During the past couple of months, Harwood Manor has been a hub of activity, welcoming 14 new residents and nine staff. The calendar of activities continues to offer a variety of recreational/spiritual programs designed to enhance the quality of life for each resident.
Some of the highlights have included a wine and cheese party for the ladies with a visit from Trudy, a consultant with Just for You Jewelry. The ladies spent an enjoyable afternoon trying on the latest styles in rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings. The men have been treated to afternoons of "billiards and beer" at the Legions in North Battleford and Battleford. Listening to the various stories from our six veterans was both interesting and educational. Floyd Johnson is eager to show off his talents at the pool table while Russell Kemp is up to the challenge at the shuffleboard table.
We have ventured out to the casino, attended the jam sessions at the Pioneer Hall featuring local musicians and enjoy meeting our friends at the Co-op for afternoon coffee. We have visited the new curling rink to cheer on our own Olive Pulsford as she plays in the senior league on Thursdays, and attend the seniors' activities at St. Joseph's Church each month. Local groups that have shared their talents with us include the Three Gents, Keepin' it Country, JPII choir, EMBM Grade 2 classes, the Meota Lions Choir and the Loewens.
Congratulations to Madeleine Phaneuf on winning a car through a promotion at Battleford Furniture. She hasn't made her final decision on what to do with it, but maybe she will let us know when she returns from her Caribbean Holiday with her family.
As the recreation director, I have what most people would call the "fun-job," while one of the most challenging jobs is left to two of our important staff, our cooks. Preparing nutritional home-cooked meals three times a day based on the individual and dietary needs is left in the capable hands of Russell Bird and Marjory Starr.
Head cook Russell, originally from the Debden area, graduated from the professional cooking course at Woodland Campus in Prince Albert in 1998. In the years to follow, he cooked in northern camps, owned a catering business and spent eight years at the Sheraton Inn. It was during that time frame he felt honoured to be chosen to organize and prepare a menu for a $1,000-a-plate-dinner when then Prime Minister Paul Martin was in town. He also prepared meals for the army, for country singer Loretta Lynn and for several special functions. Russell, along with his wife and five of their children moved to North Battleford in May 2012, and he began his employment at Harwood during the summer months. During his spare time, he enjoys fishing and spending quality time with his family, including four grandchildren.
Co-worker Marjory joined our staff in December 2012, just in time to help out with the busy holiday season. Graduating from the professional cooking course, she also holds a certificate in food and beverage hospitality training. Marjory and her husband are from the Moosomin First Nation where she is busy with four children and five grandchildren and volunteers in her spare time.
When Russell or Marjory require some time off we are so fortunate to have our own "in-house" chef , Johanna Rumpf, willing to help out. Johanna moved into Harwood in August of last year, bringing with her a great sense of humour, a zest for life and her cooking skills. She was born and raised in the Netherlands. Her father was an accomplished musician and conductor of several orchestras, which meant he was always travelling, leaving mom to raise the 13 kids on her own. Johanna tells us there was always music in the house as most of the kids, following in their father's footsteps, took up the violin. Johanna and her husband Martin Rumpf immigrated to Canada in search of a better life, homesteading in the Prongua area where they farmed while raising their five children. Upon "retirement" they were able to enjoy winters in Arizona before Martin's passing. Johanna's favourite pastimes include listening to our musical entertainment while showing off her many dance steps, having coffee with her girlfriend Stacey Felix, and sneaking "nums-nums" to Lily the dog.
"The key to happiness is to have family and friends share our lives."
