At Parrsboro, the Cumberland County Senior Citizens Council held a May meeting with the Over Sixty Club of Parrsboro as host in the legion hall.
The town of Parrsboro is famous for its high tides which sweep in and out of the Bay of Fundy twice daily with 100 billion tons of water, for its Fundy Geological Museum, for its giant statue of Glooscap, for its Ottawa House By-The-Sea Museum, for its Rock and Mineral Shop and Museum, for its Ship’s Company Theatre and for its several excellent restaurants.
Rosemary Wasson, president of the Parrsboro club, welcomed all the Cumberland County club members present and opened the hour of entertainment preceding the business meeting. Ronnie Canning, a local singer and guitarist, sang in a convincing voice sad songs of heartbreak after split-ups of couples once in love. Canning ended with the hymn, And He Walks with Me and He Talks with Me.
Next entertainer, Aileen Wiita, recited from memory the humorous story, Maggie And Jiggs at the Pearly Gates. The third entertainer, Dora Fuller, told us the stories she once told to her grandchildren. She then told us of her work with Extended Care in Alberta and the U.S.A.
After the excellent hour of entertainment, members welcomed a wonderful lunch catered by the Auxiliary Legion and were ready for the business meeting organized by council president, Judy Shultz, (also president of the Oxford Pioneer Heritage Club). After members sang O Canada and said the Senior Citizens’ Prayer, they heard the minutes of the last meeting (March 17, 2010), the treasurer’s report and the correspondence. Seniors who had passed away since the last meeting were remembered by a minute of silence: Thelma Fullerton, Parrsboro; Dorothy Wavrock, Oxford; Muriel Chapman, Northport; Betty McCormick, Springhill; Jean MacLean, Malagash.
President Judy Shultz and Gertie Hollis reported on the Convention of the Federation of Senior Citizens and Pensioners of Nova Scotia held in Truro on April 28-29. Shultz reported that the 2008-2009 resolutions (38 in all) voted on and passed over the last two years at the convention had been delayed, had not had the required two meetings with Nova Scotia government representatives and this problem is resolved with a catch-up meeting in May. The resolutions voted on and passed at this year’s 2010 convention will be summarized by the Group of Nine and then taken to the required meeting with the N.S. government this autumn. For the Federation’s Newsletter, club members are being asked to submit reports of their activities, stories, poems, and food recipes to zone representative, Gertie Hollis of Northport, for the autumn Newsletter.
Shultz will be sending a letter of support to the Sexual Health Centre for Cumberland which is preparing a brochure for seniors. She mentioned the Silver Economy Summi May 13-14 and which challenges conventional attitudes towards aging.
The Cumberland County Preventing Falls Together Coalition is dedicating in Amherst a Memorial park bench and plaque in the memory of Les Day, once council president, who worked very hard to raise concerns about falls among seniors. Council members voted to share the cost for the bench and plaque with the coalition.
The Seniors Wellness Network in Amherst requires a council representative and Marion Dotten, president of the Wallace and Area Sunrise Seniors Association, will attend when Shultz cannot. The Fundy Seniors Games are being held in Amherst on June 8 and 9.
The summer picnic will be held in Wallace on Aug. 11, beginning at 2 p.m. All clubs attending are asked to provide 15 minutes of entertainment and to bring their contributions to a potluck supper.
The next council meeting will be on Sept. 15, 2010, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Shinimicas with the Northport Sunrise Senior Citizens as host.
Members of the clubs present gave their reports of their activities which included Tai Chi sessions, card games, dominoes, dances, music afternoons, a government grant to fix up a hall, visit to a sugar camp, potluck dinners and suppers, a Fun Week, silent auctions, bus trips, donations to Highland Fling and local schools, defibrillator demonstrations, Penny Parade, Bed Kits, phone calls and cards to the sick and shut-ins, volunteering with other groups, making up resolutions for a convention and attending a convention.
Ater many friendly good-byes, another successful council meeting ended.