July 28, 2022
Good afternoon, Members.
The August calendar of events can be found at the Calendar tab at the top of this page.
Please take time to read this entire message - including the snapshot at the end of this email outlining the "wider range of activities" that may be possible at our building and other locations this fall.
August is traditionally a month where lots of Members are out of town on holidays, busy entertaining, and/or just relaxing with friends. As a result, attendance drops at some events at the Barrhaven Seniors' Center. After discussing this with the Co-Ordinators, two programs will take a break this coming month:
- Wednesday Euchre is not offered. There will be an organizational meeting for players in September to determine if there are sufficient players to resume Wednesday Euchre - and the format that players would like to see at this Euchre this fall. There have been a few recommendations for change - so it will be up to the Members in Attendance at that meeting to decide;and
- Friday Cribbage is not offered. Michael looks forward to resuming Cribbage in September. More details later about which day of the week as there has been some interest in having it return to Thursdays. Please let Michael know mdroach@bell.net if you would be interested in having Cribbage on Thursday afternoons starting in September
Looking for something this Long weekend: Egyptian Festival July 29 to 31st (see poster under Calendar
Although we may have fewer events at the Barrhaven Seniors' Centre building in August, there is a lot to choose from on the August calendar:
1. Tuesday Bridge continues;
2. Friday Canasta continues;
3. Men's Breakfast and Ladies Luncheon continue;
4. Virtual Chair exercises continue. Note that the times posted may be altered slightly due to staffing. If in doubt, or if you have any questions about the Virtual Chair program, please contact the Co-Ordinator - Grace - at at gkowalczyk@familyphysio.com or 613-796-4729
;4. Legion Music and Luncheons: August 3rd and 17th (see poster under Calendar) ;
5. August 11th: "Dueling for Heart Health"Fund Raiser at Waterford (see poster under Calendar ;
6. August 13th: Legion Garage Sale (see poster under Calendar;
7. August 19th: Legion Dinner and Live Auction (see poster under Calendar);
LOOKING AHEAD FOR MORE ACTIVITIES THIS FALL:
Both the City and many other organizations across the province are now planning to resume almost all of the activities offered prior to COVID. Now that the youngest children are eligible to receive their COVID vaccines, this should have a positive effect on slowing the spread of COVID. Indeed, as announced by the Minister of Education: Nothing matters more than getting students back in class, on time, with a full school experience. That means that you and your child can look forward to extracurricular activities like sports, band and field trips.
With proper precautions now in place - and with vaccines now widely available to all citizens in the province - Seniors too should be able to resume an almost full range of activities, such as:
1. With help from the Membership, we hope to resume some of the following programs.
- Weekly Drop-In
;- Seasonal out of city trips (first exursion to Upper Canada Playhouse, and brunch prior, planned for December - "A Christmas Carol");
- Monthly or bi-monthly Group Meals at local restaurants
- Occasional "Catered Member Meals" held at our building (at a substantial discount rate);
- Movie afternoon each month at our building and/or a monthly evening movie elsewhere;
- Guest Speakers and Courses; etc.
The range of activities is totally up to the Membership. If Members step forward to help to Co-Ordinate events this fall, it could be lots of fun. Remember, we have "no" paid staff - this is a fully volunteer run group that offers lots of activities when Members work together to run activities. If you would like to "help" run any of these programs, please email Don at barrhavenseniors@gmail.com before August 18th (at which time the Board is having a Planning Meeting for events from September 1st to December 31st):
2.
Explore a new hobby with the City’s fall 2022 recreation and culture eGuides07/19/2022 09:07Fall recreation eGuides are here! Registration opens on Monday, August 8 for swimming and Wednesday, August 10 for all other activities.
If you’re looking to try new things this fall, look no further than the City’s fall recreation and culture eGuides! Both in-person and virtual programs are available for all interests, ages and in both official languages. Whether you prefer to dive into swimming lessons or get a little clay on your hands by taking some pottery lessons, there is something for everyone!
The eGuides are available now and can be viewed online at ottawa.ca/recreation. Registration for aquatic programs begins at 9 pm on Monday, August 8. Registration for all other programs being at 9 pm on Wednesday, August 10.
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Enjoy our last full month of summer ahead.
Take care.
DonDonald Winchester,
President,Barrhaven Seniors' Council
,https://barrhavenseniors.com/
Charity #72092 5924 RR0001,
Canada Not-For-Profit #1016879-3.613-440-3620
Good afternoon, everyone.
Finally, we return to the Barrhaven Seniors' Centre for almost all in-person activities starting Tuesday, June 21st - the first day of summer.
The revised June calendar can be found in the "Calendars" section (click the tab to view). I was at the building yesterday.
The air conditioning units are activated, new floors in many areas, and the washrooms have been upgraded during our absence.
A reminder that there will be children using the water park, so if at all possible please park in the parking lot. If you do need to park up by the building, please be very cautious of young ones suddenly darting about.
The "Barrhaven Seniors' Centre" is located at 700 Longfields Drive - on the east side of the intersection of Longfields Drive & Highbury Park Drive. Enter the large parking lot and our accessible building is ahead on the left.
EXPECTATION OF MEMBERS: Our event Co-Ordinators are volunteers who willingly give up their time so as to provide a “positive experience” for participants. Everyone who comes to the building for any activity should have the opportunity to take part – no one should be left out. If there are not sufficient numbers of players for another table of that particular game, please take turns sitting out a hand or two to accommodate such situations. Finally, let's make this summer a positive experience after all of us having endured shut downs and separation since Mid March 2019. :
More information will be forthcoming about upcoming events. Have a great day.
Don
Donald Winchester, President,
Barrhaven Seniors' Council,
https://barrhavenseniors.com/
Charity #72092 5924 RR0001, Canada Not-For-Profit #1016879-3.
Phone: 613-440-3620
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"Your" new location: Announcement April 30, 2022
Good afternoon, Members.
It's now official !
This morning, representing the Barrhaven Seniors' Council, I attended the official announcement of funding for your new 3,000 square feet Seniors Space within the integrated project the "Barrhaven Town Centre."
From Councillor Harder about today's announcement: "This new cultural hub will include the construction of a 15,000 square foot cultural centre, a 3,000 square foot seniors’ space, and an over 25,000 square foot library. Once complete, this project will provide residents in Ottawa with a cultural hub that will foster social interactions and community engagement for years to come."
This is the culmination of many hours of work behind the scenes by many groups representing a variety of interests.. On your behalf, since 2016 Consultant Phil Denyes and I met with various organizations and representatives of all levels of government to encourage an integrated project initially called the Barrhaven Community and Cultural Centre - which would include a large, permanent space for seniors.
Throughout the years since we first began planning for a permanent location for the "Barrhaven Seniors' Centre," we have enjoyed the strong support of M.P. Chandra Arya, MPP/Minister Lisa MacLeod, and Councillor Jan Harder. On your behalf, I would like to thank them for their dedication in seeing this integrated project come to life - not only for the seniors, but for all citizens of Barrhaven.
Complete details can be found in the press release below https://www.janharder.ca/post/april-29th-canada-and-ontario-invest-in-community-and-recreation-infrastructure?fbclid=IwAR2-ohGUMI_ctqjtiAMiViAD7kCR1U2xPNVaE5-7OQ5sA3yWiFWjgKATk8U
Location: Behind the Cineplex/LCBO/Loblaws.
Funding is the critical step in moving this project into reality. There will be much work to do in the coming years to ensure that the seniors component provides a hub for all seniors in Barrhaven. I will keep you up-to-date as events unfold.
Sincerely,
Don
Donald Winchester,
President, Barrhaven Seniors' Council,
Charity #72092 5924 RR0001,
Canada Not-For-Profit #1016879-3. 613-440-3620
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Please watch your Inbox for further updates over the coming weeks.
