Older Adults Coalition of Chestermere (OACC)

May 2023

on their crisis line 24/7 at 403-775-CWCS (2927). They are also looking for volunteers to help on the crisis line and grant writing. Unfortunately, there is a need for this service in our community and it is important for residents to know help is available.

The Chestermere Foodbank are also having their AGM on April 17th at Dunn & Company. Must be that time of year! They have a few events coming up that need your support. On May 19th they are planning a Fill the Fire Truck event at No Frills. Keep an eye out for the specific details. As always, any and all support of the Foodbank is welcome.

There is some great programming going on at the Chestermere Public Library. Chestermere Community Support Resource Fair is there April 27th and May 25th. It’s an opportunity to learn about a variety of free community supports that are available. It runs from 10am – 12pm so be sure to stop by.

Well – spring has sprung! At least we hope there isn’t a surprise winter blast, after all, we do live in Alberta. I have to say it has been wonderful to see people out and about. Chatting and catching up and seeing smiles! While everyone has to do what is comfortable for them personally, seeing smiles and facial expressions rather than it being concealed by a mask makes my heart warm. Engagement and interaction with your friends and neighbours and being social again really does make our Community an amazing place.

OACC News & Community Events

OACC is looking to fill the Vice-Chair position on our Board. Your commitment would be to work with the Coalition members in meeting the needs identified by the members. As a stakeholder you must reside or work within the geographical boundaries of Chestermere and surrounding areas. The Vice Chair role works closely with the two Co-Chairs and Secretary to organize and coordinate all projects and meetings. It is a twoyear term. If you are interested, please contact Joanne, Shannon, or Betty (see contact information below).

Some updates from around the community and our not-for-profit partners…..

Check out the Whitecappers website at http://whitecappers.ca/ for their monthly calendar and newsletter OR you can stop by and pick copies up at their location on the south end of the Rec Centre at 201B Chestermere Drive. Their AGM is scheduled for May 30th for anyone interested in joining their board or attending.

The Chestermere Women’s Crisis Society continue to provide assistance to clients in need. Whether it be basic needs or domestic violence issues, they are there to help residents in any way they can. They can be reached

So if you are a history buff, you might want to stop by the Chestermere Historical Foundation event happening on Tuesday, April 18th at 2:00pm. The topic is Horses & Mules in WWI. It will be presented at the Whitecappers premises at 201 W Chestermere Drive. It is free admission and should be an interesting presentation (full disclosure – my daughter Samantha is presenting). If you want to know more about the historical programs and upcoming events that the Historical Foundation are hosting, check out their website at www.chestermerehistoricalfoundation.org.

Did you know that the Chestermere Community Support Services (CSS) has a program that supports individuals and families to meet their daily needs? The Community Access Program or CAP supports Chestermere residents in accessing multiple, subsidized resources. While there are some eligibility requirements, the program helps you access subsidies to various programs throughout the City. To apply, you must provide proof of Chestermere residency, ID for each household member and proof of income. For more information, reach out to CSS at 403-207-7079 or email them at cssinfo@chestermere.ca.

With the warm weather quickly approaching, it is a great time of year to have some neighbour or family fun time. The City of Chestermere has a Block Party based program designed to build connection and community. So, gather your neighbours or family and have cookoff or BBQ with the help of the City. Each kit includes cookware, dishes, utensils and recipe books to use, along with a gift card to help purchase some of the ingredients. Check it out by contacting Craig at 403-7050 ext. 7094 or email him at cmcleod@chestermere.ca. It’s a great way to have some fun!

Mark you calendar! Senior’s Week this year is June 5 through June 11. There is a committee of non-profit organizations working with the City to build a calendar of events for the week. While in the early planning stages, we expect there will be something scheduled every day to celebrate the Older Adults in our community. As things get firmed up, watch our article and listen to our segment on The Rogue radio station for more details!

Chestermere Senior Services & South Asian Seniors Social Outreach is having meeting groups at Lakeshore Manor. If you are interested or want more information, please contact Kiran Randhawa at 403-472-1490 or kiranran786@gmail.com. There is a men’s group as well as a women’s group. All are welcome!

Finally, a reminder about the Chestermere Conversation Café. As previously mentioned, this group is intended to support caregivers and family members of those working with Dementia or memory loss. Regardless of where you or your family member is in the dementia journey, it is a casual conversation setting offering peer support. Family members and dementia patients are welcome to join in. Future meetings will be held on the 4th Monday of every month from 2:00pm – 4:00pm at Lakeshore Manor (200 Marina Drive, Chestermere). You can contact Don at 403-473-1564 or check out the link for more information: https:// dementianetworkcalgary.ca/event/ new-chestermere-conversationcafe-in-person/

News & Views on Health

Happy April from your local CRPCN (Calgary Rural Primary Care Network). It is energizing to enter Spring and uplifting to have longer days ahead. Updates from the clinic include a reminder to get your vaccine boosters when advised.

Check with your family doctor or nurse practitioner or prescribing pharmacist for the next eligibility. Don’t forget about Shingles and Pneumonia vaccines as well! There are come online courses coming up on www.crpcn.ca. Staring April 26th, Craving Change will launch online. It is a 3-week series focusing on why you eat what you do. As you become more aware of your personal eating triggers, you will be able to control your food cravings and change your problematic eating behaviours. This is a cognitive-behavioural approach that encourages you to consider how your thoughts, emotions and behaviours all interact. The workshop is once a week for 3 weeks. It is a free course, so check it out online and register.

Have a wonderful Easter with your family and friends. Stay well!

Join the Older Adults’ Coalition of Chestermere

Are you an older adult? Do you live or work in Chestermere or the immediate surrounding area? Do you want to engage and/or volunteer in the community with similar residents? Do you have family that fits this demographic that you care for or have living in Chestermere? Did you know that as a business or organization that has an interest in providing services or programs for our older adults you are more than welcome to be a member of OACC? We welcome adult children of older adults, caregivers, educators, agencies, service organizations, funders, community partners and the community at large. The common goal is to work for the betterment of older adults in our community. Please join us at our next monthly meeting! We meet the 3rd Wednesday of the month.

OACC – Upcoming Meeting Dates –Wednesday, April 19 & Wednesday, May 17 at 1:30PM – 3:30PM Lakeshore Manor (200 Marina Drive, Chestermere). While walkins are welcome to our meetings, RSVPs are appreciated. Please email Joanne jumpmaster2@ shaw.ca or Betty illingw8@telus. net or Shannon shannon.fetterly@ lakeshoremanor.ca.

The OACC welcomes community businesses, organizations, and service providers to join our meetings as a guest speaker. If you are interested, please reach out to Joanne, Betty, or Shannon.

Resources

The Chestermere Older Adults’ Resource Handbooks (2023) are available at the Older Adults’ Coalition of Chestermere meetings. They are also available at the Chestermere Library, Whitecappers Association, Lakeshore Manor, and Synergy as well as medical offices and pharmacies throughout the City. Please pick yours up or take one for a neighbour. You can also access these Handbooks by contacting the City of Chestermere at 403-207- 7079 or online at https://www.chestermere.ca/ DocumentCenter/View/20176/ Chestermere-Older-AdultsResource-Handbook-2023

Lakeshore Manor also provides a wide variety of resources and information for Older Adults within our community. They can be contacted at 587-349-7444 or online at https://lakeshoremanor.ca

Chestermere Community Services

The City of Chestermere website also has some great resources for older adults and seniors programming, events, and information! https://www. chestermere.ca/658/Programs-forSeniors

Spring Programs 2023

Spring programs have begun! This sessions registration is 100% online, instructions on how to register can be found on our program guide. We have lots of brand-new programs coming to the library for this spring. Find our full program guide on our website. www.chestermerepubliclibrary.com

Upcoming Library Closure

We will be closed from May 20th to May 22nd for May Long Weekend. We will reopen for our regularly scheduled hours on May 23rd. Our return bin will be closed during this time.

Storytime

Storytime is back! Join us on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 10:15AM for songs and stories. No registration is required. Join us for a special storytime on May 29th at 10:15AM to celebrate Global Parents Day!

CPAWS Outdoor Field Study

Join us for a free outdoor field study on May 13th at 1:00PM around the lake presented by CPAWS (Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society). This program is for families and children ages 8-12. Registration is required for this program.

Featured Artist

Art work created by local artist, Audrey Buschgens, will be displayed from now until the middle of June. Come on down to the library to check out Audrey’s artwork that contain brush strokes to create realism with a hint of whimsey.

BIG THANKS to the high school students in the Art Program, and Career & Technology Studies Program from Summit Trails Online School for loaning us their creations to display last week. The creativity, uniqueness, and beautiful artwork was a joy to have at the library. If you missed the exhibit here, it is being displayed at the Airdrie Public Library this week.

Novel Book Club

Join us May 18th at 6:00PM in the library to discuss Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. No registration is required, and copies are available at the library for borrowing. We will be taking a break on our Novel Book Club throughout the summer.

Graphic Novel and Manga Club

This month our teen and adult Graphic Novel and Manga Club are discussing Alternate History comics on our Discord. Any comic where there is a change of historical events is welcome to be discussed online.

Share Your Library Experience

Have you taken part in any of our library services? We are looking for feedback on the library and our programs. Let us know what you think and how we can improve. Your feedback directly impacts our services and programming so we can continue to make the library better for everyone. Email your feedback to info@ chestermerepubliclibrary.com or drop it off in our feedback box.

Support Your Local Library

Are you aware that the library is a Registered CHARITY? This means that we depend on donations from the public to support us. We are looking for corporate or personal sponsors for our current Program Session! Any donations help and allow us to improve all our programming. Contact info@ chestermerepubliclibrary.com if you would like to donate.

Monthly Newsletter

Are you wondering what’s happening at the library? Would you like to know? Sign up for our monthly newsletter for updates on programming, Reading Programs, Featured Displays, Community Outreach, Featured Artists, and more. Sign up by visiting our website at chestermerepubliclibrary.com

Library Hours:

Monday through Thursday – 10:00 am to 7:00 pm

Friday and Saturday – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Sunday – 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm

For more information about what is happening at the Library, check our website. Don’t forget to follow and like us on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages. Chestermere