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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1998-01-21, Page 13Second Section - anuary 21, 1998 k. Good fellowship and good food a big part of seniors' programs gram and nearly 25 peo- ple attend each week. The staff supply the coffee and the participants bring along some snacks. The program runs from October to May when the lawn bowling season starts. . "It's good exercise and a chance to visit," Skinner explained. On Tuesdays, . the Dining for Seniors pro- gram costs $7. and includes a full course, nutritious meal and often Waiting for the right card. Gerry and Erma Dobrindt of guest speakers. People are Exeter nearly had the winning combination of cards at the welcome to stayafter the Dining for Seniors prograr' rIast Tuesday. Dancing the winter away. Mavis Athill, Eleanor Hbrn . and Marg Tuckey were in step with the music at the line darting program on Thursday morning. By Kate Monk T -A Reporter . EXETER - "I came in the -first place for the meal and second for the friends," explai-ned Clarence McNaughton last Tuesday. McNaughton was in the midst of a close euchre game with Doris Edwards, Ruth..Brock and Linda Finkbeiner following the Dining for Seniors pro- gram. He moved to Exeter from Stratford in• May and found the program to be an excellent way to "get out and about." Brock is a faithful partici- pant saying she only missed one Tuesday last year. She moved here from Goderich. about six years ago and has been coming ever since. "I look forward to every Tuesday," she said. "I enjoy the company and the fellowship." • "Living. alone, I enjoy •getting out and being with others," Edwards said, who started out as a vol- • unteer nearly eight years ago. . The Tuesday afternoon program is just one of several weekly activities at the Lions Youth Centre on John Street organized by the team of Faye Skinner and Charlotte Blok of Town and Country - Support Services. r - • Skinner sees two main benefits to the programs. "It keeps ,a person in their home longer," she said, adding the services such as transportation, meals and interaction with others helps people live in theirhomes rather than moving to a nursing home. "It's also about contact with people, the fellow- ship and knowing they're important," Skinner explained. The week's programs start off with carpet bowling on Monday mornings from 9-11 a.m.- The .m.The bowlers run the pro - program to play cards or crockinole and are asked to call by Friday to indi- cate their attendance. The meal is at noon and activi- ties generally last until 2 p.m. "The speakers are very informative," Skinner said. A public"health nurse, pharmacist and police officer are examples of speakers who have come in the past to explain new programs. They not only explain new procedures but bring along enough samples for everyone. An average of 35-40 people attend the dinner each week. Transportation to and from the dining program is. included in the price. As well, take out meals are available. The Dining for Seniors program is held in Grand Bend at S. John's by the Lake on. the second and fourth Thursdays of each month and each Wednesday at the Zurich Arena. Shannon Dougherty organizes the Grand Bend and Zurich programs. The monthly dinner- is held in- Hensall at the United Church on the third Thursday of each month. "The Hensall meal is more like a luncheon and is only $4," Skinner said. Line dancing is offered Thursday mornings from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Youth Centre . and is another good opportunity for exercise and socializing. Through the Meals -on - Wheels program, hot or frozen meals are deliv- ered to homes Monday to Friday at noon and sup- per. About 25 people receive the meals once a day through the week. The noon meals are pre- pared at the hospital and the evening meals come from the Exeter Villa. The Friendly Visitor pro- gram matches up people who would like someone to visit then in their home with volunteers who can spare .one hour a week. There are eight people in the program. T h e.. . T elephone Reassurance program involves a daily phone call to a person's home at a' regular time to ensure they're alright. Skinner said no one is involved in the program right now, probably because an infor- mal .network is already in place with family and friends. - Transportation services are also available for 29 cents per kilometer. This is often used for appoint- ments ppointments and shopping. - "The programs. are grow- ing. I think it will keep growing as the population ages," Skinner predicted While the Town and Country Community Support Services in South Huron has three part-time staff, there is a legion of more than 200, volunteers. —I lw volunteers are, so good. 1 can't' say enough about them," she said. Many .volunteers have recently retired and are looking for a way to help the community. Town and Country is flexible with the commitments volunteers can make and can work around travel plans or other activities. Skinner_ said' she has same seasonal volunteers who are unable to help when they go south for •.the winter but still want to help .out in ,the summer. New. volunteers are always needed, according to Blok. Retired volunteers need to be- replaced. Anyone interested in Vol- unteering can contact any of the staff at the office. Linda Finkbemn.er cif Crediton recently applied to become a volunteer and is looking forward lo -f -- ,helping out. "The people are just. great," she said. While •the South Huron activities are based out of the office at the Youth Centre, the main office for Huron County is in Wingham. Similar pro- grams are available throughout the county. The support services also include in-home sup- port services, coordinated by Annie Morris and Elaine Floyd.. Anyone interested to attending the programs, receiving services or vol- unteering can call the Town and Country Support Services office at • 235-0258. The office is. open Monday- to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • YOUR TOYOTA DEALERS ARE '98 Corolla lease for 8 6. • Air Conditioning • Automatic Transmission • MATM (assette 9ereo Dual Art aqs • IS litre DOH( 120HP. 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