What's Inside? From the Editor - The District Municipality of Muskoka
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June 2021
What’s
Inside?
From the Editor
Seniors
Programs &
Services Team
A Poem by
Wilda L.
Celebrating
Seniors Month
Evening From the Editor
Programs
Once the snow is gone, I love to get outside and see what
The Value of Mother Nature is up to. I am always amazed by the variety and
Art and Artistic
intricacy of her spring flowers. First, I watch for Spring Beauties
Expression
and Dog Tooth Violets. Then the purple Trilliums appear,
The Muskoka followed by the white ones. I don’t live in an area where there
Bell Ringers are many painted Trilliums so I am always excited to find one.
Visit Then the ferns start unfurling, and other flowers appear such as
Broadway
the Bluebead Lily, the Starflower, Hawkweed, Daisies,
Columbine, Wild Roses, etc. So many colours and such intricate
At Home but
not Idle detail if you just stop and take a closer look. Balm for the soul.
Volunteer Stay safe, active and connected!
Programs
Pat
June 2021
The District of Muskoka’s Seniors Programs and Services help support the health and
well-being, socialization, and community engagement of seniors in Muskoka. Our
goal is to connect seniors, families, and caregivers to information, services,
programs, and initiatives in Muskoka. For information about any of our Seniors
Programs and Services, please contact the Seniors Programs and Services Team.
We want to hear from you!
Seniors Programs and Services Seniors Wellness Outreach Coordinator
The District Municipality of Muskoka Katelynn Laarakker
705-645-2100 ext. 4199 705-645-2412 ext. 4444
1-800-461-4215 ext. 4199 (toll free) katelynn.laarakker@muskoka.on.ca
seniorsprograms@muskoka.on.ca
Seniors Program Information Outreach Coordinator Older Adult
Coordinator Programming
Jennifer Middleton Krysia Schafer
705-645-2412 ext. 4480 705-645-2412 ext.4373
jennifer.middleton@muskoka.on.ca krysia.schafer@muskoka.on.ca
Newsletter Editor (Volunteer)
Pat Sims-Eastwood
www.muskoka.on.ca/seniorsprograms
Seniors Programs Information Line 705-645-2100 ext. 4199 Page 2
June 2021
Time Well Spent with Seniors Programs
Has this pandemic left you blank?
Join like-seniors with hope in their tank.
No gatherings allowed so we do the next best
With programs via telephone and zoom with great zest.
We’ve had trips to Hawaii and Ireland too,
Even in space to name just a few.
There’s been music and biographies of an artist’s life,
Even the Queen’s history – that’s Prince Philip’s wife.
You can play fitness bingo or join the bell ringing choir.
So far the sound won’t set the world on fire
But with a few more lessons we’ll hope for a change
As we strive to accomplish a more perfect range.
Artistic talent has surfaced you’ll see
As we display our work – Sharon, Wendy and me.
It’s been quite a ride as we look forward to more,
Each month our hosts open yet another door.
With no masks or social distancing, but we do wash hands
As we enjoy participating while travelling these lands.
We do thank Jennifer, Katelynn and Krysia too
With all their help, this pandemic WE WILL PULL THROUGH.
Author: Wilda Lees
Seniors Programs Information Line 705-645-2100 ext. 4199 Page 3
June 2021
Celebrating Seniors Month in Muskoka
Every year as the flowers bloom and the season of spring rounds into summer,
Ontarians take the month of June to recognize Seniors Month. This year marks the
37th year that the province has celebrated this occasion. Here in Muskoka, not only
do seniors make up a significant portion of our population, they are fundamental to
the intricate fabric of our communities, volunteering at local churches, rotary clubs
and the like. Seniors hold a special place in our society, offering younger generations
a glimpse of their wisdom and experience.
This month gives us all an opportunity to thank older adults in Ontario for the
contributions they have made towards building our province. To help celebrate this
event and make sure our participants know how much we value their contribution,
WISE Mobile Active Living Centre hosted a three-part HAPPY Days series featuring
topics relating to the province’s theme of Stay Safe, Active and Connected.
Staying safe amidst a pandemic is an ever-changing landscape. Last year we started
with physical distancing, then face masks, and now a logistically complex vaccination
campaign. Currently, the outlook is looking promising for a return to some sort of
normalcy for everyone but we are not quite there yet. Vaccines have largely affected
daily numbers for the better, however the constant bombardment of media reports
offering new and conflicting information left many with a feeling of confusion and
anxiety on the topic. Therefore, our first HAPPY Days talk focused on the topic of
vaccines in an effort to provide a safe space to learn and ask questions about them.
Seniors Programs Information Line 705-645-2100 ext. 4199 Page 4
June 2021
Peter Meraw, the pharmacist and owner of Pharmasave Dorset Village Pharmacy,
joined us to talk about COVID-19 vaccines. Peter provided international data on the
success of vaccines and helped paint a picture of the current situation in Ontario.
Recognizing that not everyone shares the same views on the topic of vaccines, Peter
did a great job of respecting different opinions and reminding everyone that even
talking about the subject in a positive and objective manner can make a difference to
public health.
The second installment of the series focused on the need to stay connected. The
COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for access to technology, especially as
a means of staying connected with family, friends and the community. Access to
technology is becoming an emergent factor when looking at the social determinants
of health, yet many older adults still have some hesitancy embracing new
technologies. Perhaps one never felt comfortable using computers, or maybe new
technology is just a bit too intimidating for certain users. It is for this reason that we
invited Sarah MacNeal, Information and Digital Services Librarian with the
Bracebridge Public Library, to talk about how to choose the right technology for you.
Sarah’s comprehensive talk helped participants feel more comfortable exploring
what types of technology are out there and how to make the most informed choices.
Rounding out the series, WISE Mobile Active Living Centre called upon the fantastic
skills of Muskoka Dance Academy in Huntsville to provide a fun and engaging line
dancing session for the group. Staying active during the pandemic has upset many of
our regular means to stay fit by shuttering some of the great community exercise
programs that were offered in person. However, being active does not have to mean
only exercising; you can certainly break a sweat and get the necessary health
benefits through activities like dance. The important thing is to keep moving and to
have fun doing it!
Thank you to all of our guests during this June’s HAPPY Days. More importantly
thank you to all of the seniors in Muskoka who show us each and every day how
important you all are in our community - Happy Senior’s Month!
Stay Safe, Active and Connected
Seniors Programs Information Line 705-645-2100 ext. 4199 Page 5
June 2021
Evening Program Opportunities
WISE Mobile Active Living Centre continues to grow and adapt to meet the needs of
the participants and communities that we serve. Early in 2021 we realized that a lot
of virtual programs were being offered only in the daytime hours. Since we are
working from home and able to be flexible with our schedules, we decided to pilot an
evening program.
On March 17, we offered our very first evening program, “St. Patrick’s Day Special
Event”, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm on Zoom. Our participants dressed in green and
together we virtually explored Ireland’s Blarney Castle, learning about the castle
history, family timeline and the 60-acre grounds. The tour included the castle’s 12
unique gardens, one of which was the Poison Garden
consisting of toxic plant life! The Blarney kissing stone
is a big attraction and we were also able to look at the
historical archives housed at the site dating back to the
mid-1950s. We then made a virtual stop at the
Guinness Storehouse and Museum to learn about the
history of the brewery and the surrounding lands. We
even discovered the science behind the famous
Guinness can and how to make the perfect pour. Kissing The Blarney circa
1950: With the help of the
curator of the stone, a
woman bends to kiss the
Blarney Stone at Blarney
Castle in County Cork. (Photo
by Three Lions/Getty Images)
Pour it into a clean glass, in one go from
start to finish at a 45-degree angle
The 9,000-year lease signed
by Arthur Guinness in 1759.
Seniors Programs Information Line 705-645-2100 ext. 4199 Page 6
June 2021
We practiced our Gaelic language and enjoyed some folk musical performances. Our
evening concluded with a live Riverdance performance in Dublin as Ireland
celebrated St. Patrick’s Day. It was a huge success and so much fun to explore
Ireland.
Attendance at this special event was high and the participants indicated that they
enjoyed the evening program as that time of day was an increased time of isolation.
The pilot program was a success!
For the next evening program, WISE Mobile Active Living Centre offered an art
workshop series. Participants were provided with art kits and each session featured
an introduction to an art medium. More information on this wonderful art series can
be found in the article “The Value of Art and Artistic Expression” on pages 9-10.
In May, we offered a new series called “Dinner, Documentary and Discussion”. Each
session featured a menu with recipes inspired by the feature documentary. We
enjoyed our prepared dinner together while watching the film and afterwards
engaged in some healthy discussion facilitated by the host.
Our first feature was the NASA documentary “Down to Earth: The Astronaut’s
Perspective”. Our dinner menu consisted of Moroccan Tagine (chicken and vegan
option) and apple crumble. This is a traditional astronaut inspired meal and a typical
evening meal they would likely encounter
on their journey through space. While we
enjoyed our dinner, we went on a journey
to the International Space Station. We
had fun watching the astronauts
experience zero gravity. And the breath-
taking view of Earth from above was
brilliant to see. The film really brought
home the message that we need to care
for our planet. The environmental impacts of our growing population are causing
nature disasters and changes, and the effects that this has on the earth can be seen
from space.
On a different note, one participant commented, “this is the first time I am having
dinner with someone in over a year.” This moving statement was felt through the
group and many were excited for the next session of this program.
Seniors Programs Information Line 705-645-2100 ext. 4199 Page 7
June 2021
The documentary for our second session was “Our Planet: Fresh Water”. Our dinner
menu of Thai inspired cuisine contained a high-water content which matched well
with our theme. The film considered the need for fresh water and how the
increasingly unpredictable supply impacts
all species on a global level.
The discussion on this topic gave way to
some insightful points from our group.
“We need to be mindful of our water
consumption and reduce pollution to save
the fresh water we have,” noted one
participant. We saw how animals adapted
to climates and changing environments.
The Siamese fighting fish prepares for the dry season, when the waters aren’t full of
oxygen, by gulping bubbles of air and storing them below the surface. It was a
fascinating film about nature and animals. As always, we enjoyed many laughs and
ended up learning a lot.
June will mark our final evening program as we break for summer. We will host a
Virtual Escape Room where together we will put on our detective hats and solve the
case of the Underground Murder Mystery. Virtual platforms have given us many
opportunities to discover new and innovative programming ideas. We hope to
continue to offer our evening programs in the late fall and winter months.
Here is an escape
room puzzle for you
to do at home:
Escape the Speak-
easy during the
police raid by finding
your way out of the
basement maze.
Pick up the letters
along the way, and
unscramble them to
decode the password
for the next gin joint!
(Answer on page 14)
Seniors Programs Information Line 705-645-2100 ext. 4199 Page 8
June 2021
The Value of Art and Artistic Expression
“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”
Thomas Merton
There is something truly calming and therapeutic about creating artwork if we allow
our minds to give way to the creative process. Major academic studies point to the
fact that art makes us happy, not just the practice of making it but also in viewing it.
According to a study done at University College London, art can have significant
impacts on the brain, resulting often in surges of dopamine, the happy chemical. It
can also have transformative effects on our overall well-being.
Starting early in 2021, WISE Mobile Active Living Centre had the pleasure of hosting
the National Gallery of Canada (NGC) on our Virtual Village program. Each month we
talked about various topics and themes from pieces housed at the Gallery in Ottawa.
The group explored topics such as Signs and Symbols in Art, Indigenous Perspectives
and Photography. Participants were encouraged to share how the art they were
viewing during the program made them feel and were asked to tap into how they
connected with the art. Gallery staff did a wonderful job of stressing that when it
comes to art, there is never a right or wrong answer. In fact, that is truly the
beautiful part about art; we each connect to it in our own individual ways. While the
program did not replace a bus trip to view pieces in person at the gallery, it did
create a similar feel of encouraging mutual appreciation and opening dialogue about
how art can make us feel.
Building on the popularity of these talks from the NGC, our programming took a
more hands-on turn with the offering of an evening art series in the month of April.
Participants came prepared to explore various mediums and worked virtually to
complete some stunning pieces. The series offered introductions to pencil sketching,
acrylic folk art, pen and ink, and watercolour. Art can make you feel vulnerable and
it takes a certain amount of courage to accept the artistic process and try something
new. The level of depth and willingness to try different mediums, reaffirmed for our
team how resilient and talented our participants really are.
“Creativity takes courage”
Henri Matisse
Seniors Programs Information Line 705-645-2100 ext. 4199 Page 9
June 2021
The art series came at a time when new lockdown measures in the province came
into effect as well. We raced to ensure supply kits were distributed to participants
ahead of the new measures. In many ways, hosting the series amidst the backdrop
of a new lockdown resulted in participants valuing the program even more as a way
to socially connect.
If you have suggestions for us on other types of art programs you would like to see
offered through WISE Mobile Active Living Centre, please contact us. We value your
input!
The art of
Zentangling:
participant
Andrea K.
explores the
meditative
qualities of
After attending the programs
repetitive pen
many participants commented the
and ink
art series gave them inspiration for
patterns.
creating new pieces. Here Rachelle
R. connects with her Indigenous
roots with this mixed media piece.
Anne L. gets
inspired with
this pencil
sketch of a
heron.
Spring Folk-Art:
Jeanne G.
channels the
vibrancy of spring
in this folk-art
creation.
Seniors Programs Information Line 705-645-2100 ext. 4199 Page 10June 2021
The Muskoka Bell Ringers Visit Broadway
The Muskoka Bells Ringers are a hearty bunch and weren’t about to let something
like a pandemic keep them apart. Although not able to meet in person as they would
have preferred, they soldiered on, switching their rehearsal location to a virtual
platform. Each Thursday afternoon, bells rang out across Muskoka, including in the
communities of Port Sydney, Bracebridge, Port Carling, and Six Mile Lake. You may
even have heard them if you were driving by.
Rehearsing virtually does hold its challenges. Computer microphones are not
necessarily designed to pick up the sound of a ringing bell. But not even that could
hold this group down. They improvised and used a conference call telephone line for
the audio portion of rehearsals and the video feature on Zoom so they could still see
each other.
This season, the Bell Ringers’ repertoire incorporated a special theme: Bells on
Broadway. Songs included “There’s No Business Like Show Business” from Annie Get
Your Gun, “Till There Was You” from The Music Man, “Oh What a Beautiful Mornin’”
from Oklahoma, and the ever popular “Edelweiss” from The Sound of Music. The
group had a lot of fun rehearsing these songs each week. They also made for a great
performance on June 16 for the participants of WISE Without Walls, WISE Mobile
Active Living Centre’s telephone program. Audience members had a great time
humming along to familiar tunes and tapping their toes to new ones. Thank you to
all the members for a wonderful spring season!
Interested in trying your hand at bell ringing? We love to welcome new members to
the Muskoka Bell Ringers. Contact the Information Line and we can let you know
when the details for the next session are confirmed.
Seniors Programs Information Line 705-645-2100 ext. 4199 Page 11June 2021
At Home But Not Idle
Participants of the WISE Mobile Active Living Centre have been keeping busy and
active throughout our most recent provincial lock down. With a little creativity, it’s
amazing how many activities they were able to participate in from the comfort of
their very own homes. From daily Fitness Bingo exercises to Latin dance moves over
Zoom, participants have remained motivated and moving. Here is a glimpse into a
few of the programs.
Fitness Bingo
Our first round of Fitness Bingo began on March 15. Participants were mailed or
emailed a card prior to the game. Instead of the traditional Bingo numbers, the card
contained the names of different strengthening and cardio activities, such as bicep
curls, heel raises, and half jacks. Each week day, participants were emailed the
name, description, and a picture of the activity that was drawn that day. After they
completed the activity, they marked it off on their card. We played three different
rounds. Congratulations to Marilyn B. for winning Round 1 – Two Lines; Lois L.,
Lucille M., Sheila T., and Norma F. for winning Round 2 – Large Picture Frame; and
Jeanne G. for winning Round 3 – Two Lines! Each of these ladies won a $15 gift card
from the store of their choice.
Chair Yoga
WISE Mobile Active Living Centre partnered with Danielle Ryan from Lifestyle by
Design to deliver a series of Chair Yoga classes. Each week, participants practiced
different yoga poses, modified so they could be completed safely with the use of a
chair. Here is what a couple of the participants had to say about the classes:
“The chair yoga was fabulous today! Thanks
for all you do!” ~ M.P.
“This is WONDERFUL! Thanks to District
Staff for arranging this class…and thanks to
Danielle, who is absolutely fabulous!!!
Looking forward to next week!” ~ C.B.
Seniors Programs Information Line 705-645-2100 ext. 4199 Page 12June 2021
Dance Fit
Led by Jenni Allsopp, participants kept fit this past spring while practicing Latin-
inspired dance moves. Not only did the program promote cardiovascular activity and
balance training, but it also helped chase away the winter blues with upbeat
Caribbean-style music.
Fitness With Poles
What better way to enjoy the warmer weather than to practice some outdoor Urban
Pole Walking? What is Urban Pole Walking you ask? It’s like cross country skiing, but
without the skis. It strengthens the abdominal muscles, sculpts the arms and
shoulders, and takes the pressure off the lower joints by offloading weight into your
upper body. Additionally, it helps to balance blood sugar and burns calories. WISE
Mobile Active Living Centre owns several pairs of poles and has launched a free
loaner program for the summer months. Participants can sign out a pair of poles so
that they are able to use them individually during the
warmer weather. Several participants are taking
advantage of this program and keeping active by pole
walking on their own or meeting up with a friend for
socially distanced walks outdoors.
In addition to being a fantastic outdoor activity, urban
poles are also an excellent exercise tool for indoor
stationary exercise. In May and June, WISE offered both
a seated and standing exercise class, incorporating the
poles to enhance the cardio, balance, and strengthening
exercises practiced during each class.
Combined Fitness Classes
WISE also continues to offer virtual Combined Fitness Classes twice a week. These
classes have been well attended over the winter and spring. We are excited to be
able to offer this class on Thursdays at 10:00 am over Zoom throughout July and
August. New participants are always welcome. Please contact our Information Line
to register.
Seniors Programs Information Line 705-645-2100 ext. 4199 Page 13June 2021
Volunteer Program
Volunteer Training
On Friday, April 16th our volunteers joined virtually on Zoom with Nancy W. from
YMCA Huntsville for a fun and educational workshop on Personality Dimensions.
Through this workshop, we learned about the personality colours, their
characteristics and how they influence behaviour. This provided us insight into
ourselves, and how we interact with others through volunteering and other
relationships. We were able to share similarities and differences within the
personality colours, learning what makes each of us unique.
Thank you to all of our volunteers for their continued dedication and participation in
our continuous learning opportunities. We look forward to offering another training
opportunity this fall. Please stay tuned for details, and continue to send us your
ideas and feedback for the volunteer program.
Volunteer Appreciation
National Volunteer Week was April 18-24, and this year’s theme was “The value of
one, The power of many.” We sent our heartfelt messages and thanks through a
very special Volunteer Appreciation Video. Each of our volunteers makes such a
difference in the lives of older adults across Muskoka. They have continued to serve
through the pandemic, providing positive outreach to older adults through our Pen
Pal, Peer Support Committee and Community Caller roles. We look forward to
celebrating in person with our volunteers when it is safe to do.
To our volunteers: No matter what your
role or how much time you spend, you are
all valued and appreciated. Thank you for
your caring, compassionate nature and
your continued support of our Volunteer
Programs.
To view the Volunteer Appreciation Video,
please visit:
https://youtu.be/LPozLVR72M8
Answer to the puzzle on page 8: Blind Pig
Seniors Programs Information Line 705-645-2100 ext. 4199 Page 14You can also read
