HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1975-05-01, Page 22Page,,
PLAYING ONE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT requires considerable practice and skill, let
alone five. Mr. Cyrille Hebert of Saint -Mato, Man., is the proverbial one-man band.
At one Golden Age club h $t,
Boniface, Manitoba, senior •eitt-
zens must leave ten years at the
door before they can enter,
Like thousands of retired
Cana ' ans in all parts of the
country, they have taken a new
lease on life. They'vc become
volved in New Horizons. •
New Horizons is a program of
the P epartment of National
Health and Welfare, for retired
CanadiansA participating in a
variety of community projects of
their'own choice and design. It's
putting vast years of knowledge
and experience to work, building
• friendships, having a good time
and promoting mutual aid among
themselves and with others in they,
community.
But most; of all, New Horizons,
for retired people, means escap-
ing the tradition of having every-
thing done for them by others.
In January 1975, the New Hori-
zons program was given full pro-
gram status. Parliament will be
asked to approve an increase of
$4 million to. the grants element
for 1975-76. This will .augment the
total budget to $14 million for all
costs. Since it became operation-
al in September 1972, grants to-
talling $19,086,940 have been
awarded to 3,430 projects in-
volving approximately 706,000
people. •
New Horizons groups are
autonomous, and members` de-
velop and manage their Own pro-
jects. New Horizons is not a
source of income support; other
government programs such as
Old Age Security and the Canada
Pension Plan are intended to take
care of that aspect of their lives.
The initiative and skill in acti-
vating their projects have given
the retired men and women
satisfaction and rewards in rec-
1
RETIRED CITIZENS in Penticton, B.C. are involved in the use of amateur radio—a fascinating hobby that will
bring them into contact with people throughout the province, especially those living far away. George McNeil, in
the foreground, is contacting friends all over the province.
FARM MACHINERY having played consistently in their livelihood, the Saskatoon Boomtowners activated a farm
machinery museum which attracts young and old. Charlie McCoy is the "Oiler" on this steam tractor which was
ever so popular On prairie farms in the earlier part of the century.
reational, eontn►ity-oriented
and creative activities. As a re-
built, their futures have bright-
ened,
rightened, dreaded isolation anei0ne-
liness have beep reduced, the
health of many has improved,
pride is soaring, and numerous
communities have benefitted.
In Toronto a. group of Ukraini-
an senior _citizens received a
grant to expand their bee -keeping
project. Their apiary had been
established as a successful
hobby. The honey is given to sick
children, nursery schools, the
' blind and the elderly in nursing
homes.
The Sidney Serenaders in
British Columbia are using their
grant to sing songs sad bring
liveliness to senior citizens who
aA'e shut : sn or otherwise incapaci-
tated.
And New • Horizons projects
show no lack of enthusiasm and
originality. Groups are writing
the histories of some areas in
Canada. In fact, participants are
often the pioneers in the region
whose history is being recorded.
The Rainer -Bow City History
Club in Alberta will research,
compile, edit and publish the
history of its twq communities
and the surrounding rural area.
On the East Coast, in Charlotte-
town, Prince Edward Island, the
Boy Scout Patrol of 1914 has coot -
piled a book on scouting in the
province over the last oil years.
Canadian history will be en-
hanced by the initiatives of such
groups as the Clifford Historical
Society in Clifford, Ontario, who
have received a grant to renovate
the "Old Creamery" building as
a museum for the town's centen-
nial celebrations in 1974-75.
Clubs such as "Club de l'Age
d'Or" of St-Methode, Quebec;
Fisher Branch, Elderly People
Club, Manitoba; and Gravel-
bourg (Saskatchewan Pension-
er's Recreation Centre, will use
their New orizo grant to offer
indoor get-together, duticint,
crafts, hobblesp lam Dowling d
general sociailizin ford senior' citl
zeas in their cOmmunitie0, -
New Horizons firoJects reflect
boundless, energy, enthusiasm
and sense of hnnovatl n from
senior citizens./ Retired people
have displayed confidence in all
phases of project development
and co-ordinated their various
talents and skills. They also have
the desire to impart knowledge
and experiennce to others,.
All these characteristicss are a
reflection of yet another strength
... the sense of humanity.
w e
O o • QUALITY AND ARTiS ' .,e tWO•prime ingredients that
go into the handicrafts at the Age and Opportunity New
Horizons group in Halifax, N.S. Mrs. Edith Clayton puts a
little extra ingredient into her basket weaving—pride.
Money raised by selling some of the handicrafts enables the
group to continue without additional grants.
• 1 f ywr� r r•g;,*^r„.r+y-rets .�.•.ta'; �J'Csd.Y� �^'R'� j1'
Lel Sftraff I sr. f Sydney, N.S., are' learning
a variety” of . haft tcraffs-quiIting, crocheting, pottery,
ceramics, woodwork and• metalwork, to mention a few.
Members can take their choice. Mr. Andrew Fraser decided
he'd like to try something different like spinning. The group
participated in a fair where they sold Many of their
handicrafts to raise money to keep the project .operating.
PROVIDING A LITTLE entertainment, coffee and a place to get together means a lot to the chronically ill at St.
Vincent de Paul's Hospital in Ottawa..,"Les Dames Auxiliaires Senior de l'Hopital St. Vincent" also operate a
beauty salon with their New Horizons grant which involved close to 300 participants.
ARTS AND CRAFTS groups sponsored by New Horizons grants are not merely an easy avnue for social get-togeth-
ers. Senior citizens take pride and care In what they do. This exquisitely carved wooden shoe Is a typical example
of the artistry and creativity that go into each of their projects.
a•
•
4