April 2022 Newsletter

Happy Day Everyone,

I am so happy to announce that we have been gifted with $28,000.00 from the 100 + Women Who Care charity. Our member, Penny Rutherford, is also a member of this charity and put our name forward to receive this money to pay for a new floor for our Centre. Many of you have noticed that our floor is uneven and piecemealed together and, in some places, unsafe. Now we will be able to have a new floor that is the same throughout our building. The Board will be finding a Contractor to guide us to completion of this job, and I will be informing all of you, as we go along, as to what will happen next. Thank you, Penny, for giving an informative talk to 100 + Women Who Care. We couldn’t have done this without you

We will be having a Foot Care Nurse coming to our Centre every month and her name is Samantha Pascoe. Her first session is on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM. There will be a sign-up sheet in the office, and you can book your appointment by calling the office at 250-586-5999. The cost will be $40.00 per session. Your foot care is very important, especially if you’re a Diabetic. Keep your feet happy all the time and we’ll know who you are by the smile on your face.

Speaking of smiles on your face, our Soup Ladies met for the first time on Saturday. Lorna, Bev, and Lynn cooked up some delights for us all, tortellini soup, meatball soup, and for the vegetarians a lovely lentil soup. Keep an eye on the kitchen blackboard as to what is being served and remember Friday is full meal day at the Centre. This past Friday Jerye cooked a lovely meal of pork chops, whipped, mashed potatoes with a sweet and sour red cabbage, along with a stuffed egg on the side. This meal only cost the “Four” people who attended $9.00 each. Unless we have more people who attend on Fridays, we will have to discontinue this program. You can make a difference by attending and taking a friend out for a fabulous lunch. Please remember if you’re planning on eating lunch at the Centre, phone the kitchen 250-248-3200 and book in. Also book ahead if it’s the Friday hot lunch you’re after. This will help the cook to plan ahead. Please see the attached picture of Friday’s lunch.

We are so lucky for the support of Nana and Papa’s Bakery who generously donate for free, the fresh delicious whole-wheat bread, that is used for our lovely sandwiches. You should go to this Bakery for all your baking needs. I can attest to the tasty selections. It is on the highway just north of Save-On.

Now, here’s some news about training at the Centre. On May 4th we are offering training on how to work with your eBook reader such as a Kobo. Susan Pierce from the Parksville Public Library will be here to help us. Also available is technology training by Brian Collicott from the Technology Learning Centre. He will be here on May 11, and again probably on May 18. Learn how to get the best from your cellular phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. Please call the office to set up an appointment.

Some of you have been asking about our May 28th Spring Tea. The tickets will go on sale for $10.00 each on May 16th and you buy them at the kitchen counter. There will only be 40 tickets sold so get them early. There will be tea and goodies and we’re asking our Bakers to please help by doing some baking for us. Let the office know what you are planning on baking so we’ll know what will be needed. I know you are all thinking of your lovely Spring Hat you’ll be wearing and you’re wondering who will win the prizes. Will it be YOU? I can’t wait to see what you’ll come up with. We will have lovely music performed for us by our Centre’s Vocal Ensemble, our own member Willy Harris will delight us on keyboard, and the Qualicum Ukulele group will dazzle us with their instruments and talent. I am so looking forward to our Spring Tea!

For those of you who have been travelling outside of Canada please remember our newest mandate is that we wear our masks in the Centre for 14 days after returning to Canada. Please, for the well-being of your friends at the Centre and others, remember to do this one small thing. The Centre is for many a home away from home, a safe place, and a place where you can enjoy yourself with old and new friends. If you see a new face introduce yourself, be friendly, make them feel welcome. Talk about the programs that you enjoy, and how you came to be at the Centre. Before you know it you’ll have a new friend.

Our Centre is made up of volunteers and we can’t run the Centre without help. Please think about volunteering a few hours a week. Just talk to any Board member about what you’d like to do, and we’ll help find a place for you.

Laura Henderson is our April Membership Draw winner,

Enjoy the Spring weather. I know it’s been mixed up but remember last summer - Hot!

Until next month be good to one another and stay well.

Bev Swann,
Editor