On June 5, more than 160 seniors will make their way into the Cochrane RancheHouse for an afternoon of recognition, creativity and strawberry shortcake.
Taking place during the province-wide Seniors’ Week (June 3-9), the annual Cochrane Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) Seniors’ Tea is the town’s way of honouring and celebrating seniors from Cochrane and the surrounding area.
“These people have been the inspiration behind this community for many years,” said Candy Weisner, FCSS programmer and head of the sold-out event. “To give them a few hours in the afternoon is so minor compared to everything they’ve done for us.”
The event gets underway at 1:30 p.m.
The theme for this year’s provincial celebration is “Creative and Inspirational” — a theme Weisner and her committee have embraced. The tea will feature the wares of senior artists and quilters, along with a speech delivered by actor-director Karl Sine.
Margaret Peach will lead the honourees in a series of action songs to provide a bit of movement and exercise. Weisner said each of the activities of the tea will aim to get seniors out of their circle and meeting new people.
“One of the main visions of the tea is to eliminate the isolation of seniors in our community,” she added. “Each of the attendees will have name tags — even the action songs will be inclusive.”
Seniors will have the opportunity to meet and mingle before sitting down for the tea. Upon entering the RancheHouse, Weisner said attendees will be greeted by a number of RCMP officers, along with local council members and dignitaries. Big Hill Lodge’s Vocal Chord choir will serenade the crowd.
This year, a shuttle will be on hand to transport people back and forth from the Cochrane RancheHouse’s overflow parking lot at the top of the hill.
The Seniors’ Tea is only one of a variety of events slated to run in Cochrane during Seniors’ Week. Seniors on the Bow (SOTB) will kick off the week in style with their Spring Fashion Show, which will take place at the centre on the second floor of the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre. Admission for the fashion show is $10.
Other SOTB events:
• Breakfast of Champions: a pancake breakfast sponsored by Grand Avenue Pharmacy. The event starts at 9 a.m. on June 3. Admission is free, but seniors are encouraged to sign up in advance at the centre.
• Healthy and Cultural Cooking Class: a demonstration put on by Thai Onzon. The class starts at 11 a.m. on June 4. Admission is free, but advance sign up is encouraged.
• Grand Avenue Pharmacy’s Ian Kruger will be presenting seniors with a health talk at the centre at 11 a.m. on June 5.
• Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park will be providing seniors with complimentary golf cart tours twice a day June 6 and 7. Advanced sign up is encouraged.
• Pub Fun Friday: come down for a happy hour, complete with a cash bar, open mic event and live music. Happy hour starts at 2 p.m. on June 6.
• Spring Recital: complete with free ice cream from MacKay’s Ice Cream. The evening event starts at 7 p.m. on June 6.
Big Hill Lodge has a slew of activities planned for Seniors’ Week, kicking it off with a Beach Party BBQ with Emergency Medical Services personnel and town council members.
