A full week of activities has been planned for Seniors Week by the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Katzie Seniors Network and the Ridge Meadows Seniors Society.
B.C. Seniors Week is a yearly celebration held in honour of the more than one million seniors across the province. This year it runs the week June 4-10.
“It is wonderful to see the community come together to celebrate our older adults,” exclaimed seniors network executive director Heather Treleaven.
“When an individual’s hair gets grey and they start to slow down, it can be easy to overlook the tremendous ways they have helped build and support our families, businesses, and communities over the years. BC Seniors Week is an opportunity to shine a light on seniors and thank them for their contributions,” she said.
A coupon book with specials for seniors and all residents will be offered by the Downtown Maple Ridge Business Improvement Association for June.
The books are available at Maple Ridge City Hall and Maple Ridge Public Library, Haney Farmer’s Market, from participating businesses, as well as online at: downtownmapleridge.ca.
The Intergenerational Garden will be celebrating its 10th Anniversary on Saturday, June 3.
Treleaven noted that the garden coordinator and several of the volunteers have been involved with the Intergenerational Garden since the beginning.
“Their dedication to teaching younger generations how to grow food is inspiring and something to be celebrated for sure,” said Treleaven.
Free tours of the garden will be taking place from 10-2 p.m. along with workshops, displays and refreshments. Treleaven added that people will also be able to meet the volunteers and take advantage of their gardening knowledge. No registration is required.
For more information email: seniorsnetworkmpk@gmail.com or call 604-786-7404.
Historical walking tours of the local cemetery and downtown Maple Ridge will be put on by the Maple Ridge Museum.
The tour of Maple Ridge Cemetery takes place from 2-3:15 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, at 21404 Dewdney Trunk Road. The cemetery is one of the oldest continuously operated cemeteries in the Lower Mainland. The tour will explore a variety of settler families with the oldest burials being at the southern end. Participants are being asked to meet at the gates at the end of 214 St., just off Dewdney Trunk Road.
The downtown walking tour will take place from 2-3:15 p.m. starting at 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge City Hall. The tour will give insight into the beginnings of the city.
Both tours are free but those interested must register at: http://mapleridgemuseum.org/historic-walking-tours/.
New this year, the Seniors Network will be hosting a Seniors Movie Matinee at the Hollywood 3 Cinemas, 19190 Lougheed Hwy., in Pitt Meadows on Monday, June 5.
Seniors will be able to choose from three films to see for only $5 and they will receive one free popcorn and drink. Both Cities are offering free admissions for seniors at various times. So far movies include: Mamma Mia starting at noon; Grumpy Old Men at 12:30 p.m., with one other movie being shown at 1 p.m.. The event is first come, first served. For more information go to seniors-network.ca.
The Ridge Meadows Seniors Society will be hosting Celebrating Seniors parties: from 10-11:30 a.m. at the activity centre in Maple Ridge, 12150 224 St., on Tuesday, June 6; and from 2-3:30 p.m. at the activity centre in Pitt Meadows, 19065 119B Ave., on Thursday, June 8.
To register for the Maple Ridge event call 604-467-4993. To register for the Pitt Meadows event call 604-457-4771
China Kitchen, 22805 Lougheed Hwy., will be hosting their famous free Buffet Lunch for seniors 65 and over from 11:30-2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 6.
This event, said Treleaven, will be circled on many seniors calendars. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and there will certainly be a line-up.
“Thank you to the owner Simon for hosting one of the most generous and longest standing Seniors Week events in the community,” Treleaven said.
On Wednesday, June 7, the Maple Ridge Library and seniors network are teaming up to host a free Seniors High Tea, featuring the Silvertones Choir, from 1-2:30 p.m. at 22470 Dewdney Trunk Rd..
Two authors from the Greystone Manor Writers Club will also be reading their original stories.
T’s Once Upon a Tea Leaf is sponsoring the tea and will have their collection of fascinators at 20 per cent off the week prior. Door prizes will also be handed out.
Treleaven noted they are expecting more than 100 guests at this festive afternoon and celebration. Register is required at CelebrateSeniorsTea.eventbrite.ca or call 604-786-7404.
With the help of Bean Around Books and Chances Casino, the seniors network is bringing back the Seniors Drive Thru Coffee event from 9-11 a.m. on Thursday, June 8. Seniors will be invited to drive through the auxiliary parking lot at the casino, 22710 Lougheed Hwy., and receive a free coffee, or tea, or iced coffee – and a treat. For more info email: seniorsnetworkmpk@gmail.com or call 604-786-7404.
On Friday, June 9, the Downtown Maple Ridge BIA will also be joining in the fun offering free tea, a treat from Hansel & Gretel Bakery, and a gift to seniors who visit Tea’s Once Upon a Tea Leaf, 11970 224 St., between noon and 3 p.m..
MP Marc Dalton’s office will be hosting an in-service day certifying documents and checking passport applications from 1-3 p.m. at 22369 Lougheed Hwy., Maple Ridge.
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Those who wish can bring in their birth certificate, drivers licence or BC CareCard and receive free certified copies so they can keep their originals safe. Staff will also be checking passport applications and will submit them on behalf of the individual. For more information call 604-466-2761 or email: marc.dalton@parl.gc.ca.
The week will be rounded out on Saturday, June 10, with the first ever of its kind in Canada Dementia Friendly Community Celebration hosted by and for people living with memory loss.
The event will take place from 10-2 p.m. in Memorial Peace Park, downtown Maple Ridge, along 224 Street between Dewdney Trunk Road and Lougheed Highway.
Treleaven said the event will be reminiscent of an old-fashioned picnic in the park – there will be entertainment, art making, lawn games, information and resources, and finally a photo booth sponsored by Chartwell Willow Manor. Activities will be offered by donation to the Purple Angels Support Group who are hosting the event with the support of the seniors network’s Dementia Friendly Community Task Group. There will also be a silent auction and 50/50 draw in support of the group as well.
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Guests of honour will be piped in at 10 a.m. followed by speeches and the free entertainment.
“Living with dementia can be very isolating not only for the person struggling with memory loss but for their caregiver(s) as well. This event is a fun way to build inclusion, combat the stigma associated with memory loss, and to remind us of the importance of having a good time and celebrating what we can do,” said Treleaven.
The CEED Centre will also be hosting its second annual Family Block Party on Saturday, June 10, from 10 – 2 p.m. at 11739 223 St., in Maple Ridge, at Beckett Park, with entertainment and activities for children, youth, and those who are children at heart. There will be: drum circles and storytelling; musical performances by Bruce Coghlan and Paula Justus; youth improv; children’s activities; a food truck; The Banana Bike; a seed bomb making table; and a healing tent.
For more information go to ceedcentre.com.
And at various times during the week there will be free Aquafit, Zumba, and weight room orientations for seniors at the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre, 11925 Haney Place.
For more information email: cawram@mapleridge.ca.
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