Nicholas L. M. Allen
May 31, 2023
Celebrating and recognizing the contributions seniors make to enhance the quality of life in Alberta.
A celebration of the contributions that seniors make in the community across Alberta comes to the Crowsnest Pass from June 5 to 9.
According to the Government of Alberta website, Seniors’ Week has been recognized since 1986. It was started to celebrate and recognize the contributions seniors make to enhance the quality of life in Alberta. Seniors’ Week was inspired by the vision of Alice Modin. More than 30 years ago, Modin began a campaign to start a seniors’ day in Strathcona County that helped pave the way for Seniors’ Week.
The Crowsnest Pass is just one of the many communities throughout Alberta to officially declare Seniors’ Week each year and hold local events showing their support.
Family Community Support Services (FCSS) Programmer Kim Lewis explained how all the different senior organizations in the Pass get together and try to do something at least one of the days during the week.
Lewis said the events are really well attended and help with social connections among the seniors, getting them engaged and visiting others in the community. The event keeps growing as the events are better attended each year.
“During COVID, we weren’t able to host it, but I’ve been here for 10 years, and it has really grown,” said Lewis.
She thinks it is important, particularly after winter, where a lot of seniors aren’t necessarily getting out as much.
“They can get out, they can visit and then see all their friends and meet new friends too,” added Lewis.
Lewis also mentioned she does a monthly newsletter for seniors, including all the activities happening around town.
“It can be found around town as well as on our website and on social media, on our Facebook page,” said Lewis.
The Seniors’ Week activities in the Pass run from June 5 to 9 from the Bellecrest Seniors Centre to the Coleman Seniors Centre and everywhere in-between.
The Week’s Activities
On June 5 there will be a Wildflower Walk with Uplift Adventures from 1 to 3 p.m. They will be meeting at the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre. Register with Kim at 403-563-2207.
June 6 will feature a Gentle Stretch in the Park with Heloise from 12 to 1 p.m. at Gazebo Park in Blairmore with no registration necessary.
Afterwards on June 6 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. there is going to be “BUNCO”, a social dice game, at the Coleman Seniors Drop-in Centre. Everyone is welcome and no experience is needed.
On June 7, Isabelle Sellon School is hosting a Senior’s Tea with coffee, tea, snacks and entertainment from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP with Amber at 403-562-8816.
At 2:30 p.m. on June 7 there is a WHIST Tournament at the Bellecrest Seniors Centre where there will be lunch, refreshments and prizes. Everyone is welcome and you can RSVP with Margaret at 403-564-4734.
The Elk’s Hall in Blairmore will be host to the FCSS Seniors Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 8. Contact Kim at 403-563-2207 to RSVP. From 2 to 4 p.m. at the Coleman Seniors Drop-in Centre, there will be a board game day. Everyone is welcome and no registration is required.
To end the week on June 9 is Dance Fitness in the Park at 11am in Gazebo Park. This will also be instructed by Heloise and everyone is welcome.
More information is available at crowsnestpass.com.