When I walked into the lunch room at the Senior Centre, I almost bolted. At first glance, I didn’t recognize anyone, but I saw an empty table. I am so glad I stayed.
There had been an invitation for seniors to join in for a day of fun and food… and it was free. It was dubbed Buddy Up!
Through ice-breaker games, we got to know each other better.
Steve Watson was born here. The winner of the largest family had 18 other siblings. Germany had the largest show of hands for country of origin.
The furthest away, in North America, was from southern Ontario, beating out those who came from the USA – Canada is that big!
The lunchtime entertainment was our multi-talented Just Us band.
The purpose of the program, under the umbrella of the BC Association of Community Response Networks (BCCRN), is to provide a space for seniors to connect.
It did!
The program will continue every second week from June through September. There will be education and awareness against abuse of older adults, which can come in many forms: financial, physical, sexual, psychological/mental, verbal/emotional, spiritual and self-neglect..
To protect the vulnerable, if you see something say something. To find a local community response network visit online at www.bccrns.ca.
Anjali Marshall, the Regional Mentor, who worked hard bringing us this opportunity to "buddy up," invites those who missed the last one and would like to attend June 26 to please give her a call (778) 320-2713.
I sat at a table with Cheryl Hofweber and found out that she is performing, once again, at the Midsummer Music Festival. I gave her a call at home. She will have a 45-minute set July 5 at noon on Stage 3.
Cheryl’s love of performing, she said, comes from attending guitar camp for 25 years. Every camp had great instructors and jams. Our music community is supportive. She said she has had great local role models with Mark Perry, Jenny Lester and Alex Cuba.
When I told Jenny that I shared a table at Buddy Up with Cheryl she said, “Oh, she puts in the work and she is funny.”
Cheryl’s original songs are growing to become a repertoire of life and its challenges. Her newest song, “Too Good to be True” is about fraud and has a humorous twist. Also, her recent song “Small Town Paper” uses the headlines from The Interior News, January 25 issue.
Speaking of small-town papers, we both have a fear of losing our local papers and radio stations. I know it's preaching to the choir if you are reading this. I’ve started giving a subscription as a gift that keeps on giving. The paper, through subscription, will come delivered to your mailbox and/or it can be read online.
Speaking of songs, I hear there is a call to have Canadians, from coast-to-coast-to-coast, sing “Oh, Canada” at 10 am PST, on July 1st. I will also find out what the Town of Smithers is planning for the day.
If you have community news for this column, please e-mail sonja.lester.b.c@gmail.com or call 250-847-4414.
