For most people, an empty flowerbed is just a pile of dirt, but for long-time gardener, Carol MacLeod, that dirt is actually more like a palette waiting to be filled with colour and fragrance.

The well-manicured gardens that surround Abbotsford House (where the Glebe Centre Community Programs and Services are run from) are thanks in great part to MacLeod, an Abbotsford member and the resident volunteer gardener.

From the time the snow melts, MacLeod loves to get her hands dirty.

“I start annuals by seed,” said MacLeod. “And I have to have colour in the garden really soon in the season, so I plant pots of daffodils.”

She said the “bones” of the Abbotsford gardens came from the old Sylvia Holden Park that formerly started at Bank Street and ran along Holmwood Avenue.

When those flowerbeds were uprooted to make way for the new, residential development at Lansdowne Park, MacLeod transplanted the perennials across the street at Abbotsford.

Today, among the plants surrounding the heritage, stone house, are what MacLeod refers to as “old fashioned” plants: hollyhocks, baptisia, Culver’s root, asters and even some of Lady Borden’s peonies, propagated from the cottage of former Prime Minister, Sir Robert Borden.

On Abbotsford’s Monk St. side, MacLeod has planted a “pollinator garden” that’s intended to attract bees and other pollinators.

“There’s so much talk about the dearth of bees, so I thought it would be a good idea,” said MacLeod.

Every year, she gets a bit of money from Abbotsford’s “coffee fund” to buy a few new plants. She also picks up beer cans lying around the neighbourhood and adds the money from the empties to her flower budget.

The gardens around the old stone house take about four hours a week to maintain, leaving MacLeod some time to join the exercise classes and play bridge at Abbotsford. She also helps with the beautiful, lush gardens that are also volunteer-maintained beside Lansdowne’s Horticulture Building.

But MacLeod doesn’t do it all alone, she has a few helpers who keep an eye on the Abbotsford gardens when she’s not around and she said a lot of people stop and chat and visit while she’s working away in the dirt.

“People really appreciate the gardens and say how beautiful they are,” said MacLeod. “And I really appreciate the feedback.”

Abbotsford is your community support centre for Adults 55+.  We are the community programs of The Glebe Centre Inc., a charitable, not-for-profit, organization which includes a 254 bed long term care home.  Find out more about our services by dropping by 950 Bank Street (the old stone house) Mon- Fri 9-4 pm, telephoning 613-230-5730 or by checking out all of The Glebe Centre facilities and community programs on our website www.glebecentre.ca

By: Julie Ireton

We have a fresh slate of programming on offer at The Glebe Centre Community Programs at Abbotsford this September. Come see for yourself at our Open House on Friday September 8 th between 9 am and 4 pm. Get a tour, pick up a brochure, ask about the classes and meet the folks who make Abbotsford vibrant. Councilor David Chernushenko’s Seniors Lunch will take place at Abbotsford this September 8 th, for Capital Ward Seniors. Reserve your seat by contacting his office at 613-580- 2487 or by e-mail at lunch@capitlward.ca.

Take this opportunity to find out what you have been missing by visiting Abbotsford in person and/or have a look at our new website listing all of the community programs and services that are offered to those 55+ in our community. Look under the Community Programs/Services  and ask us for more information about the programs of interest to you.

Fall is the time of year when we can start with a “clean slate”, fulfill resolutions to improve our health and make an effort to connect with longstanding or new friends, or take up a pastime that we always thought we would pursue someday. Today is the day. Don’t put it off because it seems challenging; those new challenges may lead to fulfillment.

We had a suggestion for a new club so we formed a new breakfast club on Thursday mornings. This club will evolve with the needs and wishes of the participants, but its main goal is simply for people to connect with each other. Connection to community is never more important than in our elder years. This group is specifically designed with the “On My Own Again” individual in mind. Whether you find yourself a long-time single, widowed, divorced, new to Ottawa, away from home, or simply looking to meet new people, this is the club for you.

We also have Wine 101 class on offer for the wine steward in you who could do with a crash course on wines. You’ll find out where to start when choosing a wine for a friend, where to look within the LCBO (we might even go on a field trip!), and how to get good value for your money; to name but a few topics.

Music and dance are still playing an important role at Abbotsford with Propeller Dance workshops as well as Family Dance, Belly Dancing, Dancing to World Music and Zumba! On the music front we hope to gather enough interested musicians to form a band on Wednesday afternoons and the Sing N’ Jam group is going strong on Monday afternoons. We also have a course on the life and music of Leonard Cohen and a study of eight great Canadian artists in our Classical Music Appreciation class.

We have Conversational Spanish for Beginners this fall along with our Conversational Spanish Plus. Memoir Writing, Pottery, Calligraphy, Art, Stained Glass, Card Making and Bridge will keep you engaged. Clubs such as Mahjong, Tai Chi, Lok Hup, Scrabble and Opera will keep you coming in weekly if not daily for a dose of enjoyable and stimulating activities.

Our ping pong club is flourishing due to the avid players who all “pitched in” to purchase a second table. Book ahead and revel in a game that challenges the body and brain simultaneously.
You might ask how all of these activities are in one building and how we could possibly still be reaching out to ask more community folks to come join in. The answer is simple; the more the merrier! There is always room for one more person and if there isn’t, we simply add another class. Fitness is a fine example. Some of our classes do fill up on the first day of registration (Thursday August 24 th at 9 am). But when one fitness class fills up we can offer another. New instructors, new times and new days, as well as our well known fitness instruction, are all on offer this fall.

Put Abbotsford at the top of your slate of places to visit, courses to take, lectures to attend and people to meet this fall. You won’t be disappointed. Abbotsford is your community support centre for Adults 55+. We are the community programs of The Glebe Centre Inc., a charitable, not-for- profit, organization which includes a 254 bed long term care home. Find out more about our services by dropping by 950 Bank Street (the old stone house) Mon- Fri 9-4 pm, telephoning 613-230- 5730 or by checking out all of The Glebe Centre facilities and community programs on our website www.glebecentre.ca

By: Pat Goyeche

Doors Open Ottawa was just the excuse that was needed to bring out the vintage vehicles, period costumes, Abbotsford’s archival material and a ribbon cutting ceremony for a special commemorative bench!

The special ribbon cutting ceremony was for a brand new hand forged 3 seat metal bench which was sponsored by a special Provincial Seniors Community Grant.

Minister of Seniors Affairs Dipika Damerla was unable to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony but sent her good wishes in the form of a letter that was read by Karen Anne Blakely (Director of Community Programs at Abbotsford).

One of the Minister’s kind sentiments regarding seniors was expressed with these words, “We want Ontario seniors to remain healthy and independent for as long as possible and to feel safe and supported.” This encapsulates what Abbotsford is all about.

Attorney General Yasir Naqvi, Mayor Jim Watson and City Councillor David Chernushenko were all in attendance for the ribbon cutting and expressed their support of this stylish bench as a tangible symbol of supporting seniors in the community.

We thank those seniors who brought forward their ideas on how such a bench could symbolize both The Glebe Centre’s Community Programs and Services at Abbotsford and celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday.

Randy Gill of 180 Forge Works, Artisan Blacksmithing, was hired to take the conceptual design ideas of a group of Abbotsford seniors and forge a lasting, artistic commemorative bench. This goal was reached with aplomb.

As the sun shone higher and warmer our guests were treated to vintage vehicles outside and historical artifacts inside. Volunteers worked diligently to display and explore the history of the house, welcoming no fewer than 136 guests in this, Abbotsford’s 145th year and Canada’s 150th!

Abbotsford is your community support centre for Adults 55+. We are the community programs of The Glebe Centre Inc., a charitable, not-for-profit, organization which includes a 254 bed long term care home. Find out more about our services by dropping by 950 Bank Street (the old stone house) Mon – Fri 9-4 pm, telephoning 613-230-5730 or by checking out all of The Glebe Centre facilities and community programs.

By: Pat Goyeche

There was an extraordinary buzz on Monk Street on Saturday June 10, 2017 during The Glebe Centre’s Canada 150th Birthday celebration in the form of a block party from Oakland to Holmswood Ave. The Glebe Centre, a not for profit and charitable long term care home and seniors community centre, partnered with Chartwell’s Lord Lansdowne Retirement Residence to host the special event for Glebe community residents who live on the roads intersecting Monk Street.

The street was decorated in Canadian flags and red and white balloons and the aroma of burgers and hot dogs filled the air. All were welcomed with free foods, drinks, and entertainment for all ages. A grand stage showcased folk, jazz and country musicians that performed to the seated crowd in the parking lot. A covered petting zoo allowed young and old to pat bunnies and chicks and even feed the goats. A bouncy castle entertained the young energetic ones. Face painting and balloon characters provided amusement for young and old alike.

We extend a heart-felt thanks to all the volunteers and staff at the Glebe Centre and Lord Lansdowne and the Community Foundation of Ottawa that helped make the day delightful for hundreds of people that make the Glebe community their home.

By Karen Anne Blakely (Glebe Centre’s Director of Community Programs at Abbotsford)