March 2014

Your V VA Community Newsletter

Fantastic Turnout for February Events and Programs

Waterside has been a whirlwind of activity throughout February with the Waterside Winter Olympics, Heart and Stroke Fundraiser and the bowl-a-thon for Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Over the two weeks of Olympic activities, Waterside hosted 17 events with 61 participants in total. The participation and enthusiasm throughout the community was phenomenal! Congratulations to all our medalists and to all who participated. It would not have been such a success without all of you! This years Heart and Stroke fundraiser raised more money than ever with a total of $447. There was an outstanding number of carnations sold with a total of 298 carnations being delivered to Community Members and our Team. All proceeds from carnation sales went to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. For the first time ever, Waterside participated in the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Bowl-a-thon with carpet bowling in the V!VAfit Studio followed by Wii bowling. This years championship team was Jean Moxon, Ed Hearden, Lulu McConnell and Rolly Dehomme. Waterside raised a total of $60 to donate to programming for Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

Know Your Neighbour

A profile of Clair Merkley by Ed Hearnden
Growing up on the family farm in Williamsburg, Ontario in the 1920s, 50 cents was welcome pocket money for young Clair Merkley. That was the amount he earned holding a seat in the line-up for patients who came from long distances to be treated by Dr. Locke, who, in those days had a big reputation as the foot doctor. Clair remembers That job just meant sitting on a chair for an hour or so - a lot easier than working on the farm! Clair ended up putting his farming background to good use by enrolling in the Ontario Agriculture College in Guelph, earning a B.Sc. in dairy science. That education led to a job with an Ottawa dairy company that continued for 20 years. He then joined the federal governments Department of Trade, winning a position specializing in dairy science and animal husbandry. That job involved travelling to China, Japan and various European countries and escorting trade missions. I found travelling abroad in this job a lot more interesting than sitting in an Ottawa office shuffling papers, Clair says with a grin. Clair met his wife-to-be Gwendolyn in high school and they were happily married for 60 years. They lived for many years on Walkley Road in Ottawa. When we moved there we were surrounded by farmland what a change today! He has a son and a daughter and is one of the long-time Community Members of Waterside, making it his home since August, 2010.

March Brings Spirit Week and March Meltdown

Are there any peanut butter lovers out there? If so, you can kick off Spirit Week by enjoying peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in The Shores dining room on March 1st, which is National Peanut Butter Day. Were asking Community Members to show their V!VA Spirit starting on March 1st. Prizes will be awarded to those who participate in most activities. Community Members can get all dressed up for a night at the Oscars on March 2nd and walk the red carpet to the V!VA plex for an Academy Award nominated film. Finishing off the month of March (and hopefully the winter season) will be our March Meltdown Week with various activities. The more participants, the faster the snow will melt! See internal posters for details.

Celebrating Alfred Wrights 100th Birthday!

Community Members are invited to join Alf and his family on Wednesday, March 26th at 2:00pm in Paddles Pub to wish him all the best on his 100th birthday.

Making Today Great

Waterside Retirement Community
105 McNeely Ave. Carleton Place, Ontario www.thewaterside.ca613.253.2010
Copyright V!VA Retirement Communities Corporation, 14/03/01