Schreiber Senior Centre Updates their Many Activities for 2023

The Schreiber Senior Centre continues to be a success with the older residents of Schreiber. Programme co-ordinator, Cathy Carlino, contacted the Schreiber Media centre and asked if they could  attend one of their coffee sessions and record their first annual update on the programmes that are being implemented for the 2023 season.

Never one to dismiss a free cup of coffee, Kim Krause set out with David Costa to visit the centre and get the low-down on what the centre had planned for this year. As Carlino and Board member, Terry, explain in a conversation between the two of them, there is a lot on the agenda for the year. In fact their day had started early with a session of chair yoga in the auditorium of the the municipal complex. They then rushed into the senior centre office to put on the coffee and lay out some snacks for the attendees. Early afternoon, there was to be a Swedish weaving class. 

Cathy stressed the importance of the centre for the seniors and said that their membership has steadily increased. There are currently over 300 members and the membership fee is only $10 annually. Members can come at any time just to hang out or even watch activities if they don't want to participate. A coffee hour has recently been started to entice more male participants but of course, is for women too.

One of the programmes is the sewing classes that is well attended with machines and a table available in the centre’s office. Card games of course play a big role in the activities and regularly draws 20+ people. Virtual bingo had been a very popular programme in the past and originated during the COVID outbreak as a way to keep seniors in contact with the centre. A 'live' bingo game is planned for later in the year and may coincide with the July 1st celebrations or during Heritage Days this summer. A painting class with local artist Tracy Barry has already been fully booked with over 40 participants expected to attend.

Another highlight of the summer is the Senior Centre outdoor barbecues that occur every Thursday. Volunteers are vital to the success of the event and the money raised goes back into the Senior Centre to help pay for some of the other activities that don’t receive funding or grants.

The senior centre collaborates with other community organizations and one of their outings last year was the snow shoe hike along the Casque Isles Trail with Matt Borutski, who has some outdoor programs coming up. Excercise programmes are also well attended but during the winter, attendance naturally drops off as people opt to stay indoors during the cold northern weather. Their walking program moves indoors when the winter weather becomes too severe.

This year, the municipality had reopened the back door to the municipal complex and this allows for easier access into the building. Finally Cathy reminded people to drop in and remember to renew their memberships for this year.