June 2021 issue

Be active Get involved Make friends 

The Sentinel - June 2021

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Update from Canada's Minister of Seniors, Deb Schulte 

Seniors across Canada tell me they are worried about their financial security and outliving their savings. 

Some older seniors share how their lives and needs have changed as they have aged — and so has their 

financial situation. In Budget 2021, we took action to help relieve these stresses. 

To help strengthen Canadians’ financial security later in life, we propose to: 

1. Issue a one-time $500 payment in August 2021 directly to seniors who are aged 75 and older as of June 

2022. 

2. Permanently increase the Old Age Security (OAS) pension by 10 per cent for seniors aged 75 and older 

in July 2022, providing $766 over the first year to pensioners receiving the full benefit. 

This is the first permanent increase to the OAS pension since 1973, other than adjustments due to inflation. 

Older seniors face increased financial pressures 

The OAS increase targets older seniors’ increased needs and vulnerability as they age. Those pressures 

include: 

Higher health-care expenses. Out-of-pocket health-care expenses of seniors aged 80 and above are 

more than $700 a year higher, on average, than those of seniors aged 65-74. 

The onset of illness or disability. Close to half of all seniors above the age of 75 have a disability. As a 

result, they need more supports and face increased costs. 

Few older seniors are able to supplement their income with paid work. While many younger 

seniors choose to remain employed, few seniors work beyond age 75. Those who do have a median 

employment income of only $720 a year. 

A higher risk of widowhood. Among seniors over 75, four in ten are widowed. Losing a spouse is not 

only traumatic, but it can increase financial instability, particularly for senior women. 

Increasing Old Age Security for older seniors builds on the work we have done to support all seniors. 

For the youngest seniors, we restored the age of eligibility for Old Age Security to 65 from 67. 

For the most vulnerable seniors, we increased the Guaranteed Income Supplement by 10 per cent for 

singles. We also increased and enhanced the GIS earnings exemption that helped low-income seniors keep 

more of the money they earn. 

For future retirees, we are gradually increasing the Canada Pension Plan’s maximum yearly benefit by 50 

per cent, a change that was mirrored by the Quebec Pension Plan. 

To help everyone, we are increasing how much you can earn before paying federal income taxes. When 

fully implemented in 2023, singles will save close to $300 and couples will save nearly $600 every year. 

No single measure solves every challenge, but together, these policies are making a real difference in 

Canadians’ retirement income security 

Mark your calendars! 

On June 8, 2021, the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors Forum will host a 

virtual stakeholder symposium on “The Future of Aging in Canada” from noon-3pm EST. It will bring 

together stakeholders from across Canada and experts for a discussion on how to support healthy aging, 

address senior abuse, and address social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Stay tuned 

to the Seniors in Canada Facebook page for the link to the livestream. 

Sincerely, 

Minister Deb Schulte 

canada.ca/seniors 

The Sentinel - June 2021 — Vol. 45, No. 10

The Guelph/Wellington Seniors Association 

A non-profit organization based at the 

Evergreen Seniors Community Centre 

http://www.gwsa-guelph.ca 

Ross Knechtel - Webmaster 

Directors & Officers 

Becky Fiedler — President 

Brian Smith — Vice-President 

Roger Stevens — Treasurer 

Tonie MacInnis — Secretary 

Directors 

Pat Gage Ken Fugler 

Wenda King Athar Khan 

Ross Knechtel Mike Woof 

Adam Rutherford 

The Sentinel Team 

Carol Croft — Adminstrator, Printer 

Linda Green — Editor, Printer 

George Hughes, Ken Pagniez — Printers 

Bill Shephard, Ray Miller — Part-time 

Assistants 

All of the above GWSA members 

are Volunteers. 

GWSA Community Support Services Staff 

Emma Whittaker — Manager 

Audrey Bishop — Administrative Assistant 

Margaret Iutzi — Move Well Co-ordinator 

Molly Roberts — Eat Well Co-ordinator 

Paula Frappier — Outreach Co-ordinator 

All others working for CSS 

are GWSA Volunteers 

City Staff 

Adam Rutherford — Program 

Manager 

tba — Customer Service Clerk 

Tonie MacInnis — Recreation Program 

Director — Senior Services 

Becky MacDonald — Recreation 

Co-ordinator — Volunteers 

Jocelynn Desroches — Chef 

Janice Walls — Assistant Cook 

Don Harris — Facility Maintainer 

Lorne Wollis — Cleaner 

Harvinder Marjara, Nathan Luck, Mary 

Loudoun — Customer Service Clerk II 

Lynne Briggs — Manager of Recreation 

Services 

Evergreen Seniors Community Centre 

A City of Guelph Recreation Facility run in 

partnership with the Community Services Department 

of the City of Guelph and the Guelph/ 

Wellington Seniors Association 

683 Woolwich St., Guelph, ON, N1H 3Y8 

Tel.: 519-823-1291 / Fax: 519-823-8972 

Hours: 8:30 am to 4:00 pm M-F 

(closed Statutory Holidays) 

Read The Sentinel on our website, 

www.gwsa-guelph.ca 

ISSN: 0383 817X 

A MESSAGE FROM THE GWSA 

BOARD 

We hope to see you at this year’s Annual General Meeting. It is 

scheduled for 1:30 pm on Tuesday, June 8. We will use Zoom 

for our meeting again this year. GWSA members wishing to 

attend the meeting must pre-register online no later than noon 

on June 7 so that we may verify membership and send the 

meeting link to your email address. 

Preregistration is available at: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ 

tZctdO2hqjoiE9N5PC6-V5EYsbRPfV6qPD5n 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email 

containing information about joining the meeting. This may 

take up to two days. All registrations will be processed no later 

than the day before the meeting. 

Zoom allows attendees to attend via computer, tablet, iPad or 

smart phone. Dial-in phones are not supported for this meeting 

because they do not permit voting. 

For more information about joining with your device, please 

visit Zoom’s downloads page: https://zoom.us/ 

download#client_4meeting 

Zoom has become a popular platform over the last several 

months. You probably have friends or family members who 

have experience using it. Ask them to set up a Zoom meeting so 

you can try it before the AGM. 

If you need help with Zoom, please contact GWSA’s Computer 

Mentoring via their online form: https://gwsa-guelph.ca/ 

computer-mentoring/ 

Limited technical support will be available 30 minutes prior to 

the meeting, and during the meeting, by emailing Ross Knechtel 

at ross.knechtel@gwsa-guelph.ca 

Please visit the GWSA website to download the Annual Report 

and the AGM package. We look forward to seeing you at the 

meeting! 

NOTE: Disclaimer—The Sentinel and the GWSA do not necessarily agree 

with or support statements in the Sentinel made by advertisers, or submissions 

by writers (no political or religious topics please). 

The Sentinel - June 2021 

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GWSA Email Update for the Month of May 2021 

National Long-Term Care Services Standard - Your Input is Important 

A collaboration between HSO (Health Standards Organization), SCC (Standards Council of Canada) 

and CSA Group (Canadian Standards Association) wants your input for a set of new LTC (Long Term 

Care) national standards. Contributions from residents, families and the LTC workforce are necessary for 

establishing national standards that are comprehensive, safe, and define reliable high-quality care practices. 

To help in the design and build of the new standards, please consider adding your voice to that of other 

Canadians about what matters most to you when it comes to long-term care. Complete their survey. The link 

can be found at the bottom of the HSO page. 

Federal Budget 2021 Highlights Affecting Seniors 

The Minister of Seniors, Deb Schulte, has pulled some highlights from the 2021 budget that may be most 

relevant to you: 

Increasing Seniors’ Financial Security 

The government will increase Old Age Security (OAS) benefits for seniors age 75 and older. Budget 2021 

proposes to implement this commitment in two steps: 

1. By providing a one-time payment of $500 in August 2021 to OAS pensioners who will be 75 or over as 

of June 2022. 

2. By introducing legislation to increase regular OAS payments for pensioners 75 and over by 10 per cent 

on an ongoing basis as of July 2022. 

This would increase the benefits for 3.3 million seniors, providing additional benefits of $766 to full OAS 

pensioners in the first year, and indexed to inflation going forward. 

This would give seniors more financial security later in life, when they are worried about outliving their 

life savings. As seniors age, their health and home care costs rise, all while they are more likely to be unable 

to work, have disabilities or be widowed. Our plan helps address these pressures and improve older seniors’ 

quality of life. 

Helping Seniors Age Well at Home 

To support seniors to live in their homes for longer as they age, Budget 2021 proposes to provide $90 

million to launch the Age Well at Home initiative. The initiative would assist community-based 

organizations in providing practical support that helps low-income and otherwise vulnerable seniors age in 

their homes. 

It would match seniors with volunteers who can help with meal preparations, home maintenance, daily 

errands, yard work, and transportation. It would also help seniors access local services such as shoveling 

snow, cutting grass, picking up medicine and taking care of other practical, non-medical tasks that they are 

no longer able to manage. 

Strengthening Long-term Care and Supportive Care 

We welcome the Health Standards Organization and Canadian Standards Association’s work to develop 

national standards for long-term care. Their work with governments, stakeholders, and Canadians will help 

inform our ongoing collaboration with provinces and territories on improving long-term care, while 

respecting their jurisdiction. 

Budget 2021 proposes to provide $3 billion over five years, starting in 2022-23, to Health Canada to 

support provinces and territories in ensuring standards for long-term care are applied and permanent changes 

are made, so that seniors and those in care live in safe and dignified conditions. 

More Supports of Interest to Seniors 

In addition to the supports mentioned above, Budget 2021 proposes to: build, repair, and support an 

additional 35,000 affordable housing units for vulnerable Canadians, including seniors. This is part of the 

National Housing Strategy, which is on track to invest $70 billion by 2027-28 to help more Canadians find 

an affordable place to call home. 

The Sentinel - June 2021 — Vol. 45, No. 10 

(Continued on page 5)

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(Continued from page 4) 

Help more families and people living with disabilities access the existing Disability Tax Credit and other 

related support measures. 

Improve access to palliative care and end-of-life care, including culturally sensitive care by proposing to 

provide $29.8 million over six years, starting in 2021-22, to Health Canada to advance the government’s 

palliative care strategy and lay a better foundation for co-ordinated action on long-term and supportive care 

needs. 

Provide $100 million over three years, starting in 2021-22, to the Public Health Agency of Canada to 

support projects for innovative mental health interventions for populations disproportionately impacted by 

COVID 19, including seniors. 

Invest $400 million in 2021-22 to Employment and Social Development Canada to create a temporary 

Community Services Recovery Fund to help charities and non-profits adapt and modernize so they can 

better support the economic recovery in our communities. 

Extend the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit an additional 4 weeks, to a maximum of 42 weeks, in the 

event that caregiving options are not sufficiently available. 

Invest $50 million over five years, starting in 2021-22, for the Public Health Agency of Canada to design 

and deliver interventions that promote safe relationships and prevent family violence, including elder abuse. 

Provide an additional $15 million over three years, starting in 2021-22, to Veterans Affairs Canada to 

expand and enhance the Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund for projects that will support veterans during 

the post COVID-19 recovery, including addressing homelessness, employment, retraining, and health 

challenges. 

The Government of Canada’s top priority remains protecting Canadians’ health and safety, particularly 

during this third, aggressive wave of the virus and its variants. The vaccine rollout is accelerating across 

Canada, and the federal government is on track to receive 48 to 50 million doses by the end of June. 

Groceries from The SEED - It Takes a Community to Feed a Community 

Groceries from The SEED is a pay-what-you-choose online grocery store with a purpose! Our goal is 

to make Guelph-Wellington the first community in Canada where everyone has access to good food. Those 

who can afford to buy some of their groceries this way (with delivery!) can help to subsidize people who 

cannot afford to pay for their groceries. It would be a great help to many of our CSS clients as an ongoing 

way to access food! 

Benefits of Membership: 

You have access to high quality groceries at competitive prices 

Your groceries are delivered to your door 

Our innovative pay-what-you-choose pricing offers choice and dignity to community members who 

 

otherwise can’t afford groceries 

100%-paying Members have the satisfaction of knowing their food dollars are helping others access 

good food 

If we meet our goal of 500 new Retail Memberships, we will be able to offer Discount Memberships to 

760 households! 

For more information, go to the website at SEED 

On-Demand Bus Service 

Guelph Transit introduced On-Demand Bus Service on May 2. On-demand differs from conventional 

transit in that there is no fixed route or schedule, and buses are dispatched on a request-basis. This means 

more flexibility for you as you can book a ride when it’s most convenient for you. 

You can book a ride using the free app, by phone or from the website, and the bus will pick up and drop 

off at pre-set locations throughout the city. 

On-demand service can be requested from anywhere in the city and will replace the Community Bus 

(north and south loops) and route 16 Southgate. The service will also extend into the Hanlon Creek Business 

Park, located west of the Hanlon Expressway in the city’s south end. 

Service to the two business parks is the same as conventional service hours (Monday to Saturday 5:45 

a.m. to 12:15 a.m. and Sunday 9:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.) and on-demand service to other areas in the city is 

(Continued on page 6) 


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Monday to Saturday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. There is no additional cost to take an on-demand trip; 

use regular transit fare for the ride. 

Learn all about the service and how to book your ride here: https://guelph.ca/living/getting-around/bus/ 

schedules/on-demand-bus-service/ 

GWSA Annual General Meeting 

For more information, visit the Guelph Wellington Seniors Association website at GWSA. 

The GWSA Needs You 

The GWSA is currently recruiting for Virtual Volunteers to assist with Committees, Special Events, and 

on the GWSA Board of Directors. 

There are currently no “in-person” volunteer positions at the Evergreen Seniors Community Centre. 

You can check out our current list of Volunteer Opportunities at https://gwsa-guelph.ca/volunteeropportunities/ 

Please speak to Becky MacDonald (519-822-1260 x 2096) 

OR email her at becky.macdonald@guelph.ca for information on any of the volunteer opportunities listed. 

How to Strength Train as You Age 

Virtual Workshop June 17 at 11 am 

Should you lift weights? Does it sound scary? 

Do you want to start strength training, but feel 

intimidated, do not want to get too bulky and 

have no idea where to start? Our Fitness 

Director recommends adding strength training to 

your routine. Strength training is vital in 

avoiding injuries and maintaining functional 

strength as you age. Beginning at about age 30, 


(Continued on page 7)

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men and women lose muscle mass at about the rate of 10 percent per decade until about 50, when that loss 

accelerates to 15 percent per decade. Over time, the loss of muscle mass can be severe, greatly affecting 

your quality of life. Don’t wait until it’s too late. In this seminar, you will be given an introduction to 

strength training and why it is so important as you age. You will also be given tips on how to strength train 

as you age as well as a basic strength training program for beginners. 

This workshop is sponsored by OASSIS - the association for not-for-profit organizations’ benefit plans. 

Register in advance for this meeting: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUof-GqqD4iH9VSjvvR0hhYNFyfRZoApPJu 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. 

Connecting Circles - Social Change Workshop Series 

In February, 10C (10 Carden) launched a pilot program called Connecting Circles. 10C Connecting 

Circles are safe, free opportunities for older adults and seniors in Guelph and Wellington County to 

virtually connect with people and organizations in their community. 

The Connecting Circles: Social Change Series is a gathering of intergenerational participants in Guelph 

and Wellington County to learn, connect and build back better as a community, post pandemic. 

Each Monday night, we will be unpacking a topic of social change within our community – especially 

those which have been sorely needed during this pandemic (eg: economic equality, environmental 

protection, mental health support). Our main goals for this series is to educate participants on social issues, 

share resources and inspiration to help drive change in our community, and allow participants to make 

connections within their community to fight social isolation. 

Each Monday night, Circle will include a speaker (or multiple in a panel style discussion), followed by 

facilitated group discussions, activities and open Q&A. We want to enable participants to become changemakers 

in their own community and create a safe space for ideas to be shared and questions to be answered. 

10C Connecting Circles are safe, free opportunities for older adults and seniors in Guelph and Wellington 

County to virtually connect with people in their community. These weekly Zoom calls are meant to bring 

adults and seniors together, encourage intergenerational sharing, and bring some joy into peoples’ homes. 

10C Shared Space is grateful for the support of our Connecting Circles community partners: The People 

and Information Network and Guelph Wellington Seniors Association. 

Click below for information on upcoming workshops. 

https://10carden.ca/connecting-circles/ 

Music in the Hills - Jim Cuddy In Person Drive-in Performance June 25 

Jim Cuddy (remember him from Blue Rodeo) will be performing a benefit concert on June 25 at the 

Mansfield Ski Club in Mulmur (north of 

Orangeville). Every car participating in 

the event will receive a “swag bag”. 

This benefit concert is in aid of 

the Suicide Awareness Council of 

Wellington-Dufferin. 

For more information and to purchase 

tickets, visit the Music In the Hills 

website. 

May Sentinel is Available Now 

Read online or download your own copy: The Sentinel May 2021 


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Volunteer Corner from Becky MacDonald 

WELCOME BACK VIRTUAL 

VOLUNTEERS! 

We miss you in person! Volunteering and the 

world around us has changed in many ways 

over the last year and a half. 

Many volunteers have taken on a new role 

“virtual volunteering” in the same capacity as 

in person, but moving in-person interaction to 

online through technology. Thank you for 

continuing to pursue your passion as a 

volunteer and doing your best to keep everyone 

engaged, including yourself. It’s a new way to 

volunteer and hopefully we can all get back to 

in-person, face-to-face interactions soon. Keep 

safe and healthy and looking forward to seeing 

you all again. Thank you for keeping up the 

great work you all do! 

an active member on the Board and assisting 

where needed on committees; Provide reports 

and updates to all members; Review monthly 

financial statements; Report Board issues to 

the Committee and report the Committee’s 

issues to the Board; Participate in selfdevelopment 

training, where and when 

appropriate. 

ASSISTANT EDITOR 

The GWSA is looking for someone to assist 

with the monthly email updates. This is a parttime 

position, once a month. 

Access to a computer 

 

 

Publishing/editor experience 

Assist with the monthly email updates to 

stay connected with the community 

There are “new” volunteer positions that are 

requiring your help. All positions are virtually 

from the comfort of your home. Please see the 

options that follow: Committees, Board, 

Special Events, and Supports. 

For more information and for details on each 

position, please contact 

becky.macdonald@guelph.ca 

If the position is of interest to you, you will 

be required to complete the “Volunteer 

Application Form – online” at: 

https://gwsa-guelph.ca/1749-2/ . 

GWSA COMMITTEES 

GWSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

The Board is looking to recruit up to four (4) 

new members. Experience in law, fundraising 

and HR are an asset. The Board meets on the 

third Wednesday of each month at 9:30 am 

virtually (min of 8 meetings per year). Being 

GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE 

The GWSA is looking for up to three 

additional members. The Governance 

Committee assists the Board of Directors with 

the development and review of bylaws, 

policies, and procedures for the Association. 

Morning meetings during a few months of the 

year. 

Experience in governance with a not-forprofit 

organization 

 

 

Knowledge of legislative requirements 

A keen interest in document research, 

development, and review would be helpful. 

SECRETARY 

The Governance Committee is looking for 

someone with a laptop and who is interested in 

taking minutes at the meeting and updating any 

documents as needed. 

MEMBERSHIP & MARKETING 

Three more committee members needed to join 

the team. Meet on the 2 nd Tuesday of each 

month at 9:30 am. The committee reports to 

the Board for all membership and marketing 

initiatives, focusing on the maximum interest 

of members and advancement of the Board’s 

(Continued on page 9) 



Strategic Plan. The Committee provides 

content and messaging advice to the webmaster 

for the website and social media accounts and 

prepares monthly GWSA Email Updates. 

Marketing and recruitment experience would 

definitely be assets, but are not required. 

Monitors membership satisfaction 

Develops plans to improve member 

 

 

 

recruitment and retention 

Marketing responsibilities include arranging 

for media coverage and creating 

advertisements 

Developing promotional material 

Arranging special events such as Open 

House and New Members’ Welcome - 

either virtually or in-person as appropriate. 

M&M EMAIL EDITOR 

Attend regular M&M meetings on the 2 nd 

Tuesday of each month at 9:30 am. 

Distribute publications once per month or 

as needed 

Solicit, investigate and assemble items 

Maintain the list of subscribers 

TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE (NEW!) 

Advise the Board of Directors and provide 

technical leadership in support of the Strategic 

Plan. 

Production support: we need a group of 

technically savvy and interested members to 

prioritize a list of needed projects for planning 

and implementation. 

Experience in: electrician, sound tech, 

lighting technician, carpentry or design would 

be useful, and possibly computer-aided design 

skills. 

IT (Information Technology): 

Make hardware and software 

recommendations to address employee and 

volunteer needs, including the Board, 

Finance Committee, and members. 

Oversee a small wireless network. 

Provide guidance regarding the technical 

aspects of the website and membership 

 

 

mailing list. 

Establish a modest A/V recording/live 

streaming studio 

Interest and background experience in IT, 

including network management and video 

production would be assets. 

VARIETY SHOW COMMITTEE 

The Committee is looking for enthusiastic, 

dedicated individuals who like to work as a 

team and have an interest in theatre to lead in 

the following areas for this year’s virtual show: 

Producer: Produce and Direct the Variety 

show. Locate and secure acts, overall 

organization of the show. 

Retirement Homes Co-ordinator: Coordinate 

with the retirement homes for ticket 

sales. 

Stage Manager: 

Attends pre-show committee meetings 

Co-ordinates with Producer on programme. 

Makes show cue sheet for acts, their 

requirements and technical directions 

Works with Lighting and Sound personnel 

for the show 

Responsible for getting stage crew 

Runs the show using cue sheet schedule. 

Makes sure cast caller has acts ready to go 

on stage ahead of time. 

Secretary: The Secretary assists with 

preparing the agenda for the meeting and 

taking notes and distributing to all committee 

members in a timely fashion 

Hospitality and House: Make sure 

everything is ready for the day of the Variety 

Show and organize the event to run smoothly. 

If you are interested in volunteering in any of 

the areas listed, please contact Becky for more 

information. becky.macdonald@guelph.ca 

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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 

2020-2021 

Tuesday, June 8 - 1:30 pm 

Please note that the meeting will be held virtually through Zoom. 

More information will be shared on the GWSA website 

before the meeting. 

Organizing a virtual meeting will work best if we have up-to-date information. You can update 

that online through RecEnroll at http://recenroll.ca. Be sure we have your current email address, 

phone number and mailing address. In this way, we can reach you about member services 

and important information like the Annual General Meeting. All valid memberships have 

been extended through the state of emergency. You can “Edit your Account” to update any information 

that is out of date. If you don’t have a password or have forgotten, just use the 

“Forgot your password” link to get a password. 

THE SILVERTONES 

The Silvertones continue to be active with biweekly 

Zoom practices, regular phone calls to 

ensure all our members are safe and healthy 

and monthly emails from our Director to keep 

everyone informed and up-to-date. We do 

need to put a cap on our membership at the 

present time, however, please contact 

doreenmuir11@yahoo.com if you would like 

more information or are interested in putting 

your name on a waiting list. 

Doreen Muir 

President 

The Silvertones Choir 

BOOK CLUB 1 

Our group normally meets in the 

Boardroom on the last Friday of 

each month from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. 

For June our selection is “Where 

the Crawdads Sing” by Delia 

Owens. 

In July we will be reading “The 

Family Upstairs” by Lisa Jewell. 

Because the Evergreen Centre is not 

open at present, we meet at the end 

of the month on Zoom or will meet 

outdoors. 


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June is Seniors Month - A Message from Tonie 

For me, this past year seems to have both crawled and flown by all at the same time, and here we 

are again in the month of June where the sun has begun shining brighter, the birds have begun 

chirping louder, and we take the time to celebrate the wonderful seniors within our community - 

June is senior’s month, after all! 

Typically at this time of the year, I would be working alongside the GWSA Walking Club to 

spread the word about our annual walk from the Evergreen Centre to City Hall Market Square, 

where, along our journey through the beautifully scenic trail systems, we share stories, laughs, and 

build friendships. At the end of our journey, we gather with the Mayor, City Councillors, and other 

community stakeholders to celebrate seniors with a flag raising ceremony. 

Although we cannot gather this year for our usual celebrations, it is important for all seniors 

within the community, and members of the Guelph Wellington Seniors Association, to know that 

YOU are appreciated, YOU are celebrated, and YOU are valued. 

More than you know, I CANNOT wait until the day comes that we can open our doors and 

welcome you all back with open arms, where we can be together, be safe, and be active once again. 

Until then, I encourage you to take advantage of the days when the sun is shining and get outside for 

some fresh air and, if possible, move your body. A bike ride, walk or run, or a stand and stretch 

activity outdoors are all great ways to get your blood flowing, and your muscles working. 

On Monday, June 7, City staff will raise the “June is Senior’s Month” flag at City Hall Market 

Square as a way to celebrate and acknowledge seniors within the community. It will fly for the 

duration of the month. 

I want to thank each and every one of you for being outstanding active members of our 

community and by being members of the Guelph Wellington Seniors Association. Know that I am 

waiting patiently and am eager to see you all again soon, but until then, stay safe and be well - and 

thank you for being you! 

Tonie MacInnis 


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Groceries from The SEED 

Groceries from The SEED is a pay-what-you-choose online grocery store with a purpose! Our goal is 

to make Guelph-Wellington the first community in Canada where everyone has access to good food. 

When you shop at Groceries from The SEED, you help people in your community afford good food. It takes 

a community to feed a community. 

Benefits of Membership: 

You have access to high quality groceries at competitive prices 

Your groceries are delivered to your door 

Our innovative pay-what-you-choose pricing offers choice and dignity to community members who 

otherwise can’t afford groceries 

100%-paying Members have the satisfaction of knowing their food dollars are helping others access 

good food 

If we meet our goal of 500 new Retail Memberships, we will be able to offer Discount Memberships to 

760 households! 

Register 

Click here to get started with Groceries from the SEED today. https://theseedguelph.ca/groceries/ 

Volunteer 

Volunteers make it possible for us to offer deeper discounts to low-income community members. Apply 

today! 

Donate 

Your donation will buy free groceries for our most vulnerable community members. 

Thank you for supporting The SEED. Together we are building a new kind of food system. 

For more information about Groceries from The SEED or to sign up by phone, contact our Customer 

Service team at 519-821-6638 ext 396 or groceries@theseedguelph.ca 


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Join us as we kick off Recreation and Parks 

Month with Paralympian Sledge Hockey 

Bronze Medalist, Kevin Rempel, who will 

share his powerful message of hope and 

resiliency in times of uncertainty. 

Recreation and Parks Month 

Keynote Webinar 

Date: Wednesday, June 2, 2021 

Time: 6:30 – 7:30 pm 

Click Here to Register 

Paralympian, Kevin Rempel, has surmounted 

incredible life challenges to reach the Olympic 

podium and now brings his powerful message 

of hope and resilience to audiences through his 

speaking and writing. 

Kevin shares his personal story inspiring 

others that even when you have every reason 

to give up, you must keep going. By adopting 

the Hero Mindset, you can learn to overcome 

your own hurdles and embrace change. 


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GWSA Groups & Activities Contact Information 

You may be required to show your up-to-date GWSA membership card at any activity. 

Art In The Hall 

Inactive until September 2021 

Needs a curator 

Art Studio In 2 

Evergreen Room 2 

Ted Pritchard tpritcha@rogers.com 

Every 2nd & 4 th Wednesdays 1-2 


Badminton 

Evergreen Auditorium 

Jeff Millard (519-993-1362) 


Bridge - Evergreen 


David Pinkney (519-780-5302) 

Tuesdays - 6:30-9:00 pm 

Peter Traulsen (519-265-2376) 

Thursdays - 12:30-3:30 pm 


Improving Bridge 


Sandy Kinsey 

(kinseyssrd@gmail.com) 

Fridays - 9:00-11:30 am 


Cribbage 


Audrey Young (519-824-5891) 

Joy Halliburton (519-822-9714) 

Elaine Miller (519-836-7874) 

Tuesdays - 12:45-4 pm 


Darts Club 

Evergreen Auditorium - Stage 

TBD 

Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays 

10:00 am to 12:00 noon 


Casual Bicycling 

Various Locations in and 

around Guelph 

Ned Coates (519-835-9799) 

Wed. - May 1 - Oct. 31 

9:00 am to Noon 


Bid Euchre 


Sharyn Richards (519-803-9500) 

Mondays - 6:15-9:00 pm 



6-Hand Bid Euchre 


Dot Smith (519-836-6448) 



Book Club 1 

Evergreen Board Room 

Veronica Sanche (519-767-9991) 

Last Friday of month - 1-2:30 pm 

ACTIVE Via Zoom 

Book Club 2 


Christine Trimble (519-823-2086) 

3rd Friday of month 1:30-3:30 pm 


Bridge - West End Lion’s Lair 

David Pinkney (519-780-5302) 

Mondays - 12:30-3:15 pm 



Bunka Art Group 


Diane Barber (519-763-2996) 

designbunny@rogers.com 

Wednesdays - 9:15 am-noon 


Canasta 

Evergreen Hallway 

Lionel Churchill (519-835-4155) 

Wednesdays - 1-4 pm 


Canoe Club 

John Ness (519-994-8611) 

canoeclubmembership@gmail.com 

Inactive until May 2021 

Chess Club 


Dave Wurr (519-509-1032) 

Fridays - 9:30 am-noon 


Computer Club 


Ross Knechtel (226-706-4058) 

Ken Chupa (519-829-2476) 

September, November, January, 

March, May 

2nd Monday - 7:00-9:00 pm 

ACTIVE VIRTUALLY 

Craft Club 


Judy Montgomery (519-824-8047) 

Fridays - 8:30 am-1:30 pm 

ACTIVE BY TELEPHONE 

Dominoes 

Evergreen Dining Room 

Bev Baker (519-265-9139) 



Euchre on Monday 


Maureen Baird (647-519-2006) 

Mondays - 1:00-3:30 pm 


Euchre on Wednesday 


Audrey Young (519-824-5891) 

4th Wednesday - 1:30-4:00 pm 


Euchre on Friday 


Peter Smith (519-217-8986) 

Fridays - 1:00-4:00 pm 


Golf 

Tom Kane (519-827-1479) 

Mondays, May to September 

Inactive until May 2021 

Line Dancing 


Phyllis Carnochan (519-836-9415) 

Mondays - 9:30 -11:45 am 


Inactive until September 2021

Mah Jongg 


Contact TBD 


Instruction available 


Peer Learning 


Barb McLeod (519-823-2531) 

Andrew Webb (226-500-4755) 

Mon., Tues., Thurs. 

(times as assigned) 

ACTIVE VIA ZOOM 

Into Focus Photography 


Bill Adams (olar57@gmail.com) 

2:30-5 pm - last Monday of every 

month - $24.00 a year 


Pickleball 

Rudy Simon 

Neville Newman (519-400-9136) 

gwsapickleball@gmail.com 


Tues. - 9:00 - 12:00 noon 

(Beginners & Intermediate) 

Friday - 12:45 - 4 pm 

(all levels of play) 


West End Rec Centre 

Tues. - 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm 

(advanced play) 

Thurs. - 2:15 - 5:00 pm 

(all levels of play) 


Quilting 


Beryl Drohan (519-827-0120) 

Mondays - 12:30-4:00 pm 

ACTIVE BY TELEPHONE & 

EMAIL 

Scrabble 


Beth Campeau (226-343-0415) 


ACTIVE BY ZOOM 

Shuffleboard 


Elaine Bigam (519-824-6498) 

Ilbigam@gmail.com 


Wednesdays - 1:30-3:00 pm 


Silver Seven Skating Club 

Exhibition Park Arena 

Corner of Exhibition & 

Division Sts. 

Sharon O’Sullivan (519-848-2084) 

Saturdays - 8:00-9:50 pm 


Silver Strummers 

Ann Sneyd 519-830-6640 


Silvertones Choir 


Doreen Muir (519-831-8323) 

Choir Director - Ann Sneyd 

Pianist - TBA 

Fridays 1:00-3:30 pm 


Ski Club 

Evergreen Parking Lot by 

The Enabling Garden 

Shane Hamilton (519-994-2204) 

Email: crs.hamilton@gmail.com 

Mondays from January to the end 

of March 2020 

8:00 am car pool at Evergreen 

to Blue Mountain 

6:00 pm return to Evergreen 


Evergreen Snooker Club 

Evergreen Snooker Room 

Nick Harris (519-836-4547) 

Daily - 9:00 am-4:00 pm 

Tuesday - 7:00-9:30 pm 

1st Thursday of every month 

7:00-9:30 pm 


Table Tennis 


Ursula Rodrigues (519-837-3782) 

Petr Vales (519-240-1421) 

Evergreen: 

Monday - 3:30-6:30 pm 

Wednesday - 9:00 am-12:45 pm 

Saturday - 9:00 am-12:00 noon 

West End: Friday - 1:00-4:00 pm 

(WE - except July/August) 


17 

Texas Hold ‘Em Poker 


TBD 



Walking Club 

April to October 

Thursdays - 9:30 am-12:30 pm 

TBD 

Gord Clegg (519-824-3293) 


Watercolour Painters Club 


Mary Mulholland (519-836-4889) 

watercolourclub@gwsa-guelph.ca 

1-3 pm on 1st, 3rd, and 5th 

Wednesdays 


West End Art Group 

Rm 2 West End Rec Centre 

Nancy Baker (519-822-6653) 

September – June, Tuesdays - 

12:30-4:00 pm 

Membership is $20.00 


West Hills Art Group 

Rm 2 West End Rec Centre 

Dale Vardy (519-823-5746) 

bdvardy@rogers.com 

Jan. - June; Sept. - Dec. 

Thursdays - noon-4:00 pm 

Membership is $25.00 


Writers Club 


Ross Coulter (519-823-5746) 



18 

GWSA Email Updates 

Each month, approximately mid-month, the Membership 

and Marketing Committee at the 

GWSA sends out the GWSA Email Update. It 

highlights a few of the exciting things happening at 

the GWSA, important communications from the 

Board, and upcoming programs by CSS 

(Community Support Services). 

You can subscribe to receive the GWSA Email 

Update by completing the steps below: 

1. To begin, please send an email to: 

subscribe@gwsa-guelph.ca . You can enter 

Subscribe in the Subject line, or just skip that 

part, it will work either way. In just a few 

minutes, you will receive a message with a link. 

2. Click on the link you received, fill in the appropriate 

fields, and click “Subscribe to List”. 

3. To ensure you really want to receive GWSA 

Email Updates – and to make sure all emails are 

error-free – we’ll send a message asking you to 

confirm. 

4. Once you respond to the confirmation message, 


your registration is complete and you’ll receive 

our Welcome Letter. 

You can also subscribe from the “Popular 

Links” section on the GWSA website. Starting 

the process from the web page will take you to 

step 2 above. Simply follow through with steps 2 

to 4 to complete the process. 

You can expect to receive your first GWSA Email 

Update approximately mid-month after you sign 

up. 

You can unsubscribe from the GWSA Email Updates 

at any time by clicking on the “unsubscribe” 

link that is displayed at the bottom of every update. 

Membership & 

Marketing Committee 

This graphic by Unknown Author is 

licensed under CC BY-ND

19 

No Job too Small - Call Ned Coates 

519-835-9799 

nedcoates7@gmail.com 


20 

Wellington Foot Clinic 

Professional Footcare & Custom Foot Orthotics 

Jessica K. Mann 

Registered Chiropodist / Foot Specialist 

Professional, Safe Treatment of a Variety of Foot Conditions 

- Nail Disorders, Corns, Callus, Warts, Ingrown Toenails & much more 

- Custom Foot Orthotics 

- Covered by most extended health insurance providers 

- No referral needed!!! Free parking 

- Morning, Evening and Saturday Appointments Available 

3 – 245 Edinburgh Rd S. (enter off Municipal or Edinburgh) 

519-546-3737 wellfoot@outlook.com 


21 

Organizers Trevor Barton and Brian 

Holstein are very pleased to announce 

that the Tea ‘n’ Tales summer 

storytelling festival at the Guelph 

Enabling Garden will be held this year 

virtually by Zoom. 

Evergreen Kitchen 

The City of Guelph is offering a frozen meal 

program at the Evergreen Seniors Community 

Centre. 

Here are the details: 

Purchase 5 meals for $25. 

Pre-order is mandatory. 

Call or email Becky M. at 519-822-1260 

x2691 or Becky.MacDonald@guelph.ca to 

place your order. 

You may choose either meat or vegetarian 

packages. If you require adjustments for 

allergies/dietary restrictions, please let Becky 

know at the time of your order. The kitchen 

will make adjustments when possible. 

Meals can be paid for in person or over the 

phone with a credit card. 


22 

$25.00 discount coupon 

with this ad 

Please call 519-821-6683 

IN HONOUR OF FATHER’S DAY 

BEST DAD JOKES 

- Which bear is the most condescending? A pan-duh! 

- What’s brown and sticky? A stick. 

- Two guys walked into a bar. The 

third guy ducked. 

- How do you get a country girl’s 

attention? A tractor. 

- Why are elevator jokes so classic 

and good? They work on many 

levels. 

- What do you call a pudgy psychic? 

A four-chin teller. 

- What do you call it when a group 

of apes starts a company? Monkey 

business. 

- Want to know why nurses like red 

crayons? Sometimes they have to 

draw blood. 

- What would the Terminator be 

called in his retirement? The 

Exterminator. 

- My wife asked me to go get 6 cans 

of Sprite from the grocery store. I 

realized when I got home that I had 

picked 7 up. 

- Why do bees have sticky hair? Because they use a 

honeycomb. 

- Why do some couples go to the gym? Because they 

want their relationship to work out. 

- Why was the color green 

notoriously single? It was always so 

jaded. 

- I used to hate facial hair, but then 

it grew on me. 

- Why did the coach go to the bank? 

To get his quarterback. 

- How do celebrities stay cool? 

They have many fans. 

- It takes guts to be an organ donor. 

- What does “Rockin’ Robin” do 

when she’s bored? Tweet. 

- I lost my job at the bank on my 

first day. A woman asked me to 

check her balance, so I pushed her 

over. 

- How do you row a canoe filled 

with puppies? Bring out the doggy 

paddle. 


23 

CREMATION: $1935 +hst BURIAL: $5995 +hst 

If prearranged and prepaid by June 30, 2021 If prearranged and prepaid by June 30, 2021 

BIRTHDAYS 

Spears, Jean - June 18 (95) 

Hillman, Eleanor - June 30 (97) 

PASSAGES 

Fischer, Joan Beverley passed away on 

Monday, June 10, 2021, at the age of 88. 

She was a long-time GWSA member and 

performed in shows at the Evergreen 

Seniors’ Centre. 

Membership Benefit: 

Every Day is Seniors Day 

at Bulk Barn! 

For years, Bulk Barn has offered a Seniors Day 

discount every Wednesday. Anyone over 65 

years of age enjoyed a 10% discount on regular 

priced merchandise. Now, Bulk Barn locations 

in Guelph are offering this 10% discount every 

day for all GWSA members. Show your 

GWSA membership card to take advantage 

of this special offer when you shop for your 

favourite regular-priced Bulk Barn products. 

Available at: 370 Stone Rd. W across from 

Stone Road Mall, 49 Woodlawn Road W in the 

Walmart Plaza, and 103 Clair Road E at the 

Pergola Commons. 


24 

RED SKELTON’S RECIPE FOR THE PERFECT MARRIAGE 

1. Two times a week, we go to a nice restaurant, have a little beverage, good food and 

companionship. She goes on Tuesdays, I go on Fridays. 

2. We also sleep in separate beds. Hers is in California and mine is in Texas. 

3. I take my wife everywhere, but she keeps finding her way back. 

4. I asked my wife where she wanted to go for our anniversary. “Somewhere I haven’t been 

in a long time!” she said. So I suggested the kitchen. 

5. We always hold hands. If I let go, she shops. 

6. She has an electric blender, electric toaster and electric bread maker. She said “There are 

too many gadgets, and no place to sit down!” So I bought her an electric chair. 

7. My wife told me the car wasn’t running well because there was water in the carburetor. I 

asked where the car was. She told me, “In the lake.” 

8. She got a mud pack and looked great for two days. Then the mud fell off. 

9. She ran after the garbage truck, yelling, “Am I too late for the garbage?” The driver said, 

“No, jump in!” 

10. Remember: Marriage is the number one cause of divorce. 

11. I married Miss Right. I just didn’t know her first name was ‘Always’. 

12. I haven't spoken to my wife in 18 months. I don’t like to interrupt her. 

13. The last fight was my fault though. My wife asked, “What's on the TV?” I said, “Dust!” 

Can’t you just hear him say all of these? 

I love it. These were the good old days when humor didn’t have to start with a four-letter 

word or be political. It was just clean and simple fun. And he always ended his programs 

with the words, “And May God Bless” with a big smile on his face.

June 2021 issue

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