Christmas at Norgarden Estates

It has been a busy few weeks. Here are a few highlights from the Christmas season:

The Sidney Serenaders perform:



Dorothy White and June Melling chat with Lieutenant Governor of BC Steven Point at a special Christmas tea held at Government House:



Christmas wouldn't have been complete without a visit from Santa and his lovely elf:

December Calendars

December is already in full steam. Here is a look at what has passed as well as what is yet to come:

What's Your Tale, Nightingale?

Cast your eyeballs at this hep bunch of Big Daddy's and Mama's enjoying a Fifties TV Theme Dinner at The Peninsula.

Staff and residents alike dressed up in their best fifties gear and enjoyed hot dogs and hamburgers, TV trivia and hamming it up in the big TV.

Kathleen and June Melling in the big TV:



Kathleen's daughter, Breanna, and Asta Bilan:



Ted and Isabel Moore get in on the action:



Kim and Roy Tidman peek through:



Dining room staff get in on the fun:

Spookiest of the Spooky

We have a winner! In fact, we have a couple of them. There were so many great costumes at the Norgarden Estates Halloween parties it was hard to choose a winner but residents cast their votes and chose the best dressed resident and the best dressed staff members. A great time was had by all with each resident receiving their own 'treat-bag'. The Peninsula even saw a handful of trick or treaters!

Vampire Christina Goodwin won best staff member costume at Norgarden (shown with Nurse Chelsey Vandergoot):



The Mad Hatter, Nolan McLaren, made quite an impression winning best staff member costume at The Peninsula:



Peninsula resident Dorothy Olkovick's wild costume won her first place for resident costume at The Peninsula:



Our Director of Leisure Services, Kathleen Harapnuk made a great cat:



And Celia Maher made an extra frightening witch:

November's Activities

November is a quieter month as we rest a bit before the hectic Christmas season. We have a few guest speakers in addition to our regular outings and activities plus a great Fifties TV Theme Dinner on the 25th.

Flying High

Last week we took a look back at our proud aviation history with a guided tour of the B. C. Aviation Museum in Sidney. Many residents had fond and profound memories of their time serving in World War II in the RCAF and the RAF.

Frank Smith, with the Avro Anson Mark II, was a mechanic in the Air Force working the night shift, 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.:



Asta Bilan and June Melling had a little fun in the hangar with a handsome but 'dumb' young pilot:

National Seniors Day

October 1, 2010 marked the 1st annual National Seniors Day. Residents at The Peninsula and Norgarden celebrated with cake, piano entertainment and commemorative buttons for all.

Dot Middleton, Judy Wilson and Mina Magee display their pins and enjoy an afternoon of celebration at The Peninsula:

Medication Consultation

Residents at Norgarden Estates regularly have the opportunity to discuss their medication with a pharmacist from Pacific Compounding Pharmacy in Sidney. These meetings are a great chance to talk to an expert about how medications can effect us and how different medications might interact.

Pharmacist Yudi Wibisono talks to residents at Norgarden:

1st Annual Fall Dance

A great time was had by all who attended Norgarden Estates' 1st Annual Fall Dance featuring live music by Eric Roberts.


The dancers on the floor.



Fred Newbury was a great sport about receiving the Bucket-Head Award for the one least able to carry a tune!



Norgarden resident Tom Treherne with a big ol' stogie.



Eric Roberts and Norgarden resident Dorothy White ham it up.



Eric Roberts sang lots of old favourites.

Arghhh Matey

The Peninsula Pirates were out for a special theme dinner recently.

Asta 'The Dagger' Bilan and Judy 'One Eye' Wilson were in fine spirits after a hard day of pillaging.

The Butterflies Flutter By

Recently, we took a trek out to Brentwood Bay to visit Butterfly Gardens, home to thousands of butterflies, exotic plants, fish and pink flamingos!

Billie Rennie and Marjorie Bailey watch as a giant caterpillar is cut out of a tree so it can be held in a separate enclosure until its metamorphoses is complete:



Christina Morrice helps release the new butterflies:



Billie Rennie makes a beautiful new friend:

October Activities

Here's an overview of our busy October. Look for some great live entertainment, the always fun Oktoberfest and of course, watch out for all the witches and scarecrows come Halloween!

P.A.T.S.

For the past few months, Norgarden Estates has arranged for P.A.T.S. volunteers and their pets to come visit our residents. The visits bring joy and laughter as well as reminiscence and have been a great benefit to many.

For more information on the program see the P.A.T.S. website.

Below: June Melling visits with Chris and Auggie

Warm Hearts and Busy Hands

There is a very special group of talented ladies here at Norgarden Estates. They work together as the Norgarden Knitting Group making textiles for needy children in third world countries through Canada Comforts. This group doesn't just knit, they quilt, sew and crochet beautiful and functional blankets, hats and clothing for underprivileged children.

The Not-So-Lazy Days of Summer

What a fun-filled summer we have had! From Butchart Gardens to CFB Esquimalt, the resident of Norgarden and The Peninsula have been up-town, down-town, all around the town.

The gang touring CFB Esquimalt:



The ladies enjoying the Chris Mellington band at Butchart Gardens:



Louise Worrall spent some time reading to the children at Discovery House:



Joyce Harcombe's son, terrestrial ecologist Andrew Harcombe, spoke to residents about about his trip to the Galapagos Islands:



Dorothy Johnson (nee Oxborough) held an art show of her famous pastels then residents had the treat of learning from the best at Dorothy's art class:





Residents enjoyed a Hawaiian Theme Night featuring the Pacific Polynesian Dancers:

What's Happening in September

As the warm weather cools, our routines change to fit the new season. In addition to our usual exercise classes and regular entertainment, look for some new art and music classes, a treasure hunt and a Fall Dance on the 24th.

July Activities

Take a look through our busy month. Summer's here and we have lots to do!