Newsletter | Fall 2015
Discover Independent Living+, the best in retirement living on the North Shore
Get your moves on during Active Aging Week Move it, shake it, use it… whatever you do: make the most of aging actively, September 28 th – October 3 rd. The ICAA’s * 2015 Annual Active Aging Week encourages adults 50 + to “Live Your Adventure”, which means to really challenge yourself to break routine and try something new. Come out and join one of Westerleigh PARC’s activities that challenges your body, mind, spirit or abilities. The week’s special highlight event will feature Dean Smith, renowned physiotherapist as he presents ‘Top Tips for Active Aging with Arthritis’ on Saturday, October 3 rd at 2:30 PM. The event itself starts at 2:00 PM. For more information or to RSVP, call 604.922.9888 before Wednesday, Oct. 1 st .
Stan, social dynamo Westerleigh PARC
*International Council on Active Aging
Western BBQ 2nd Anniversary At Westerleigh PARC, it was a hoppin’ and hollerin’ hoe-down barbecue for residents and their families on July 24 th , complete with western attire and live music. In true Western style, the culinary team served up fresh burgers, sausages, baked beans, corn on the cob and apple pie. They used herbs and veggies from Westerleigh PARC’s own onsite garden, and rounded the meal off with apple pie and made-in-house Bourbon ice cream. The barbecue is only one of many themed events hosted at Westerleigh PARC to celebrate the seasons. Check our activity calendar on the PARC Retirement Living website to get a more complete picture: parcliving.ca/learn-more/events/
Teeing up for fitness Whether it’s teeing one up on the golf course or stretching and strengthening limbs at his fitness class, Stan seems to be enjoying pretty much everything in his day-to-day living. “Fitness is one of the most important things in my life,” he says. Add the social factor in, and Stan’s in his element. He finds it effortless to get to know people and is happy about how friendly and easy-going everyone is at Westerleigh PARC. “Everyone here has an interesting story” he explains. Stan is always keen to step outside for excursions around the neighbourhood: he enjoys walks along the seawall and dropping into the community library, plus joins organized outings with some of the other residents. Stan only recently gave up his involvement with the embroidery factory he owned and operated. Yet happily for Stan, it seems life isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
725 – 22nd Street, West Vancouver, BC V7V 0B3 parcliving.ca/westerleigh 604.922.9888
PARC Retirement Living facebook.com/parcretirementliving @ParcLiving
Westerleigh gardens providing a bounty of joy
Chef Joseph Schefer & Chef Paul Marshall
PARC Retirement Living Chefs voted 'Best of the West' PARC Retirement Living executive chefs, Joseph Schefer and Paul Marshall, proved to be the top chefs in the west with their win in the 5 th Annual Best of the West 2015 event, held Wednesday August 5 th during the Harmony Arts Festival in West Vancouver. The pair prepared a melt-in-your-mouth Vegan Wild Mushroom Tart with smoked chipotle and a Kraus Farm blackberry reduction, paired with a 2012 Tempranillo wine from Stag’s Hollow. There were over 200 attendees who savoured the delectable dish and by voting, named it the winning food & wine combination. The gastronomic event was held on beautiful Ambleside Pier, and featured 12 competitors in all from some of the finest restaurants in the Lower Mainland. As the only competitors in the group representing a retirement community, and up against some of the city’s best chefs, it is truly a remarkable feat for PARC Retirement Living to be recognized for the exceptional level of culinary expertise they bring to their residents every day.
Like everything else at Westerleigh PARC, it seems the onsite gardens have thrived this summer, providing residents and visitors alike with plentiful joy. The herb and vegetable garden as well as a courtyard garden are prolific in their production, thanks to the expert care of two exceptional gardeners: Jamie and Linda. In fact, they have done such a great job with the gardens, it’s become the talk of the town, and community members visit regularly to see the beautiful displays. Residents can often be found reading novels next to the climbing roses, and family members will stroll past the colourful growth, or bring gelato to sit in the courtyard and be amidst the sights and scents. The bounty also provides well for our Executive Chef. He uses the fresh herbs, vegetables and edible flowers from the gardens in his PARC SMART creations and other culinary delights. Westerleigh PARC is also committed to the surroundings beyond the property, and has refurbished neighbouring John Richardson Park. The residence has installed new park benches, created walkways and planted new specimens. In this community park, residents now play bocce ball and the community at large is also making use of the space. With such inviting outdoor options, it’s no wonder Westerleigh PARC residents are spending more time outside– leading to healthier, happier dispositions, increased socialization and general well-being. Gardening is always a good thing!
Some of the competition included The Beach House Restaurant, Mangia E Bevi, Pier7 Restaurant & Bar, Thomas Haas Chocolates & Patisserie, The Observatory and others.
Meet our Active Living Coordinator Tamara Innes is Westerleigh PARC’s Active Living Coordinator. She is outgoing and energetic, making her the ideal person to inspire our residents to live life to the fullest. Tamara’s role is to facilitate and promote programs and activities that encourage a healthy, independent lifestyle. She is an advocate of physical, social, and spiritual health and wellness too, encouraging participation and a sense of belonging and community. Tamara has worked in the hospitality and events industry for 12 years, and has thoroughly enjoyed the past two years with PARC. She says “I am inspired by my work and residents every day.”
Westerleigh PARC Greenhouse
UPCOMING EVENTS & TOURS Here’s a small sampling of the types of outings we organize for residents. It’s always a good time!
SEPTEMBER
Grandparents’ Day Brunch
End of Summer Football “tailgate-themed” BBQ
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER
Active Aging Week
Come one, come all to Active Aging Week Join us October 3 rd at 2:30 PM to hear a presentation by physiotherapy expert, Dean Smith, and enjoy a ‘High Tea’ afternoon. The actual event starts at 2:00 PM. Please RSVP by October 1 st by calling 604.922.9888
Did you know?
92% of residents rate PARC “above average”*
725 – 22nd Street, West Vancouver, BC V7V 0B3 parcliving.ca/westerleigh 604.922.9888 *http://parcliving.ca/survey/