Seniors’ Week continues to grow in Strathmore

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

A common goal brought a handful of members of various organizations together in the past to organize events that recognize and celebrate seniors in Strathmore and its surrounding area during the provincially-acknowledged Seniors’ Week – an initiative that has grown in popularity and programs over the last three years.
Representatives from Strathmore FCSS, the Growing Family Society, Happy Gang, the Strathmore Municipal Library, Alberta Health Services, and Hope Bridges Society formed a committee three years ago to address issues that arose from a lack of organization, collaboration and scheduling in dealing with the event. As a result, the committee worked together seamlessly to increase programming and create a fun-filled week for the seniors in the area – momentum the committee continued to utilize this year by adding more organizations and programs to the weeklong event.
“We want to make sure that there’s something for everyone this year, and every year we try to grow and do different things,” said Dahrlyne Knaus, FCSS programmer.
“It was even more organized [this year] because we all know what we wanted to do and what needed to be done, and it’s just a matter of having a few meetings.”
Organizations began prepping for Seniors’ Week over four months ago, which will feature previously offered programs such as Chair Yoga, Getting Crafty with my Grandparent, Strawberry Tea, and Shred-it. Expanding on the line-up, seniors will have an opportunity to take part in Paint and Tea – a different take on the trendy Paint Nights – Morning Guided Meditation, Zumba Gold, and educational programming such as an End of Life Issues presentation and KARE Volunteer Driver Program Information Session. That Fitness Place and the HEAL walking group are among new organizations involved this year.
Once again, an application was submitted for the kick-off ceremonies to be held in Strathmore, which would include the awarding of grant money, a ribbon cutting ceremony, and visits from officials to signal the start to the event across Alberta. However, the committee remained unsuccessful. By offering more programs and building on their success, some members hope it will increase their chances in the future. Partnering on the project, the Strathmore Municipal Library is offering three free programs to seniors, that make up 21 per cent of the Strathmore population, and remain optimistic that Strathmore will host the kick off in the near future.
“Strathmore is very family focused and that’s very wonderful, but I think it’s really good to have a week that’s dedicated to the seniors of our community and we want them to feel special and have a good time that week,” said Carmen Erison, assistant director with the Strathmore Municipal Library and a committee since the committee’s inception.
“I think as our momentum grows and the province starts to see how many more events we are going to be having through the week, it will definitely garner some attention and hopefully we can get the kick-off some day. We’re still striving for that as a committee.”
The Town of Strathmore initiative REC the Streets will also be running throughout the month of June in chorus with Seniors’ Week, which will run from June 6-12. All programs are free to attend.