GWSA Email Update for the Month of December
Welcome to the GWSA Email Update
Message from the Board of Directors
If you would like to forward this email to a friend, you can do so by clicking here.
The December issue of The Sentinel is available on line here and back issues are available at this link.
Happening at the GWSA
The Evergreen Kitchen Is Up and Running
The chef is busy in the kitchen cooking again. Frozen entrees can be ordered for pick-up.
- Purchase 5 meals for $25.
- Pre-order is mandatory.
- To pre-order phone in to 519-822-1260 ext 2691.
- You may choose either meat or vegetarian packages. If you require adjustments for allergies/dietary restrictions, please let Becky know at the time of your order. The kitchen will make adjustments when possible.
- Frozen meal pickup will be on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00am-noon starting next week (week of December 13th)
- Pick up dates will be December 14th, 16th, 21st, and 23rd from 9am-noon at the Evergreen
- The meal program will suspend from December 23rd-January 3rd (re-open on January 4th)
- Meals can be paid for in person or over the phone with a credit card.
Holiday Hours at the Evergreen Centre
The Evergreen Centre will be closing over the Christmas season from December 11 at 3:30 p.m. until Monday, January 4 at 9:00 am. The Evergreen Kitchen meal program will continue to be available until December 24. Meal pick-up details will be communicated when your order is confirmed.
Peer Learning
Peer Learning winter classes are back and they will be offering three topics in January 2021. Courses will be free and will be conducted via Zoom. Details about the content of the three classes and about how to register can be found in a special section at the bottom of this email.
New GWSA Website
Any day now the GWSA will launch a new website as the current one uses some dated software and needs to retire. Most information from the old site has been transferred to the new one, and we have added new elements and improved the functionality. Each page has been redesigned and updated with new content and graphics we thought you would find interesting. Members should be pleased to see some improved speed, and we hope you will find the simpler interface easier to navigate so you can locate what you need quickly. The web address will remain the same.
You will find some commonly needed elements right on the home page, including the latest news and announcements prominently displayed, and connections to more. You will be able to quickly access the Sentinel, GWSA Email Updates, and Board Meetings from the main page, and post your volunteer hours. Those learning about Community Support Services will see an information box on the home page linking to all the details also accessible through Services.
The top menu buttons will take you to everything you need without confusing submenus. Activity groups are all together, with a section highlighting which are currently active. If you have enjoyed our Activities for Mind and Body links, they are there at the bottom of the Activities page.
Services are in their own section, and that's where you'll find things like the Evergreen Kitchen, Computer Mentoring, Book Nook, Guelph Transit, and more. There's lots to explore there.
Those looking to volunteer their time and energy, or contribute through donations or bequests, can check out the Support Us section.
Happening in and Around Guelph
Sparkles in the Park
This popular light display, organized by the Rotary Club of Guelph for over 25 years, will be held in Riverside Park as a drive through event only. The light show will run from December 19 to 31. Santa will be in attendance from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on December19th to December 23rd. Visitors are asked to enter the park via the stone gates on Woolwich Street and to exit via Marilyn Drive. Drivers must keep moving and visitors are to stay in their cars. Full details of the show are available here.
Changes to Wellington County Library Services
As of November 30, all Wellington County Library branches are once again closed to the public. Library drop boxes remain open and curbside pick-up is available at all branches. Details are available here.
City of Guelph Winter Recreation Programs Registration
Registration for City of Guelph Winter Recreation programs is now open. Offerings include swimming, skating, fitness and leisure activities. Review the available programs and then register online using recenroll.ca or by calling 519-837-5699. If you are paying with cash, in-person registration is available at West End Community Centre or Victoria Road Recreation Centre. The customer service counters are open:
- Monday to Saturday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Sunday, 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Winter recreation programs start January 16, 2021.
Note: Should programs or classes be cancelled due to COVID-19 or low enrolment, the city will issue a refund. Also, if you are registering your child/grandchild in swimming lessons, one parent/guardian per child needs to be in the pool for preschool lessons up to Swimmer 3. It should be the same parent/guardian for the duration of lessons.
Drop-in programs
Also, a friendly reminder that due to COVID-19 indoor capacity limits, you must register and pay in advance using Rec Enroll or call the registration line 519-837-5699. Walk-ins are discouraged unless you need to pay with cash. Drop-in programs are available for online registration up to 72 hours in advance. You should register early to avoid disappointment.
COVID-19 health and safety measures
All recreation facilities have updated health and safety measures in place. These measures include hand sanitizer stations, spaces to allow physical distancing of at least two metres (6.5 feet), plexiglass barriers, and enhanced facility cleaning of high-touch areas. Please wear a mask or face covering inside our facilities to protect City employees and visitors. You don’t need to wear a mask in the pool or on the ice.
City of Guelph Seeking Volunteers
The City of Guelph is updating their 2014 Solid Waste Management Master Plan and is still interested in getting more input from seniors. The updated plan will provide strategic direction for the next 25 years. Although the City has been engaging the community, they reached out to the GWSA to recruit several seniors, 75 and over, who are willing to be interviewed by phone. If you are 75 or over, and have a connection to services the City provides (waste collection or site services at their facility) or if you’re interested in the topic, please contact Phil Jensen to indicate your interest in participating. When you reach out to him, please identify the type of City service you receive: curbside or service provided to your building. There are general waste management ideas his team would like to explore. You are also welcome to volunteer even if you don’t receive City services.
Phil’s contact information is:
Phil Jensen
T 519-822-1260 x 2636 | F 519-767-1660
C 519-820-1691
E phil.jensen@guelph.ca
Learn more about The City of Guelph Solid Waste Management Master Plan. Check it out on their website at https://guelph.ca/plans-and-strategies/solid-waste-management-master-plan/, or, go to Have Your Say Guelph at https://www.haveyoursay.guelph.ca/waste and share your ideas about reducing waste and reusing materials.
Resources for Seniors
New Publication with Resources for Seniors
Mindful for Older Adults is a mini magazine focused on providing resources and information about self-harm, suicidal ideation and suicide prevention. It was created through collaboration between the Suicide Awareness Council of Wellington-Dufferin and the Seniors Centre for Excellence. The pandemic has cut some seniors off from their community, and without access to technology, transportation or social gatherings, more are reporting feelings of loneliness and isolation. The magazine provides phone numbers for many services.
An on-line version is available here. Free print copies can be obtained by calling the Suicide Awareness Council of Wellington Dufferin at 519-239-8902 or emailing suicidecouncilwd@cmhaww.ca. An article that talks about the mini-magazine in more detail is available here.
CMHA of Waterloo Wellington Online Resources
The Canadian Mental Health Association of Waterloo Wellington is offering a number of webinars this month on topics such as stress management, self-care, coping with loneliness and the power of mindfulness. For more information, or to register, visit their website.
Alzheimer’s Society Seeking Survey Participants
The Alzheimer Society of Canada, in partnership with the College of Family Physicians of Canada, is working to develop new dementia care resources for family physicians. To support this work, they are looking for people living with dementia and caregivers of people living with dementia to participate in their surveys. There are two different surveys, one for each group.
Each survey should take approximately 20 minutes and will help them understand peoples’ experience with the care they receive from their family physician and other health care providers.
If you can contribute to this research, consider participating in their surveys. They need the results by the end of December. To participate, please visit their website. They offer several ways to participate and precautions are taken to safeguard your anonymity.
Covid-19 Pandemic Response Update
Online Tool for Evaluating the Risk of Visiting People
Are you planning to visit family or friends this holiday season? The @RyersonNIA #myCOVID19VisitRisk Decision Aid has been designed to provide you with a mechanism to assess your level of risk from #COVID-19 when visiting with others. Assess your risk today.
The decision to visit with family or friends during #COVID-19 is difficult. Being informed of our risk around visiting with others can make that decision easier.
Peer Learning Winter Classes - 2021
Peer Learning is back and we will be offering three topics in January, 2021. To register, send an e-mail to peerlearning.gwsa@gmail.com, indicating which course of courses you wish to join.
These courses are FREE and will be conducted via ZOOM. To participate you will need a computer, tablet or smartphone, preferably with a webcam. A phone-in option will be provided for those who don’t have internet. A zoom link will be sent out to participants shortly before classes begin.
The three classes offered are:
Mondays: 9:30 am – 11:30 am
China’s emergence as a world power and its growing influence internationally.
Moderator Michael Buxton-Carr
Introduction: Jan 11th Course Jan 25th – Mar 22nd
China’s relationship with the world has created recent friction over its harsh dealings with Hong Kong and the nations adjacent to the South China Sea and its trade practices with the USA in particular. The events and restrictions caused by the Coronavirus have made many countries start to lessen their reliance on Chinese manufacturing goods. Join us to discuss this state of tensions and what their consequences will be for the 2020’s.
Tuesdays: 1:30 PM – 3:30 pm
USA – Canada relationship – past/present/future
Moderator: Geoff Richards
Introduction: Jan 12th Course: Jan 26th – Mar 16th
Canada has aimed to forge a different identity from the US while maintaining strong trade, cultural, and defense ties with the US. Join us as we discuss strains in the relationship such as the War of 1812 and threats by President Trump, steps to draw closer such as NORAD and NAFTA, and the outlook for the future. Is Canada too dependent on the US when China is now a rival of the US?
Thursdays: 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Debt: historical and individual experiences of its impact on society and its people.
Moderator: Ken Woodside
Introduction: Jan 14th Course: Jan 28th –Mar 18th
Many of the most important events in world history have been driven by issues involving debt. Debt involves money owed to someone and repaying holders of the debt or raising more money through new debt can create serious political problems. If new taxes need to be levied, can this be easily accomplished? Can external sources of funding be arranged and under what conditions? Will some existing programs have to be cut or face reduced financial commitments to lower this debt? Governments today and in the past have had to make important decisions in response to the need to raise new money, pay off existing debts or secure access to external sources of funding. Similarly individuals commonly must deal with issues based on how much debt they can afford to carry and the consequences that debt burdens can have on their and their family’s security and future.
For more information, call Andrew Webb at 226-500-4755 or Barb McLeod at 519-823-2531.
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