November 2020 – Bay Seniors

November 27, 2020November 27, 2020

Bay Seniors Members share Christmas memories

Some of our members generously shared some charming Christmas memories on video for a one-hour Facebook Live show, kicking off Christmas in the Bay on Sunday, November 29 at 5 pm.

You can see the show live here on the Christmas in the Bay Facebook Page or watch it any time after it airs. Or you can watch just the Christmas memories portion from our members below.

There are lots more holiday activities for Bay residents of all ages to enjoy throughout December. Visit Discover St. Margaret’s Bay to learn more.

And read more members’ holiday stories in the December issue of the newsletter.

November 25, 2020November 27, 2020

Bay kids asked to make cards to add to Bay Seniors Christmas Gift Bags

The Bay Seniors Association is inviting local children and teens to assemble and personalize Christmas cards for local seniors. The cards will be included with the Christmas gift bags the association is putting together for around 75 local seniors.

Volunteer-created card kits, with a card, envelope and several decorative components, can be picked up from the Community Enterprise Centre (CEC) at 5229 St. Margaret’s Bay Road, weekdays between 9 am and 4 pm. Kids are encouraged to assemble and personalize the cards as they wish, adding a holiday greeting. Completed cards should be dropped off at the CEC by December 15.

Becky Weickert, president of Bay Seniors, says this is the second time the association has offered this program. “We did it near the start of Covid, and it was a lovely way for families to reach out to seniors. We’ve had many comments from seniors who received one, saying how much it meant to them to get a cheerful card with a caring message from a local child or teen. And the kids had fun opening the kits and using them as a starting point for their own creativity.”

The Christmas in the Bay organizers are also promoting the program, and Weickert says Bay Seniors is delighted to have that help to ensure more families participate. “We will definitely send out all the cards we receive. This is an especially important Christmas for us all to stay in touch and let our neighbours know we’re thinking of them,” she adds.

Michelle Maclean, the Bay Seniors board member who is coordinating the Christmas gift bags, says the association is grateful to the community members who have been donating items to fill the 75 Bay Seniors volunteer-made fabric tote bags being used for the gifts. “We’ve had a wonderful response, with people dropping off puzzle books, socks, pens, eyeglass cleaner, facial tissues, and lots of other goodies. But, says Maclean, “We have room for more.”

Maclean says gift bag items can be dropped off at the CEC until December 7.

November 17, 2020November 17, 2020

Saturday Sparkle: jewellery for sale by Bay Seniors on Facebook

Thanks to our wonderfully generous association and community members, we’ve already received lots of jewellery donations as a result of the stories in the November newsletter and this month’s Masthead News, and the bling keep coming! We are so grateful.

In fact, we have so much that our online jewellery sale, instead of taking place the last two weeks in November, will be held every Saturday for the foreseeable future on the Bay Seniors Facebook page. We’re excited about having more opportunities to connect with our members and to support the St. Margaret’s Bay Food Bank. Visit the Bay Seniors Facebook page every Saturday for our new feature, Saturday Sparkle.

Each Saturday, we’ll offer several pieces or sets of costume, fashion or fine jewellery for sale. Interested buyers may commit to a purchase through a Facebook message, picking up and paying for their jewellery by appointment at the Community Enterprise Centre at 5229 St. Margaret’s Bay Road, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays. Jewellery is available by sale, not auction, so the first person to commit at the posted price is the successful purchaser. Payment by cash or cheque only, please.

Saturday Sparkle starts Saturday, November 21, and continuing every Saturday as long as jewellery supplies and interest last. All proceeds from jewellery sales go to the St. Margaret’s Bay Food Bank.

Jewellery donations so far have included vintage pieces from the 1940s to the 1990s, recent costume jewellery in excellent condition, fashion jewellery from collectible Canadian designers like Bond-Boyd, Sherman and Bob Ford, and some fine jewellery in precious metals and gemstones.

Advance viewing by appointment for Bay Seniors members

On Sunday, November 22, between 1 and 3 p.m., Bay Seniors volunteers will have some of the jewellery to be featured in the Facebook Saturday Sparkle available for in-person viewing and purchase at the Community Enterprise Centre by advance appointment only.

If you wish to make an appointment of up to 30 minutes to view, please email centre@bayseniors.ca or call 902-820-3334 by Friday, November 20 at 4 p.m. This viewing and purchase opportunity is available to Bay Seniors members only. Face masks and physical distancing are required, and disposable gloves will be supplied for handling jewellery.

Due to the changing Covid-19 situation, and in keeping with public health advisories, the November 22 advance viewing is subject to change or cancellation. Those with appointments will be notified by telephone should plans change.

November 16, 2020November 17, 2020

Help make Christmas merrier with Bay Seniors tote bags

Can you help us fill around 75 Christmas gift bags for seniors in our area?

Bay Seniors fabric tote bags are being filled with items like puzzle books, pens, playing cards, socks, chapstick, hand sanitizer, a box of facial tissue, sugar-free candy, eyeglass cleaner and other useful items to offer some extra holiday cheer to local seniors who may be unable to spend Christmas this year with family or friends. Donations can be dropped off at the Community Enterprise Centre, 5229 St. Margaret’s Bay Road, Monday to Friday, 9 to 4. The requested deadline for donations is Monday, December 7.

We’re also looking for six volunteers to help pack the bags at the CEC on the afternoon of December 8 (with Covid protocols of physical distancing, masks and handwashing in place), and around 10 volunteers to deliver the bags on December 17. In case of bad weather, volunteers will be contacted for packing and delivery on alternative dates.

Bay Seniors fabric tote bags will also be available to purchase.

Bay Seniors will be at the St. Luke’s Annual Christmas Christmas Craft Fair on November 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Luke’s United Church, 5374 St. Margaret’s Bay Road, with our wonderful reusable fabric face masks and tote bags, all made by dedicated Bay Seniors sewing volunteers.

The bags, available in many lovely colours and prints, make wonderful gift bags or gifts, and are available for only $10 each and 3 for $25.

Masks continue to cost only $5 for an adult size and $3 for a child size, and are also available in lots of new colours and prints.