A war-related event drew mixed emotions from a group of seniors Wednesday, and that’s exactly what Miriam Goldberger was going for.
The founder of What Dance Can Do brought a version of her Gentle Moves program to the Leacock Retirement Lodge, but with a twist.
Gentle Moves is a dance-focused program intended to help those with physical, cognitive or emotional challenges. While Wednesday’s event did include some light dance moves, there was a deeper meaning behind it.
Goldberger has teamed up with the Orillia Museum of Art and History to present Engaging Conversations with Living Memories — Creating Orillia Portraits. The pilot project, funded by the federal New Horizons for Seniors Program, sees seniors as well as staff and volunteers sit in a circle and share their memories on different subjects.
“Today is a day we talk about war,” Goldberger told the group.
She started the session by playing a song, Sentimental Journey, released in 1944.
Kenneth Joslin sang along before sharing his memories. The museum brought a few artifacts to show residents, while Joslin brought his own. It was his officer’s commission from when he was a cadet during the Second World War.
“It’s a job description and a contract at the same time, but it’s the only commission I ever had,” said Joslin, who served full-time with the army for 27 years and the reserves for 13.
He also chimed in to provide details about another artifact the museum had on hand — an ammunition shell that was produced by Tudhope Metal Industries in Orillia.
A “big fan and believer in history,” Joslin appreciated the chance to take part in the conversation.
“It’s about helping people understand and preserve our history,” he said.
The museum will do just that with the stories collected Wednesday. They will go into the museum’s Orillia Portraits database.
Joe Morphitt had plenty to share. His father was wounded twice during the Second World War.
“The second time, my mother was his nurse, and that’s why I’m here today,” he said.
Morphitt became emotional when recalling the impact of war on him, his family and his friends. His brother, haunted by memories of war, “became a drunk” when he returned home and he “died on skid row,” Morphitt explained, describing what is now recognized as post-traumatic stress disorder.
“My brother, with all his flying and bombing, never mentioned it.”
Morphitt served in the Korean War, delivering mail to Korea and delivering injured soldiers to Tokyo before heading back.
Wednesday’s event, he said, was a good way to remember the sacrifices of those who served in wars throughout history. It was timely, too.
“It’s what Nov. 11 is all about,” Morphitt said of Remembrance Day.
Engaging Conversations with Living Memories — Creating Orillia Portraits happens weekly at the retirement lodge. In January, the show will go on the road to Trillium Manor for another 10-week session.
“The goal is to create a prototype program that can be shared with all of central Ontario,” Goldberger said. “It’s a very powerful tool, a way to have the seniors connect with the community and vice versa.”
