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Tips from TAPS: Creston seniors program cleaning and decluttering in preparation for big move

Over 200 teacups found in cupboards, some will be sold during November's afternoon tea and Krafty Kronys craft sale...
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Maureen Cameron is the community liaison development co-ordinator for the Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors.

“I used to sing solo — so low no one could hear me!” quipped a gentleman behind me at the Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors weekly band/choir session this past week. There were two of them in the back row that started delivering one-liners so fast I couldn’t keep up with them. Meanwhile, Joanna Wilson, our volunteer pianist was skillfully playing song after song while Thelma on guitar, Jean on a miniature washboard, and Mariah and Kristy on ukuleles played as we all sang. At the end, Thelma and Lavonne played together on the piano, laughing as they admitted their challenges as a new duet. Great smells were coming from the kitchen under the direction of Hans, with TAPS volunteers and Cresteramics day program helpers getting lunch ready. There was a cribbage game going, and folks meeting and chatting as they arrived singly or via the bus. The TAPS newsletter was available for everyone to read or take home, highlighting activities and news, including reporting that the renovations at Rotacrest Hall are well underway with an anticipated move in January.

In preparation for the move, the staff have been doing a deep cleaning and decluttering of accumulated “stuff’. Imagine their surprise when they discovered almost 200 cups in their cupboards! The Krafty Kronys had an idea in the past for people to bring a cup and saucer to a tea in lieu of a donation, so now a big sorting is going on. Thanks to Jason Smith for helping co-ordinator Bridget Currie go through the cups, and while TAPS is keeping enough for those great tea parties, many cups and saucers will be upcycled into clever crafts and be for sale, as well as the more valuable ones to be in a silent auction during the afternoon tea, tea cup and Krafty Kronys craft sale in November at TAPS. There was a recent pie assembly day at the TAPS kitchen with over 75 pies made to add to their inventory for the sale.

We are grateful to Harvest Share, the Know and Grow Community Farm greenhouse and Gleaners for food that we use and distribute to our seniors as well as individuals who share their garden bounty.

Bridget and Hans are planning a series of events in October and November around the theme of social history and we’ll have more specifics to report in the October issue of this column. The idea is to have this time to focus on the cultural history of the valley, with speakers presenting their topics, as well as an opportunity for some seniors to tell their stories about how they came to live here and their memories.

One of our unsung heroes is our volunteer bus mechanic who keeps those TAPS buses running. Thank you, Jim Daniels, for your willingness, diligence and Mr. Fix It abilities.

How many meals do you think were prepared and shared with our seniors last year? Well, Bridget reports that there were 1,655 meals through our kitchen thanks to staff and volunteers.

If you’ve read this month's The Voice of Experience by Marleyne Krell, you’ll know that the Krafty Kronys are looking for a space to work in and store their supplies. We’re putting another plug in for them here as their work as been invaluable for TAPS, and if anyone has any ideas about a possible location, please call TAPS at 250-428-5585.

Maureen Cameron is the community liaison development co-ordinator for the Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors.