OSCC said goodbye to Karen Cotnam, Day Program Supervisor (Faith Place) on March 31. Pictured here with Executive Director, Sandy Black, Karen will be greatly missed by staff, volunteers and clients of the program. We all wish her well in her retirement!
Month: May 2017
Update on Food Guidelines
At OSCC, we are committed to safe and healthy food handling practices in our kitchens, special events, recreation programs and Adult Day Programs. You’ll notice that each of our dining rooms has a green “PASS” poster from the Region of Durham’s DineSafe program. In order to keep this designation, and our cafeterias open, we must be diligent in our policies and procedures around preparing and serving food.
The following are guidelines that relate to food brought in for all OSCC activities including recreation groups:
• All hot foods prepared and served to the public and participants, in OSCC kitchens and programs, must be purchased through a caterer, restaurant, or grocery store.• All baked goods are considered low risk and are permitted for exchanges and so-cials but are not permitted for sale
• Any appetizers that do not require heating or cooking are low risk and are permitted
We appreciate everyone’s assistance to ensure that food preparation and serving at OSCC abides by health regulations to keep our participants healthy and safe.
Questions? Contact Teresa Shearer at ext. 2906 or tshearer@oshawa.ca.
St. Patrick’s Pub Night
Jim Grieve
It was like New Years Eve for the Irish as the seniors got together to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a Pub Night at John Street Branch. The evening began with a traditional Irish meal of fish and chips. For St. Pat’s day I used to make Irish stew, but after one bite every-one turned green. So we stayed with fish and chips. Once the meal and dessert were digested the real party started.
D.J. Scott Barry got the music going and the dancers hit the floor for the next few hours. Line dancing seemed to be a favorite and everyone kicked up their heels to the music. Different attire ranged from an oversized St. Patty’s top hat, green cowboy hat, top hats, glitter shamrock head boppers, leprechaun mini hats, thigh-high white socks with IRISH printed on the backs, and fancy glasses with an orange moustache. This was one of the most colourful events of the season.
Everyone went home happy and ready for the next party night.
OSCC Art Classes (Part 2 of 3)
Marjorie Sorrell
The cover of the February OSCC Newsletter featured happy participants of the various art classes. Many of these classes are continuing during the Spring and Summer sessions or as one-day workshops. Now is your chance to join in and create tangible treasures. From beginner to serious hobbyist, the OSCC instructors can help you at every level. With a small investment in acrylic paints, you could do one-stroke masterpieces or impart texture with a pallet knife.
Oil paintings are classic. You can take your time to decide your next stroke, as the oil paint takes longer to dry than water-colour or acrylics. In some classes, you are given an outline of an image, no need to deal with drawing or design. Each person in the class then completes the image using the medium of choice, e.g. watercolour. In other classes, it is up to you to interpret the subject. Classes are a fun way to socialize with like-minded creative folks. If you feel you don’t need instruction, you can always bring your project to the Open Art Studio.
If you wish to enter the Senior Art Competition and Exhibition take your entry to the Robert McLaughlin Gallery on May 29th between 10:00 .am. and 3:00 p.m. The opening reception is Thursday, June 1st at 2:00 p.m., where prizes will be awarded. The Exhibition is open until June 18th.
Will your art be there?
Mardi Gras Pub Night
Carol Wilson
Where can one enjoy a wonderful dinner, great entertainment, non-stop dance music, fun and fellowship? At OSCC John Street Branch of course, at the popular Mardi Gras celebration.
On Feb.24th, the John Street Branch dining room was transformed into a New Orleans-style restaurant. We were treated to a tasty and colourful chicken dinner before taking part in the traditional “Parading of the King Cake”.
After dinner, we danced our way down to “Basin Street” (the Lower Assembly) where the fabulous Chameleon Jazz Band was already in full swing. Their authentic Dixieland-style music was accompanied by lots of humour and the dancing and fun continued until closing time. The colourful clothes, beads and masks of the revellers added to the fun and atmosphere of an amazing evening. You don’t have to travel to New Orleans to enjoy Mardi Gras – its spirit is alive and well right here at OSCC!
The Birthday Lunch
Grace Stevenson (Guest Writer)
One of the many happy experiences OSCC seniors enjoy is making new friends. Jean Clelland’s story is a prime example of this. When Jean was attending Donna Davidson’s exercise class at the John Street Branch many years ago, she and five other women started having coffee together after the class. One day when one of the women mentioned that her birthday was coming up, the others suggested they treat her to lunch that day. That was the beginning of “The Birthday Lunch”.
When it became more convenient to attend Toni Johnson’s class at the Northview Branch, the group grew to eight. Some of them no longer attend the exercise class, but all of the seven remaining are on hand to celebrate the birthday lunch wherever it’s held. The restaurant is chosen by the birthday girl. There, they catch up on each other’s news and enjoy long sessions of chatter and laughter.
Jean has no immediate family so she appreciates the warm relationship she has with this group of OSCC members. She now lives in The Court at Pringle Creek residence in Whitby. She doesn’t get to OSCC often, but she always finds a way to join her friends at the birthday lunches.
All but one of the women in this group have lost their husbands over the years, which makes their friendship even more important. Today’s group includes Eunice Vodden, Elizabeth Foster, Iona Douglas, Grace Templeton, Shirley Stewart, Mona Smith and Jean Clelland.
OSCC 55+ Newsletter 