August each year:
• • Access to lots B, C, D, H, I, K, N, P and Underground Stadium at all times.
• September to April each year:
• • Access to Lots B, C, D and I after 12:30 pm on weekdays, and at all times on weekends and holidays,
  • Access to Lots H, K, N, P and Underground Stadium at all times on weekdays, weekends and holidays.

Parking lots with the entry gate arms open operate on the HONK app. These lots do not work with transponders or parking Exit Ticket passes, so please do not park in a lot with the arm up or you will receive a ticket.

A note to retirees without parking transponders
Free parking on campus is available to retirees. To take advantage of this perk, and to view retiree parking access, go to the McMaster Parking Services webpage. The Parking Office is accepting permit applications by email only. For further information, please contact Parking Services.

Notifying Human Resources of Address Changes

Are you moving? Don't forget to update your address with McMaster University. The Human Resources Contact Centre provides retirees with a single point of contact to update their address. Upon receiving your address change, the HR Contact Centre will update the following on your behalf, as applicable:

• McMaster University Retirees Association 
• Sun Life (for benefit purposes)
• CIBC Mellon (for pension purposes)
• McMaster HR System 

Address changes can be shared with the HR Contact Centre using any of the following methods:

• Phone:   905-525-9140, extension 22247 
• Email:     hr.mcmaster@mcmaster.ca 
• Mail:       Complete the Human Resources Retiree Address Change Form and mail it to the HR                            Contact Centre at the address on the form

REMINDER: If you have a new email address, please contact MURA at: mura@mcmaster.ca.

Computer Tips & Tricks

AI - Tool or Tyrant?

AI, or artificial intelligence, is increasingly seen in everyday life. At its core, AI is the ability of a computer system to simulate human intelligence. It learns patterns, recognizes language, solves problems, and even (some say) creates. You are likely already using AI, likely without realizing. When your phone suggests the next word in a text message, when your email filters out spam, or when you ask Alexa or Siri a question — AI is at work.

The most impressive developments in AI are “generative” tools like ChatGPT, which can write essays, explain concepts, translate languages, generate poetry, or answer complex questions in real time. These programs have been and are being trained on "large language sets", which are information found in books, newspapers, websites and more. The tools are programmed to then respond conversationally. Unlike Google or other static search engines, the chat tools adapt to your questions, including your tone. A simple example would be to ask ChatGPT to "write a formal letter based on the following 3 bullet points." If you don't like the tone, revise it yourself, or make suggestions for ChatGPT to revise the draft.

Other uses of AI, as suggested by ChatGPT 

• Health & Wellness: AI-powered apps can remind you to take medication, track symptoms, and even alert caregivers if something seems off. Some platforms offer chatbots trained on medical literature, which can help you prepare questions before a doctor’s visit.
• Learning & Curiosity: Whether you’re diving into Renaissance art, brushing up on Latin, or exploring quantum physics, AI can offer explanations at your level of understanding, adjust based on your responses, and even suggest further reading.
• Writing & Creativity: AI can co-author short stories with you, offer stylistic feedback on your memoir, or help you craft a witty poem for a grandchild’s birthday. It’s a marvelous tool for self-expression.
• Communication: Tools like real-time transcription and automatic translation help bridge communication gaps, whether with loved ones across the world or neighbors across generations.
• Daily Tasks: From drafting emails to summarizing long documents, AI can reduce mental clutter, freeing up more energy for meaningful activities.

AI isn’t perfect. It can and will offer incorrect information with confidence. If you ask for sources and it doesn’t have them, it will fake them unless you specifically tell it not to. It doesn’t “understand” like a human does. AI can’t replace human judgment, but it can complement it. The key is to treat AI as a tool, not an authority. Bring your skepticism and critical thinking.

Privacy is another important consideration. When you first create a ChatGPT account, you are warned not to enter private or proprietary information as your chat history contributions will be used to add to the models' learnings and may be reused. Be cautious.

You may find it interesting to explore the uses of AI, for example, to explain a complex idea in plain language, or to help you write a letter, or to recommend a book based on your past favourites. 

There’s a tendency with technology to treat innovation as inherently good. But it's always worth asking: Does this actually serve me? AI is happening. Understanding what it is, and is not, is vital so we can observe its use in our society and make informed decisions on how we interact with it, in similar ways we decided to interact with those pocket computers we sometimes still use to make phone calls.

 Community Connections

Looking for something interesting to do over the next few months? The following organizations offer a wide variety of seminars, events, and activities designed with seniors in mind. You can check out their websites on a regular basis to see what’s new, or sign up for their email newsletters. While most activities are free, some do have a minimal cost associated with them.

McMaster Continuing Education: edXpress

McMaster’s Continuing Education program, edXpress, has opened registration for their Fall 2025 courses. There are eight 3-week courses on various topics, each beginning on different dates from October to early December. All courses are online and cost $75 plus HST. Following the links on the Continuing Education edXpress site will take you to details about each course and registration through Eventbrite.

Please note that the edXpress courses are non-credit courses, and do NOT meet the 18-hour requirement to qualify for the retiree tuition assistance benefit. However, you may find that these courses offer an affordable and convenient way for you to continue your lifelong learning from the comfort of your home.

Geras Centre for Aging Research

Over the next 20 years, Canada’s aging population is expected to grow by 68%, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information.

Geras (Geriatric Education and Research in Aging Sciences) Centre for Aging Research has built a reputation for research that reaches the frontlines of care quickly across diverse settings and is changing how healthcare is delivered to older adults. 

Find out more information about Geras

Explore evidence-based courses and certificate programs to help people age with dignity and independence.

Become a study participant

If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering for research studies in brain health, bone health, resilience & frailty, and innovation & technology, visit Geras Opportunities. 

Gilbrea Centre for Studies in Aging

The Gilbrea Centre organizes a variety of events each year as part of its ongoing programming. In addition, the Centre collaborates with partner organizations and associate researchers to deliver special events throughout the year. Check back often to see what new events have been added!

The SHARE Network, developed by the Gilbrea Centre, consists of different volunteer groups for older adults 55+. The SHARE Network provides opportunities to socialize and engage in discussions and research workshop initiatives. Activities may include co-design and participation in research, as well as opportunities to volunteer in public engagement to raise awareness of the research on aging completed at the Gilbrea Centre. 

LIVElab

The LIVE (Large Interactive Virtual Environment) Lab is a 106-seat Research Performance Hall designed to study the experience of music, dance, multimedia presentations, and human interaction. It is equipped with advanced technology to measure various physiological responses and supports research in neuroscience, performer-audience interactions, and the development of health and artistic technologies. The lab also hosts events to educate the public about the science of music through interactive performances featuring advanced tech capabilities and leading artists.

McMaster Optimal Aging Portal

E-Learning: Stay healthy, active, and engaged with interactive lessons ranging from 15 to 35 minutes. Micro-Learning courses allow you to learn something new in just a few minutes each week with free email-based micro-learning series. The Optimal Aging Portal is managed by the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA), which also produces the MIRA Community Update, a comprehensive newsletter with information about community events for seniors, research study opportunities, and evidence-based research on aging well. 

Hamilton Aging in Community

Hamilton Aging in Community aims to relieve social isolation of older adults and to promote resilient aging by:

• Disseminating information
• Providing educational presentations and small group events (View September 2025 Aging in Community News)
• Sustaining a mutual support group
• Fostering intergenerational connections
• Establishing the Mary Buzzell Scholarships

Hamilton Council on Aging

HCoA-United Way Fall 2025 Workshops

With support from the United Way of Halton & Hamilton, HCoA offers highly regarded peer-to-peer educational workshops for seniors:

• Positive Aging Series
• Navigating the Healthcare System
• Advance Care Planning
• Housing Options

College and University Retiree Associations of Canada Later Life Learning (LLL) 

MURA members can enjoy a variety of opportunities offered by affiliated Retiree Associations through the Later Life Learning Committee’s Event Calendar. Click on an activity to learn more about the topic and how to register. 

The Calendar is also accessible from the CURAC homepage by scrolling to the bottom of the page.

Members' Corner

The views and opinions expressed in Members’ Corner are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of MURA Council.

Intergenerational Mentoring

By Ellen Ryan, Psychiatry

In our later years, we naturally develop a sense of generativity, the desire to invest in the lives of younger generations, to harvest lessons we have learned through experience.

Grandparenting tends to be a joyful way for contributing to the development of our own progeny. As well, there are many other ways in which we can mentor younger people: students, new parents, fellow work colleagues, fellow athletes, etc. Also, we can pass along lessons to those going through difficulties similar to our own: the newly bereaved, chronically ill, immigrants learning a new language and culture.

My first mentor in the interdisciplinary field of Aging and Health was Sister St. Michael Guinan, a nun who had taught at Brescia College. After retirement at age 65, she then served 25 years as Consultant on Aging for the Ontario government. 

Sr. St. Michael Guinan, about as old as the century, befriended me in the late 1980s and early ‘90s. I was entering the field when psychological research on aging was focused on the process of decline. In subsequent decades, research and our western culture have become much more attuned to the gains and diversity of the aging experience.

As conveyed in my poem about her below, Sr. St. Michael was a force of nature, even though diminished by illness. A retired professor and advisor to the Ontario government on policies for seniors, she was still exemplifying how later life is an age of wisdom, a time of harvesting excellence and passing on the legacy to younger generations

My First Aging Mentor 

Ninety-years old, wrinkles 
crease her face, yet
she engages with young people 
attuned to our heart's intent

First gerontology conference
she welcomes me - capable recruit 
shapes my aspirations 
enhances the intrigue

Stooped over two canes
she sails into a room like a tall ship
beckoning to learners, colleagues
commanding our attention

Frail, shrunken by bone cancer
she moves with grace
yielding to a wheelchair only 
after active impressions solidify
    
Blind, she listens to each of us
remembers our goals
talks with us as though 
we have already achieved them 

Snoring during talks
she is first to ask 
perceptive questions

Blind, her eyes no longer useful
She sees me, enables me to grow
eventually into an aging mentor 
                 © 2025, Ellen Ryan

From Ellen Ryan’s Aging With Spirit series, Hamilton Aging in Community

Shell Game

By Susan Evans Shaw, Associate Member, MURA

The particular charm of marriage is the duologue,
the permanent conversation between two people
who talk over everything and everyone till death breaks the record.

Cyril Connolly

For me and my husband, duologues, that is arguments, often took place in the kitchen while preparing food.

I had a sudden insight about one of those arguments the other day while I shelled fava beans. On the occasion of the argument, we had bought a pound of the beans in the shell. From childhood, I was familiar with frozen lima beans, which I disliked. Denis assured me I was in for a new and better experience.

Our weekend meals tended to more elaborate preparation – unlike the simple weekday fare when we both worked. My cooking bible at the time was authored by James Beard. He recommended hulling the beans, cooking ten minutes in boiling water and serving them with butter and pepper. Fava beans were better than the remembered lima beans, earthy in flavour, slightly chewy, nevertheless delicious.

Denis argued that the pods were also edible. I disagreed. He wanted to cook them up for dinner as well. I objected. He persisted, and in the end, took a few of the pods and cooked them in boiling water until they were tender. The cooked pods didn't poison him, but the experience was definitely unpleasant. Fava beans in season remained a frequent feature of our meals. Pods were discarded.

For years after Denis died, I forgot about fava beans until I spotted them one day while shopping in Fortinos. I filled a bag with the fattest pods and looked forward to renewing acquaintance. James Beard has long since disappeared from my cookbook shelf, so to refresh my memory I consulted the ever-reliable Joy of Cooking. Becker and Rombauer never, if they can help it, omit a single detail in their recipes, a practice that sometimes obscures, oftentimes enlightens.

In the case of fava beans, I learned that the preparation can involve the simple process of removing the beans from the pod and boiling, especially the small early beans. However, the larger, older beans are best hulled to remove the tough outer skin. To do this, blanch in boiling water, chill in cold water, use your thumbnail to split the hull and squeeze out the inner bean, satin-smooth, emerald-green and, after several minutes cooking Roman-style with pancetta in a small amount of broth, they are tasty, tender and sweet. A time-consuming process and worth every extra second.

I've been taking the extra time for double-shelling for a few years now and, while I work, I inevitably think back to Denis eating the bean pods. Then on this most recent occasion, I remembered the actual argument and Denis`s point. Fava beans, or broad beans as they were known, are a common feature on the British dinner table. He must have had a vague memory of his mother preparing them, but, in those days, boys seldom set foot in the kitchen, so he didn't actually see the whole process. He just had the wrong part of the bean anatomy. The hulls are edible; the pods are not.

Our argument would have reached a satisfactory conclusion, if only he were still around to know he had been almost right.

It is this back-chat which, in the long run,
makes a reciprocal equality more intoxicating than any form of servitude or domination.

C.C.

So you're sayin' my first 3 months of Nutflix is free?

Life Lessons from Eagles and Black-capped Chickadees

By Steve Staniek, Health Physics

As a boy I learned that the world is composed of strong and weak forces, and balancing those forces was whispered to be the secret to healthy living. I admired the mighty eagle as a strong force, mostly for its mythical courage and noble spirit, which have been memorialized in heroic stories, exquisite carvings, and traditional songs. But when we moved from the city into their world, into the upper world of eagles, those myths soon evaporated. We retired to a place we call High Reach, which sits on the knee of a limestone escarpment, about 125 feet above the waters of the Bay of Quinte, where we see bald eagles side-on as they fly past.

Perspective is everything, and from this height we could see bald eagles below us as they fished through fresh ice, and side-on as they performed their mating sky dance. We watched male and female eagles soar to great heights where they locked talons, and plummeted together until they separated just before reaching the surface of the water, when our breathing returned. Perhaps the thrill of the sky dance raises their hormone levels?

In December, we often see a rare bird event; an ice-fishing school where senior eagles teach juvenile eagles to fish through newly formed ice. The class begins shortly after new ice forms on the Bay, at which time an eagle scout flies low over the ice-covered surface until he locates a section where the ice is thin and clear, and fish can be spotted swimming below. He lands on the ice and announces his find with a series of loud screeches, and in a few minutes 3 more eagles gather there. We’ve seen as many as 8 eagles form a class, but more typically there are 2 white-headed instructors with 2 brown-headed juvenile students. Local ornithologists inform us that eagle parents are quick to eject their offspring from the nest, so they assume that the student eagles are unrelated to their senior teachers, suggesting that the eagle community comes together for the benefit of all.

Ice Fishing School for Eagles 
We used a 120 mm refracting telescope to observe the fishing school organizing itself on the ice about half a kilometer away. It began when a large white-headed eagle, probably a female, strutted around on the ice until she spotted a dark mass moving below her. She leaped up with a couple of wing flaps and came crashing down, breaking through the thin ice with her heavy talons, from where she extracted a wriggling fish. She carried the catch of the day up to a nearby branch as the rest of the class watched. Excited by the fishing show, hungry juvenile eagles were eager to get in the game, and after several attempts they came up with lunch. They continued to practice until they became quick and proficient.

But my admiration for the bald eagle faded when the snap of the shutter on my camera frightened it away. My camera showed me that there is a braver, nobler bird in the forest, and it’s the black-capped chickadee. The chickadee actually flies over to investigate the noise and announce the news to the forest community.

One day, I held some seeds in my hand and waited for a few minutes until a young chickadee landed in my palm. As it looked up at me, its little chest was pulsating with raw courage that is essential for survival in the wilds. Foresters tell of lost woodsmen who found their way back with the guidance of helpful chickadees. I found these chickadees to be intrepid friends that spread cheerful courage to those around them, and many of our visitors are treated to a dose of chickadee socializing.

Chickadees do not rob nests. They subsist mostly on spiders and small insects, and they amuse us as they hang upside down while hunting spiders on cedar branches until they become wrapped in fine spider silk.

Our house is mostly glass on the water side, and, unfortunately, visiting birds often collide with the windows, despite the warning stickers in the shapes of falcons. We’ve found that about 70% of these downed birds survived, probably because we protected them against predators and bad weather. We learned to cover a fallen bird with a bottomless bird cage until they revive. Seeing neurogenesis taking place is like watching a miracle happen in a matter of a few minutes, as the fallen bird seems to regrow important parts of its brain. We often see partial recovery in less than half an hour, which is sufficient to allow them to fly up to a nearby branch where they recover more fully.

The chickadee became my favourite bird for many reasons. After a short time it was obvious that they had a strong social hierarchy which seemed to work well as each individual knew his role. I wanted to learn how well these social birds work together on a project, so I devised a simple experiment to see how long it would take for a group of chickadees to decommission a discarded peanut butter jar.

I prepared an old peanut butter jar containing a bit of peanut butter on the interior walls. I secured it with a three-finger clamp, mounted on a solid retort stand to ensure that it would not get carried off by wandering scavengers like squirrels and raccoons. I placed the jar setup on the back deck and waited patiently for chickadees.
Within five minutes a group of neighbourhood chickadees showed up and flew around twittering with excitement. They could smell peanuts, but they couldn’t see any, and it created noisy curiosity, group friction, and aviation confusion.

In accordance with chickadee hierarchy, the most senior chickadee finally landed on the rim of the jar, paused there to inspect the interior, shook himself like he didn’t like something, and sped off taking most of the gang with him.

Mining for Peanut Butter 
Moments later, a young chickadee landed on the rim, and went inside. He examined the interior wall and scraped some of the brown stuff off the surface and tasted it. He filled his beak with peanut butter and flew out and onto a nearby branch. There, he let out a loud song of triumph, which brought all of the others back to the site. The young chickadee flew in bravely where wiser  chickadees dared not go, and he opened the peanut butter mine. The harvesting crew lined up in chickadee order, and began to mine the peanut butter off the walls in rotation, at a steady pace, accompanied by a lot of vocalizations. Within two hours they had decommissioned the interior of the old peanut butter jar and had managed to cover themselves with peanut butter in the process. It was great fun just watching them clean their feathers for hours afterwards.

A Heart-Warming Chickadee Lunch 
We discovered that contact with nature can produce healing in the form of heart therapy. A few minutes with a chickadee that comes out of the wild to your hand can transform a grey day into a sparkling day through the magic of a few seeds. Chickadee courage is contagious, and their twittering elevates the soul. If you can’t find one in your backyard, try the local park where they like to “hang out” in all kinds of weather.

Contacting Human Resources

Mail Gilmour Hall 304, McMaster University          1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON          L8S 4L8 Phone 905-525-9140, extension 22247 Email hr.mcmaster@mcmaster.ca Website https://hr.mcmaster.ca/retirees/