By Kevin J. Sabo For the Advance
Senior’s Week 2020 looked a little different for the residents and staff of Castor’s Paintearth Lodge.
Usually celebrated with much fanfare and participation of the community, the celebration in 2020 was much more subdued than usual and lacked the community engagement, as the lodge is locked down to try and prevent the spread of COVID-19 to the facility.
Even Mayor Richard Elhard, who declares a proclamation of Senior’s Week to kick off the week, had to make his proclamation from outside the facility, and have his speech carried to the residents over a public address system.
Still, despite the challenges from the lockdown, the staff of the lodge managed to find plenty of activities to keep the seniors busy.
After Mayor Elhard’s proclamation, the residents of the lodge were treated to a pancake breakfast. There were exercise sessions and bingo scheduled inside for later in the day.
On Tuesday, donuts were donated to the lodge by Rod Anderson of Castor’s Food Town, and Claude Zinger of Coronation set up a sound system outside the lodge dining area and performed for the residents.
Bingo was held again Wednesday afternoon, and featured a surprise brown-bag bingo, allowing the residents to win some treats.
Later that day the residents of the lodge were treated to a Chinese food supper, made possible by a grant from the Castor Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire (I.O.D.E.).
“I.O.D.E. gave a very generous donation for the well-being of the residents,” said Brenda Kneller, Paintearth Lodge activities coordinator. “It’s paying for the entertainment, Chinese food, all the little extras just to keep them happy.”
Thursday, the residents of the lodge went for a brief road trip in town.
All the residents of the lodge were invited to take part in a parade through Castor, either in their private vehicles or in the handi-bus or the lodge’s red van. The parade was led by Mayor Richard Elhard, and around 20 vehicles, including a Town truck, two RCMP cruisers and trucks from the Castor Volunteer Fire Department escorted the lodge residents through town, where many people were on the street waving and holding up signs in support of the seniors.
“The community has been pretty amazing in supporting us,” said Kneller.
Finally, on Friday the staff of the lodge held a barbecue for the residents, where burgers were served, and many of the staff donated items for draws.
