Seniors looking to enliven their social lives, enjoy some music, and fill up with a cooked lunch can check out the Orillia Seniors' Centre program at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church.
“We have a great time. We have good speakers, we have lots of fun, and when it’s all over, we play cards,” said participant Doreen Brockbank.
It's a Thursday program from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Each week features an opening joke or reading, with coffee and snacks, followed by a music performance or group singing. There's a 10-minute exercise period. Each week, a guest speaker talks about their community work before lunch is served. Participants can leave after lunch or stay and play cards.
The church donates the hall and the cooks, but the program is not a church activity. No church affiliation is required to join the program. The cost is $12.
On May 30, the church's Handbell Choir performed for the 30 participants in the sanctuary.
The guest speaker was Michelle Lynch, of the Orillia and Area Good Food Box. Several participants signed up for the $20-a-month Good Food Box of healthy, locally grown (where possible) fruit and vegetable packages. The program runs from September to June, with a break in December, and one summer event.
"We are trying to get more folks out," said Rev. Carmen Novosky, director of the Orillia Seniors' Centre program.
"Before COVID, we had about 70 seniors, and now we have half of that. I know there is lots of seniors in Orillia who would probably love our group, the nice lunch, the camaraderie and the fun."
The church has a lift and has wheelchair-accessible washrooms. Some seniors who need assistance come with helpers, while others come alone, with their spouse or they carpool with friends.
"It's just a love for me," said Novosky, who took over as director last fall. "These are the people I didn't know I needed in my life."
Lead minister Rev. Shelly Chandler said the program has been steadily regrowing, but there is room for more.
"It's a wonderful program. We would love to see about 60, 70 folks," she said.
Sheila Grimshaw is one of the founders of the program, which started in 2012. She's still volunteering on the lunch crew.
"We felt we needed a program for seniors that they could enjoy," she said.
Participants sign in with Liane Kelly, who's been volunteering since 2013.
“I like working at the desk because I get to speak to everyone as they come in and I get to know their names. It’s wonderful,” she said.
Jim Campbell is a longtime conversation leader and a participant.
“The program is excellent. It’s like one big, happy family. If one person is missing or is sick, we all feel it. There is a great feeling among everybody. That’s the strength of the program right there," he said.
When participants Joan and Gary Quayle heard the church's Handbell Choir was performing May 30, they changed their plans to attend.
“I had a bank appointment, but when I found out it was this, I called the bank, so they let us go yesterday. Otherwise, I was just going to cancel,” Joan said.
“I love it. My husband has dementia. When we leave, he says, ‘That’s the best thing ever.’ It’s been a godsend. Carmen works so hard. She’s amazing.”
More information about the program is available by calling the church at 705-325-5183.
