Andrews Tribune April 2026 by Andrews Senior Care

UPDATE FROM ANDREWS

Dear family members and friends of Andrews Senior Care,

We had a wonderful March at our homes

We celebrated St. Patrick’s Day, went on sleigh rides, enjoyed a men ’ s group pizza night, live music and Easter crafting.

This month we will host the Young at Heart theatre group at our homes, do our own spin on the annual “Burger Love” tradition, start our drum fitness program at Andrews of Summerside, and host a Victorian high tea at Andrews of Charlottetown

There will be lots more fun at our homes as well, with Easter celebrations this week and special dining experiences planned for later in the month. It’s going to be a great April.

We wish you all a wonderful start to this snowy spring and a happy Easter!

Sincerely,

Andrews Senior Care

L I P F U N D R A I S E R

A N D R E W S O F S T R A T F O R D

Residents at Andrews of Stratford took part in the annual QEH tulip fundraiser again this year. Thanks to resident support, Andrews of Stratford raised $420 for the QEH, surpassing last year ’ s total!

Y O U T H S Y M P H O N Y

A N D R E W S O F S T R A T F O R D

Members of the P.E.I. Symphony’s Academy for Young Musicians performed at Andrews recently. The level of talent these young musicians have is inspiring Our residents thoroughly enjoyed their performance Thank you to the P E I Symphony for putting these performances together!

M E N ’ S G R O U P P I Z Z A P A R T Y

Members of our men ’ s groups at Park West and Stratford got together for a pizza party on a recent Friday evening. The guys enjoyed pizza, made in-house by the talented Bernadette Fajutagana, had a few beers and played a couple games of pool noodle hockey It was a great evening!

While Merritt Kirby has been a resident at Andrews of Parkhill since 2024, his connection to the home goes back much further

Merritt’s daughter, Tanyia Kingyens, was the original owner of Andrews of Parkhill, back when it was called Parkhill Place

The home opened in 2005 and Merritt was involved in the renovations Once the home was open, he stayed on as maintenance for the first three months

Carrie Gallant, Care Coordinator, remembers Merritt’s early days at the home when she first started in 2005.

It was the week leading up to the grand opening and the two were busy helping get the home ready for what was expected to be hundreds of visitors They spoke briefly about making sure all the washrooms were cleaned Shortly after opening, Merritt moved back to Ontario Carrie didn’t think she’d ever see him again

More than 20 years later, Carrie looks back fondly on that high energy moment in Parkhill’s history

“Having Merritt back in our home is like a full circle moment,” she said “Knowing that he helped rebuild these walls that allowed us to create all of these wonderful memories is profound He holds the memories that built our home and we hold the memories that created the heart of our home.”

Andrews GM Mizan Uddin agrees with Carrie’s sentiment

“We are honoured that decades after helping renovate Parkhill, Merritt and his family chose to return to Parkhill,” Mizan said “As we celebrate 40 years in business, I am encouraged by all the stories and memories being shared by staff and residents.”

He holds the memories that built our home and we hold the memories that created the heart of our home.

A N D R E W S H O N O U R E D

The Andrews Tribune has won a provincial Heritage Recognition Award for documenting the lives and stories of Island seniors.

The award ceremony was held at the Eptek Centre in Summerside on Sunday, March 22.

The PE I Museum & Heritage Foundation commended Andrews for its ongoing commitment to telling senior’s stories

“Incredible efforts to keep care people-centred did not stop with Doreen (Andrews),” the Foundation wrote “Forty years later, the monthly Andrews Tribune newsletter has become a beloved and integral part of life at the Andrews Senior Care Homes The Andrews Tribune documents and shares the living history and stories of the Care Homes’ residents The Tribune covers everything from veterans’ war stories to retired teachers’ tales of classroom tomfoolery, to cherished memories of PE I’s bygone eras, peoples, and events It is a wonderful example of historical storytelling using firstperson sources backed up by research For their work documenting and sharing the life stories and lived experiences of seniors, the staff of the Andrews Tribune Newsletter are honoured with a Heritage Recognition Award.”

Nathan Rochford, Andrews’ storyteller and editor of the newsletter, is happy the newsletter has had a positive impact.

“It’s a privilege to be able to tell our residents’ stories,” he said.“They let me into their lives. I often get to talk to their family members. It’s a real honour.”

He added the newsletter doesn’t happen in a silo.

“Without our amazing activity directors, I wouldn’t have much to write about,” he said “Because they are in the homes every day, they have established relationships with the residents and are able to introduce me, or help set up an interview or photo In that sense, the Tribune really is a joint effort I’m fortunate to work with a team of supportive, caring individuals who see value in telling these stories”

Group GM Mizan Uddin said the newsletter has come a long way from its inception

“Gathering, developing, and sharing the real-life stories from our homes has turned the newsletter into something truly special,” he said “We are so proud to see this welldeserved award highlight the impact of these storytelling efforts”

The Tribune covers everything from veterans’ war stories to retired teachers’ tales of classroom tomfoolery, to cherished memories of P.E.I.’s bygone eras, peoples, and events. It is a wonderful example of historical storytelling using first-person sources backed up by research.

A

I always enjoyed golf and cross-country skiing Where I lived, now that’s all part of the national park in Cavendish.

- Eileen Douglas

The sun on my body and the beauty of the land. - Gerda Klein

We

asked. . .

With Earth Day coming up on April 22, we asked residents what they enjoy most about nature.

I love the trees. The beauty of the trees, the leaves moving. It’s so beautiful on a nice sunny day with a little breeze. -

Marie Nicholson

Going out for walks. When I lived out home I wasn’t very far from where there was a little forest. We used to go up there - Deborah Gallant

A sunny day that is absolutely gorgeous

A

We

asked. . .

With Earth Day coming up on April 22, we asked residents what they enjoy most about nature.

Gardening. Anything outdoors. Little bit of veggie, mostly flowers. I’m a farm girl. My parents were farmers and that’s what I did. I followed my father in the outdoors most of the time.

- Norma Paynter

Walking in the summer. I love that. I love flowers. We used to plant a little garden. String beans and stuff like that.

The rainforest in Hawaii. I took my sandals off and walked on the grass. It was just like velvet. The trees were so high you couldn’t see the top of them

- Bonita Bevans

- Lucie MacDonald L O O K I N G B A C K