Abbotsford has butterflies and a three-wheeled bike

By Shirley Lee Butterflies

Abbotsford was home to 20 painted lady caterpillars, now butterflies. The clients in the Abbotsford Adult Day Program and Luncheon Club have enjoyed watching the caterpillars transform into chrysalises and eventually emerge as butterflies over the course of a few weeks. Before the butterflies were released, clients had an opportunity to get up close and personal with them. The painted ladies were then released in our patio area, where we hoped they would lay more eggs and produce the next generation of butterflies.

Next month, we will be caring for monarch caterpillars in an effort to increase the monarch butterfly population in Ottawa. To attract butterflies, Abbotsford will be growing butterfly-friendly plants and milkweed.

Three-wheeled electric bike

Rolling soon into Abbotsford House as part of our Cycling Without Age program will be our “Ami Trishaw,” purchased thanks to a grant from New Horizons for Seniors. The trishaw is a special three-wheeled, electric-powered rickshaw designed to give older adults and people with disabilities rides with the help of volunteer pilots.

The 500-watt electric motor and gears will allow the rickshaw to ride up steep hills such as overpasses with ease.

Abbotsford House is fortunate to be