When Dave lost his sight in 2019 at the age of 77, it would have been easy for him to “give up”. After living an active and extremely independent life, he no longer had the luxury of doing so many things that most of us take for granted. However, Dave was not going to let the fact that he did not have that independence deter him from continuing to live a high quality of life.
Dave fell in love with woodworking at the age of 4. He told me that he was enamoured with sawdust. He remembers his older brother holding a piece of wood for him so that he could saw it. From that point on, he was hooked. His uncle also played a big part in his woodworking journey. Dave said that his uncle could take a piece of birch and turn it into something beautiful. He taught him how to make things square. He was asked in school to build different things. One year his teacher asked him to build the manger for the Christmas Pageant.
As a teenager and young adult, Dave was always looking for new ways to improve their way of life. One winter he decided to build a plow that he could pull behind him to clear the walkways around his house. When their house got power in 1958, he helped his dad cut a hole in the ceiling for the wiring and build a closet to surround the power box. He helped his brother build new wooden decks for the threshing machine and he was also an important part of fencing when the time came. If there was something that Dave needed, instead of purchasing it, he would build it. When he realized that a bench saw would help make his woodworking easier, he ordered the blade from Eaton’s catalogue and built his own.
Dave and his wife married in 1969 and purchased an old house for $250! It cost another $250 to move it to where he needed. From there, he and his wife fixed up the ‘old house’ and turned it into their family home. They spent 49 wonderful years living there. This house is still standing today, and his great niece now resides there. With the help of his son and wife, Dave spent 3 years building a turned log cabin at their lake!
2019 was a year that Dave could have done without. After a long battle with her health, his wife passed away early in the year and then in April he suddenly lost his sight. He said the hardest part about losing his sight was having to give up his independent life. This included his truck, boat, and his beloved cat. Knowing they needed some extra support, Dave and his daughter decided moving to Dr. Hemstock Residence would be the next step. Only a few weeks after losing his sight, he became a resident here.
Dave’s determination to regain some of his independence is remarkable. He had to learn to live again. Little tricks had to be learned like tying a rope between his bedroom and bathroom so that he could find his way or setting up his phone so that he could use his voice to call those he loved. With the help of some amazing friends at Dr. Hemstock, he was able to learn how to get down to the dining room without the support of a care aid. He slowly but surely regained back some of the freedom that he once had.
For Dave, that was not enough. He needed to find something that gave his purpose back. It started small. He decided he would edge the side of his table. He phoned Windsor Plywood in Lloydminster and got them to cut the pieces he needed. He figured out that from memory, even in the dark, he could still use a hammer and nail. Dave then decided that if he had the right tools, he could create bird houses. He had the idea to stack the wood. He had a friend cut a piece of wood for him that he used as a guide. He has a small ‘shop’ set up in his room and from memory, he has been able to create small bird houses! He has plans to one day sell them and donate funds to CNIB. Dave says he feels as if he has purpose again and he is sure inspiring the rest of us!
Visit Dr. James Hemstock & Hearthstone Place
Sending a birthday card to the senior who raised more than $160,000 for medical research will boost his spirits after many months in isolation and help mark the April 14 milestone.
After months in isolation at his Newmarket retirement home, George Markow would welcome your best wishes for a very big birthday coming up on April 14.
The heroic Newmarket senior who raised more than $160,000 for medical research in 2020 could now use a little something in return.
With just weeks to go until George Markow’s milestone 100th birthday on April 14, Markow’s daughter Sylvia Perkins is appealing to the community to send him birthday cards.
“As we will not be able to have a major celebration at that time, I do have a favour to ask. If anyone is willing, could you please send a birthday card to honour him on his special day? It would mean the world to him,” wrote Perkins on Markow’s GoFundMe page. “He is very humble, and does not feel worthy, but I do know that it would thrill him to no end.”
The 99-year-old Second World War veteran made national headlines when he embarked on a 100-kilometre fundraising walk around his Newmarket retirement home last April. Hoping to raise $100,000 for Southlake Regional Hospital Foundation’s COVID-19 Action Fund and the Sunnybrook Research Institute before his 100th birthday, Markow shattered all goals when he first surpassed the 100- km mark in September, and the $100,000 fundraising goal through direct and GoFundMe donations in December.
Walking to this day, Markow has gone on to complete an incredible 150 km.
Being isolated at the Roxborough Retirement Residence to ensure the safety of himself and other residents has been hard for Markow, wrote Perkins. He “eagerly waits for his daily mail in hopes of another card arriving,” while opening cards are the “the highlight of his day.”
“With only one month until his 100th birthday this April 14, he is concerned about being alone. He actually asked me to bring him a bottle of champagne so that he can pop it and have a celebratory drink in his room, alone. Hearing him say those words instantly brought tears to my eyes,” wrote Perkins.
Receiving cards from a Grade 3 class thanking him for his service in the war was enough to bring tears of happiness to Markow’s eyes, said Perkins. She’s hopeful that birthday cards will provide the same mood-boosting effect.
“Both of us are so thankful and appreciative for your kind and thoughtful gestures…they mean more than you could ever know!”
Please mail birthday cards to:
George Markow
1 Roxborough Rd., Suite 324
Newmarket, Ontario
L3Y 2P8
Read the full article by Julia Galt.
When complete strangers reach out to warm a heart and brighten a day it means so much. This is exactly what happened when a group of young adults from a local church reached out randomly to the seniors at Thornebridge Gardens Retirement Community in New Westminster B.C.
The 100 handwritten cards and beautiful flower bouquets sent by the young group was even more special due to the fact that they chose to send the message of love.
Thanks again to the young adults and children who participated in this thoughtful gesture.
Original article in the New Westminster Record.
Donations may be dropped of Friday, March 26, 10AM – 4PM at the Richmond Hill Retirement Bus at: Longo’s Grocery Store – 10860 Yonge Street Richmond Hill
For more information please contact Samra: mkg.asst.richmondhill@verveseniorliving.com
In this lively 1-hour presentation, Lianne Harris turns the pages of these classic fairytales and Mother Goose Rhymes and illustrates how our behaviour, attitudes, and values have been shaped individually and as a society by these seemingly innocent bedtime stories.
Call 403-285-5080 to RSVP!
We are pleased to offer an exclusive opportunity to pamper yourself! Credit River Retirement will be offering a virtual interactive skins are tutorial hosted by Professional Skin Care Consultant Audrey Noronha-Teixeira.
Call 905-812-9191 to RSVP!
