UPDATE FROM PROTEM
TANYA WEATHERBEE : MEMORY CARE COORDINATOR & ADMIN SUPPORT
OF CARE
Dear family members and friends of ProTem Memory Care,
We had a great June at our homes. We celebrated Father’s Day, held a Hawaiian themed party, played games, enjoyed the outdoors and made some beautiful art
This month we celebrate Canada Day, will try some polka chair fitness, host musical guests and enjoy the warm summer weather.
We hope you all had a wonderful long weekend and a great start to July.
Sincerely,
- Tanya & Mihaela
MIHAELA CALIN : DIRECTOR
A C T I V E A T P R O T E M
We held a Hawaiian-themed party, took part in art therapy, played fun games and enjoyed the warm weather!
R O C K G A R D E N
We have a few new faces in our rock garden this season, thanks to Sherri and Kelly. The duo started painting them a couple of years ago and now we have enough to cover a number of the flower beds in our backyard on Gorge Road.
Adele Gardiner shows off a quilt she made for her granddaughter. Adele, a lifelong quilter, is worried future generations aren’t taking up the craft.
Andrews’ resident hopes younger generations will take up quilting
Former quilter Adele Gardiner wants to see more young people taking up the craft
Adele, a resident at Andrews of Summerside, started quilting when she was 9-years-old. She was taught by her mother, who was taught by her mother.
What started as a pastime as a young girl, became a lifelong passion. After years of quilting as a hobbyist, she went on to open The Village Craft House in North Bedeque, P.E.I. with a team of other women, selling quilts to clients around the world. She saw first-hand the joy quilting brought, not only to the people buying the finished product, but to the people making the quilts as well. She hopes future generations don’t lose that tradition.
“Nobody’s brought up with it in their homes,” she said. “I’d like to see somebody training a lot of the younger people.”
It's a sentiment shared by many in the quilting community, including Polley Whitlock, owner of Stitch in Time Quilting Studio in Hunter River, P E I
While Adele stepped away from her quilting business in the late 1990s, Polley opened her shop in 2015 She sells handmade quilts and offers classes One thing that’s stood out to her is the average age of the people interested in learning to quilt is generally 65 or older
“Nowadays there’s very few people who do it by hand,” she said “I wish people would ”
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“IT WAS ESSENTIAL”
Quilting has been part of the cultural, excuse the pun, fabric of Prince Edward Island for centuries. The practice was brought to the Island by French colonists in the 1600s. These quilts were primarily functional, serving as a source of warmth during the winter months. They were also much simpler in design, being made of repurposed clothing, blankets, horsehair and wool.
“It was essential,” said Polley “Quilting at that time was more about keeping your family warm ”
At a time when labour was divided along gender lines, quilting was primarily the work of women Girls would begin learning to quilt early in life and would develop the skill throughout adulthood
With the Industrial Revolution came more affordable and more available fabric By the end of the 1800s, decorative quilts were becoming more common It was also during this period that quilting bees became a form of social work in many communities Bees would often happen during the summer, between the planting and harvesting Women would gather together to work on a quilt, socialize and share food and drink
These traditions of working communally and passing down skills from mother to daughter remained strong throughout the late 1800s and into the 1900s It wasn’t until after the Second World War, when a combination of urbanization and an increase in women working outside the home, began impacting the popularity of quilting The rural lifestyle that birthed quilting bees was disappearing
“There’s just not enough interest as far as I can see, ” said Adele
NEW LIFE
Despite Adele’s and other veteran quilters concerns, there are younger people taking up quilting – albeit differently than Adele’s generation Maggie J. Whitten Henry, 38, began quilting in 2023 and now belongs to three quilting groups – Kindred Sprits Quilt Guild, the Modern Quilt Guild and Young and Millennial Quilters, a Facebook group that brings together young quilters from around the world. She’s met a number of quilters similar to her, who grew up appreciating the craft and took it upon themselves to learn.
She believes young people are quilting, but are less likely to join a realworld quilting guild than previous generations As someone who enjoys the social aspect of meeting regularly with other quilters, that’s something she hopes will change
“I love it,” she said, adding she’d like to bring quilting into new and different spaces
For her, quilting is the perfect artform, combining creativity, portability, technical skill and utility
“It’s very satisfying and practical,” she said “I’m definitely enjoying it so far ”
Members of Adele’s quilting group working on a quilt. At its peak, the business made 10 to 12 quilts a year to clients around the world.
A close-up of the intricate stitching on one of Adele’s quilts.
A painting of a traditional quilting bee in the 1800s.
ABOVE BEYOND
JUNE WINNER
Every month our team and residents recognize one team member for showing exceptional care
CRYSTAL SCHRIVER : PROTEM JOINED IN 2013
Crystal was recognized for going above and beyond
Our Above and Beyond winner for June is Crystal Schriver
Crystal is a dedicated team member and caregiver We are fortunate to have her at ProTem
Crystal has been a ProTem Memory Care team member for 11 years
Prior to joining ProTem, she worked for a number of years as a cashier at Sobeys
For her, the most rewarding aspect of the work is knowing residents are getting the care they need
“I know they’re cared for and loved,” she said
Outside of work, Crystal enjoys gardening, camping and spending time outdoors with friends and family
GAMES AND SEATED
MUSIC WITH PETER
GARY (71)
MUSIC WITH PETER
GARY (2069)
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