The Elim Connection, April 2023

A COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
LET'S GET READY
TO GET OUTSIDE!
A UNIQUE CHRISTIAN
RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
ISSUE 18 SPRING 2023
SPRING 2023 THE ELIM CONNECTION 1

FROM
THE EDITOR
What an incredible time of year it is. Spring feels like the Friday night of
seasons; on a Friday night, the whole glorious weekend stretches ahead,
waiting to be fi lled. Maybe a better analogy is the onset of retirement; you
may not know what the years ahead hold, but the potential is right there,
ready to be realized. That’s like spring. The days are still getting longer,
life is springing forth, and many months of sunlight and warmth await.
It is impossible to deny the newness and hope that is spring, which is
only amplifi ed by recent celebrations of Easter Sunday. He Lives!
In your hands is the newest ELIM Connection, and I trust you’ll fi nd much
enjoyment within. In particular I want to draw your attention to the
article in the centre spread, which is the launch of an initiative entitled
Let's Get Outside! & Track Our Progress. I, for one, am excited for May 1st,
and after reading the article, I hope you are too.
A publication of this nature involves a lot of work behind the scenes
from residents and staff alike, and I extend a heartfelt thank you to
each one who contributed to this 18th edition.
Katrina LaRoy,
Brand & Communications Manager
Valentine's Day festivities at Fleetwood, and Garrison
Crossing residents sporting green for St. Patrick's Day SPRING 2023 THE ELIM CONNECTION 3

LIFE AT
ELIM VILLAGE
A snapshot of the last few months, with community highlights from Elim Village Fleetwood (FW), including
Independent Living (IL), Assisted Living (AL), and Full Care (FC), and Elim Village Garrison Crossing (GC).
SPRING
PAINT PARTY
A delightful afternoon of painting
took place at Fleetwood on
March 27. Independent Living
and Assisted Living residents
gathered to enjoy the guidance
of an art instructor while they
painted a fi eld of spring fl owers.
Everyone's unique style shone
through as they created their own
version of the same scenery. "It
was a very special and fun activity,
and exceptionally well planned!"
exclaims Independent Living
resident, Frances Zubak.
NEW INNOVATION
STATION
Discover the power of technology
and improve your digital literacy at
The Emerald's Innovation Station!
Our new space is designed to
provide residents with access to
a range of cutting-edge devices,
including Amazon's Alexa.
Residents can learn how to use
voice-activated assistants to turn
off lights or even identify soup
cans. Our team is also offering
tailored classes for residents to
develop their tech skills.
PIEROGIES, PLEASE
Who doesn't love pierogies? Full
Care residents at Elim Village
Fleetwood certainly do! At the
recent Full Care Ladies Luncheon,
a group of residents enjoyed a
delicious meal of perogies, while
connecting with other residents in
their building. We always welcome
suggestions from our residents
on themes and meals, making
each gathering unique and special.
Ladies Luncheon takes place
twice a month, and we're looking
forward to the next one!
THE LUCK OF
THE IRISH!
St. Patrick's Day was a true
celebration of Irish culture at
Fleetwood. Residents were
delighted to welcome the Steel
School of Irish Dance as they
performed in both the Oasis and
the Emerald's Multipurpose Room.
The music was lively and the
performers spectacular, inspiring
smiles and joy all around. We loved
seeing the dancers faces light up as
they performed, and (as you can
see below) residents were thrilled
to be a part of the fun!
MILKSHAKES
& MELODIES
Music and milkshakes made for
a perfect combination at The
Hawthorn at Elim Village Garrison
Crossing. Local musician, Corey
Primus, serenaded 65 residents
with classic tunes, while they
sipped on delicious strawberry
milkshakes. Hearts were full as
those gathered sang along to their
favorite songs and reminisced
about their youth. It was such a hit
that many residents have already
requested Corey's return, and we
can't wait either!
HYMNS & PRAISE
It's a joy to see the positive impact
music has on people's lives,
and we are grateful for Darlene
Pedrosa, Garrison Crossing Offi ce
Administrator, for sharing her
passion as a worship leader with
us. Each week, residents look
forward to our Hymns & Praise
gathering. “It gives us the
opportunity to gather as a
community and refl ect on the
goodness of God in our lives,”
shares Darlene. Through the
power of music, residents are
reminded of the love that
unites us all.
EASTER EVENTS
Whether it's gathering with
family for an Easter egg hunt
or remembering the passion of
Christ together with your faith
community, Easter is a meaningful
time. Good Friday (April 7th)
commemorated the crucifi xion of
Jesus and his death at Calvary, and
a Stations of the Cross program
took place at Fleetwood, depicting
Jesus’ passion and death on the
cross. Garrison Crossing held a
Good Friday service as well, with
music and communion, led by
Pastor Lorin Bergen. An Easter
Sunday service was also held
at Fleetwood (April 9th), with
residents from Independent Living,
Assisted Living, and Full Care in
attendance. He is risen!
4 THE ELIM CONNECTION SPRING 2023 SPRING 2023 THE ELIM CONNECTION 5

NOURISHED
WRITTEN BY
KATRINA LAROY,
STAFF CONTRIBUTOR
BRING SOME JOY
TO YOUR LIFE
WRITTEN BY
EILEEN CLARKE,
Elim Village Fleetwood has long off ered Bus Outings to residents in all housing types onsite, and
Assisted Living resident, Eileen, is a frequent participant! Hear from her below.
RESIDENT CONTRIBUTOR
It has long been a tradition to incorporate the arts in ELIM’s signature event, the Health & Wellness
Fair. Many will recall that in 2018, residents worked with a local artist to create custom clay leaves that
were then affi xed to a large clay tree, sculpted as a magnifi cent relief that hangs in the stairwell near the
Harrison West Chapel at Elim Village Fleetwood. The installation is titled Nourished.
The success of the project encouraged a
follow-up endeavor, and the subsequent Fair
in 2019 expanded on Nourished; residents
created more leaves (about 85), and plans
were laid for fi ve additional distinct art pieces.
This project is now complete. The fi ve art
pieces (pictured) depict parts of the same tree,
and conceptually are extensions of the original.
You can now fi nd these fi ve pieces mounted
in the following locations: In Fleetwood,
the Oasis, the Emerald Assisted Living, and
the entryways of The Harrison and Harrison
West. In Garrison Crossing, a piece adorns a
wall in The Hawthorn. Several new leaves
have also been added to the original tree relief.
I started going on bus outings here when I
moved in, in 2018. The Wellness team offers
such a variety of trips—some practical, like
to Save-On-Foods, and others to restaurants,
like the Olive Garden. There are scenic drives,
but also adventure-type trips, which are my
favourite! We’ve been to parks, down to the
White Rock Pier, and we went to the Bloedel
Conservatory in Vancouver back in January.
There was one trip that was amazing—we
went to a High English Tea, and it was at an old,
historic farmhouse. I'm British and was born in
England, so that interested me a lot.
Recently, in March, there was a Mystery
Scavenger Hunt trip. Residents were fi lled with
anticipation at the beginning of the tour. The bus
drove alongside the Fraser River and into New
Westminster. Residents had to look for things
to fi ll up their bingo card, and there were also
trivia questions, such as, “What is the longest
cable bridge in BC?” (The answer is the Annacis
Bridge, or Alex Fraser Bridge, which at one time
was the longest cable bridge in the world!) The
last stop was to A&W, and residents loved that,
as there’s so much nostalgia there, given that it
opened in 1956, and all of us grew up with it.
All in all, residents left inspired to attend more
bus trips because they had so much fun.
When I get my Activity Calendar each month,
I always look to see what bus trips are planned.
The Wellness team puts a lot of thought into
them. So I would say to residents reading this—
pick up your Activity Calendar! Read it!
And try out a bus trip. Ask a friend, or a new
resident, to go with you. They are just fun!
Nourished now beautifully connects us as a
broader ELIM community. The following excerpt
is mounted adjacent to the original tree, and
describes the meaning of this special project:
“The tree and uniqueness of each leaf are symbolic
of the life-giving force that we all cling to in our
desire to be part of a community that
nourishes us in life. Through nourishment
we can connect our souls and spirits to the
Creator who gives us life.”
Residents have seen some pretty (funny) sights during bus outings! Such as "Blanca", a dancing
umbrella cockatoo, who residents met during a recent bus trip to the Bloedel Conservatory in Vancouver.
6 THE ELIM CONNECTION SPRING 2023

STAFF SPOTLIGHT
KELLY
Hi, I’m Kelly! I’ve been working
at Elim Village Garrison
Crossing for over a year now. In that time I’ve
worn a few different hats, and you can now fi nd
me at the Hawthorn Concierge—a perfect role
for me. My passion for making people feel at home
suits this customer service-oriented role.
In the workplace, I aspire to come in and give my
best every day. Making a difference in someone's
day gives me immense job satisfaction, and I always
look for opportunities to do so. I'm also a team
player and love to support my colleagues.
One of the things that I love about working here
is the team spirit and support that we have. ELIM
is also aligned with my personal philosophy of love
and care for people, so it feels effortless to live it
out. In the last year, I’ve witnessed that the little
things in life bring immense happiness to many
residents, and I hope to one day achieve the same
level of contentment that many of them have.
In my spare time, I enjoy running, spending time
with my boys, traveling, camping, and hiking. I also
love to connect with friends. My life is full of my
husband, my two boys, our dog, and cat, and I am
grateful for the opportunity to work at Elim and be
a part of the lives of our residents.
JAPNEET
My name is Japneet.
I’m from India and came
to Canada in 2015 to study at Simon Fraser
University. I fi rst worked here at Elim Village
Fleetwood during the summer of 2019, as a co-op
student. When the four month co-op ended,
I was sad to leave and always wanted to come
back. Then when COVID hit in March 2020, extra
staff were needed, and I was able to come back!
I returned in a part-time capacity, which was
perfect, as I was still in school.
Then another amazing thing happened; my
studies completed at the end of 2020 and shortly
thereafter, a full-time position became available.
So now I am the permanent full time, Community
Life Receptionist and On-Call Scheduler. When I
think back on how my story at ELIM came to be,
I’m so grateful. It really seems like everything fell
into place, time and again, for me to work here.
When I chose to do the co-op in 2019, it was a big
decision, as it meant delaying my course work. But
I wanted the experience, and I think that was the
best thing I did! Because through it, I came to know
about ELIM.
I like everything about working here. I like the
two aspects of my job, because as a receptionist,
I learn about the residents, and as the on-call
scheduler, I learn about the staff. I fi nd that mix
very helpful. In my role, I try to make a daily
difference for residents. I want to make them
happy when they come to me, and make sure
they are heard. Providing the right answer to
their questions is important, and that’s what I try
to do. Some residents come to say hello each
day, and one resident calls me at 9:15am every
morning! I hear feedback that I am making a
positive impact, and that makes me want to do
it even more.
Every day when I leave work and head to the bus
stop, I am smiling. There's a sense of fulfi llment
in working here and helping others. I remember
one instance when I walked a resident back to
her suite, that instead of saying thank you, she
said “Bless you,” which made me feel so full of
joy. It's moments like these that make working
here…well, it feels more than just a job.
Outside of work, I live with my cousin and my
nephew, who is 8, and on weekends I like to
spend time with friends. I also talk to my parents
every day, who are back in India. Every single day,
I video call them. They have come to visit me a
few times, and I hope to visit India again soon,
although Canada is my home now.
NEW! FAMILY EDUCATION SESSIONS
Our Full Care team has initiated a new education series available for Full Care family members on a
monthly basis. These sessions provide valuable insights and knowledge to help families navigate the
challenges of caring for a loved one in a Full Care setting.
The topics covered in these sessions are thoughtfully chosen, with a focus on providing practical
information to help families make informed decisions and improve their loved one's quality of life.
Perhaps the best part of these sessions is the opportunity for families to connect with each other.
Caring for a loved one in Full Care can feel like a singular journey, but these
sessions offer a safe and supportive
environment for families to share their
experiences and support one another.
We are thrilled to see so many in
attendance so far, and we look
forward to welcoming new
members in the future.
An ELIM Full Care resident together with
a supportive family member.
8 THE ELIM CONNECTION SPRING 2023

LET'S GET OUTSIDE!
& TRACK OUR PROGRESS
Did you know that children between the ages of 3 – 18 spend on average 246 minutes a day in front of
1
screens? That’s 4.1 hours, or roughly a quarter of all waking hours!
We’re excited for this community initiative, which is not about exercising, but
about being in and being connected to nature. Join us and reap the benefi ts!
Here’s the who, what, where, when, why, and how of the challenge:
In response to alarming statistics such as these, one couple decided to intentionally prioritize outdoor
time with their children. Their research and now fi rst-hand experience convinced them that time
outside provides a variety of physical, mental, and emotional benefi ts, including:
REDUCED STRESS AND ANXIETY:
It lowers cortisol levels (the stress hormone),
which reduces anxiety and depression
BETTER SLEEP: Exposure to natural light
and fresh air regulates the body's natural
sleep-wake cycle, leading to better sleep
IMPROVED PHYSICAL HEALTH: It provides
opportunities for exercise and exposure
to sunlight, boosting vitamin D production,
which strengthens bones and muscles
IMPROVED MOOD: It increases feelings
of happiness and improves one’s mood
This couple’s intentional living catalysed a global movement, inspiring people of all ages to prioritize
time outside. At ELIM, we’re inspired too. Did you know that spending just 20 minutes in an evergreen
forest can increase your immune system response by up to 54%? There are so many creative (and also
2
simple) ways to enjoy being outside, and so many benefi ts. For this reason, we are launching the
ELIM-wide initiative LET'S GET OUTSIDE! & TRACK OUR PROGRESS.
WHO: You! All ELIM residents (both sites!), staff,
family members, and friends of our communities
are welcome to participate.
WHAT: Let's Get Outside! & Track Our Progress
WHERE: Anywhere outside. It could be sitting
on your balcony, gardening, taking a walk, reading
a book outside (see the back of this enclosed
worksheet for ideas!)
WHEN: The challenge is for fi ve months, starting
May 1st and ending September 30th.
WHY: Honestly, the benefi ts are innumerable.
Basically, we want to challenge you to create a
habit and increase your health by getting outside!
And what better time to do it than in the glorious
light of spring and summer!
HOW: Keep this enclosed tracker in a safe
place and set your intention to start spending
time outside effective May 1st. Do the challenge
solo, or buddy up with a friend. Set a target for
yourself—whether it's 30 minutes or an hour,
everyday or every-other day. The amount of time
you spend outside is totally up to you!
1 Madigan S, Eirich R, Pador P, McArthur BA, Neville RD. Assessment of Changes in Child and Adolescent Screen Time
During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatr. 2022;176(12):1188–1198. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2022.4116
2 Chae, Y.; Lee, S.; Jo, Y.; Kang, S.; Park, S.; Kang, H. The Effects of Forest Therapy on Immune Function. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 8440. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168440
10 THE ELIM CONNECTION SPRING 2023

IN LOVING MEMORY
FROM DECEMBER 6 TH to APRIL 4 TH , 2023
* Resident has a spouse living at Elim Village ^ Prior IL or AL resident
Residents from Garrison Crossing represented by (GC)
FULL CARE
INDEPENDENT LIVING
Bernice Bull
Bev Chila ^
Norma Drage
Agnes Enns
Jenny Geerling ^
Kuldip Gill
Joe Goupil
Antonio Guillen
Jessie Irwin
Mary Jaheny
Jessie Johnson
Jo Kornelson ^
Margaret Krause
Balvir Madahar
Ralph Milum
Maureen Neilson
Jakob Rempel * ^
Norman Roblin
Wallis Schlamp
Khanty Sisounthone
Barry Tylor
Gaye Van Keulen ^
Fien Vanderwel ^
Patricia Warne
Shui Wong
Robert Worms
Jack Breedveld *
Hank Fast *
Helen Hanson *
Maryke Lucas *
Elsie Strelau *
Hank Vandenberg *
George Vanderwoude *
INDEPENDENT PLUS (GC)
Gladys Anderson
Tina Bootsma
Gordon Hay *
Tina Thiessen ^
ASSISTED LIVING
Cor Jol ^
Dorothy Ochowych
Sylvia Pearce
Catherine Tolkamp *
A CENTURY
OF CANDLES
Every year a candle is added on our cake,
Each one representing a new wish we can make.
From first steps to marriage, our milestones grew
From turning 10 to 50, or 102!
We can be old at 30, or young at 95,
Age is just a number, it's our choice to thrive.
So as we close our eyes, let's all make a wish,
To always laugh, always love, and continue to flourish.
Out of 908 residents at ELIM, 14 residents (all from Fleetwood)
have celebrated their 100th birthday, or will be, this year.
Let's wish them a happy 100+ birthday and a joyous year ahead!
Joan Booth
Irma Bulling
Eleanor Carroll
Vi Craik
Tabea Ferris
Hazel Hamilton
Flora McGill
David Methven
Dorothy Noble
George Rich
Jannie Ringma
Katherine Stannard
Len Taylor
Elizabeth Yablonski
Happy Birthday to Vi Craik
who celebrated her
102 nd birthday in March!
12 THE ELIM CONNECTION SPRING 2023 SPRING 2023 THE ELIM CONNECTION 13

MORE THAN A HOME
WRITTEN BY
RACHEL HOFFOS, STAFF CONTRIBUTOR
“Life is full of transitions,” says Eleanor. She takes in the view
from the sixth-fl oor library in The Hawthorn. “One of mine was
when I was looking for a place to call home, but I had no idea it
would become this.”
Before ELIM acquired 8.6 acres of land in Chilliwack, a
single building nestled on the corner of Keith Wilson Road
and Garrison Boulevard. It’s what we know today as The
Redwood—an Independent Living building at Elim Village
Garrison Crossing. Its previous owners had planned for it to be
student housing, but later decided to open the doors to those
aged 55 and older. Eleanor Norburn was one of the individuals
who moved in at that time.
child could attend, and friends from church provided
extra support. “Transitions require initiation,”
Eleanor says. “I had no idea where this was leading
me, but I still took one step at a time. Life looks
different for everyone.”
Eleanor’s journey of being a foster parent and then
adoptive parent required the same amount of faith
and initiation as her move to The Redwood. When
her husband moved out of their home to receive
extra care, Eleanor knew it was time to downsize.
So, she moved into an available suite on the corner
of Keith Wilson Road and Garrison Boulevard.
“I had no idea how much this community would
appeal to me as I get older,” says Eleanor.
“The exercise classes are the latest blessing for me.
They get you out of the apartment, they benefi t
your body, and you get to socialize with others.”
Her face scrunches into a joyous smile. “But the real
blessing is the number of people I see attending with
walkers, canes, and wheelchairs. They are doing the
best they can. They inspire me.”
Eleanor glances out the window once more.
Although the sun is beginning to set, you can feel
that spring is in the air. Leaves are sprouting, birds
are singing, and residents are chatting on the bench
outside The Hawthorn in the early evening light.
“I’m taken aback with the beauty ELIM has to offer,”
Eleanor pauses. “It’s much more than a home.”
"I moved into The Redwood in November of 2014 and not long
after, ELIM purchased the building and surrounding land,” she
shares. "I had no idea this move was going to be such a Godgiven
gift for me, but it was."
Buildings started popping up, people began moving in, and land
once empty was now blooming into a beautiful community. First
came two more Independent Living buildings—The Sequoia and
The Douglas—and in the summer of 2022, the fi rst ‘Independent
Plus’ building, The Hawthorn, opened. It’s as if the land went
through its own transition; its own metamorphosis.
“One of the most beautiful things about life is you don’t know
where it will lead you,” says Eleanor. “It wasn’t until my 40’s that
I became a Christian, and when I asked the Lord, What can I do
for You?, He opened the door for my husband and I to foster
children with special needs, alongside our own three kids.”
The family soon realized the heartache that would result from
the temporary nature of fostering, so they decided to adopt any
child brought into their care, which ended up being eight.
As you can imagine, expanding a family by eight came with
challenges and uncertainties, but God always provided. Families
left extra food on their doorstep, a school waived fees so each
SUMMIT DINING ROOM
It’s been almost nine months since The Hawthorn opened at
Elim Village Garrison Crossing, and with each passing month,
the building blossoms a little more, as we scale in occupancy
and services. The newest blossom? The launch of fi ne dining
at Summit Dining Room.
Our newest restaurant opened on February 17th. The Summit
offers an elevated dining experience and features Chef Todd
Nordstrom-Young’s take on familiar classics, such as Seafood
Stuffed Mushroom Caps and Chicken Supreme. Signature dishes
include the Steelhead Trout and Mint Chocolate Mousse.
The Summit Dining Room is currently open for dinner
Friday - Sunday from 5pm - 8pm, and the best part is, it’s
open to the public! Residents, guests, and staff have dined,
all to rave reviews. We hope to see some new faces soon
(and maybe even some residents or staff from Fleetwood!)
To make a reservation, email: garrisondining@elimvillage.com
Peppercorn Flat Iron Steak
14 14 THE ELIM CONNECTION SUMMER SPRING 2023 2022

MISTERIOSO
MORTE!
WRITTEN BY
SUSAN GREEN,
RESIDENT CONTRIBUTOR
BEHIND
THE COVER
It all began when several Fleetwood residents
and staff attended the opening night of Bella
Morte’s new Italian restaurant. The guests had
barely started eating the Prima Piatta—a delicious
tomato basil bruschetta—when Detective Di
Formaggio announced that the body of Signor
Ickbread (the chef of a rival restaurant) had been
found, dead in the pantry! And so began the fi rst
ever Murder Mystery Dinner at Elim Village.
The fourteen dinner guests (ahem, suspects) are
dressed to look their part: the glamorous Bella
Morte herself (played by Clara Atagi), Pavlotti
(an opera singer), Mario Carta (a plumber played
by Pastor Lorin), Mayor Fiasco, Michael Angelo
(an artist), Francisco Benedicto (a monk played
by Pastor Bob), Don Canneloni (a respectable
businessman), and seven others. Plus some
innocent bystanders there to observe the evening.
The 14 suspects learn that the murder took
place between 8:00 and 8:15pm. The rounds of
accusations and claims of innocence begin, as Mayor
Fiasco admits he pulled a few strings to help Signor
Ickbread open his rival restaurant. Could the Mayor
be guilty? He claims to have a foolproof alibi, as do
the other suspects.
After much deliberation, it was concluded—and
proved correct—that the perpetrator was none
other than Don Cannelloni (aka, resident John Kraan
from The Diamond.) Playing the part of a respectable
businessman, wearing tuxedo suit, crisp white shirt
bib and black bow tie, he fl ashed his shiny cuffl inks
and expensive watch, fi nishing the look with a red
rose buttonhole and fat cigar. But behind the scenes
he was a well-known crime boss, and now was found
out! Questa Canaglia! His motive? Ickbread apparently
had owed him a considerable amount of money.
A big thank you to all the staff and residents who
participated in this memorable evening. The
costumes and Italian accents were entertaining, and
the food and table decor, the best!
“I’m so at home here,” shares Christel Dreger,
an Independent Living resident at Elim Village
Fleetwood. And home is the perfect word to
describe it.
Christel was featured on the 2022 December
edition of The ELIM Connection. The people you
don’t see sitting beside her in the photo are two
other residents—Eleonore Kirlik and Ursula
Truderung, Christel’s sister and sister-inlaw.
And somewhere else in the village, likely
in his cozy suite in the Carmanah, is Gerhard
Truderung—Christel’s brother and Ursula’s
husband. “My siblings and I were always
close,” mentions Christel, “It’s very special
to live near each other again.”
The reason for their close bond is due to what the
three of them endured together as siblings—war,
their father’s passing, losing all of their possessions,
and fl eeing to Canada as teenagers. By no means
was their childhood easy, but they had each
other for support, guidance, and the best kind
of medicine—laughter. They remained close as
the years passed, but they also moved away, got
married, and settled into their own lives. “Who
knew we’d all end up together again,” Christel adds.
Left to right: Christel, Gerhard, Ursula, and Eleonore
“Kurt was looking forward to coming to ELIM,”
Christel shares, “But he passed away the Sunday
before our move.” Moving to ELIM on her own
was never part of the plan, but in the end she
wasn’t alone. A year prior, Gerhard and Ursula
had also moved to Fleetwood from Sechelt, and
together with Eleonore, they provided Christel
with the same support, guidance, and laughter
they had as children.
Despite her loss, Christel sees the timing of her
move as a blessing. “It was a good thing I moved,”
she adds, “I always have someone to play bridge
with, like Anne Moss…Siegfried Goliath lives
here and he was Kurt’s fi rst friend when he came
to Canada…the Karius’ are also good friends of
mine, and Willi Strelau too!” And the list of her
many connections continues.
In 2014, Christel placed her name on Fleetwood’s
waitlist after her sister, Eleonore, moved into a
suite in the Kootenay. Christel and her husband,
Kurt, weren’t ready to leave their home in White
Rock just yet, but eight years later, a move for them
became critical, as Kurt required more care.
Living within the same 20-acre campus allows
Christel to go for weekly walks with her family
members. If there’s a holiday or birthday coming
up, you’re sure to fi nd them celebrating together
too. “It feels like a miracle that we all live together
again,” says Christel. “I can’t have it any better.”
Una Cornetto aka Ank Fischer
Bella Morte aka Clara Atagi
Mayor Fiasco aka Mike Green
SPRING 2023 THE ELIM CONNECTION 17

EASTER EGG FUN
WRITTEN BY
AINA BARON,
RESIDENT CONTRIBUTOR
Many of us have fond memories of Easter egg hunts with our families. Here is a fun account of
one such hunt, but from the perspective of Aina’s real grandchildren—Brenda and Joanne (Joey).
“I know Mom and Dad hid the Easter eggs last
night…do you think they’d mind us getting up early
to look for them?” Brenda asked her older sister,
peering from under the covers of her bed.
Every Easter their family would hard-boil eggs and
dip them into dyes, purple, pink, and yellow. Then
their parents would sneak around their property
and hide them for the annual Easter egg hunt that
took place after church on Easter Sunday. The girls
had woken up early though, and were excited to
get the hunt underway.
“We can go in our pajamas!” Joey replied excitedly,
“and fi nd the eggs before church!” The two
tiptoed out of their bedroom, pulling on shoes
and reaching for their baskets. They donned their
special Easter bonnets as well, which they wore every
year for Easter Sunday. Then they headed out into
the morning light.
After a little while, Joey called out cheerfully, “I got
10 Easter eggs!” Brenda replied, “I only have three…
where did you fi nd them all? Let's fi nd some more for
me. Let's hurry while we still have time!”
The sisters worked together and found fi ve more.
Soon their parents came looking for them. “My
goodness! You sure worked hard!” said their dad,
delighted at their eagerness. “We can take those eggs
and make a lovely table display for our Easter dinner
later,” said their mom. “But for now…time to get
ready for church!”
CALL FOR WRITERS!
You may have noticed that we value a mix of voices in this publication. There’s always a nice mélange
of both resident and staff articles (as it makes for a more engaging read, wouldn’t you agree?)
With this in mind, I invite you to contact me if you have a knack for writing. I’ll work with you on the
nitty-gritty of punctuation, grammar, and can help brainstorm topics, if needed. There’s only one
requirement: you have to either live with us or work with us!
Please contact me (Katrina LaRoy!) at klaroy@elimvillage.com or by phone at 604-583-3546 ext 8622
18 THE ELIM CONNECTION SPRING 2023

A UNIQUE CHRISTIAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
9025 160 Street
Surrey, BC V4N 2X7
Phone 604.583.3546 Email info@elimvillage.com
www.elimvillage.com