Activities came to a sudden stop all over the world in March 2020. COVID-19 is the one catastrophe that every person old enough to remember will never forget. It has affected each of us in different degrees and will remain part of us forever. We have been fortunate so far to be living in a little pocket of safety, but we must remain vigilant to stay safe. Bit by bit we are testing the waters, but we need only look around us to know that we need to be prepared to step back inside for a while more.
With this in mind the Rainy River Seniors Depot has slowly begun opening up for small groups with guidance from our Health unit. Prior to anything held in the depot, we first sanitize the tables, chairs, counters and door knobs. Participants must sanitize hands when they arrive, wear masks and practice social distancing whenever possible. It’s not always easy, especially when some are hard of hearing, but we work at it and remind each other when needed.
We began playing Smear in small groups in August and it has been so good to get together on Tuesday and Friday afternoons, trade tales and laugh again. So many of us live alone and we need to get together a couple times a week just to hear the voices and laugh with others. We have two craft workshops planned for November which have filled up and registration is now closed, but workshops will begin again in January with Paper tole. We are open on Wednesdays from 10 to 2 for anyone to drop in, get information, have coffee and conversation or work on your own project.
We are still waiting to hear from the Province about our grant proposal.
When we closed up in March, we had just decorated for a St. Patrick’s Day luncheon which had to be cancelled. The decorations came down in August. We have traditionally held a Christmas dinner for our members and we realized we would not be able to do it this year. We were disappointed for a short while, then decided to have a pick-up, take-out Christmas dinner available to those seniors who register and purchase their 2021 memberships by November 30. Dinner will be available to pick up at the Seniors Depot from 4 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 6 for registered members.
All are welcome to our Seniors Depot General meetings held on the last Tuesday of each month at 11 a.m. at the Seniors Activity Depot.
The Rainy River Fix It Club is also becoming more active as winter begins. It is wonderful to have a big warm space in Rainy River for our senior carpenters to work on their own projects as well as projects for our community. Anyone who has seen laughing children clambering over the beautiful wooden train in the park can appreciate the talent shown by our members. This year saw the complete restoration of a rotting rail jigger. Every piece of wood was meticulously re-made, the whole works put back together and painted bright yellow. Another old railroad piece has been brought to the shop to be restored this year and we are hoping to be able to set both up under protection from the elements next year. New members are always welcome and current members are reminded that membership may be renewed for 2021 at the Town office. Our club is in the North side of the Fire Hall on 6th Street. If you see a car in the parking lot, knock on the door and have a member show you around.
Members and guests are encouraged to attend General meetings of the Fix It Club held on the second Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. A vote will be held at the December meeting to set a day each week that we can get together to work on a project.
The Seniors of Rainy River are happy that we live in a safe community and wish all a healthy end to this horrific year. May 2021 be a year we can all truly appreciate.
