presidents message 1 president’s message...2020/04/03 · issue 157 april 2020 presidents message...
TRANSCRIPT
ISSUE 157 APRIL 2020
Presidents Message 1 Volunteer 2 Profile 3 AGM Report/Photos/Notices 4-5
Fitness 6 Notices 7 Flyer 8 Garden 9 Simcoe Readers 10 Jokes, article, Ads 11-13 Winners 14 Calendar 15
Did you know we have a Facebook page? Check
it out at BWG Seniors Association
President’s Message
I never thought I would write a message under these extraordinary circumstances. The Town of Bradford will tell us when we can re-open the Danube Centre, which could be well past April the 6th. In the meantime, let’s all follow the guidelines provided by the authorities. Stay safe, stay healthy so when things are back to normal, we can again enjoy each other’s company and the many programs at the Danube Centre. --Elke
The Danube Seniors Leisure Centre: 715 Simcoe Rd., Bradford ON L3Z 4B4 Phone: 905 775-0612 Web Page: danubeseniors.club
Email: [email protected] Facebook: BWG Seniors Association
Inside this Issue
President
Elke Pitkin
1st Vice-President
Wendy Lonsdale
2nd Vice-President
Sandy Madill
Secretary
Sheila Marshall
Treasurer
Anne Spaulding
Director of Programs
Edale Levene
Director of Special Events
Jan Evans
Director of Facilities
Al Charlebois
Director of Food Services Vacant
Members-at–Large
Olga Bishop & Relly Weisinger
Past President
Elaine Love
Newsletter Editor
Edale Levene
Contributing Editor &
Photographer
Jan Evans
Associate Editor
Relly Weisinger
Web Page
Neil MacNaughton
APRIL 19-25 2020 IS
NATIONAL VOLUNTEER
WEEK
We would like to thank all the
volunteers of the Danube Seniors
Centre. You have spent countless
hours keeping the Centre
functioning, preparing food,
cleaning up, leading activities and
taking care of all the day-to-day
details. We appreciate it all.
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.
Introducing…… Wayne Spalding
If you happen to be at the Danube Centre on a Monday
or Thursday morning, you will see a small group of
members racking snooker balls and maintaining their
composure when they sewer the cue ball. Among them
will be Wayne Spalding, who took over leadership of
the pool group when former member Bob Fleming
moved to Barrie.
Wayne has been a Danube member since 2013, originally encouraged by his wife, Ann
(our current Treasurer), to attend Birthday Lunches. He found the people he met here
friendly and the activities fun, and good value for the money. “Where else can you play
pool for $1 and have a coffee for 25 cents?”
Wayne would like to invite anyone interested in learning to play pool to come out on a
Monday or Thursday morning and give it a try. (The games begin at 9am and Wayne
arrives shortly thereafter from his other love—being a School Crossing Guard). It takes a
bit of practice, but it’s time well spent.
In the meantime, if you find yourself at the corner of Aishford and West Park Drive any
weekday morning or afternoon, give a friendly wave to the crossing guard!
.
Danube AGM Report March 2020
President Elke Pitkin opened the 2020 Annual General Meeting of the Bradford West
Gwillimbury Seniors Association (a.k.a. Danube Seniors Leisure Centre) just after 10:00 a.m. on
Thursday, March 5th, 2020. She noted that many more members were in attendance than when
the meeting was held in the evening. “O Canada” was sung, led by Bill Bishop, with Jan Evans
on the piano.
Ann Spalding led a prayer for those we have lost since the last AGM.
The financial report given by Ann Spalding revealed that 2019 expenses slightly exceeded
income which Ann attributed to fewer special events and some unexpected major expenses
including the new copier, new blinds in the hall and a new computer. Overall, though, we are in
the black; moreover, we can now create and print all of our own posters, tickets and newsletter
in-house, and we can darken the hall sufficiently during movies and live performances.
Reports were given by various board members:
- Programs: Edale Levene reported that we introduced 2 new programs: a Book Club and
Zumba Gold, both of which are well-attended.
- Special Events: Jan Evans summarized events in another very busy year (Thanks to
everyone who supports the events in any way!)
- Constitution Committee: One constitutional amendment was proposed and subsequently
approved by a show of hands: that we amend the clause explaining payment of dues so
that it indicates that dues are based on the calendar year January 1-December 31 and not
on parts thereof as previously written. During discussion, it was explained that dues are
determined by the Administrative Board based on where municipal taxes are paid.
Reports were also heard from the Boutique (Olga Bishop), the Craft Group (Elaine Love) and the
kitchen (Elke for Kitty Sweet).
Bill Bishop directed the Election of the new Danube Seniors Administrative Board. The 2020
Administrative Board will consist of:
President - Elke Pitkin
1st Vice-President - Wendy Lonsdale
2nd Vice-President - Sandy Madill
Secretary - Sheila Marshall
Treasurer - Ann Spalding
Program Director - Edale Levene
Member-at-Large - Relly Weisinger
Thanks to Bill Burlton and Jonathan for counting the ballots. Elke thanked everyone for
attending and adjourned the meeting. Afterwards, a delicious lunch of homemade soup and
sandwiches was available for purchase. M-m-m, m-m-m good!
(Check out the following page for photos.)
Member-at-Large - Olga Bishop
Special Events Co-ordinator - Jan Evans
Director of Facilities - Al Charlebois
Past President - Elaine Love
Director of Food Services - unfilled
AGM PHOTOGRAPHS March 5, 2020
Winter Fitness Classes at the Danube
“Four, three, two, march it out!” And the members of the fitness class have been
marching it out on Tuesday and every-other Friday morning all winter long, under
the direction of Sandy Maisine-Magani. Sandy’s infectious enthusiasm (not to
mention her chicken stories and memory games) have kept us amused—and
distracted from the number of squats, push-ups and bicep curls we’ve actually
been doing.
So, keep it up during the closure! Lift those soup cans while you watch T.V.; march
on the spot; “take it wide”; stand behind a chair and do a few (dozen) squats. And
don’t forget to laugh out loud when you get a move wrong.
Here’s a link so you can exercise at home with a 30-minute hasfit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zyWa3vko6k
Check out YouTube for many more exercise programs.
A woman brought a very limp duck into a veterinary surgeon. As she laid her pet on the table, the vet pulled out his stethoscope and listened to the bird's chest. After a moment or two, the vet shook his head and sadly said, "I'm sorry, your duck, Cuddles, has passed away." The distressed woman wailed, "Are you sure?" "Yes, I am sure. Your duck is dead," replied the vet. “How can you be so sure?" she protested. "I mean you haven't done any testing on him or anything. He might just be in a coma or something. “The vet rolled his eyes, turned around and left the room. He returned a few minutes later with a black Labrador Retriever. As the duck's owner looked on in amazement, the dog stood on his hind legs, put his front paws on the examination table and sniffed the duck from top to bottom. He then looked up at the vet with sad eyes and shook his head. The vet patted the dog on the head and took it out of the room. A few minutes later he returned with a cat. The cat jumped on the table and also delicately sniffed the bird from head to foot. The cat sat back on its haunches, shook its head, meowed softly and strolled out of the room. The vet looked at the woman and said, "I'm sorry, but as I said, this is most definitely, 100% certifiably, a dead duck. “The vet turned to his computer terminal, hit a few keys and produced a bill, which he handed to the woman. The duck's owner, still in shock, took the bill. "$150!" she cried, "$150 just to tell me my duck is dead!" The vet shrugged, "I'm sorry. If you had just taken my word for it, the bill would have been $20, but with the Lab Report and the Cat Scan, it's now $150."
NOTICES
We will let you know when we
are able to re-open and
continue with our programs.
Until then no programs will be
scheduled.
Useful Internet Link
Do you like to do online crossword puzzles’? Here’s a link with lots of
selection: (ctrl +click)
https://www.boatloadpuzzles.com/playcross
word
______________________________________
A guy is reading his paper when his wife walks up behind him and smacks him on the back of the head with a frying pan. He asks, "What was that for?" She says, "I found a piece of paper in your pocket with 'Betty Sue' written on it." He says, "Jeez, honey, remember last week when I went to the track? 'Betty Sue' was the name of the horse I went there to bet on." She shrugs and walks away.
Three days later he's reading his paper when she walks up behind him and smacks him on the back of the head again with the frying pan. He asks, "What was that for?" She answers, "Your horse called."
How to protect yourself and others:
The SMDHU advises you to take these everyday
steps to reduce exposure to the virus and
protect your health:
• wash your hands often with soap and
water or use alcohol-based hand
sanitizers
• sneeze and cough into your sleeve
• avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
• avoid close contact with people who are
sick
• stay home if you are sick
• clean and disinfect frequently touched
objects and surfaces
Danube’s Garden Plot
Have you ever ventured out to the back of the Danube Centre? Did you know that there’s a garden out
there?
The garden was started in 1998 (the year the Centre opened), when Chris (Burlton) and a co-op student
dug out most of the weeds by hand. The next year, Bill Bishop began tilling the garden. For several
years, he planted long rows of potatoes for luncheons at the centre (see photo). Eventually, the long row
was divided into plots. Bill Bishop tilled the plots for everyone in the spring and in the fall after he spread
manure (from a friend's farm) as well as many green garbage bags of leaves (gathered at his home in
Bond Head), and, for a time, compostable materials from the Danube kitchen. For many years, he would
load a huge tiller onto his trailer, unload it at the Danube garden, work in the manure and leaves, then
load the tiller back on the trailer to take home. It’s quite likely that plot owners had no idea of the work
that went into preparing the garden and just assumed the "Good Fairy" came and dug it up
overnight! Those of us who know better are very grateful for Bill’s dedication.
The late President Gerry Slykhuis built the wooden compost bin that is still used by the gardeners—and
a very lovely garter snake who makes occasional appearances on warm, sunny afternoons (no photo
available).
The garden has grown over the years to what it is today: about 65 feet long and 8 feet deep. A few years
ago, Bill Bishop retired from tilling and planting the Danube garden. Last year Al Charlebois, Wayne
Spalding and Bill Burlton stepped up to till the garden with a borrowed tiller. Thank you!!! Bill Burlton
took over Chris's plot in 2005. Some of the other plots are grandfathered, but every year someone
leaves and another person comes. If you like gardening, this is just enough work for us seniors.
There are 2 conditions for having a plot in the Danube garden: first, everyone is responsible for weeding
and watering their own plot; second, some of the harvest is to be donated to the Centre for either the
Danube kitchen or members who do not have access to garden-fresh vegetables.
Simcoe Volunteer Readers
Hazel, a Simcoe Volunteer Reader, was shopping in Walmart when a little girl ran up to her and threw her arms around her knees and shouted "Mommy, Mommy this is the lady I read to every week. This made Hazel's week especially wonderful.
Once a week, for one-hour, Hazel listens to four children read from special books donated by the Volunteer Reader Program, the teacher selects children who are struggling with reading and matches each child with the appropriate level of book, so that reading becomes enjoyable. There are thirty levels of books and when each level is mastered the child is awarded a coloured ribbon. The adult listens, helps, and celebrates the success.
The Simcoe Volunteer Program was developed by Peter Ellis B.Ed., M.Sc., thirteen years ago and hundreds of Bradford elementary children have benefited greatly. The program is aimed at children who are at "risk" of not succeeding in reading and one on one support is thought to be useful by the teacher.
Peter is looking for adults to join his Simcoe Readers and bring the excitement of reading to more children. It is very rare for a nonprofit volunteer group to have a major impact on special children but it really depends on adults who understand the importance of reading to a person's success in future life. In early years we learn to read so that in later years we can read to learn. Please call Peter at 705-458-4852 or [email protected].
An elderly woman had just returned to her home
from an evening at church service when she was
startled by an intruder.
As she caught the man in the act of robbing her home
of its valuables, she yelled, "STOP! ACTS 2:38!"
(Repent and be baptized, in the name of the lord, so
that your sins may be forgiven.)
The burglar stopped in his tracks. The woman calmly
called the police and explained what she had done. As
the officer cuffed the man to take him in, he asked the
burglar, "Why did you just stand there? All the old lady
did was yell scripture at you."
"SCRIPTURE?!" replied the burglar, "She said she had
an AXE and TWO 38's!
The secret of staying young is to live honestly,
eat slowly and lie about your age.
– Lucille Ball
Respect old people. They graduated school
without Google or Wikipedia.
– Unknown
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Phone: 905-775-3379 Toll Free: 1-877-TUPLING
“Your trusted Insurance Advisors” o/b Insureit Group Inc.
TUPLING INSURANCE BROKERS Get Well Wishes
All our members are special to us:
This get-well wish goes out to
everyone feeling under the weather.
We would like you to know that our
warmest thoughts are yours each
and every day.
Get well soon, we miss you.
What kind of jewelry does the Easter Bunny
wear?
14 Carrot Gold
Where does Valentine's Day come after Easter?
In the dictionary
One Easter, a father was teaching his son to
drive when out of nowhere a rabbit jumped on
the road. Slamming on the breaks, the son said,
"I nearly ruined Easter! I almost ran over the
Easter Bunny." His father replied, "It's okay
son—you missed it by a hare.
"What happened to the Easter Bunny when he
misbehaved at school?
He was eggspelled!
Why shouldn't you tell an Easter egg a joke?
It might crack up!
Notice
The Danube Senior’s Centre regret that we are not able to continue the
lending of walkers and wheelchairs to our members, due to liability
restrictions. They can be used on the premises only.
We are also unable to accept Donations of mobility Equipment.
i
draw
Pesach (Passover) is April 8 to
April 16, 2020
The eight-day festival of Passover is
celebrated in the early spring, from the
15th through the 22nd of the Hebrew
month of Nissan. It commemorates the
emancipation of the Israelites from
slavery in ancient Egypt. It is observed
by avoiding leaven and highlighted by
the Seder meals that include four cups
of wine, eating matza and bitter herbs,
and retelling the story of the Exodus.
The Seders
The highlight of Passover is the Seder,
observed on each of the first two nights
of the holiday. The Seder is a fifteen-
step family-oriented tradition and ritual-
packed feast.The focal points of the
Seder are:
• Eating matzah. • Eating bitter herbs—to
commemorate the bitter slavery
endured by the Israelites.
• Drinking four cups of wine or
grape juice—a royal drink to
celebrate our newfound
freedom.
• The recitation of the Haggadah,
a liturgy that describes in detail
the story of the Exodus from
Egypt. The Haggadah is the
fulfillment of the biblical
obligation to recount to our
children the story of the Exodus
on the night of Passover.
pCc DUE TO ALLERGIE S
Reminder: There is a sign at
the front entrance of the
Danube Seniors Centre
Written and Installed by the
town, that smoking is not
allowed within 5 meters of the
entrance.
WINNERS
BRIDGE
Mar 2 First Dianne F
Second Malcolm P
BID EUCHRE
Mar 3 First Frances
Second Lynda B
Mar 10 First Clare
Second Grethe (sp?)
EUCHRE
Mar 5 First Shirley W
Second Ray
Mar 12 First George M
Second Gergie L (sp?)
NO SCENTS/PERFUMES
AFTERSHAVES OR
COLOGNES TO BE
WORN AT THE DANUBE
CENTRE
DUE TO ALLERGIES
DANUBE SENIORS CENTRE WEEKLY
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
MONDAY TUESDAY
9:00 am Pool-Snooker 11:00 am Fitness Class
9:15 am Scrapbooking 1:00 am Goldenaires
9:30 am Shuffleboard 1:00 pm Canasta
12:30 pm Poker 7:00 pm Bid Euchre
1:00 pm Bridge
1:00 pm Monthly Book Club
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
9:15 am Line Dancing 9:00 am Pool-Snooker
1:00 pm Crafts 10:30 am Chair Fitness
1:30 pm Skat 1:30 pm Euchre
FRIDAY SATURDAY
11:00 am Fitness Class 9:30 am The Varga Group
1:00 pm Carpet Bowling of Artists
Foot Clinic by appointment The Woodshop is open Monday &
Wednesday 9:00 am to noon. Other days
by appointment only.
Thursday, April 9
705 727-8814 Cost $18. Please
bring a towel.
Please remember the Danube Seniors Leisure Centre is closed on
Sundays and for all Provincial and Federal Statutory Holidays.