The city's newest personal care home officially opened its doors on April 16th 2012, welcoming the first two residents, Rudy and Helen Blanchette. Now five months later, we have 28 residents, two cats, MiMac and Dusty and one dog, Lily.
The environment supports residents in meaningful activities that have generated friendships and pride in accomplishment. Our recreation department staff, Donna, Janice and Glenna Lee, have been designing and organizing a variety of programs. Our exercise room is equipped with a variety of equipment designed to maintain maximum range of motion. Both group and individual classes are offered.
The spring months were busy planting flowers and vegetables in the barrels placed throughout the yard. Our resident "gardener", Izzy Halewich, spent many hours pushing his wheelbarrow while keeping us supplied with fresh soil and hauling watering cans. Mary Pelchat shared her talents with us, planting her arrangements of flowers.
Winemaking lessons with the generous support of Jerry from Don Jerry's Bulk foods was the Monday afternoon activity for June and July. Thanks to the help of Paul Gregoire and Russell Kemp we now have a nice supply of both red and white wine. We will be enjoying "fruits of our labour" in October when we host a wine and cheese gala.
The Great Room hosts many gatherings and social functions. Thanks to the generous donation of an organ by Helen Blanchette and a piano by Jean Davidson, we are able to host many musical groups including Jon Sloan and Co., The Nifty Fiftys, Country Cousins, Valley View Fiddlers and Phyllis Johnston. Roman Catholic mass is celebrated every Thursday with the assistance of Fr. Gerard and Notre Dame church. Jean Davidson has been instrumental in hosting a monthly prayer group followed by time for socializing. Various card games, board games and the occasional bingo are provided as entertainment in the Great Room.
Weekly outing includes an afternoon of shopping at one of the local malls. The ladies enjoy browsing through the shops looking for the latest sales, while the men sit patiently drinking coffee and catching up on the farming reports. Some things never change!
Victor and Elaine Liebaert, owners of the Rustic Nine Golf Course, have shared their hospitality during the warm summer months. The residents enjoyed a picnic lunch in the beautiful gazebo. The helpful staff at Eiling Kramer Campground, along with volunteer Nathan Vany, assisted us with hosting our first wiener roast. Other community outings included the Chapel Gallery, Saskatchewan Handcraft Festival, The Bistro in Battleford and the Western Development Museum.
The residents and staff would like to extend our sincere sympathy to Mable Bru on the recent loss of her daughter, to Lois Sparrow, on the loss of her beloved Herb. We would also like to congratulate Eileen Dustan, on the recent birth of her great-granddaughter.
- Harwood Manor's Events, Life, Leisure Oppprtunities
