Andrews of Stratford marked 20 years since opening on June 6 with an open house celebration. It was wonderful seeing so many people come out to share in the festivities. Here’s to another 20 years caring for Island seniors! Pictured, from left to right are, resident David Rogers, activity director Sharon Woods-Bryenton, co-founder Ray Murphy, Director of Care Roxanne Thibodeau and resident Clive Pirkey. More photos page 4.
SUMMER CELEBRATIONS!
ABOVE & BEYOND
Check out our photos from Stratford’s anniversary, World Bicycle Day and Father’s Day | p 3-11
Check out this month's Above and Beyond winner | p. 10
WORD ON THE STREET
RESIDENT RECIPES
We asked residents what their favourite summer treat is and why. Check out what they had to say! | p 14-15
This month we feature a decadent butter tart recipe from resident Evelyn Rafuse | p. 4-5
PET THERAPY
POPPY PROJECT
Spending time with animals proven to benefit seniors and people living with dementia | p. 6-7
Andrews of Stratford residents participate in Town of Stratford’s Poppy Project | p. 12-13
SUMMER, CELEBRATIONS AND COMMUNITY
Summer is here and that means we are in peak vacation season once again
I want to encourage all team members to take time this summer to disconnect. Study after study has showed the value of down-time for our long-term mental and physical health as well as our overall productivity It’s a benefit every way you look at it - so enjoy those beach days!
CELEBRATIONS
Andrews of Stratford celebrated 20 years since opening on June 6. It’s remarkable to see how far Andrews has come over the last two decades What is more remarkable is how many team members who started with us in the early 2000s are still with us today. To me, that says something about the workplace culture we ’ ve cultivated. During his anniversary speech on June 6, Ray Murphy spoke about Andrews being a family and he’s right If you spend eight hours a day five days a week with people for 20 years, to me, that’s more than a coworker. Congratulations to our Stratford team on this momentous milestone!
IN THE COMMUNITY
A shoutout to the Andrews of Stratford team for recently being featured on CBC Compass and Island Morning The cycling program run by activity director SharonWoods-Bryenton is an excellent example of an activity that combines community engagement and resident interaction And, with more volunteers being trained to drive the e-bike, we expect the program to pick up over the summer
Likewise, our homes all deserve a round of applause for their efforts around the men ’ s clubs and the recent open houses The men ’ s clubs, especially outings like going to A&W for burgers, special fried chicken lunches and regular breakfasts, help make our residents feel special and enables them to connect better with residents they might not otherwise interact with
Celebrating LTC Day and hosting open houses is another great way that we are able to connect with our communities Thank you for all the effort that went into these It’s important.
TEAM NEWS
Congratulations to Mindy Anderson on her promotion to chef at Andrews of Charlottetown
Mindy has been a valued Andrews team member for a number of years, most recently as sous-chef Last month she was made chef after the news that Paul Peters would be leaving us to return to the restaurant industry Thank you for all your hard work over the last two years, Paul We wish you all the best in the years ahead
And wish that, happy Canada Day and happy summer!
Sincerely,
It is Andrews Seni to provide a safe and secure e input and feedback related to the care and services we provide; to value the leadership, expertise and contributions of our staff through empowerment that will lead to excellence in service
A
C T I V E A T P R O T E M
Residents celebrated Father’s Day, did some gardening, held strawberry socials, kitchen parties and did some art!
P O N Y V I S I T
Andrews of Summerside residents had some special visitors this month - miniature ponies from Venture Stables! Residents enjoyed spending time with the ponies in the courtyard. For residents who grew up with horses, it brought back a lot of memories!
W O R L D B I K E D A Y
Andrews of Stratford residents took part in World Bicycle Day in June by going on trishaw rides around the neighbourhood. CBC reporter Delaney Kelly stopped by to interview a few residents and even went for a ride herself!
F A T H E R ’ S D A Y C E L E B R
A T I O N S
Members of our men’s groups got together for burgers at A&W as a special pre-Father’s Day treat. All our homes celebrated Father’s Day with meals, ice cream socials and teas.
Andrews of Charlottetown had two special Father’s Day meals. The first was a fried chicken lunch with members of the men’s group, the second was a special Mexican themed meal led by team member Ana Mores. The menu included, carne asada (marinated beef), Mexican rice, street corn, refried beans, guacamole, salsa, nacho chips, tortillas, tomato and cucumber with Mexican dip and churros for dessert.
Andrews of Stratford resident Iris Rogers knitting in her room. Iris completed roughly 40 poppies for the Town of Stratford’s Poppy Project.
‘It makes me feel like I can do something’ Andrews of
Stratford residents participate in Poppy Project
Andrews of Stratford resident Iris Rogers hadn’t knitted in roughly 20 years
But, when activity director Sharon Woods-Bryenton asked if she’d help with a project honouring veterans, Iris picked up her needles and got to work.
“It was fun doing it,” said Iris “The fact that it’s a community project makes it more interesting It’s nice to do something different and help out ”
Iris is one of six Andrews of Stratford residents who took part in the Poppy Project, an initiative started in cooperation with the Town of Stratford. The project’s goal was to engage interested community members and knit poppies to cover the Remembrance Day monument at Stratford Town Hall Seniors throughout Stratford are participating
“This Poppy Project is very significant to seniors since the World War(s) had a profound role in their lives,” said Melanie Weatherbie, Event and Program Coordinator with the Town of Stratford. “Having seniors involved, especially seniors who reside at Andrews of Stratford, allows seniors to connect, contribute to a meaningful project and be involved in our community ”
Sharon agrees
“All of them (seniors) would have had family members in the world wars, ” said Sharon. “The fact that we recognize Remembrance Day and it’s so meaningful to them I thought this is a great project and it’s something they can do in honour of their family members that we remember on that special day ”
Andrews of Stratford residents started their portion of the project in February and finished in April with 60 poppies completed for donation. Iris was responsible for approximately 40 of the poppies
CONTINUED ON PAGE 13
Day 2025.
Andrews of Stratford residents completed 60 poppies to be donated ahead of Remembrance
“It makes me feel like I can do something,” Iris said. “I didn’t think I could knit again, but once I started, I enjoyed doing it.”
Iris added, she hopes more projects come up in the future
“I hope that they will continue and have maybe in another year have another project that involves the community, different clubs,” she said
Which is exactly the outcome Melanie was hoping for.
“We heard that Iris Rogers was an inspiration at Andrews and that she worked hard on making many poppies to show her appreciation for our veterans,” Melanie said “Without individuals like Iris Rogers, large projects like the Poppy Project could not be as successful as they are Individuals like Iris motivate and inspire others around her ”
Melanie added: “Our hope is that seniors will feel appreciated, that their work and contribution is valued and that they know they are a big part of the Poppy Project and invaluable to the Town of Stratford. When seniors participate in the Poppy Project, they are creating, using their talents, and honoring and remembering our veterans.”
The total number of poppies donated from the community at press-time was 10,154 For the most current number, click here
The poppies will be displayed at the Remembrance Day ceremony on November 11, 2025
F E A T U R E D R E S I D E N T S
Throughout the year, we highlight residents at our homes and share a bit about their life. This month, we are shining a light on Andrews of Park West resident Wayne Schleyer
Andrews of Park West resident Wayne Schleyer isn’t afraid of being in over his head – in fact, he prefers it
Wayne, who has lived at Andrews of Park West since 2024, has been an avid swimmer since age three, and swam competitively throughout his youth
“I loved the long-distance swimming,” Wayne said “I wasn’t a good speed swimmer Short distance wasn’t my thing Anything 800 metres and 1,500 metres was what I excelled at.”
In fact, the longest swim he ever did was 16 kilometres At the time, he was training to swim the Northumberland Strait, which is 14 kilometres and runs the distance between Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick Starting at the West River causeway, Wayne swam the full distance to Holland Cove in just three hours and twenty-nine minutes.
“I was a fierce competitor,” Wayne said “I hated losing I just liked to compete ”
In addition to completing the 16 kilometre swim, Wayne also held back-to-back records at the Alberton Three-Mile Swim and set a record for the Alberton Two-Mile Swim He also credits famed former NHL player Forbes Kennedy for teaching him the front crawl, also known as the freestyle stroke
Thank you for sharing your stories with us, Wayne. You’ve led an interesting life!
This month, we are shining a light on resident Gracia!
Gracia was born in 1939 in Cap-Pelé, N.B. and grew up in a Catholic home that prioritized family.
She married Bernie LebLanc and went on to raise two boys. She also worked in customer service with N.B. Power.
Gracia is a proud wife and mother, enjoys country music and loves spending time outdoors in the summer.
We are happy to have gotten to know you, Gracia!
A R O U N D A N D R E W S
A good meal in the evening. Lobster, burgers. Seafood is terrific.
- Terence McKenna
Popsicles I didn’t always have them I spent my Grade 2 and Grade 3 years in the United States and we had the Good Humour Man. He’d ring a bell and the kids would hear him from miles away and we’d go and get our popsicles. Then, we returned to Canada No popsicles. No such a thing as popsicles. Four years I had to wait to get my first popsicle and I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. - Peggy Williams
We asked. . .
residents what is your favourite summer treat and why?
I used to like steak, barbecued steak. Every day, we’d sit out on the patio and I had a little happy hour. Three or four of the neighbours would come over and we’d have a few drinks of shine and steak. - Lennie Williams
I think everybody probably says ice cream. I was 15 when I came (to Canada). Ice cream was a great thing. We didn’t have that much in Holland in the summer. - Gerda Klein
Ice cream. I like strawberry and I like butterscotch. The heat makes the ice cream melt faster, so it’s nice and messy - Bill Williams
We
asked. . .
residents what is your favourite summer treat and why?
I like to go to the Kool Breeze and get one of their great big ice creams. I’m a traditionalist, I go for vanilla. And also, I like rhubarb, stewed rhubarb.
- David Hamilton
Ice cream. Usually chocolate. It cools me down. Taking my nieces in the afternoon on a summer day and we’d go get ice cream. - Arnold Yates
I love lobster. I lived by the beach. Every day I was on the beach. My little brother and I, we were up and he had his wagon ready and we were gone to the beach. - Janet Murphy
ABOVE & BEYOND JUNE WINNERS
TAYA BRUN - PROTEM JOINED IN 2020
OUR OTHER HOMES
Taya was recognized for going above and beyond
Our Above and Beyond winner this month is Taya Brun. Taya is a dedicated team member, always willing to go the extra mile for our residents We are fortunate to have her as part of our team
Taya joined ProTem in 2020. Prior to starting at ProTem, she studied healthcare support at Oulton College She graduated in 2019
For Taya, the most rewarding part of her job is knowing she’s making a positive difference in the lives of our residents
“I find being with them every day rewarding,” she said Outside of work, Taya enjoys spending time with her family. Crafting is a favourite activity for her and her young children
Jujhar Singh : Summerside
Jenny Watson : Stratford
Caron Pangop : Park West
Mike Arsenault : Parkhill
Are You Feeling Stressed or Overwhelmed?
Take advantage of our Employee Assistance Program through Lifeworks
This program is available 24/7 online or over the phone and services to help you with work, family, health, money, and life The following is information on how you can access the program:
Toll-free support line: 1-877-207-8833
TTY: 1-877-371-9978
Through their website login lifeworks com
Username: murphy
Password: eap
Are you, a friend or family member looking to buy or sell a property?
You could earn up to $250. Read below to learn how.
We are pleased to offer a new Referral Program between Provincial Realty and Andrews Senior Care The Referral Program will work as follows:
Jessica Gauthier Human Resources Advisor hr@andrewsseniorcare com 902-368-8520
If you have any questions for our HR team about benefits, ADP support, Immigration Program support or any other questions please contact me
For more information, please contact Provincial Realty at 902.892.2266 or email us directly office@provincialrealty.ca.
DON'T MISS OUT ON THESE BENEFITS
Paid vacation time starting at 4% per year (Approximately 2 weeks)
Health and dental coverage, of which we cover 50% of the costs
A pension plan where we match your contributions of up to 4% of your salary annually
A fitness subsidy of up to $250 annually
Discounts with local companies, including pharmacies, home heating oil providers and restaurants
