THURSDAY
JANUARY 25, 2018
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Hospice marks 10 years
Special Section
TIFFANY LEPACK
AND THE
tlepack@metroland.com
For the last 10 years, Hospice Renfrew has been normalizing the process of dying. The agency offers much comfort to patients in their final days. A piece of strawberry and vanilla cake sits on the table beside Robbie Kraft’s bed and she places her hand on a birdwatching book. Maureen Sullivan-Bentz, Hospice Renfrew’s executive director, says this is the best room to birdwatch. Kraft’s eyes light up and she seems full of life talking about the birds she has seen in her three-week stay away from her home in Pembroke. “It’s been a rough road … here it reminds me of home,” said Kraft. “If it gets any better, I just can’t explain it. I don’t have to lift a finger.” So far she has seen two partridges, as identified by the book. “I’ve got to make sure I am naming the right birds,” she says with a smile and a twinkle in her eye. She said if she had the help at home it would be different, alluding to why she needed to come to hospice. See HOSPICE, page 2
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Celebration of Life
Here fishy fishy!
Tara Gesner/Metroland
The annual Frew Fest fishing derby hosted by the Renfrew firefighters was a hit with all ages on Saturday, Jan. 20. The event was held on the Bonnechere River at the end of Riverview Drive. Waiting for a nibble, from left: Renfrew youngsters Ainslie Coulas, 8, Oliver Pasco, 2, Hailee Knox, 6, Alena Pasco, 6, and Chloe Pasco, 8. For more Frew Fest photos see pages 4 and 5.
The 14th annual Celebration of Life dance is set for Friday, Jan. 26 at the Renfrew Armouries. Doors open at 7 p.m. with money raised going to Renfrew Victoria Hospital/ Hospice Renfrew/doctor recruitment. The Ghost Town Cryers and the Riley New Band will hit the stage. Tickets are $10, available at the door. Local restaurants are also hosting events during the day.