President’s Notes (Aug – Sept 2005)

As this is my first note since being elected, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you. I have been a volunteer for the past five years serving on the Board both as 2^nd Vice President and Interim treasurer. On Wednesday afternoons you can find me on the second floor where I volunteer as an Information and Referral Counsellor. What made me choose to volunteer at this centre is the friendliness of both volunteers and staff. It is nice to walk in the front door and be greeted with a kind word and a smile, and have this atmosphere continue throughout the centre. Just for fun, I enjoy theatre, walking, aerobics, movies and an occasional game of bridge, but most of all I just enjoy good conversation and meeting people.

I think it is important to have fun and enjoy oneself, and I certainly accomplished this on June 30 when I attended our Celebrating Multicultural Elders event, which was held out doors at Cathedral Park. The celebration was held in partnership between the 411 Senior Centre and the Traditional Mothers and Grandmothers. One of the reasons this group was founded was to ensure that First Nation’s language and culture would be handed down to generations to come.

The Traditional Mothers and Grandmothers were dressed in their lovely traditional hand made ragalia. There was something for everyone. I especially enjoyed the story telling. Of course the food was also very good too! I tried the chili, which by the way was one of the best chilies I have tasted! Coming from Scotland though, I cannot claim to be an expert on chili (oatmeal - yes, chili - no).

One of the neat happenings was many of the students from the International Language School on Richards Street who came across on their lunch hour giving the event an inter-generational component. The Multicultural Committee and Traditional Mothers and Grandmothers are to be thanked and commended for the success of this celebration.

Aging With Pride was the next event on my calendar where we celebrated older LGTB people at our third annual event. We enjoyed good music, inspirational speakers, live entertainment and a great lunch. I have attended this event since its inconception and have always enjoyed myself immensely. A special thanks to the LGTB Committee for all their hard work in planning this event.

I believe that one of the things I like most about the 411 Seniors Centre is the consideration to diversity and multicultural programs because that’s what it is all about; giving seniors of all walks of life a place where they can feel comfortable and safe, and where they know how to party. I hope to meet many of the volunteers at the Volunteer Tea, where once again we can expect to see many of our friends, good entertainment, and of course, good food, which always adds up to a good time.

I am looking forward to fulfilling my commitment to the 411 over the next year with a lot of help from the Board members, especially Gil Evans who so ably fulfilled this position over the previous year. I would just like to extend a special thanks to Gil for staying on this year as first Vice President. Lastly, I could not miss mentioning my thanks to Anne Hyldtoft, John Aubry, and Mohammad Rafiq for their service to the 411 Seniors Society.

~Anne Judge