GRAVENHURST SENIORS CLUB Winter 2017
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GRAVENHURST SENIORS CLUB 2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE President Past President 1st Vice President 2nd Vice President Secretary Treasurer
Fred Schulz Cliff Flavell Aileen Passmore Lorne Robertson Ellen Camm John Mowry
DIRECTORS Food Services Health & Well Being Membership Newsletter Property Recreation Ways & Means Workshop
Lynne Briden Ruth Robertson Lillian Gillan Fred Schulz Lorne Robertson Bob Macksey Carol Macksey Rob Gifford
Wheelchair Accessible & Elevator Equipped SUBMISSIONS All submissions to be included in the next issue of “All About Us” should be submitted before February 15, 2018. Submissions can be left at, or emailed to, the Gravenhurst Seniors Centre, 480 First St. N., Gravenhurst, Ontario P1P 1B9. Submissions that promote and/or enhance the activities of The Seniors Centre and Seniors are always welcome. Pictures are also welcomed. Opinions and concerns about issues facing The Centre are welcome. Try to keep submissions to a maximum of 1000 words. All letters to the editor must be signed with first and last names. Your ideas are important. Tel: 705-687-8126 Email: gscnewsletter@live.ca 2
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Newsletter Committee Editor Secretary Treasurer Cover Design Photographer Proof Reader Production Committee Members
Contributing Writers
Distribution
Fred Schulz Ellen Camm Lynn Quesnelle Glenna Kergon Fred Schulz Jeff Childs Pat Wright Wendy Forsythe Jim Goodwin Cyril Fry Garnet Schenk Ruth Robertson Wendy Forsythe Ellen Camm Cyril Fry Jim Goodwin Ruth Robertson Fred Schulz Harold Campbell Cliff Flavell
Published by:
The Gravenhurst Senior Citizens Club 480 First Street North Gravenhurst, ON P1P 1B9 1-705-687-8126 United Senior Citizens of Ontario: Affiliated Club #325 Volume 25, Number 4 Winter 2017
Winter Edition The Editor Says Fred Schulz Welcome to the Winter Edition of All About Us, featuring a wealth of stories and information on the folks and activities around the Gravenhurst Seniors Activity Centre. In the Winter edition, you’ll enjoy reading articles on the Penny Farthing (Part 2), the Keewatin Steamship, Retirement Homes, Christmas Past and much more. As we approach the Holiday Season, a flurry of activities will be taking place within the Centre and our community. It’s that time of year when we fill our calendars with festive events, seasonal social activities and decorate our homes. It’s the perfect time to take in some of the activities at the Centre. Why not drop into the Centre for a relaxing cup of coffee or tea. Introduce a friend or neighbour to the many benefits of being a member of the Gravenhurst Seniors Activity Club. To all the messages of goodwill you will receive, may I add my own to each and every one of you and wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in 2018. Fred Schulz
Editor – All About Us
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters may be edited for size and clarity. Letters to the editor are printed at the editor’s discretion. Tel: 705-687-8126 Email: gscnewsletter@live.ca ALL ABOUT US
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Cover by Glenna Kergon PAGE
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Board of Directors Submission Info 3 Newsletter Information The Editor Says 4 Table of Contents 5 President’s Message 6 Christmas Bazaar & Luncheon 7 Activities at the Centre 8 Judy’s Crossword 9 Health & Well Being 10 Retirement Homes in South Muskoka 11 Christmas Memories 12 Carpet Bowling Cryptogram 13 Culinary Corner 14 Woodworking/Woodcarving 2017 15 Making a Charitable Donation 16 Sudoku 18 One of a Kind 19 Line Dancing 20/21 The Penny Farthing Part 2 23 Seniors Centre Thanks 25 Crossword & Cryptogram Answers 27 Lost & Found Sudoku Answers 28 Coming Events
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HOSTESSES/HOSTS NEEDED Volunteer 7 hours a month Regular and replacement people required. KEEP THE CLUB RUNNING SMOOTHLY. Contact Lynne Briden - 705-687-8527
All About Us President’s Message By Fred Schulz
With the arrival of the Winter season there isn’t a better time to drop into the Gravenhurst Seniors Centre for a visit or take part in some of the many great activities that take place every week. I wish to express a very special thanks to the hard working volunteers and activity leaders who faithfully look after the special events and the respective activities at the Centre. The Director of Property, Lorne Robertson, had an extremely busy summer coordinating and completing a number of projects at the Centre over these past months. We also appreciate the dedication to excellence by our three staff members Lynn Quesnelle, Carol Macksey and Charlie Orchard. The dedication of the Board of Directors, who work diligently for the betterment of the Seniors Centre, is very much appreciated. With the arrival of winter, there isn’t a better time to get reestablished at the Centre to check out all the activities that will be running. Take some time and drop in for a cup of coffee and some great conversation that always takes place around the lounge area. I look forward to wishing everyone at the Seniors Centre a wonderful Christmas and holiday season in the upcoming days. Fred Schulz President
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CHRISTMAS BAZAAR AND LUNCHEON NOV. 19, 2017 Aileen Passmore, Ruth Robertson, Fred Schulz, Ellen Camm and Lynn Quesnelle co-ordinated the annual Christmas Bazaar and Luncheon on Nov. 19, 2017, 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. We were assisted by several members who have worked at the Bazaar for many years. Everyone’s experience helped make it a success. Lynne Briden and her crew worked hard and put on a great lunch with 112 in attendance. We had a variety of tables such as, Penny Table, Bake & Deli Tables, Craft Table, Jewellery Table, This & That/Books & Puzzles Table and 13 more Rental Tables. This year, we had the Penny Table upstairs in the lounge and it was a big hit. We added a Deli Table this year too. The Silent Auction Table was a great success and made over $900.00. Without the help of volunteers, at all the various tables, and many donations, this event wouldn’t be a success. Way to go volunteers! Tickets were sold for the $500.00 Cash Draw and the winner was Audrey Gavin. The winners of the 3 Raffle Prizes were Shirley Green (Garden Obelisk-handmade by Godfrey Cook), Mona Black (Tassimo Coffee Maker) and Bob DeShane (Gift Basket). The draws were held at the end of the Bazaar. We had snow on the ground but the sun did come out a few times to cheer everyone up. Thanks to all who helped out this year. See you next year! 6
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Ontario Senior Games—Our Winners Crossword by Judy Sherman 1
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Across 1. Walker 3. Golf Gold 6. Shuffleboard Gold 10. Shuffleboard Silver 12. Bid Euchre Silver (first) 13. Bronze & Silver (last) 15. Bowling Bronze (first) 16. Bowling Bronze (last) 19. Bowling Bronze (first) 20. Bowling Bronze (first) 21. Bid Euchre Silver 23. Euchre Silver (last) 24. Bowling Bronze (last) 25. 13 Across (first) 8
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Down 1. 2. 4. 5. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 14. 17. 18. 19. 22.
Crokinole Gold Bid Euchre Silver (first) Golf Gold Golf Silver (last) Shuffleboard Silver Bid Euchre Silver (last) Bowling Bronze (last) Crokinole Bronze (first) Euchre Silver (first) Euchre Silver (last) Golf Silver (first) Euchre Silver (first) 10 Down (last) 2 Down (last)
Help to prevent falling in your home. Remove all scatter mats.
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Retirement Homes in South Muskoka by Jim Goodwin Are you considering a move to a There is a wide variety of retirement home? In an attempt accommodation from small single to shed some light on decisions I rooms to one bedroom suites and will provide some basic sizes vary from 200 square feet information on the five (2 in to 700 square feet. The cost Gravenhurst, 3 in Bracebridge), equates pretty much to the size privately operated retirement of one’s unit from $2000 to $5100 per month. Granite Ridge homes in South Muskoka. is the only facility to provide I personally visited all of these “assisted living” services and homes and talked to the their entire fourth floor is administrators or senior staff. I dedicated to this. Of course did not visit nursing homes or this increases the monthly cost. The Pines which is a district The chart accompanying this government institution. article will provide a quick In Gravenhurst, The Manor is in comparison of the five facilities. the centre of town and Granite Further information is on file Ridge is on the fringe. In with the article author but for Bracebridge James Street Place specific and complete details one is central, Castle Peak is on the would need to contact the establishment directly. fringe and Muskoka Hills is rural. Name & Location
# of Rooms
Castle Peak 56 Douglas Dr. Bracebridge
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Chartwell James Street 148 James St. Bracebridge
73 4 levels
Muskoka Hills Villa Hwy 118 W Bracebridge Granite Ridge 1097 Bethune Dr. S. Gravenhurst Gravenhurst Manor 300 Muskoka Rd. N. Gravenhurst
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99 340 Sq ft avg 43 25 studios\ 18 1 bdrm
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Suites
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12 700 sq ft
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Family owned & operated Visiting Clergy
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Visiting Clergy Shuttle Bus Excursions Elevators
Full Time
Director Daily activities
Weekly Shuttle Van Special Trips Chapel
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Director Daily activities
Chapel/clergy visits Elevators Daily Exercise Physio, hairdresser
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Weekly free cab, VON Visiting clergy Weekly church services Elevators
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Christmas Memories By Fred Schulz Christmas is a special time of the year that always brings a number of pleasant memories, from childhood days and growing up, remembering special times and people in our lives. I always remember this special time of year, growing up at the store in Kilworthy, with a number of wonderful memories. The arrival of large quantities of mixed nuts, Christmas candy and tangerines all added to the excitement of the arrival of Christmas around a country store. The supply of dry goods, such as mitts, wool socks and toques, was always in good stock as they provided a handy and useful Christmas gift. The Christmas tree in the front window of the store, with a small village complete with houses, a store and train station, was always a popular spot. I spent many an hour rearranging the village with its tiny people and houses. There was also an excitement of the arrival of a full-size cardboard Santa Claus provided by Brown’s Beverages, the fancy Christmas cakes and cookies from Christies Bakeries, the wide variety of specialty items from Orillia Small Ware, and the eggnog delivered locally from Briar’s Dairy that made Christmas a wonderful time of the year. Music has always been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember, particularly during the Christmas season. Many of us received an excellent introduction to music early in our school years, through our good friend Harvey Bradley. Harvey directed the Muskoka Boys’ Choir for a number of years and the Christmas season was a particularly busy time of year with our concert schedule. There was always an excitement surrounding every Christmas concert that we performed. Harvey always put together a tour of singing locations that just fit right for the Christmas season. We’d perform at a number of the nursing and retirement homes throughout Muskoka, concerts throughout Muskoka schools and the most exciting of all was our performance on Wanda Miller’s Radio Show on CFOR. Christmas is a nostalgic time to enjoy rekindling the memories of those special moments and people associated with past Christmas seasons. ALL ABOUT US
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Carpet Bowling
The photograph is of the current Carpet Bowlers that play on Friday mornings. Cryptogram Clue: O = R ADOOF QEOGHAXG XBJ EXIIF BDT FDXO
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Carpet Bowling continues to be a very popular activity on Friday mornings at the Seniors Centre. The early beginnings of Carpet Bowling at the Seniors Centre was established when word came through that a Zone 39 meeting, at the Huntsville Club, needed to store their equipment during the renovations taking place in 2014. Immediately six stalwart members made the trek to Huntsville to visit Club 55, the Huntsville Seniors Club, to play carpet bowling. After a couple of hours of instruction and playing, they packed up the carpet bowling equipment, loaded it on Cliff Flavell’s truck and brought it home to the Gravenhurst Seniors Club. The Huntsville Club 55 was pleased their Carpet Bowling equipment would be going to a good home in Gravenhurst for the year. It was decided that if the game attracted enough interest, the Gravenhurst club would purchase its own equipment. For the next month, one carpet was left in place in the west shuffleboard lane and copies of the game rules and instructions were available. Peter Ayling was the Chief Instructor with assistants Cliff Flavell, Garnet Schenk, Ernie Taylor, Mike Lipiski and Gord Locklin available to provide instruction. In recent years dedicated activity leaders and participants have enjoyed the benefits and social aspects of Carpet Bowling at the Seniors Centre. In the past, Bernie Webb held the position of Activity Leader of the Carpet Bowling and Aileen Passmore held the position for the past eight years. Presently Carpet Bowling is capably under the leadership of Dave Lawton. It’s a popular activity at the Centre that is enjoyed by all its participants.
Culinary Corner by Wendy Forsythe Apricot Chicken 1 cup Hellman’s mayonnaise 1 pkg. Onion Soup Mix 1 cup Apricot jam 1 cup Sour Cream 4 boneless chicken breasts Mix the mayonnaise, onion soup, apricot jam and sour cream together. Cut the chicken into cubes and add to the sauce mixure. Put into greased casserole dish and bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees. Recipe compliments of Ruth Robertson
Jo’s Tea Biscuits 4 cups flour 1 tsp baking soda 1 tbsp. baking powder 1 cup white sugar 1 cup golden Crisco shortening 2 cups buttermilk 1 cup raisins Mix dry ingredients and shortening until crumbly Add raisins and buttermilk. Stir just enough until everything is mixed. Drop by spoonfuls on buttered sheet. Sprinkle with white sugar. Bake at 400 for 13 to 15 mins until golden brown on edges. Makes approx. 2 dozen. Recipe compliments of Linda Cunningham
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Gravenhurst Seniors Woodworking/Woodcarvers 2017 The Gravenhurst Seniors Woodworking/Woodcarvers gathered for a photograph following their Annual General meeting held on Wednesday, October 11th. Left to Right – Steve Wilson, Godfrey Cook, Cathy Loucks, Rob Gifford, Alyssa Boorman, Ross McNeice, John Wylie, Jim Goodwin.
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Making a Charitable Donation to the Gravenhurst Seniors Centre Have you ever considered making a cash donation to the Gravenhurst Seniors Centre? The Seniors Centre operates on an annual budget, to ensure that all expenses are paid in accordance with the Lease Agreement, with the Corporation of the Town of Gravenhurst. Any individual who makes a Charitable Donation to the Seniors Centre will receive an Official Donation Receipt for a Charitable Tax Credit. Give some thought to making a Charitable Donation to the Gravenhurst Seniors Centre to ensure the successful operation of this very important Recreational and Social hub of the Town of Gravenhurst.
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Sudoku
Membership Dues of $25.00 for 2018 can be paid from 9:00 to 4:00 at the kitchen. Please make sure you update your email and phone number if any changes have occurred.
Instructions
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The numbers 1- 9 must appear only once in every row. The numbers 1- 9 must appear only once in every column The numbers 1- 9 must appear only once in each darkened square
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One Of A Kind
Sitting at the dock, in Port McNicoll, is a relic and one of the largest Canadian artifacts. The S.S. Keewatin is truly a great treasure and worth a visit. Built in 1907, this 350 foot long, three storey vessel is older than the Titanic and predates the First World War. She moved hundreds of thousands of tons of grain and flour, and tens of thousands of passengers, until 1965, and has survived intact to this day, while every other vessel from that period (1900 – 1920) has not. Her working life involved the Ontario Inland waterways of the Great Lakes. The Keewatin is the “real deal”. When you board her, you see exactly what passengers have seen since 1907. The cabins, passenger ways, lounges, and working engines are all genuine. The furniture, carpets, art, stained glass and carved mahogany walls, are all 18
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original. The dishes on the dining tables, the silverware, the kitchen utensils, the charts in the Captain’s space, all used by people who travelled on her. The Keewatin is a “Historic Destination” and not a museum. You walk the halls, sit in the chairs, and experience the engine room. You will see and feel what all those people many years ago experienced. The tale of bringing “Keewatin” home from a location on Lake Michigan a few years ago is a story unto itself. Open May – October. Tours every half hour. No reservations required. Put this on your “To Do List” for next year. Jim Goodwin
“Count on miracles”
unknown
Monday Afternoon Line Dancing Back Row - Left to Right - Christine Wilde (our teacher), Corina Bennett, Betty Deviney, Marsha Blain, Petie Thickett, Lynn Quesnelle, Betty Wilson. Front Row - Left to Right - Sarah Goosen, Janet Turney, Patti Lynch, Elaine Robbins, Kathy Cuffe. picture by Lorie Atkinson
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The Penny Farthing In September, I wrote about Gravenhurst’s 1977 Centennial Anniversary of its incorporation as a village, and my participation, which involved riding an antique bicycle, known as a “Penny Farthing”. Our Centennial Committee agreed we would need an Old Home Week, a big parade and willing workers. I had been fortunate in gaining the participation of about a dozen folks who lived in our town, many of them for a long time. Early on, we agreed we would need an Old Home Week, and a big parade, and we were looking for willing workers. I don’t remember approaching anyone who said “No”, which I think would have been true in most small towns. George Rice, whom most of you doubtless know, is the only one, in addition to myself, whom I know to be still alive.
At the same time, “Cheap Cyril” tried to think of some way to get the spotlight on our plans without spending too much money. I knew our parade was going to be a feature, and I had done a fair bit of cycling in my life. I also knew that a Mr. Watson in town had a bicycle collection, but he had died recently. However, I phoned Mrs. Watson, and asked if she still had any of his collection. She said she had one, a penny farthing which was the only bike in his collection that the National Museum in Ottawa didn’t want, and that I was welcome to borrow it. In another stroke of luck, she had a page of instructions on how to learn to ride it, which probably saved me from the fractures ward. “Start on a hard, preferably paved surface, have a strong person stand facing the bicycle, with a leg on each side of the front wheel, while you climb into the seat.” There was a small peg sticking out of the left side of the curved frame. You placed your left foot on this, then pushed up with that leg until you could swing your right leg onto the right side pedal. Once up, as you summoned your strength and courage, you did not ask your helper to step aside. Without the wheel moving a spoke, you jumped off your seat, backwards, and landed upright, and gracefully, on both feet, behind the back wheel. Such was the plan!
At the time, in addition to being a high school teacher, I was involved with the Gravenhurst News, in which I often wrote a column. So I told my readers about my new Centennial job, and asked them to help me by sending me photos and recollections of “the good old days”, as well as more recent ones. Canada Post could have given me a medal for the business in stamps generated by my request. Every week, enlargements of the photos and segments of stories filled a half page or so of the newspaper. My daughter Gretta, who was 19 at 20
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the time, became my front wheel holder. The requirement was that I repeat my “climb up, jump off” routine, until I could do it without the slightest hesitation and land safely every time. The minimum number of trial jumps was 50, said the instruction. I did more. I was no longer young. There is a rather pathetic looking hand brake on the penny farthing, activated by a lever on the handlebar. Fortunately, it is virtually useless in stopping the bicycle. For a moment, forget about bicycles and think of riding a horse which suddenly stops. Do you stop? You pitch forward over the horse’s neck and hit the ground? Chances are, your head will get there first. The penny farthing operates in identical fashion. So if you anticipate a stop, you “back pedal”, slow down, and jump off backwards, as I had been practising with Gretta. I did it lots of times, especially when I was in a parade and someone, often a youngster, stepped in front of me without realizing I had silently rolled up to him or her. It also helped satisfy the curiosity of my audience, because then they could witness the answer to the question “How do you get on the thing?”. There’s my story. I really enjoyed my time with it, and what happened later is another story. Cyril Fry ALL ABOUT US
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Happy Birthday &
Happy Anniversary to all of our Members who celebrate in the months of December, January & February
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Top—Ruth Robertson (Centre) presented Krista Storey (Left) Manager of Arts and Culture for the Town of Gravenhurst and Marta Proctor (Right) Director of Arts, Culture and Recreation for the Town of Gravenhurst with Poinsettia Plants in appreciation for the Summer Theatre Preview Shows tickets offered free of charge to all card carrying members of the Gravenhurst Seniors Centre. The presentation took place during the November monthly luncheon. Bottom—Dorothy Ruttan received a Christmas Poinsettia Plant from Ruth Robertson on behalf of the Board of Directors in appreciation of making the cakes for the Gravenhurst Seniors Centre General Meetings for many years. The presentation took place at the November monthly luncheon. ALL ABOUT US
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Stop in to see us for all your home, garden, paint and giftware needs.
Gravenhurst Home Hardware 1170 Muskoka Road Phone: (705) 687 - 3479 www.homehardware.ca Owned and operated by Ian & Tara McNaughton
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Judy’s Crossword Answers B R U C E S T E V E N S O N
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Cryptogram Answer: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Winter is here and so is the snow! Please bring a pair of indoor shoes or slippers to change into at the Centre to help keep our floors clean, dry and to help avoid unnecessary slips and falls.
Thank you for your cooperation!
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Mister Roberts Roberts Mister HAIR DESIGN
Seniors’ Discounts on Tuesdays through Thursdays
705-687-5400 275 KINGSWOOD DRIVE GRAVENHURST
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We wouldn’t be here without the support of our neighbours. So it feels good to return the favour. That’s why your local Gravenhurst Tim Hortons are proud to be part of this great community.
Promoting Lost and Found Items Judi Hodgson & Joan Parsons posed in front of the Lost and Found table that was on display in the Coffee Lounge area during the month of October. Many of the items were picked up by their owners by the end of the month with the unclaimed items going to Charity.
Sudoku Answers
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