The Seniors of Distinction Awards are an opportunity to recognize seniors of all walks of life – seniors who are experts in their field, seniors who share their culture and talents, seniors who volunteer as coaches, organizers and fundraisers, and seniors who care for people in need of understanding and companionship.
St. John’s-Avalon Chapter nominated Ms. Frankie O’Neill for her volunteer efforts with the Seniors Resource Centre and the Canadian Mental Health Association.
On June 24, 2009, five Seniors of Distinction Awards were presented to five very deserving individuals: Fred G. Bannister, 91, from Mount Pearl; Rita Mary Drake, 87, from Conception Harbour; Marie Northcott, 69, from Clarenville; Eric Norman (deceased) from Gander; and Minnie Vallis, 76, from Meadows. These recipients were the first to receive these newly established awards and on behalf of CARP, we extend sincere congratulations to those selected.
18. July 16: Party in the Park: The Annual Seniors Party in Bowering Park was held on Thursday, July 16, under ideal weather conditions which resulted in one of the best levels of participation by seniors from the many personal care homes in the region. This event, which is sponsored by the City of St. John’s Parks and Recreation Department, included an afternoon of entertainment by various seniors groups and an assortment of refreshments. I thank Chapter members Maurice Brewster (Coordinator), Noel Shuell, Mike Conran and Don Byrne for providing assistance as parking attendants for attending seniors. Councilor Shannie Duff gave her personal thanks to CARP as she left the event. Other Councillors who spoke to the Chair were Ron Ellsworth, Keith Coombs, Sandy Hickman, and Tom Hann. Mayor Dennis O’Keefe introduced the members of his Seniors Advisory Committee including our own CARP Representative Margaret Adey
19. August 11: Para-Transit Review: On July 17, 2009, the City of St. John’s released the St. John’s Para-Transit Draft Report. Some members of our CARP Board will recall that in 2007, a Committee of our Board held meetings with the St. John’s Taxi Association seeking an alternative means of providing transport for those unable to use the public Metrobus service. At the time, as now, the only service provider for disabled and other users was Wheelway, a private company, contracted by the City and paid a subsidy for each use of its service. Many users complained about that service and ultimately the City agreed to conduct a review. The result of this review is the Draft Report which was the subject of a discussion at a public meeting held at the St. John’s City Hall on August 11, 2009. About 50 interested citizens attended and many spoke in response to the Report. I did attend and related our involvement in this subject including several communications we had with Councillor Ron Ellsworth, who was the Chair of this meeting. I attach a copy of that correspondence for the record. The text of the Draft Report is available on the City of St. John’s web-site at: http://www.stjohns.ca/csj/ParaTransitReviewStudy.pdf
20. August 20: Annual Barbeque: The Annual Barbeque was held on August 20 at the Royal Canadian Legion with 56 members in attendance. Among those attending were Siobhan Coady, MP for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl, Marilyn Beaton, Chair, Seniors Resource Centre, Past Chapter Chair Ron Pumphrey, and Board members Gerald Anstey, Maurice Brewster, Don Dooley, and Roy Church. Many thanks to Roy for coordinating this event and for the items he obtained and which were awarded as prizes at the end of the evening. The meal prepared by the Legion was excellent.
