Seniors’ Forum:‘Celebrating our Seniors’

June was Seniors’ Month and as Deputy Mayor of Richmond Hill, I thought it would be fun to host a Seniors’ forum. To my mind, the best way to build community spirit is to provide the opportunity for people to gather, introduce them to practical services and programs for social engagement, and make sure that it’s fun. The information forum included a singer, barbeque lunch, and two great slabs of cake. Cake is mandatory at all social gatherings. It also didn’t hurt to have a young-Senior, buxom blonde, singer belting out: ‘I got my thrill on Blueberry Hill’. I’ve also learned that the key to aging well is laughter and song.

The venue included three main sponsors:  The Elgin Mills Cemetery, the Delmanor Seniors’ Community, and the Royal Bank of Canada. Now I know what you’re thinking but my experience with these organizations is that they provide a vital service when needed and someday we will all need their services. Seniors - adults - know that. When needed, it is comforting to rely on professionals who will help you through some of life’s most difficult choices. I thank them for providing the money needed to host the first, annual ‘Celebrating our Seniors’ event.

Participants enjoyed short, 15 minute seminars on health, housing, and personal safety from our fire and police departments. They quizzed a representative from the Federal government on pensions and a representative from the Provincial government on services provided to Seniors by the Provincial Secretariat. Booths were set up with brochures, interactive displays, and small, useful gadgets for reading the small print or helping to open that annoying jar. Both gadgets I use on a daily basis. Wills were discussed, recreational programs offered by the Town, and municipal services such as our ‘Going Green’ program. In all, the amount of information was impressive.

The most encouraging moment came from a woman, barely a ‘Senior’, who said that although she has lived in Oak Ridges her entire life, she had never attended any Town event or recreational program. Now, she boasted, “I’ve been asked to join the choir and I’m going to join the euchre club too!” For those of you still wondering, the hokey-pokey was right.  That IS what it’s all about. If you missed this year’s event - we’ll see you next June.