Costco Life

Lighten the mood

Candles can set the scene and mark special occasions—including World Candle Month (September). There’s just something captivating about them, with their various colours and scents and the warming glow they give off. Find a variety of candles, including the flameless LED variety, in warehouses and at Costco.ca.

Back story

THE ANCIENT ROMANS are generally credited with developing the wicked candle by dipping rolled papyrus in melted beeswax or tallow, according to Candles.org. The candles were used to bring light to homes, be a part of religious ceremonies and aid travellers at night. Early versions of candles used various forms of wax, including from an indigenous insect combined with seeds (China), from tree nuts (Japan) and by boiling the fruit of the cinnamon tree (India).

WORLD ALZHEIMER’S MONTH

Tips to take care

The Mayo Clinic offers these tips for creating a safe environment for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.

Prevent falls by avoiding scatter rugs, extension cords and any clutter.
Install locks on cabinets that contain anything potentially dangerous, such as tools.
Lower the thermostat on the hot-water heater to prevent burns.
Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors have fresh batteries.

ADAPTIVE LIVING

Easy rider

Costco member Cody Howell (above right) leads one of the largest manufacturers of adaptive driving aids in North America. Cody’s father, Keith Howell (above left), a quadriplegic at 15 who passed away in 2022, founded Howell Ventures Ltd. (suregrip-handcontrols.com) in 1986. The family business, located in Upper Kingsclear, New Brunswick, also designs and manufactures adaptive equipment—for tractors, ride-on lawn mowers, golf carts and all-terrain vehicles.

The Barbie brand continues to evolve.

THROUGH THE AGES

History of Barbie

Barbie, which was founded by Ruth Handler in 1959, has evolved over the years. Here are some facts about the iconic doll from Barbiemedia.com. Find Barbie toys in Costco warehouses and at Costco.ca.

Barbie was named after Handler’s daughter, Barbara, and Ken, after her son, Kenneth.
The doll first appeared in her iconic black-and-white striped swimsuit.
The first celebrity Barbie doll was based on the British fashion model Twiggy in 1967.
In support of Equal Rights, Barbie released Christie, one of the first Black dolls, in 1968.
Barbie has had more than 200 careers, including astronaut, pilot, firefighter, journalist and entrepreneur.
More than 100 dolls are purchased every minute, with a total of 58 million sold annually in 150 countries.