All around the various senior homes in the Alberni Valley the celebration of Christmas and the good-bye to the “good old year” were enjoyed by the residents/tenants in a festive atmosphere.
One of the biggest events took place in Abbeyfield House as the residents, along with board members, got together with employees, family, friends and other volunteers in a wonderful atmosphere, which included music and lots to eat at a pre-Christmas event.
“It was a wonderful get together with friends and families,” said Bertha Levesque, president of the Abbeyfield Port Alberni Residents Council.
“We have a good bunch of residents, staff and board members, and at an event like this, we all enjoy it very much like a large family would do”, she added. Later in the program, she welcomed the visitors and thanked the staff and board for making the get-together possible.
Another resident, Mildred Reynolds, was at hand to make some comments on the event: “My son Terry visited with me this afternoon and together we sang well-known Christmas songs that we used to sing many years ago,” she said. “Great memories!
“At Christmas time and other special celebrations, such as birthdays, my husband and children got together to sing and have a good time.”
Nancy Czigany, a board member and well-known community activist, added the right tone to the event by playing some traditional Christmas songs on her accordion, accompanied by popular local tenor Peter Schroeder, and the always talented singer Marlene Dietrich.
The festive atmosphere was present among the dozens who attended the event. Resident Orize Marcotte, who is always eager to take part at the various events happening in the home, said jokingly: “The music, the food, the drinks, the company, etc., were really good. Too bad we didn’t have a dance as well.”
Dietrich, along with other members of the board assisted with the setup and serving and also mingled with the attendees.
“It was a great event,”commented Roxane Heard, Abbeyfield social director. “How nice it was to see residents with their families, including their children and in some cases their grandchildren, and lots of volunteers who came to join them for the special celebration,” she added.
“All the staff helped and the kitchen prepared the food trays.”
Heard added that there were a number of other events the residents took part in December. ¨We had the visit by Santa, several entertainers and special programs. A real good time for all,¨she added.