Senior Citizens Week

SCSCV Helps Seniors Live Full Lives

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

Senior Citizens Sunshine Club of Vegreville (SCSCV) is the place that helps seniors live their best possible life.

SCSCV President Dwayne Hlady explained that in order to be member, people have to be 50 years of age. “You can become an associate member if you are 40 years and older and what it means to be an associate member is you become a member but you can’t vote. A lot of the stuff we have going on in here, you don’t have to be a member to take part in it, but it is better if you are because for example with the brunch, you get it at a reduced rate.”

Volunteer Sunshine Café workers get together for fellowship in no particular order with Dwayne Hlady standing and sitting down are Stacy Mynzak, Gladys Palahniuk, Joanne Flaman, and Marion Baxandall.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Treasurer Rita Smyth works as a volunteer administrative assistant in the office.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

When asked how SCSCV helps seniors have full and interesting lives, he replied, “It gets them out of the house and gets them to socialize more and be around people. Isolation is the worst thing for a senior. The challenges seniors face nowadays are from social media because a lot of organizations when they post their events, they put it on there and most seniors listen to the radio, read the newspaper or find out things from posters or word of mouth.

I feel ageism is common, it is even among seniors where they use it by saying they can’t do something because they are old. You have to try doing things.

President Dwayne Hlady.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Then ageism is a two way sword, you get young people will open a door for a senior which is technically ageism, but it is also respect.

SCSCV feels intergenerational programming is essential. During Seniors Week, we are going to be having kids from CALS coming into the center and we will be doing a floor curling event. Then with COVID-19 starting to be in the past, we are going to try to get more intergenerational programming happening like we did before.

Finally, seniors are very important. They are our story tellers and our history. They should be honoured. They might know better because they have the experience.”

Heritage House Spring Tea Fundraiser Blooms Again

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

May 31 offered a chance for people to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee as well as a piece of strawberry or lemon shortcake while visiting family, friend, and acquaintances at Heritage House Spring Tea Fundraiser.

There were also door prizes, 50/50 cash and prize raffles available.

Recreation Aide Jasper Barletta explained that they usually host this event annually but since the COVID-19 pandemic, they haven’t had one since 2019.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Standing in no particular order are Director of Resident and Family Council (RFC) Melitta Zubritsky, resident Emily Sorochan, Secretary for RFC Heather Paziuk, Recreation Aide Jasper Barletta, and President of RFC Jo-Anne Fried. Names are not mentioned for rest of the residents and guests who are seated. (Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

“We want to give back the fun again. The residents really love it and it brings the community together. We think it is important to do events like this, especially for the residents as they don’t get out much. We also invite the community to our facility to showcase it.

L-R: Orest Fodchuk with his daughter Lorna Mills.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

L-R: Nancy Duke with her son Dale Duke.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

All the funds generated from this go back to our Resident and Family Council (RFC) where it will be used to help to have activities for the seniors.

We are just really excited to have this event again after not having it for three years.”

Outside the dining hall, people also had an opportunity to purchase sterling silver, 14 K gold, and stainless steel jewelry from Independent Jeweller Rachel Richoch with Fifth Avenue Collection who lives on a farm between Lavoy and Two Hills.

L-R: Helen Shewchuk greets the door monitors resident Wanda Keller and Office Administrator Jamie McKain.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)