Crafts Day - We made Paint Brush Scarecrows!

The ladies in a row! 

Thursday October 1, 2026, we made our first group craft of the year. For these we charge a fee of $5 to defray the cost of the materials. For Christmas last year we made Candy Cane Reindeer and Painted Candles, February we created PopUp Valentine Cards. This was so popular we added a second week! And Prior to Easter, we made Jellybean Topiaries. The group also did black and white landscape paintings.

If there is anything you would like to do as a group, let us know!

Alas, with the last update on my Art Laptop, my old (personal not rented) copy of Photoshop died and I am in the process of converting to Affinity (and Canva). I am not the best photographer when it comes to colour, my hands jiggle and things get blurred and Ms Finger quite often photobombs...fixing all of those things is slowly coming along. The Brushes may NOT look exactly as they should.

October 2026 Calendar

 October is busy Month! 

But Don't Miss the AGM!!

More information to come!

Special Craft For October 1! Paint Brush Scarecrows!

 Life has been hectic, as has the Centre and I have fallen behind in posting on the blog. Here is our next event!

🍂 Crafty Thursday: Paint Brush Scarecrows!

Thursday, October 1 • 9:30 AM

At the Midway Social Centre Society - Join us for a cozy, creative morning as we transform ordinary paintbrushes into cheerful Harvest Scarecrows — just in time for Thanksgiving decorating!

🖌️ What to Expect

• Fun, easy project — finished in about an hour

• All supplies provided

• $5 for MSCS members (covers materials)

• Bring only your enthusiasm! Cookies, coffee, supplies and laughs all supplied for FREE!

👩‍🌾 Limited to 6 participants
Space is limited as all the materials are pre‑ordered, so please sign up early at the Centre or email 
mscson7th@gmail.com
to reserve your spot.

Let’s celebrate the season together — laughter, plaid, and a touch of burlap guaranteed!

Here's a picture of a finished Brush!

🍂 Join us for laughter, plaid, and a touch of burlap magic!

We will be doing a Halloween Craft in a month, so if you have any suggestions, please let us know by replying to this blog post or by sending an email to mscson7th@gmail.com

Its August 2026 And we are opening up for Technical support!

Tech  Support will be happening Monday Morning throughout the month of August, even though we are on sabbatical! 

Because of the fires and all the people who have been evacuated and displaced, we are opening up the Centre for these people so they can access to WiFi.

We also have a windows laptop and several Android tablets that can be used on site.

Oh Happy June!

 

Today - Monday June1, is Tech Support Day!

If you want help applying for your Property Tax Grant online, come on by! Barb will be happy to help you!

AND FRIDAY

  

THe User's Guide to AI Basics Revisited

 

This morning, we participated in Tech Coaches "The User's Guide to AI Basics. Here are the 5 basic prompts to getting the information that you really want from the different AIs throughout the web. 

Prompt 1

I'm a beginner and want to understand (TOPIC).

Please explain it in:

1. Everyday language

2. A short summary first

3. Step-by-step detail after that

4. Examples that relate to normal daily life

5. A final section called "What I actually need to Remember"

Please avoid technical jargon unless you explain it clearly

 Prompt 2

Prompt 3

Prompt 4

Prompt 5

example of prompt 5

I also asked CoPilot to create A “What to do when AI confuses you” cheat sheet

and here is the result

🧩 What To Do When AI Confuses You

A simple cheat sheet for beginners

1️⃣ Pause and Re‑Read the Answer Slowly

Sometimes AI gives:

• Too much information
• Not enough
• Something unrelated
• Something that sounds right but isn’t

A slow re‑read helps you spot what feels “off.”

2️⃣ Ask AI to Try Again (This Is Normal!)

You can say:

• “That’s not what I meant. Try again more simply.”
• “Please explain that in plain language.”
• “Give me the short version.”
• “Start over and keep it beginner‑friendly.”

AI improves with each clarification.

3️⃣ Tell AI What Part Confused You

Examples:

• “I don’t understand step 3.”
• “What does that word mean?”
• “Explain this like I’m brand new to computers.”

You don’t need the right vocabulary — just point to the part that felt fuzzy.

4️⃣ Ask for an Example

Examples make everything clearer. Try:

• “Show me an example.”
• “Give me a sample message.”
• “Can you demonstrate what you mean?”

AI is great at turning abstract ideas into something concrete.

5️⃣ Break the Task Into Smaller Pieces

If the answer feels overwhelming, try:

• “Let’s do this one step at a time.”
• “Start with step 1 only.”
• “Explain the first part first.”

Small steps = big clarity.

6️⃣ Check Important Information Elsewhere

For anything involving:

• Health
• Money
• Legal matters
• Safety
• Personal decisions

Always double‑check with a trusted human or official source.

AI is a helper — not the final authority.

7️⃣ Use the Magic Phrase: “Explain it another way.”

This works beautifully when the explanation is:

• Too technical
• Too long
• Too short
• Too complicated

AI will rephrase until it clicks.

8️⃣ If It Still Doesn’t Make Sense… Ask AI What It Thinks You Meant

Try:

• “Tell me what you think I’m asking.”
• “What do you think I’m trying to do?”

This often uncovers the misunderstanding instantly.

9️⃣ Remember: Confusion Is Normal

Even experienced users get odd or incorrect answers.

AI is not perfect — it’s a tool that learns from your guidance.

You’re not doing anything wrong.

🔟 End With a Reset

If things get tangled:

• “Let’s start fresh.”
• “Forget the previous instructions.”
• “Here’s what I want to do…”

A clean slate works wonders.

🌟 Quick Version
       (For Printing at the Bottom of a Page)

When AI confuses you:

1. Re‑read slowly

2. Ask it to try again

3. Say what part confused you

4. Ask for an example

5. Break it into steps

6. Double‑check important info

7. Ask for a simpler explanation

8. Ask what it thinks you meant

9. Remember confusion is normal

10. Reset and start fresh

Tech Hint of the Week - Password Managers

 

Always use a password manager

©The i Paper

Using a password manager secures your online accounts by generating, storing, and auto-filling complex, unique passwords in an encrypted vault, so you only need to remember one master password. Davis says password managers are a great option because they reduce the pressure to remember everything. “They make it much more realistic than using a different password for every account. They are not the only acceptable solution, but they are one of the most practical ones, particularly for people with lots of online accounts.” You can download a password manager app on your phone or tablet, or use one on a website in your browser. Whichever type you use, once you’ve logged into it, it will store your passwords for all your online accounts in a safe place. One of the main benefits of a third-party password manager over one in your browser is that it can synchronise passwords even when you have a mix of different browsers and devices. 

This link will take you to PC Mags March 19, 2026 review on the BEST FREE PASSWORD MANAGER

Tech Hint of the Week - Write down Your Passwords

 

Ditch apps and write logins in a notebook

©The i Paper

Davis warns against logging all your passwords in your notes app. “If a device is compromised, synced insecurely, or left unlocked, those credentials may be very easy to access.” A password book kept at home sounds like a bad idea, but Davis says it’s often a perfectly reasonable coping strategy, especially for people managing lots of accounts, or for those who need a system that works in the real world. “The motivation of someone stealing a notebook is usually not cyber crime. That risk is very different from reusing the same password across multiple online accounts. The bigger issue is whether the method helps the person stay organised without creating wider exposure.” 

May Calendar

 

Updated Calendar!

 Here’s the real scoop:

• Tax Prep dates have changed — See updated schedule

• Music Jams, Crafts, and Tech Support & Pool are all lined up and waiting for your smiling face

• The coffee is hot, the chairs are comfy, and the community is better when you’re here

Come join us whenever you can — we’re ready when you are.

Just a Reminder - Monday April 6 - No Tech Support

 

If you have an emergency, please feel free to contact me @ midwaysocialcenter@gmail.com and we can set up an appointment.

More Topiaries!

 We had a few people who could nt make it to the first Topiary Making Session so we set up a second!
Here are the 3 new Jellybean Topiaries!

What you can do with Jelly Beans

 

At the Midway Social Centre’s Craft Morning, we love creating something fun that everyone can enjoy together. This week we made Jelly Bean Topiaries for Easter! This simple project was a big hit — easy to make, and the finished topiaries turned out so colourful and pretty.

We have some wonderful things going on at the Centre! 

Mondays, you can come in and get help with any Computer, telephone or tablet issues with Barb form 9-1. If you are not having any problems and just want to know how to use an Application you can get help with that too! All it costs is a donation to the Centre.

Tuesday and Friday Mornings throughout April, Donna is in the Centre to help you with your taxes. $50/return with 20% going back to the Centre.

Every Second Tuesday is the Music Jam! Come and play or listen! All it costs is a donation to the Centre.

Thursday Mornings is Crafts and Coffee and 

Every Second Friday is Pool and Darts! 

Is there an event or course you would like to have in our community? From event planning to technology we have the skills and equipment. Any Questions? Come and talk to us at the centre about it and we can try to make it happen.  

AND the NEW APRIL CALENDAR

Spring is Coming!

Here is the Calendar for April! Don't forget - we will be making Jellybean Topiaries for Easter NEXT Thursday! There is some prep work that needs to be done ahead of time (pouring plaster into the pots around the trunks so the trees don't fall over) we would like people to let us know if they will be coming so we have enough prepared a head of time. We don"t want anyone to miss out on the fun!

Here is the Calendar for April! 

Jellybean Topiary Workshop

 

Pop Up Valentines for Valentines Day!

 Here are some of the Pop Up Valentine Cards the Thursday Morning Crafting people made:

It's the Month of LOVE!

 

We are going to be making Pop-Up Cards during Crafts on Thursday February 5 and 12 for Valentines day! If you would like to try this out we will help you with the details. We are asking for a toonie and we supply ALL the materials! 

Below is a video of how to make one of the cards 

Making these with others is a lot of fun!

Mondays we have been offering Tech Support for those who are having difficulties with their Telephones, Android Tablets and Windows PC/Laptops. We can also help those that need to attend a Zoom session for specialty appointments and we can arrange for help for any day of the week. We can also help with government or utility websites, filling out online forms, etc. 

Stop by and ask Barb if you need specific help on a specific day. 

Tech Support sessions on Mondays have become quite busy so come early or book a session. 

Pool and Darts! 

Wow! Has this ever taken off! We were a bit late in getting the coffee on this week, that won't happen again! 

If you have to wait for your turn, we have shoffle board and a number of board games! We have had a suggestion to add a Ping Pong table! 

Please Stop by, shoot a round and let up know if we should do this every week, if Ping Pong should be considered and volunteer to open up and manage a Friday so we can have it every week. 

Updated January 2026 Calendar!

 

Our Essential Digital Skills course, which we ran for 6 Wednesdays in October-November, were extremely popular. If you would be interested in attending a reboot this spring, please contact the Centre and let us know! All we need is 6 -8 interested people. 

Prior to Christmas, at the last 2 Thursday Morning Crafts Cafes we made Candy Cane Reindeer and the next week we painted Christmas Candles. In February, at the first 2 Crafty Thursdays we will be making Pop-Up Valentine Cards! 

January 15, 2026 MSCS AGM!

 Happy New Year! Wishing you a bright, healthy, and inspiring start to 2026. As we look ahead to another year of community connection and shared accomplishments, we warmly invite you to attend our Annual General Meeting.

December 2025 Calendar

As we enter this festive season, we recognize that it is a busy and joyful time filled with celebrations across many cultures and traditions. The Board would like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt wishes to you and your loved ones for a happy holiday season filled with peace and joy.

We are deeply grateful for your support over the past year and look forward to continuing our journey together in the year ahead.

With appreciation and warm regards, The Board

Joanne, Lesley, Dorothy, Mike, James, Donna, Barbara, Valarie, Elaine.

Membership renews are available during Craft Time on Thursday Mornings from 9-11 and Monday from 11-1 on December 15 and 22. You will need to have been a member prior to the end of December to participate in our AGM mid January!