Seniors’ Week looked a bit different this year due to COVID-19 restrictions but that didn’t stop the fun!

Each year at the beginning of June, seniors in the community are given special attention from the municipality. In previous years they have been treated with trips within the area and beyond. They have had dinners, baking contests, floor curling with youth, musical entertainment and much more. This year, with COVID-19 restrictions, things were a bit different. Since large gatherings are not allowed, and proper distances were necessary between participants, the events had to be tailored in an incredibly unique way.

Undeterred, the Town of Whitecourt put their heads together and came up with a fun-filled week to celebrate Whitecourt’s seniors the best way they could. Kicking things off on Monday, June 1, a video montage was uploaded to the Town’s YouTube channel and shared on their Facebook page and website. The two-minute video was a photo montage which celebrated the countless ways that local seniors have contributed to the community.

The video opened with the smiling faces of Frank and Lou Selleck, two of Whitecourt’s first settlers back in 1905. With pleasant music, images from Whitecourt’s past continued to flip through, including Main Street, back in June of 1913. One neat image taken in 1921 showed students standing in front of the original log school, built in 1912.  Another picture showed the official opening of Highway 43 west in October 1955 while another showed an aerial view of the community from 1957.

It showed the first Whitecourt pool, originally built as an outside pool, in 1975 and the Rodeo grounds, which at the time was at Rotary Park. An image from the Whitecourt Airport grand opening, on May 28, 1978, was also shared in the montage. The video included past mayors, councillors, the ribbon cutting at the Allan & Jean Millar Centre in 2008 and images from recent Senior’s Week activities. After watching the montage, seniors were invited to play Scavenger Bingo with prizes available to be won. On Tuesday, June 2, XM-105 played a special Old Tyme Radio Show for an hour, which featured music from the 50s to the 70s.  

Wednesday’s sunshine brought a group of seniors outside for the only group activity of the week. Chair yoga was set up in the AJMC parking lot. Each chair was spaced correctly, as per Alberta Health Services guidelines, which enabled everyone to safely come together for a relaxing morning workout (pictured). On Thursday morning, seniors at Spruceview Lodge shared some of their favourite memories! Fifteen seniors filled out info-boards with tidbits of information about them, which proved to be a big hit.

One part of the board gave each senior the chance to provide a snippet of life advice, and the results were beyond heartwarming. Don’t dwell on impossibilities. Be kind to others. Everyone smiles in the same language. Be happy. Live with passion! Don’t lie. One day at a time. Take care of the world. Treat others as you would like to be treated. Be thankful for every day. Life is what you make of it. Honesty, integrity, and service. Be happy every day because we are only here for a short while. Live long. Be content. Those were the beautiful words of wisdom that they chose to share with their fellow community members. Each one with a big, beautiful smile to go along with it.

One of the most beautiful parts were the comments that others left in response to each picture. Anne Schaffer filled her board with her love for her husband Dave, the colour green, bacon, and music. As a piano teacher, she touched many people with her gift of music, and the comments showed it. Several of her past students shared thoughtful comments. “We learned so much,” said one. “The best piano teacher and extra patient,” said another. Hopefully, each senior saw the comments they received on their pictures!

Even though Seniors’ Week has ended, there is still one more event to come. On August 26, the Town of Whitecourt plans to hold a drive-in movie as part of the celebrations. Details will be made public once complete. The main reason for events such as Seniors’ Week is to show how appreciative communities are for the seniors that support them. Seniors are a large part of the volunteering that takes place. They are often very dedicated, and acknowledging the immense impact they have on society is essential. Thank you, seniors! For all that you have done and continue to do!