“There’s the man himself,” someone said to me as we stood chatting at Clearwater’s Saturday morning Farmers Market on Aug. 10.
Dr. Art Hister strode in and within minutes made two purchases. His wife was eyeing items at other stalls.
“We enjoy listening to you each morning,” I mentioned upon introducing myself. “You must do a huge amount of reading and scanning on the computer.”
“I’d be doing it anyway,” he responded, adding with his usual frankness, “this way I get paid for it. What could be better than that?”
I thanked him for coming. “It’s great coming to small towns because you’re treated like a celebrity. I’ve been practising my ‘queenly’ wave,” he grinned – demonstrating rather awkwardly!
We’d had our usual delicious pancake breakfast earlier with Joanne MacKenzie, the “spark” who took the initiative of emailing Dr. Art about visiting Clearwater.
“It’s a fund-raiser for the Legion,” she emphasized. “He’d mentioned on Global TV that he was going to Clearbrook! I won’t be easy until I see him here,” she’d said.
But here he was. Although dietary concerns could not allow them to partake of the breakfast, he and his wife Phyllis were there before 10 am to meet and greet. It was easy to find him with Joanne sitting there in her “sandwich board” of posters donated by North Thompson Times.
Pastor Ian Molliett and his daughter Vienna were among the first to come and Dr. John Soles was on hand to meet him. These two doctors sat chatting, not about medical issues, but sharing recent hiking forays.
“We were up early,” Phyllis had mentioned. “We’ve already been to The Kettle.”
Gaping somewhat, we pictured them driving and hiking down to the whirling Kettle on Clearwater River. However, they’d been to The Kettle at Interior Whitewater Expedition’s café for Dr. Art’s favourite health drink: a double cappuccino!
At 11 a.m. a group of 20 or more keen walkers gathered with the two doctors. After car-pooling and the 20-odd minute drive, we hiked to Moul Falls.
I was at the back of this fast pack, so others were already going behind the deluge pouring down from above when my camera and I arrived. A complete rainbow played in the pond at the foot of the falls. Dr.
Art and Phyllis hung back initially, but eventually couldn’t say No to the idea of getting sprayed.
Off they went, Dr. Soles leading the way with the threesome staying close together, disappearing completely behind the falls for a couple of minutes, before emerging on the other side.
When they returned, all were exhilarated as well as being nicely cooled off after the hike, and wringing wet!
By this time I’d had a few friendly chats with Phyllis and discovered she wanted to swim in Dutch Lake that afternoon.
“I’ve participated in a triathlon,” she mentioned.
So, swim we did – out to the island in Dutch Lake, enjoying sunshine and calm, warmish water, not to mention glorious sights all around.
By the time that was over, the main event was rolling around.
At the Legion finally, where tables were attractively set up, about 100 attendees who had previously bought tickets were gathering in happy anticipation.
Dr. Art, in his straight-forward, comfortable manner, chatted with everyone he could. Invariably, smiles, chuckles and bursts of laughter would ensue.
“Seriously, I feel it is important to connect with seniors,” he stressed when I had a moment to chat with him. “Not enough attention is paid to them,” he added, gesturing around the room to the audience that featured many greying heads.
“You give us the gift of laughter, Dr. Art,” I couldn’t help saying, remembering his address in Barriere this past April.
At that moment, a youthful, dark-haired beauty approached him: “I hear you’ll talk to anyone!” she chuckled nervously.
“I’m easy,” he laughed in response and cameras started clicking, summing up the feeling of warmth and cordiality Dr. Art engendered throughout the day.
Sound system set up by Drake Smith, the program began with Henry James of the Legion welcoming all.
Lloyd Strickland said grace, stating that he was aware that a blessing following the meal would be the Jewish custom for Dr. Art and Phyllis. A delicious meal followed.
Dr. Soles introduced Dr. Art who has been a media doctor since 1991. “However, he’s not doing a good job of doctoring the media!” he quipped.
The thought-provoking presentation, a fast-paced slide show interspersed with jokes, one-liners, and sound common sense, was titled Yes You Can: Simple Steps for a Longer, Healthier, Happier Life.
“This is the greatest place we’ve been in the last 24 hours,” Dr. Art began, before more seriously explaining that his parents were survivors of the Holocaust.
“That this is a fund-raiser for the Legion is so appropriate,” he said, thanking Joanne MacKenzie for being his “second wife” for the past months as the day was being arranged.
The following were among the many gems of wisdom that he suggested to help us to improve our lives: be positive; keep the brain active by learning new stuff; don’t try to postpone aging; improve balance by standing on one leg when brushing teeth; one more magic bullet was that exercise improves brain function.
He recommended the Mediterranean Diet as the best for us.
Oh yes, and drink lots of coffee!
But, stressing the importance of using common sense, he also said: “Don’t overdo anything because moderation always beats excess.”
“Medical research doesn’t always mean what you think it means,” he added, giving this website which has links to all medical studies: nih.gov.
Given the energy and enthusiasm for life of this couple, it was obvious they totally believe in the words he shares with the people of BC and beyond.
It was a privilege to follow them round for a day in Clearwater, and to learn from what they say – and what they do.