A few weeks ago, Gordon Food Service hosted a Feast Your Eyes Contest, where chefs from all their customer sites competed to showcase their best plate presentation.
We are thrilled to announce that Team Palermo Village Retirement Residence (Oakville), lead by Tina Marcon, has won first place in the Retirement Homes category with first cook Elly Castillo’s entry.
Congratulations to our other Verve Culinary Teams who received honourable mentions:
Evergreen Retirement Residence
Chef Steve Horvatek
Tiramisu with fresh raspberry, blueberry garnish, coulis graffiti sugar work, and mint sprig.
White Cliffe Terrace Retirement Residence
1st Cook Savi Persaud
Chicken with Béarnaise Sauce and vegetables.
Chef Todd Westlake
Veal Marsala with Sweet Potato Gaufrettes
Hazelton Place Retirement Residence
Chef Lorenz Medrano
Grilled New Zealand Rack of lamb w/ orange gremolata, juniper Demi glacé, Steamed heirloom carrots & asparagus, roasted herbed fingerling potato
Granville Gardens Retirement Residence
Chef Michael Tablit
Pecan Streusel w/ caramelized pecan butter, whipped cream florets & microgreens
Palermo Village Retirement Residence
Cooks Nel Angosta & Angela Bingayen
Pan-Seared Salmon with Potato Pave and Grilled Brussels Sprouts and Roasted Heirloom Carrots and a Grilled Langoustine Shrimp, Drizzled with Grainy Mustard Vinaigrette
Deconstructed Strawberry Cheesecake with a Lace Tuile and Edible Flowers. Centerpiece: created using carrots, strawberries, oranges, cucumbers, and radishes.
Retirement living is active, inspiring, and fulfilling. We know because our dedicated teams have made it a reality every day for the past 43 years. Our vast experience has been a vital part of keeping our residents safe during these unusual times.
See some of the things our residents and teams have been up to during covid-19:
Suites are now available and virtual tours are now being booked!
A message from our CEO and President regarding Covid-19
2020 was a long year full of challenges and dark days. I am pleased to say that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Soon we will reach a stable new “normal” with the reintroduction of social interactions and a welcomed sense of relief.
Seventy percent of Verve residents nation-wide have had the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, as have a high percentage of our front-line team members. We are working closely with the provincial health authorities to ensure our remaining residents receive vaccines in the coming weeks.
We appreciate our caring, resourceful, and resilient team members for all their hard work, tireless service, and support of our residents. Our residents and family members are an amazing group of patient and understanding people who have shown great flexibility and resiliency in these unusual and unprecedented times.
For almost a year now, we as a community (residents, families, team members, and management), have been pulling together to ensure that the health and well-being of our residents is forefront in everything we undertake.
Thank you all. We are almost there; we can see the light and the not-so-distant end of the tunnel.
David Bird
President and Chief Executive Officer
Diversicare Canada
Making the transition from your own home or condo to retirement living is an important decision that comes with a lot of considerations. Making an informed decision is an extremely vital part of the process. We thought we would lay out some of the myths that we often hear about retirement living so that you can make the best decision for you.
Here are 7 myths about retirement living that are just not true
1. Retirement Living is like a nursing home
The truth is that they differ significantly. Our residence is a big community that provides many services to seniors who may require help with daily tasks but do not yet require the services of a nursing home. Meals are provided, housekeeping and laundry services are available, as well, there is 24/7 staff here to help with medication management or other personal services. Finally, we have couples that require different levels of care. When you stay with us, you are not separated because of your differences. Families are able to stay together longer in one suite despite needing different care.
2. There is nothing to do and I will be bored
3. Actually, quite the opposite! Our Life Enrichment Team works hard to ensure your days are never boring. It is important for us to get to know what your interests are so that we can provide programming that will keep you active and engaged. And trust us, there is a lot more than bingo! Whether you enjoy exercise classes, cards, crafting, word games, horse racing, bible study, or so much more, there is sure to be a program that fits you and your leisure activities. There are ice cream socials, outside entertainment, hot dog roasts, and much more. You might be so busy that your family will wonder why they can never reach you on the phone! Community engagement is also important to us as we know it is to you. You will have the opportunity to go on outings such as country drives, visits to local attractions, shopping trips, and attend local entertainment.. **
3. The food does not taste good
How does roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and glazed carrots sound to you? Or grilled salmon with dill sauce, steamed rice, and green beans? Finish off your meal with a chocolate brownie. You can even enjoy a glass of wine or a beer with your meal. Our chefs are both expertly trained and have years of experience in delivering fine cuisine. We also cater to dietary needs such as diabetic, gluten free, low sodium, any allergies, as well as any medical restrictions you may have. We take pride in your dining experience and anticipate it to go beyond expectations. The best part, you do not have to worry about cooking anymore. Leave that part to us. We will even do the dishes and clean up!
4. I will lose my independence
Our residence is designed so that you can keep your independence while enjoying the safety and security of assisted living. In fact, we encourage you to stay independent as long as you can. You are welcome to come and go from our building as you please. This allows you to maintain your independent lifestyle if you chose! Each resident has their own set of keys and there is no curfew… unless your kids decide to give you one
5. I do not want to just be a number
Every person who moves in is important to us. We want you to feel like family, because to us, you are! We take the time to get to know your name and who you are. We want you to play a
part in our family and contribute your special gifts and talents. We want you to feel loved and appreciated in your new home.
6. I will lose my privacy
When you move in, you have your own private suite. We want you to feel at home, so we welcome you to decorate and arrange your own furnishings and décor the way that you prefer. Your door has a lock, and each room has their own set of keys.
7. The rooms are small and dark
We wouldn’t want to live in a small and dark room, so we do not expect you to either. We offer studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom suites with the smallest being 370 sq feet and the largest over 1800 sq ft! With that many options, there is definitely a suite size that will fit your needs. We know the benefits of the sun so every room has large windows where you can let the sun in. There is nothing small or dark about any of the rooms at our home.
** Please not that due to COVID-19 and Government restrictions, some of our life enrichment activities look different. Unfortunately we are unable to provide any resident outings at this time. However, despite it looking different, our residents are still active and engaged.
Henry Braun, after whom a Regina elementary school was named in 1986, was honoured during a socially distanced 90th birthday party.
My favourite principal has long been a combination of brains and Braun.
Henry Braun — in whose honour a Regina public elementary school was named in 1986 — was a principal and vice-principal when I attended Massey School, where I began my first year of kindergarten in 1969.
Even as a sapling of five years old, I realized that Mr. Braun was a kind and intelligent man. He wasn’t solely an authority figure, but a gracious gentleman who was a friend to all — students, staff, parents and custodians.
Nothing has changed. He remains a beloved figure in an elementary-school setting, as evidenced by the events of last week.
Mr. Braun turned 90 on Thursday. Everyone at Henry Braun School saw fit to commemorate the milestone, and to celebrate this great man, by holding a birthday party.
Ideally, the ceremonies would have taken place at the school — his school. COVID-19 rendered that impossible.
Even so, principal Rhonda Haus followed through with plans to mark No. 90 in grand style. Tara Lazurko, who teaches Grades 5 and 6, offered the suggestion of conducting the birthday bash via Zoom. Sold!
The next step was to ensure that technology was in place to allow everyone to interact with Mr. Braun — to this day, I cannot refer to him as “Henry” or “Braun” — by linking the school and his residence at Wintergreene Estates.Jolene Caswell took charge of the logistics at the south Regina retirement residence. Meanwhile, preparations continued at the school. Cards were being written. Drawings were being done. Balloons were being inflated.
Then came Thursday at 11 a.m. There was Mr. Braun, his dignified image beamed into all 17 classrooms — incorporating a total of 410 students — and my cluttered home office.
Each class wished him a happy birthday. A few students and teachers spoke individually, gratefully.
“All of our Grade 8s have cherished your stories over nine years,” one graduating student said, “and all of us are sad that we won’t be able to hear your stories next year because of COVID-19 and because we’ll be going into high school.”
Mr. Braun has remained a principal figure at the school — someone with whom most students are familiar. He has been a regular attendee at events such as assemblies as long as the school has carried his good name.
“He’s just an awesome man,” Haus says. “We all appreciate his genuine kindness, his caring attitude, and the way he connects with people.”
“He’s a pretty special guy.”
Hence the special occasion, which included the delivery of a large shopping bag full of birthday cards — more than 300 in total — to Wintergreene.
“I know he will read them all and cherish them all,” Haus says. “In many classes, every single student drew him a picture or made him a card.” Over the years, the school also embraced Mr. Braun’s wife, Helen. The couple, who met in high school, was married Aug. 26, 1952 in Hepburn. She died on April 21, at age 88.
During functions at Henry Braun School, “big, comfy chairs”— in the words of Lazurko — were set up in the gym whenever the first couple would pay a visit.
On Thursday, the visit took place despite a separation of 14 kilometres. After all the congratulatory messages had been delivered, the last word, appropriately, belonged to Mr. Braun.
“The best thing that you can do, and you’ve done that for me today, is appreciate others,” he said. “You have shown your care for us.
“I want to say that Mrs. Braun, before she passed on, enjoyed coming to the school so much. She liked to see the students coming into the classroom and into the gym and waving at her. Now she is seeing you and seeing your classroom from a different dimension. She is very appreciative of everything you have done for her and for me.”
True to form, every word — every syllable — was perfectly chosen and articulated.
Such was the norm at Massey School a half-century ago. As a result, his socially distanced birthday party was an experience that all of his students — ranging in age from five to, in this case, 56 — could treasure.
On a day when Mr. Braun received so many well-deserved accolades and gifts, his birthday presence was a blessing to all of us.
Read the full article by Rob Vanstone.
Over $2,000 was raised in this year’s Christmas Raffle fundraiser.
Richmond’s Gilmore Gardens raised $2,050 in their annual Christmas fundraiser this past Friday.
The independent senior living community will be donating all the funds from the raffle equally to both the Richmond Food Bank and the Richmond Christmas Fund.
Resident volunteers donated their time to help sell tickets leading up to the raffle draw.
“The generosity of all the residents of Gilmore Gardens, their families and friends was outstanding and was so important especially this year as the need is so great,” said Valerie McIntyre, spokesperson for Gilmore Gardens Retirement Residence.
McIntyre added that they received many donated gift baskets, certificates, flowers and other items from local community vendors.
Since it opened in 1999, Gilmore Gardens has aimed to help seniors find purpose and vibrancy in the community while also striving to advocate for seniors to get involved with local organizations.
Learn more about Gilmore Gardens Retirement Residence.
Winter squash, which includes squash, pumpkin and gourds are all part of the cucurbits family and are likely native of the Americas. Typically, a pumpkin is carved, a squash is cooked, and a gourd is to look at.
Pumpkin and squash are important sources of income for many growers in Canada, mostly due to their decorative value since Halloween is second only to Christmas in decorative spending.
Squash is an essential part of our fall and winter feasts and suited to both sweet and savoury recipes. From pie to soup, mash to bake, there are as many uses for winter squash as there are varieties.
History:
Being a plant native to the Americas, early European explorers easily confused squash with melons and gourds which they were familiar with back home. All three are similar in appearance and usage.
Even today squash is primarily a New World vegetable, eaten here in sweet and savoury dishes but virtually unheard of in European cuisine.
Health Benefits:
Squash is an excellent source of beta carotene and potassium, and a source of Vitamin C and folacin.
Harvesting:
Pumpkins and winter squash are not harvested until they are fully ripe, and the skins are hard. They are either pulled or cut from the vine with a portion of the stem attached to the fruit; removal of the stem leaves a wound through which decay organisms may enter. When gathering squash or pumpkins for storage, they must be handled carefully to avoid bruising, as damaged fruit soon rots.
After harvesting, curing is required so they will keep longer and in better condition in storage. Curing hardens the shell, heals superficial wounds, reduces the high water-content of the squash, and improves the eating quality. They can be cured either by leaving in small piles in the field for 10 to 14 days when the weather is warm and dry, or by keeping them inside at room temperature for a month. A more reliable method is to use artificial heat at a temperature of 26°C-29°C. (80°-85°F) with a relative humidity of about 80%.
Fun Facts:
- The stem or handle of the pumpkin is called the “Peduncle“
- All pumpkins and squash produce both male and female flowers separately on the same plant (monoecious sex expression). First, the male flowers form (about 10 for every female flower) and bloom, allowing pollen to be available as soon as the first female blossom appears.
- Female blossoms are short-lived and open first thing in the morning and close a few hours later never to re-open again. If these blossoms are not pollinated, they abort and fall off the plant. Generally, the female blossom is open from about 10:00 a.m. to about 3:00 p.m.
- The likelihood of a flower being pollinated depends upon the number of bees present and the number of visits to that flower. If the weather is poor (cold or wet) then there is almost no chance that flowers will be satisfactorily pollinated.
Recipes:
This month our Verve properties throughout Canada will feature the following squash recipes: