Tollendale Tales - Tollendale Village

No. 52
First published August 2000
September –October 2009
Tollendale Tales
274 Hurst Drive, Barrie ON. L4N 0Z3
Publication of the tenants of Tollendale Village
A Christian Retirement Community
Tel. 705-722-0469
Email: [email protected]
Tollendale Tales’ future uncertain
With the editor’s
departure this
publication may not
continue in its present
form.
Mill Creek Care Centre
“Brick work has commenced and is
progressing well. As you can see, the
colour matches that of the existing
buildings. The roof decking work has
started and that will be ongoing for the
next several weeks.”
(From Sid Tjeerdsma’s report, page 2)
DEAR EDITOR
By Rev. Don French
“D
ear Editor” Thus begin letters we compose
and send to a newspaper or magazine in
the hope that they are approved and
possibly included in the next issue.
Perhaps the role of editor is readily accepted but not
fully appreciated or understood. Julie Christiaanse’s
role as editor of Tollendale Tales is a unique example
of how comprehensive this role can be. Tollendale
Tales has met with ready acceptance in our community
and beyond. What follows is perhaps an inadequate
description, but let’s look at some areas of her
responsibility from the publication’s inception to its
delivery to your home. I believe it will become evident
that her capacity as editor was augmented by a total
involvement in a “labour of love.”
First there are the essential decisions that must be made
as to needs assessment, format, readership interest and
procedure for circulation. Then comes the gathering of
content, and here the editor assumes responsibility for
reporting, writing, interviews, photographs, overall
design and format. Having contributors submit articles
on time (ouch!) can also present a challenge.
Our editor appeared at many Tollendale functions and
was very patient in “lining up” seniors for group
pictures (not unlike the problem of “herding cats”).
Julie did all this well and with patience.
But the sad part of this article is that she is leaving us,
and that she will be greatly missed is a major
understatement. When we look for someone to blame
for this a guy named Cupid comes to mind. You know,
the fellow related to hearts and arrows and flowers and
Love.
However, our sense of loss is partially overcome by our
happiness for Julie and Dan as they become husband
and wife and set up their new home together. Julie
through all her efforts has given Tollendale Village
substantial expression as a Christian community. She
has helped us to get to know and understand each other
and cultivate the best in our relationships with one
another.
This will be my last article under Julie’s editorship. It
has been a pleasure to work with her. May God’s rich
blessings be upon her and on Dan. We hope Julie will
“check up” on us from time to time. We wish her
Shalom. ■
Executive
Director’s report,
September, 2009
It is hard to realize that
we are already into
September.
Children
have returned to school, daylight hours are decreasing
and cooler temperatures will soon be upon us.
Somehow, summer, for the most part, seems to have
bypassed us. Yet, there is something good about the fall
season because routines and programs come back into
the picture. Here, at Tollendale, new season schedules
for programs and activities have been circulating.
Construction work of Mill Creek Care Centre continues
to attract spectators and it’s interesting to watch the
building go through the various stages of
transformation. We’re now at the roof stage which is
essential for ensuring that winter delays are not
expected in the future. With the exterior finishing brick
work going up one gets a cleaner look and a better
sense of how the building will blend in. Residents have
had their share of inconveniences at various times, but
generally have been understanding and accommodating.
The base coat paving of the main roadway was the
biggest welcome relief.
We have now started formal planning meetings with
Responsive Health, the management group for the Care
Centre, to work out some specific details for the
partnership between Tollendale Village and Mill Creek
Care Centre. While we will be separate entities, and be
managed separately, there is ample opportunity for
sharing resources. These meetings have gone well and a
spirit of cooperation exists.
On September 23 we will have the Community Care
Access Centre (CCAC) giving a presentation on its
involvement in the new nursing home and how the
application process for getting in there will work. This
presentation will take place in the Gathering Place at
2:30 PM.
For Tollendale Village itself we have been working
through a new strategic plan, undertaking an energy
audit, doing a nursing services review and correcting a
number of potential safety issues. There is much
happening and we’ll have much to share at our next
annual membership meeting, scheduled for Monday,
November 23. Watch for further details which will be
sent to all active members.
Let me finish my comments by using this opportunity
to extend our appreciation to Julie Christiaanse, our
long time editor of Tollendale Tales. She initiated this
undertaking and has faithfully served both residents and
members with her valuable communication circular.
She has worked tirelessly to produce a newsletter that
was informative and a joy to read. She helped all of us
in getting to know some of our neighbours better and
promoted the spirit of community. We will miss seeing
her walking around with her camera and getting those
candid poses. Thanks Julie. May God give you much
happiness in the years to come.
Leo Smit
P.S. We are looking for a new editor or an editorial
committee that would be willing to undertake the
publishing of Tollendale Tales.
Mill Creek Care Centre
Project Manager’s Construction Report,
August 25, 2009
A few months have passed since my last
report and several things have transpired
over the summer. Much of the
superstructure is now completed with the
exception of the work above the Village
Square. This work is ongoing and more forces should
be on site soon to complete that portion of the work.
We can now visualize the final layout of the building.
Brick work has started and is progressing well. As you
can see, the colour matches that of the existing
buildings. The roof decking work has started and that
will be ongoing for the next several weeks.
The contractor has experienced significant challenges
with water leakage through the Village Square roof as
two stories on top the Square are being constructed. He
is making his best efforts to find the source of these
leaks. Once the building structure is complete and the
roof is on this will no longer be a problem.
Because of the wet summer and some labour problems
our schedule has slipped a few months. However, all
are working diligently to get the building watertight by
October 30. Everyone realizes that this is a critical date
2
and all efforts are being put into achieving this
objective.
We have recently tendered for several pieces of
equipment including the resident beds, the tubs, and the
floor and ceiling lifts. Prices are coming in relatively
close to our original estimates.
We continue to work closely with Responsive Health
Management (RHM), which will be managing the home
for us, as we interview and select various service
suppliers, including, pharmacists, doctors, physiotherapists, foot care workers, equipment suppliers,
oxygen suppliers and others.
I am liaising closely with Tollendale staff as we
negotiate various arrangements between the two
organizations, including lawn maintenance, snow
removal, dining services, hair salon arrangements, to
name a few.
The name of the organization and the facility has now
officially been changed to Mill Creek Care Centre, and
all legal documents have been executed.
We have also arranged to develop a website for Mill
Creek Care Centre. It should be up and running
sometime this fall
We have had our first meeting with CCAC (Community
Care Access Centre) as we make plans for moving new
residents into the home. On September 23, 2009, there
will be an information session in the Gathering Place at
which time CCAC and RHM will make presentations
regarding the process of applying for the facility as well
as some operational matters. Further information
regarding the time will be
forthcoming.
If you have questions, do not
hesitate to contact me or the
office. I will try and make
myself available as much as
I can.
Once again on a personal
note, Anne Hoftyzer and I
and our respective families
enjoyed
a
wonderful
wedding ceremony on May
23 at Anne’s (and now our)
home, followed by an
awesome 11,500 KM trip to the south-western United
States (Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Bryce
Canyon, Arches National Park, the Petrified Forest, and
the Painted Desert). We had wonderful weather and
were awestruck everyday by the beauty of God’s
creation. Thanks to all for your many good wishes.
Sid Tjeerdsma
We welcome you
New residents gathered for an information and getacquainted session with the administration of Tollendale.
Pictured here are Lisa Roblin, Gerry Roblin, Nick
Caravaggio, Beryl Csumrik, Lois Goodreid, Helen
Hamilton, Norm Hamilton, and Hazel Sweet
Here at Tollendale
We remember:
• May VanderKlugt (B208), who passed away on June
18, 2009
• Michael Chapla (D308) who passed away on June 30,
2009
• Amy Van Dyken (B218) who passed away on July 10,
2009
• Albert Pifher (A303) who passed away on August 22,
2009
We welcome:
• Lois Goodreid (B106), from Barrie
• Hazel Sweet (B116), from Ajax
• Gerry & Lisa Roblin (D005), from Barrie
• Frank Perry (A101), from Barrie
• Beryl Csumrik (B121), from Orillia
• Ernie & Ann Allard (B208), from Barrie
• Rita Klimek (B218), from Barrie
• Russ Hope (D011), from Barrie
We say goodbye to:
• Sonya Mulder (A309), to a condo in Barrie
• Jan & Jenny Kooi (A119), to a retirement home in
Kingston
• Katherine Allen (B121), to a retirement home in Orillia
• Carol LeSarge (A101), to live with her daughter in
Barrie
• Phyllis Donnelly (D011), to Roberta Place Lodge
3
Tollendale Village annual tenant
meeting
Reports of recent Tollendale Tenant
Committee meetings
At the annual tenant meeting, held on June 17
2009:
2009-2010 Committee members are: Audrey DeJong,
Gus Duggan, Adriana Frouws, Jean Jarrett, Gilles
Langlois, Fenny Luymes, Jim Pratt, Harry VanderKooij,
Attie van der Toorn, and Sid VanDyke (chair)
a) The following residents were elected to take
positions on the tenant committee: Audrey DeJong, Gus
Duggan, Gilles Langlois and Attie van der Toorn.
b) The chair of the Tollendale Tenant Committee, Sid
van Dyke, reported on activities and developments of
the past year. He also thanked retiring tenant committee
members Albert Brouwer, Helen Matthews, Dwight
Patterson and Carol Visser.
c) Executive director Leo Smit reported on
accomplishments and acknowledged a good working
relationship with the tenant committee. A strategic plan
has been developed, a 5-10 year maintenance plan has
been created, a healthy partnership with the Mill Creek
Care Centre is envisioned, and meetings with
Responsive Health are taking place. Also, budget
tightening is needed in this time of economic restraint,
partnership links to support aging residents are taking
place, an energy audit has been undertaken, and a
property tax analysis and audit are underway.
Regarding the maintenance fees Leo noted that this
year’s increase of 2.5% compares to increases of the
last two years of 0% and 4.5% respectively.
Working on our behalf: our
representatives on the tenant
committee
2009-2010 Tenant committee members pictured here are
(back row) Harry VanderKooij, Gus Duggan, Sid Van
Dyke, Jim Pratt, Gilles Langlois, and (front row) Audrey
deJong, Jean Jarrett, Adriana Frouws. Missing are Fenny
Luymes and Attie van der Toorn.
Meeting of June 24, 2009
Business notes
1. Responsibilities for the coming year will be as
follows: Chair – Sid Van Dyke; Secretary –
Adriana Frouws; Treasurer – Attie van der Toorn;
Vice-all – Jim Pratt; Activities committee
members – Fenny Luymes, Jean Jarrett, Audrey
De Jong, Gus Duggan; Welcome committee
members - Attie van der Toorn, Gilles Langlois
2. Strawberry social plans are finalized.
3. Leo Smit (executive director) visits and informs
the committee a) that work is being done to
improve parking at Sonrise Place b) explains the
reason why new balconies are needed in Eden
Hall c) makes a suggestion in connection with
funds for the library d) informs the committee
that Canada Day will be celebrated
4. Auditor Dick Romp has made a suggestion
regarding the treasurer having a petty cash float.
5. The welcome committee reports a visit to
Norman and Helen Hamilton.
6. A note is received from Julie Christiaanse
thanking the committee for the use of a new
camera.
7. A note is received from Ethel Alle thanking the
committee for acting on her suggestion regarding
the camera.
8. Arrangements are made for July events.
9. Elaine Hardstone’s arrangements for musical
events in September, October and November are
approved.
Meeting of July 15, 2009
Business notes
1. Discussions take place and reports are received
about a) a suggested petty cash float b)
recycling of Styrofoam c) the strawberry social
(a success).
2. The treasurer reports a balance of $4,891.10.
3. The Wii system is discussed. The present
location in the Gathering Place is not ideal. Jim
will discuss a suggestion with Leo.
4. The committee received a thank you card from
Helen Mathews for the retiring gift.
4
Meeting of August 19, 2009
Business notes
1. The treasurer’s report shows a balance of
$5,027.26.
2. The barbecue will take place on October 1.
3. The welcome committee visited Hazel Sweet
(B116) and Gerry and Lisa Roblin (D005)
4. Duties for upcoming events are assigned.
We thank you
The Tollendale Treasures and Gift shop represents a
valuable aspect of village life. Pictured here are volunteer
staff Janny Mudde and Muriel Culshaw, and, centre,
Erna Gillies, a faithful supporter of the store.
Treasures and Gift Shop news
Summer is nearly over. Pieter and I will be away from
mid-September until the beginning of October. Muriel
will be there for you Mondays and Wednesdays from 13 p.m. Although we will be closed at all other times the
cards will be available along with the little blue pigs.
We had a big turnover in the last few months, mainly
because of furniture sold on consignment.
We had a sale on wool donated to us from a wool shop.
We still have a lot of cottons and wool. Also an art
show and sale was held.
We will have a silent auction from September 3-10.
Along with our regular monthly income we received the
following: from the wool sale $300.00, from the art
show $250.00, from the book sale $240.00, and from
the linen and wool sale $520.00.
We thank you all for participating and donating. We
couldn’t do it without you, and we enjoy seeing you.
Store staff Janny and Muriel
Birthdays
September 01
September 02
September 02
September 08
September 08
September 12
September 12
September 12
September 13
September 14
September 14
September 15
September 15
September 15
September 19
September 20
September 20
September 23
September 26
September 29
September 30
September 30
October 01
October 02
October 03
October 05
October 05
October 05
October 06
October 16
October 06
October 06
October 07
October 07
October 07
October 14
October 14
October 15
October 16
October 17
October 19
October 20
October 20
October 20
October 23
October 23
October 23
October 23
October 24
October 24
October 27
October 27
October 27
October 27
October 29
October 29
Galipeau
Lavin
Lucas
Boelryk
Thompson
Komdeur
Massimiliano
Schouten
Palmer
Boelryk
Strootman
Bos
Sweet
VanStrien
DeBoer
Kloosterman
Mout
Brouwer
VanGennip
Mohlmann
Botham
Rupke
Verkaik
Roblin
Chopp
French
Hazenberg
Trebelco
Blom
Higgs
Kloosterman
Tawton
Kroesen
VanStempvoort
Ruddick
Brown
Menary
Jackson
McDeivitte
Scott
Vandergoot
Blom
Charters
Telford
Alle
Ashkanase
Tanner
Winter
Hovius
Straub
Bowman
Lyon
Verkaik
Wright
Bogers
Cassidy
Alice
Jim
Garry
Lonnie
George
Karl
Josephine
Diana
Frances
Josh
Elizabeth
Cor
Hazel
Gertie
Rennie
Edna
Elaine
Jane
Paul
Ed
Gretta
Hilda
Johanna
Gerry
Karla
Edith
Frances
Helen
Hendrika
Joan
Arnie
Gordon
Johanna
Myra
Mary
Helen
Ron
Dorothy
Dennis
Norman
Grace
Albertus
Pauline
Peggy
Ethel
Munro
Reta
Arnold
Ninka
Anna
Paul
Mortimer
Anthony
Thelma
Dorothy
Irene
5
October 29
Foster
Joan
October 30
Gehrels
Jack
October 31
Campbell
Marjorie
October 31
Hamilton
Ruth
If you would like to see your name on the birthday
list, or if you detect an error, please get in touch with
Tena Kamstra (725-9298).
said on seeing the work Verna brought to her first class.
“Just paint.” But Verna took the lessons and loved it.
“Just get the paper wet and move a brush around in it.
You can play with it.”
The “porcelain ladies”, however, are Verna’s
favourites. A wall in her apartment features porcelain
decorator plates with intricately painted flowers and the
faces of beautiful young women. Porcelain painting is a
time-consuming process involving many firings in a
kiln which opens up the pores in the porcelain. Some
colours need eight or ten firings to get the desired
depth. Verna’s art work, both water colours and
porcelain plates, has been displayed and sold in several
Barrie venues.
She loves living in Tollendale Village. The northern
exposure of her windows suits this painter.
Lately, Verna has indulged in another hobby,
genealogy. She has many original documents and deeds
which one day will make a valuable addition to the
county’s historic records.
Verna Trombley took up painting upon retirement
Verna Trombley, the painter
By Julie Christiaanse
I
n the painting world, Verna Trombley (B207) could
be called a late bloomer. A valued member of the
Barrie Art Club, with her neatly coiffed hairdo she
doesn’t fit the stereotype of a painter with long, flowing
locks.
Although Verna has lived in Bethany Gables since
2006, most Tollendalers probably had not heard of her
artistic ability until a short time ago when Leo Smit
selected several of her water colours for display in the
newly decorated Eden Hall meeting room.
Verna never had time to paint. “I wanted to do it, but I
was always working,” she says. She was raising four
children and for many years with her husband managed
a business in Bell Ewart consisting of a general store, a
post office, a service station a restaurant and a sporting
goods store. Verna recalls long, eighteen-hour days, and
not surprisingly, painting had to wait.
When, after retirement, life seemed a little boring they
bought “Frank’s Framing” in Allandale. To get up to
date on the business they took a woodworking and
framing course at Georgian College. Handling artwork
daily, Verna says she thought, “If they (the artists) can
do it, we can.” So they took a painting course, again at
Georgian. Verna took water colour lessons and her
husband, now deceased, did oil painting. (One of his
oils, the historic J.C. Morrison boat, can be seen in the
main library.) “You don’t need lessons,” the art teacher
Her delicately painted porcelain plates decorate a wall in
Verna Trombley's apartment.
Tollendale archives and web site
All past issues of the newsletter can be found in
Tollendale’s main library. Issues (from May-June 2001
on) can also be found on the Tollendale Village
website, in colour where applicable.
Tollendale Tales
Publication of Tollendale Village
– A Christian Retirement Community –
274 Hurst Drive, Barrie ON. L4N 0Z3
Tel.705-722-0469
Website: www.tollendalevillage.ca
Email: [email protected]
Editing and layout: Julie Christiaanse (G15)
Tel.705-728-4739
Email: [email protected]
6
The White Cliffs of Dover in the background, here we are
on the ferry from Dover to Calais
New beginnings
Who would have thought that my duties with
Tollendale Tales would end this abruptly? I certainly
didn’t think so when I embarked on a trip to Ireland
with a group of travelers calling itself the Brampton
Christian Travel Group at the beginning of June.
Although I had mentioned to Leo Smit last year that I
was considering giving up the editorship of our
newsletter in the summer of 2010, perhaps coinciding
with the opening of the nursing home, I could not have
foreseen the event that is leading to my decision at this
time.
During the bus trip, as our group took in the beauty of
the Irish countryside – which can be described as both
gently pastoral and ruggedly scenic – and the island’s
fascinating history, I became more than casually
acquainted with Dan Van Beilen, one of the members
of the group. While taking in the sights of the island we
also had ample time to get to know one another. We
talked and talked, and talked more. When walking on
the Giant’s Causeway – the basalt rock formation and
World Heritage site – we discussed discoveries about
the age of the earth. When going on long walks in the
evenings and sitting on the bus together we talked about
our lives, our respective families, interests, involvement
in church and society, our faith, and so much more.
Yes, our evolving relationship was, no doubt, observed
by the other travelers in the group of about thirty-five.
No, we did not know each other before this trip took
place.
On returning home, we began making plans for a future
together, believing that has God brought us together at
this time in our lives. Dan is a widower who lives in
Holland Christian Homes, a well-known seniors’
complex in Brampton. We will vacate our respective
units and have purchased a condominium unit on Mill
Street in Brampton. On October 17, the Lord willing,
we will exchange marriage vows in a private ceremony
in Brampton.
Curiously, the August 24 issue of Maclean’s devotes an
article to people marrying after only a short courtship
(“Against all odds”). Dan and I just know we are right
for each other at this stage in our lives.
I am happy to share this personal news with you, the
readers of Tollendale Tales. But, as mentioned, with
this issue my involvement with the newsletter will end.
At this time I am not aware of another person who
might be willing and able to take on the editorship in
order to ensure a smooth transition.
The original residents – named and pictured in the two
previous issues – who occupied Eden Hall and the
garden homes nine years ago may remember the
fledgling beginnings of this paper. The first issue was
published even before the official opening of the village
took place on September 16, 2000. The aim of the
newsletter was and is to inform, and to strengthen
community life in keeping with the vision of its
founders. During the past nine years we have seen, and
Tollendale Tales has described, the growth of our
village in all aspects.
Editing this newsletter has largely been a work of love.
Over the years as my computer and editing skills grew,
you, the readers, have expressed to me many times how
you appreciated this means of communication and that
you looked forward to each new issue. You have told
me how you liked to read about your fellow residents’
lives, especially their immigration stories. I thank all
who have given our readers a glimpse into their lives
through Tollendale Tales.
I also thank all who faithfully contributed their reports
and other information for every issue.
Again, what will the future of this publication be? I
don’t know. At present there is no plan in place to
continue with the newsletter in this format, but I hope
someone will take up the challenge to keep Tollendale
Tales going, perhaps under a different name.
(Remember that I mused about a name change a few
years ago?)
Normally, I would have tried to be of help with the
transition, but with the big transition in my own life this
will not be possible. Also, I have not spent as much
time in Barrie and at Tollendale these past months as a
good editor should in order to keep up with all the
happenings around here. I hope you understand.
7
I thank Tollendale’s management for supporting this
publication from the beginning in many ways.
May God bless our village, and may it always be true to
its vision of “reflecting and modeling the love and
compassion of God for persons regardless of sex, race,
color, ethnicity or age” and “treat each person with
dignity and respect.”
I will still be in, out and around the village until the end
of November when we hope to have completed the
merging of our households and begin a new and
unexpected chapter in our lives. As you can see, new
beginnings are still possible, even for Tollendalers.
God bless you as you contribute in your own way,
quietly or more publicly, to this unique community,
Tollendale Village.
Julie Christiaanse, editor
Life in Tollendale Village
This year, Bill Brytak is ‘competing’ with Rennie de Boer
in beautifying the grounds around the pond south of the
village.
Although age has impacted Frank and Irene Benum's
walking routine, they can be seen daily in around the
village, now aided by their Nordic poles.
Marion Wright, Kathleen Hucalak, Iris Hutchinson,
Phyllis Hutchinson and Agnes Sarlo enjoy their
‘barbecue’ dinner and each others’ company in the
dining room.
Some residents have a privileged view of
the daily changing scene
View of the nursing home construction site as seen from
the Madills’ apartment in Eden Hall.
View of the construction as seen from Jenny Houter’s
apartment in Sonrise Place.
8