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Welcome to Askennonia's weekly Eblast. It's a good way to keep current on both Askennonia and general community news. This weekly email is also available on our website and our Facebook page. Feel free to forward this email to friends who might benefit from this information.
If you have questions or need to contact us you may do so on our web site's Contact Us, reply to this email or call 705-526-7609 (once we are back in the office after the Covid-19 pandemic is over).
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We are looking into several new programs that will allow members to stay socially and physically active. If you have any ideas, please reply to this email. Let us know what you think.
EXCITING NEWS FOR ASKENNONIA MEMBERS!
1 YEAR MEMBERSHIP AT WYE MARSH!
Thanks to a New Horizons for Seniors Grant, we have been able to purchase a corporate membership that entitles Askennonia members entry to Wye Marsh. Meet Askennonia friends to feed the birds! Hike the trails! Visit the Birds of Prey or Trumpeter Swans! Wye Marsh is the perfect location to get up close to the animals, while physically distancing from your friends. It's another outdoor recreation option. Watch for more information about what's going on at Wye Marsh!
Members are asked to check in at the front desk of the Centre and show your Askennonia membership card when visiting. Membership does not entitle Askennonia members to bring in non-Askennonia members as guests. They will have to pay!
New Horizons Grant includes FREE TABLETS!
Do you know someone who would like to have a tablet to connect with family, friends or Askennonia online programs? Here's an application you can copy and paste into a reply to this email to apply for yourself or a friend.
Name of applicant:
Address:
Phone:
Email:
Are you an Askennonia member? (This is not a prerequisite.)
Do you currently have Wifi?
Our grant priority is to provide tablets to people who wouldn’t purchase one. Do you agree with this viewpoint?
Do you need assistance with setup? (Some may have family or friends who can help.)
We are hoping to identify folks who otherwise wouldn't be able to stay visually connected. Perhaps they have an older computer without a camera and can't access Zoom or Face time. Maybe their desktop computer isn't handy for communicating. Maybe they wouldn't think of spending money on themselves
We hope to prioritize people who otherwise wouldn't be able to connect. Please share this information.
CHECK OUT OUR NEW "HOW-TO" VIDEOS
Eamonn O'Connell of O'Connell Creative has just finished production of a series of "How to use my tablet" videos. Everyone is welcome to view these videos (over & over). The series includes excellent, user-friendly shorts, covering topics, such as, basic functions of a tablet, email, Facebook & messenger and zoom. You can watch all videos in about 15 minutes or select the one you want to view.
To view the videos on our YouTube channel, CLICK HERE
We would love to hear your feedback! And remember, if you know someone who could benefit from a free tablet, please let them know about this program.
CURRENT PROGRAMS
See our growing program list below. All seem to be running smoothly and the weather has cooperated for the outdoor classes, so far! However, after this weekend, most or all the washrooms in Little Lake Park will be closed for the season. Thank you mother nature! Our online classes are doing great. Thanks to our volunteers and paid program delivery folks for your dedication and commitment. Some have asked where the pavilion is located. Here's a map!
So far, everyone at the Picnic Pavilion has complied with our requirements for mask-wearing until they were safely lined up, respecting social distancing requirements. After screening and signing a required waiver, everyone appreciated a taste of the good old days. Please note, if more people turn up than what allows for safe physical distancing, participants will be turned away. We have not experienced this yet. We will carry on as long as the weather permits. You are welcome and encouraged to wear a mask during your sessions.
Here's an update of our growing FREE Zoom & Picnic Pavilion Programming:
Monday – Picnic Pavilion
930-1030 Advanced Line Dance started Aug 31
11-12 Basic Line Dance started Aug 31
12:30 - 1:30 Zumba with Danna starting Sept 21 (NOTE: EXTREME PHYSICAL DISTANCING WILL BE OBSERVED.)
Monday – Zoom Meetings
10 Adele’s French Class starting up again late September
10 Material Girls Quilting
1 Let’s Write
Tuesday – Zoom Meetings
10 Coffee with Blair Zoom
1 Ukulele Beginner Zoom started Sept 15 - see link below .
Wednesday - Picnic Pavilion
930-1030 Advanced Line Dance started Aug 26
11-12 Basic Line Dance started Aug 26
1-3 Woodcarving started Aug 26
Wednesday - Zoom Meeting
2-3 Art Therapy with Luci & Rhonda started Sept 16
7 Bring Your Own Book Club with Midland Public Library (see ad below)
Thursday - Picnic Pavilion
930 -1030 Tai Chi started Sept 10
11-12 Hustle Muscle with Danna Bring your own stretch bands & water - started Sept 3
1230-130 Yoga with Danna Bring a mat & water - started Sept 3
Thursday – Zoom Meetings
10 Beginner Acrylic Class started Sept 10
10 Beginner Watercolour started Sept 10
1 Ukulele Lessons for more experienced – link below
1 Watercolour for more experienced
230 Acrylics for more experienced
Friday – Zoom Meetings
1 Ukulele Jammers starting Fri Oct 16
All programs are being offered free thanks to a grant we received from the New Horizons for Seniors federal program. It allows us to pay instructors, cover the cost of zoom for volunteers and pay any other incidental fees. Do you have an idea for a program while the Centre is closed? Let us know and we will work on it with you.
Remember that if you need community assistance, the latest and most complete information is available at 211 (24 hours per day and 7 days per week). The news coverage of the world is upsetting and fluid. If you need to speak with someone, call 211 and let them know you need to speak with a professional. They are there to help. See below for what else they do!
Still miss you.
Judy & Blair
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Ukulele Workshop - Cynthia Kunnunen Fri Nov 6 @ 1pm
This workshop is suitable for confident beginners and beyond! Cynthia hosts a one hour, fun-filled Zoom workshop, Songbook Builder. Cynthia will chose 4 songs to teach. They will be a surprise! To register for the free workshop, click the link below. You will receive Zoom invitation 24 hours before class begins.
To register for Askennonia Songbook Session click this link:
https://forms.gle/Vvh29Wm9QNwLuzYx9
New Ukulele Jam started Fri Oct 16 at 1 pm on Zoom!
Come play along, lead, or just listen to the music of our ukulele players! All welcome to attend.
If you have a favorite song you would like to lead, send a pdf of the music with the song title in the subject line to Blair by end of Thursday each week. Each person will have 5 minutes or one song per round. A setlist of 10 will be compiled by Blair based on requests. Blair will share the song during the zoom call so that all can play and sing along.
If you don't play yet, feel free to join the session and listen/sing along! It's such a fun-loving group. You will enjoy it!
Blair's email is blair.askennonia@gmail.com
Blair Archibald is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Ukulele Practice with Blair
Time: Oct 30, 2020 01:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83443417841?pwd=dTYzOUg0cDFJY2MxK01YMTMybUY3UT09
Meeting ID: 834 4341 7841
Passcode: 464375
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Blair's Zoom Coffee Chat is Tuesday morning at 10 am! Join the fun to see how everyone is doing and what projects we are all working on at home!! Are you missing your buddies? Join us for a chat and social over zoom! Remember if you aren't comfortable with Zoom, Compusolve has volunteer to help with that. (see below)
Blair Archibald is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Coffee house with Blair
Time: Oct 27, 2020 10:00 AM Eastern Time
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86814355216?pwd=eGRPT1lOOG9nZVU5NmhwVmREaXBuZz09
Meeting ID: 868 1435 5216
Passcode: 843068
You will need to download the Zoom app and if you need help with that, CSOLVE will help (see below). If you have the app on your phone, tablet, or computer, click on the invitation above. It should take you to the waiting room for the meeting.
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TOWN OF MIDLAND AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY PLANS
The Town of Midland is taking steps to become a more age-friendly community, where all residents can be active and engaged members of the community at every stage of life.
THEY WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
As part of this work, we have engaged the services of Jodi Ball, J Consulting Group, to facilitate conversations in our community around age-friendliness.
The community planning process has been underway and now we want to share some of our learnings and get your thoughts on how to make Midland more age-friendly in the future.
Jodi will be hosting a virtual Age-Friendly Workshop, please join us on:
Wednesday October 28th, 2020
12:30pm – 2:00pm
To sign up please contact Jodi at jodi@jconsultinggroup.ca or 905-399-5634. She will send you a direct link (using Zoom) and instructions to participate in the virtual session.
STAY IN TOUCH!
For more information and opportunities to participate in the development of Midland’s Age-Friendly Plan please visit the Town’s website at: https://engagingmidland.ca/age-friendly-community-plan
If you have any questions about the project, please reach out to:
Karen Desroches
Age-Friendly Midland – Project Lead
kdesroches@midland.ca
705-526-4275 ext. 2208
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An update from Danna on OUTDOOR fitness classes at Picnic Pavilion:
Mondays (Not Thanksgiving Monday)
12:30 Zumba
Thursday
11 am Hustle/Muscle (bring your bands and water
12:30 pm Yoga (bring your mats and water).
These classes are being offered no charge thanks to a grant from New Horizons for Seniors.
To enter, please wear your mask. Once in your socially distanced spot, you can remove your mask. There is a screening process in place and a waiver you’ll need to sign and time allowed to transition between programs safely so come 10-15 min early and please leave in a timely manner. Hope to see you there!! 
Note: If too many attend to allow safe social distancing, some will need to be turned away.
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UKE LESSONS WITH STEVE PASKIN!
Steve Paskin is back with Beginner Ukulele Lessons at 1 pm Tues and more advanced on Thurs at 1 pm. These free classes are thanks to a New Horizons for Seniors Grant!
New students should register with your name, phone number and the programs you would like to register for by replying to this email.
It’s great fun and easy to learn. Johnstone’s Music downtown Midland provides 10% discount to people registered in our classes.
Blair Archibald is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Tuesday Beginner Ukulele with Steve
Time: Oct 27, 2020 01:00 PM Eastern Time
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86270476347?pwd=cnB4WTBZVHJxSmlTSTI0T2ZSWWRYdz09
Meeting ID: 862 7047 6347
Passcode: 029308
Blair Archibald is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Thursday Ukulele with Steve
Time: Oct 29, 2020 01:00 PM Eastern Time
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82368999916?pwd=ZXJ0T3FFbGQ4dHB3dGFReWgvZVVTUT09
Meeting ID: 823 6899 9916
Passcode: 789002
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TRY ANY OF THESE FREE OF CHARGE!
These days, the more opportunities to access online programs to exercise your body, mind and spirit, the better! We have purchased a 3 month licence for our members to try a variety of daily online programs. "Art Your Service" offers 10 weekly one hour classes on Zoom; one in the morning at 10 am and one in the afternoon. They are all designed for older adults and hope to add a little music, art, exercise, laughter and learning into your day. If you or someone you know would like to try out Art Your Service, you simply email the owner, Jen Tindall at jen@artyourservice.org .(Click on the email or, you can reply to this email and I'll forward your info to Jen.) You will receive an email every morning reminding you of the day's programs with the link to the zoom classes. You can chose whether to attend or not. You can also cancel your 'subscription' at any time. Have a look and see if anything tickles your fancy. Give it a try! It's not going to cost you anything!
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B.Y.O.B (Bring Your Own Book) Club with Midland Public Library
Read a book that fits our theme and join friendly readers to discuss. This program will replace our 'in-person' club until we are able to return to classes safely. Thank you Midland Public Library's Jen!!
Upcoming dates:
Wed. Oct. 28th @ 7pm – A horror or supernatural book
Wed. Nov. 25 @ 7pm – A non-fiction book
Email jpaquette@midlandlibrary.com to register and receive the Zoom meeting link.
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FOOT CLINIC NEWS
Are your toes needing a little TLC? Although Julie can't meet you at the Centre, she's making HOUSE CALLS! She knows exactly how to do it safely and is certified to care for people with diabetes or other health concerns.
If you would like to connect with Julie Loughran RN, call 705-528-0972 for appointment. (Leave a message if necessary and Julie will get back to you.)
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Above is our screening and waiver and below is our routine for outdoor programs.
Our Protocols for Outdoor Program Delivery (as directed by Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit & Town of Midland)
1. We ask that the earlier classes leave the pavilion are upon completion of their class to avoid unmanageable contact during the turn over.
2. You will check-in at a welcome station with your mask on prior to entering the pavilion where staff will be screening volunteers, staff and participants upon arrival everyday they are present for activities. This will involve a verbal question regarding health.
3. Collecting a name and number for potential contact tracing - pls know your phone # – list can be destroyed after 30 days
4. Posting signage for hand hygiene, physical distancing,
5. Having enough staff or volunteers to control crowd and carry out duties/reminders of physical distancing.
6. Ensure people are keeping at least 2m distance from each other at all times even if they are wearing a mask.
7. All participants will be required to sign a waiver (above), to release, indemnify and hold harmless Askennonia Senior Centre including its directors, administrators, employees.
NOTE: If more people arrive than can be socially distanced, last to arrive will not be permitted to attend.
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Get going with Danna!!
It’s Danna Montgomery, our fantastic fitness instructor! Danna offers Zumba, Chair Yoga, gentle floor Yoga, Hustle Muscle and Vinyasa Flow. Search All Things Danna on Facebook and join her page. That's where you will see the recorded and live videos and where Danna will post other information.
Have a lovely weekend...enjoy the sun! 🙏 🥰 💕
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Do you know of anyone willing to teach the art of felting online? A member has made this request. If you don't know what it is, have a look at the adorable cuties you can make on pinterest.
If you have a lead, pls reply to this email.
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NEW COVID-19 ASSESSMENT CENTRE IN MIDLAND
Effective Friday, August 28 the Midland COVID-19 Assessment Centre will be moving from its current location at 845 King Street, Midland, to its new location at 1156 St. Andrews Drive, Midland. The new Assessment Centre is located in the clinic building in the Georgian Bay General Hospital’s (GBGH) Midland site parking lot.
Appointments for swabbing can be booked via phone by calling 705-529-1025. The call center scheduling appointments are open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. More info in Link HERE
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WHAT HAPPENS AT THE ASSESSMENT CENTRE?
You will be assessed by a nurse who will make a clinical determination if a test is required. If a test is required, you will be swabbed and the sample sent for processing. You will then be given instructions on how to self-isolate at home.
HOW WILL I FIND OUT THE RESULTS?
Public Health will contact you to inform you of the result and provide any other necessary information if you test positive.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET THE RESULTS?
This will vary depending on the number of tests being performed. You will be advised to remain at home in self-isolation pending the results of your test. Regardless of the results, you must self-isolate at home.
For general questions, do not call or go to the COVID-19 assessment centre. Instead, call the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit at 705-721-7520 or 1-888-225-7851.
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Our friends at CSOLVE (local computer experts) will provide support to our members for the purpose of assisting with the creation and setup of computer tools and applications that will enable you to attend our programs electronically or connect with others. (Primarily with Zoom program.) CSOLVE is offering this service to our members at no charge from now until May 31 (or beyond at CSOLVE's discretion). THANKS CSOLVE!
If you are a member who needs help getting connected, on Facebook - hit the blue Send Message button at the top of our page or reply to our Eblast or message us through our website and Blair or Judy will forward your information to CSOLVE with your information. This applies to people who are delivering programs and want to understand the program better.
In your message to us, be sure to include the following:
Name, Phone Number, Email Address, Description of what you need help with, Best time contact you (between 8 am to 5 pm, Tues to Fri). They will then contact you.
Please note that this free service will be performed on a ‘best effort’ basis with the understanding that CSOLVE’s contracted clients will take priority.
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Erika Rice from the Alzheimer Society is happy to do virtual information sessions for our membership. If this is something you are interested in, please contact Erika at erice@alzheimersociety.ca ,
Here are some popular topics for a 1-hour information session:
- Normal aging vs. not normal aging
- Maximizing you brain health
- What is dementia?
- Dementia Friendly Communities – How can you support friends and neighbours with dementia?
- Living safely with dementia
- Enhancing communication with people living with dementia
Click HERE for information on all the programs that Alzheimer Society has to offer. If you have a topic in mind that is not listed above, Erica would be happy to tailor a session to your needs.
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REMINDER FROM VALUMART, DOWNTOWN MIDLAND
It's safest to stay at home! Let us bring your groceries to you!
100% free service!
Deliveries Monday to Saturday, everywhere from Cedar Point to Wyevale to Port Severn!
Email us your list at valumartdelivery@yahoo.ca
or call us at 705-526-5140. Credit card payment only.
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Our friends from the Canadian Red Cross wanted you to know that even though the Red Cross Transportation service is currently on hold, they are still able to provide Hot and Frozen Meals on Wheels to seniors or persons with disabilities. They are also doing Telephone Assurance calls to anyone who is feeling isolated or alone. If you would like more information, please contact them at 705-721-3313 ext 5266.
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SUPPORT FOR YOU
We understand that this is a difficult time for many as the world around us is changing due to COVID-19. Whether you are looking for support or know someone who is, below is a list of services available.
Offering support by telephone (2-1-1), email or live chat from their website. Please call or email if you are unable to access needed supplies or services.
- 211 Ontario can help you find grocery stores and pharmacies that are open and offering delivery service, as well as programs and services in your community that may be helpful to you during these trying times.
- 211 exists to connect people to urgent needs and essential services.
- 211 is multilingual and operates 24/7.
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