15. June 18: Seniors Day at the Botanical Garden: The Eighth Annual Seniors Day at the MUN Botanical Garden, sponsored by the Friends of the Garden, the City of St. John’s and St. John’s-Avalon Chapter, was held on Thursday, June 18. It was a most glorious day, warm, sunny and little wind. The result was a perfect day for a visit to the Garden and many did just that, making for a most successful event. Several hundred attendees were able to avail of refreshments (beverages and various cookies), garden and greenhouse tours, nature walks and the garden staff were available to answer any questions. Overall, a most successful event.
The Hon. Ross Wiseman, Minister Responsible for Seniors and Aging, attended and brought greetings from the provincial government. Councillor Shannie Duff brought greetings from the City of St. John’s and in bringing greetings from the Chapter, I spoke about the late Tom Sandland, who as a member of our Board, put forward the idea of holding a seniors day at the garden which we sponsored initially and have continued to sponsor each year, making this the eighth year that the St. John’s-Avalon Chapter has provided financial support for this popular event.
16. June 24: Seniors Organizations and Retiree Groups Networking Forum: The provincial Aging and Seniors Division hosted this Networking Forum on June 24 at the Sheraton Hotel in St. John’s. The objectives of the forum were to share (i) positive examples of regional and/or provincial seniors organizations and retiree groups working together and (ii) information about recent initiatives under the Provincial Healthy Aging Policy Framework. The Forum ran from 9:00 Am to 2:30 PM after which the first Newfoundland and Labrador Seniors of Distinction Awards Ceremony was held.
Individuals representing thirty-two seniors and retiree g organizations attended the Forum which made for a most interesting and informative session. Bernice Buckle spoke on “The mandate and activities of the Corner Brook Seniors Wellness Committee”. Gordon Brockerville, Healthy Aging Coordinator, Marystown, spoke on “the Marystown Healthy Aging Community Project.” Sandra Bishop, Manager, Community Partnership Initiative, HRLE, spoke on “Targeted Initiatives for Older Workers”. Glendora Boland, Nutrition Consultant, Wellness Division, DHCS, provided an “Update on the Review of Seniors Nutrition Services and Programs”. These presentations were all most interesting and informative.
After a lunch break, each organization and retiree group was give the opportunity to share information on recent activities and initiatives. The primary focus was to be on the opportunities to network with other organizations and on successful efforts to communicate both internally and externally. Time did not permit a full discussion of this important issue. However, the diversity of groups represented and the myriad of activities undertaken provided much food for thought to all participants. Overall, a very useful, productive and stimulating session. It would be useful if the information given verbally could be summarized and shared with all attendees and with other members of attending organizations who were not present.
17. June 24: Seniors of Distinction Awards: The Newfoundland and Labrador Seniors of Distinction Awards will be awarded annually beginning in 2009, to recognize and celebrate the contributions, achievements and diversity of seniors throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
