Seniors Activities

by Shirley Sheppard, Director

Seniors Action Committee members – Barbara Whittaker, Connie Mattey, Elena Leggiadro, John Moores, Marion Hall

Seniors Breakfast Get-togethers

Our monthly breakfasts continued with between 33 and 39 people participating at each breakfast from February to April. Several bags of non-perishable food donations were collected at each breakfast, along with cash donations totaling a combined $366.55.

Our wonderful virtuoso, Garth Hampson, celebrated his 92nd birthday on April 1, and in recognition of his many contributions to our seniors group and to Blackburn in general, we all signed a birthday card and presented him with a gift certificate to Halibut House. We sang Happy Birthday to Garth and to the others celebrating in April as well as a few other Easter/springtime tunes.

The breakfasts take place at 9am on the first Wednesday of each month at Halibut House, 2672 Innes Road. Seniors (55+) are welcome to join us on the following dates:

• May 6
• June 3
• July 1 (They are open on Canada Day!)

To help our friends at the restaurant prepare and as the breakfasts have become quite popular it is important that you call Shirley at 613-841-7691 to register by the Monday preceding each breakfast.

Seniors Walk & Talk Outings

The Walks and Talk events resumed on March 25th and will continue until June. 11 seniors, one baby and two dogs attended the March walk. Mark your calendars for the following dates: April 22, May 20 and June 17.

The April 22 walk will begin again at the corner of Bearbrook Road and Isaiah Scharfe Park at the crosswalk. The May and June Walk and Talk starting points will be advertised closer to those dates. We will be doing a 2 km and a 3 km circuit.

Come and join us for one of the circuits or both. Pets, kids, friends and family are all welcome to join us. Please check the BCA Facebook page and look for posters in the neighbourhood closer to the dates of the walks for additional information.

A look back…

Lunch at Portugalos – Friday, February 27

Lunch at this restaurant has become a popular event. 33 people attended the lunch and enjoyed a delicious meal and great service.

Late Lunch and Trivia – Blackburn Arms March 20th

There were six tables of 6 (36 people in all participated) in the lunch/trivia. Huge thanks to the trivia master, Conrad, along with his assistant, Savannah, who led us with many head-scratching questions. The winning table wase presented with 6 boxes of Merci chocolates. There was also a door prize of a gift certificate to the Blackburn Arms donated by Aspira Bearbrook Retirement home. Thank you once again Tammy Bedard for Aspira’s and your ongoing support of many of our activities.

Upcoming Events

On April 19 at noon at the Community Hall, we will have a seniors “Hi” Tea followed by bingo with prizes and a gift for the zanniest hat (woman and man) to welcome spring. Seniors are invited to come and enjoy food and fun with your friends and neighbours. Please bring a few little sandwiches or cookies/squares as well as your own favourite teacup or mug. We will be collecting donations at the door for the Cornerstone Women’s Shelter (by cash or cheque). We look forward to seeing many of you there hopefully wearing interesting hats (optional of course).

Please check the Blackburn Hamlet Facebook page, website and posters in the community for details of future events being planned including another lunch at Portugalos, a visit to a winery and a seniors’ family event for Grandparents Day on Sunday, September 13 at the Just Foods location in the Hamlet.

We wish to acknowledge the ongoing contribution of the Blackburn Community Association in supporting many of our events, the Seniors Action Committee for their many efforts, ideas and contributions in planning and organizing our events as well as the seniors in the community who come out to enjoy and support these events. Thank you all.