August 20, 2021

Thank you to everyone who completed our survey - your input helps us plan events and understand your feelings about Covid and how you see in-person participation going forwards. We currently have two outdoor events and a dinner scheduled, please see the Events section below for dates, locations and times. In keeping with health regulations we are asking everyone to sign a Covid waiver to attend these events. As we've stated many times before, our goal is to keep everyone as safe as possible, so we are taking these first "getting back together again" steps very carefully. We hope you'll join us! More Covid news! Why the Delta Variant puts even the vaccinated at greater risk, from the CBC. Recently at an Ontario "Big City" Mayor's meeting, several mayors asked the Ontario government to implement vaccine passports. Here's the article outlining the request. How has Covid changed the world? This is an interesting article about what the long-term impact of Covid might be on everyone.  Masks: If you recently placed an order for masks with Stephanie, please note they are expected around August 24th. She'll let you know as soon as they arrive and are ready for pickup. Emails: As we prepare to launch our new website we are transitioning to new emails to make it easier for you to sign up for events, make inquiries, or for membership questions. When you are registering for an event, please use events@widowedfriends.ca. If you have a general question, please use info@widowedfriends.ca. Of course we will still monitor our old gmail account but these new emails should make it easier for you to direct your emails so that we can quickly respond to your needs. Thank you for your co-operation!

In other news..... We hear a lot about getting back out into the world following Covid, but what about those who are used to being home and not feeling like re-engaging? Here's an article about how to overcome apathy and re-engage with others in positive ways if you're feeling like hibernating indefinitely! Would you like to get closer to nature and enjoy summer's beauty. The Oakville Green Association is offering free Green Connections for adults 55+. Join the group for everything from Forest Bathing to Tree Planting! Are you a star gazer? If so, you might want to plan your next trip to a new "dark" sky park created by both the US and Canada. Check out the details here.

Cabi Fashion Savings!!

Last spring Marlene Marco from Cabi Fashions provided a look at some of her Spring and Summer Fashions at a Zoom fashion show. If you loved the clothes she presented in the spring, here's an opportunity to visit her seasonal clearance site where discounts range from 50 to 75%. Feel free to order directly for direct-to-you shipping! If you have questions - please connect with her at marlene.a.marco@gmail.com or 416 802 0906 and let her know you are from Widowed Friends.

Recipe of the Week!

Yum & Yummer's Chicken and Mango Salad - the video!! Here's a simple, easy to prepare salad from the Yum & Yummer cookbooks! Click on the link above or the picture to view the video on assembling this easy salad. Enjoy!!

Events!!

NEW! Intro to Wellness & Self Care Ana Nunes Freitas, Wellness Care Manager & Educator, Acclaim Health will be presenting a special topic on Wellness and Self Care on Tuesday, August 24th at 2pm.. The presentation will include Q&A. Ana strongly believes in the prioritization of self care and access to wellness services in the community. If you normally attend Tuesdays at 2pm you will automatically receive an invitation. If you would like to come but don't normally come to Tuesdays, please let Penny know at events@widowedfriends.ca that you'd like an invitation.

Life After Loss Dr. Flavia Ceschin returns for another session focusing on life after loss, loneliness and Covid Friday August 27th at 1pm. Pls note there is a minimum attendance of 6 people for this workshop. This session is $10 and all proceeds go to Heartache to Hope. Pls email us at widowedfriendsltd@gmail.com if you would like to attend. This session has limited attendance. Please email us at events@widowedfriends.ca if you would like to attend.

NEW!! Join Lianne for The Roaring Twenties, Sept 10th at 3:30pm  The Roaring Twenties was a period of dramatic social and political change It was a time of the Jitter-Bug and Juke Boxes, the Bee’s Knees and the Cat’s Pajamas. Its era had no precedent and its place in history marks it as the most revolutionary decade of the 20th Century. Shaking off the horrors of the recent world war, and reaping the windfall of economic growth, this time was fueled by the rise of women’s power, prohibition, movies and jazz. It was an era bigger than life, louder than convention – it was the Roaring 20’s! Join Lianne Harris for a fun and entertaining review of this amazing decade. If you've attended one of Lianne's presentations before you will be on Penny's list. If you haven't and would like to attend, please email us at events@widowedfriends.ca

August Events!

Sunday August 22nd 1:00pm Travel Day in Canada - Where's your favourite vacation spot in Canada or where would you like to go? Tuesday August 24th - 2:00pm Ana from Acclaim Health joins us for a discussion on Wellness. See the description above

Outdoor Club!! Tuesday August 24th! Our first get together at Bronte Creek Park! Parking Lot F from 5:30 pm - 7pm. Entrance to Bronte Creek Park is free! Bring a chair and tea or coffee or cold drink!  Social Distancing Rules will apply, masks are encouraged, but optional. Maximum of 20 people, please RSVP as soon as possible to events@widowedfriends.ca as we won't be exceeding this number.   Widowed Friends Ltd requires all members who wish to attend in-person events be fully vaccinated (two doses of Canadian approved vaccines).  Those who are not vaccinated or still in the vaccination process are welcome to join us at any virtual event. Please let us know if you are attending and email us at events@widowedfriends.ca  A covid waiver will then be emailed to you. This form must be completed and returned to us no later than August 23rd to attend this event.

Wednesday August 25th - 6:00 pm Bring a glass of wine or cup of tea for a social and Name That Tune Quiz! Thursday Aug 26th-2:00pm Chat about Loss & Grief -Join us for a discussion of the grief journey and steps we can take to support one another. Thursday Aug 26th 4:30 pm - Bingo! Join us for an hour of virtual bingo. Let us know if you would like us to email or mail bingo sheets to you. Sunday August 29th - 1:00pm Travel Day to Iceland!!

Outdoor Club - Get Together - Monday August 30th 11am! As long as the weather is co-operating, lets meet up at the park near Stephanie's house!  Location: Orchard Park, Blue Spruce Ave, Burlington (Upper Middle & Burloak Dr) Entrance to the parking is lot across from 5910 Blue Spruce Ave. Bring a lawn chair. Physical distancing rules will apply - Masks are encouraged but not mandatory. Max 20 people! Widowed Friends Ltd requires all members who attend in-person events be fully vaccinated (two doses of Canadian approved vaccines).  Those who are not vaccinated or still in the vaccination process are welcome to join us at any virtual event. Please let us know if you are attending and email us at events@widowedfriends.ca  A covid waiver will then be emailed to you. This form must be completed and returned to us no later than August 29th to attend this event. Tuesday August 31st - 2:00pm - Let's get together and share some fun! Please let Penny know at events@widowedfriends.ca if you'd like to be added to the attendee list for any of these Zooms or if you have any questions! Penny sends out the link the day of the zoom, if you don't have it before noon, please contact her and she'll send the link to you.

September

Wednesday September 1. 6:00 pm Bring a glass of wine or cup of tea for a social and Name That Tune Quiz! Thursday September 2 2:00pm Chat about Loss & Grief -Join us for a discussion of the grief journey and steps we can take to support one another. Thursday September 2 4:30 pm - Bingo! Join us for an hour of virtual bingo. Let us know if you would like us to email or mail bingo sheets to you. Sunday September 5 - 1:00pm Travel Day

Labour Day on the Patio! Monday Sept 6th at 5:00pm! Would you like to meet Penny, Stephanie and Lesley in person instead of always on Zoom? We'll be on the patio at Milestones in Oakville (Wyecroft off Burloak) on Labour Day, Monday September 6th at 5:00 pm for a meet, mingle and dinner! We'll be booking tables in advance so please RSVP asap and we'll forward a Covid Waiver form to you for your review. Note: The restaurant has limited us to a reservation for 12 people only. Please let us know asap if you would like to attend at events@widowedfriends.ca! A covid waiver will then be emailed to you. This form must be completed and returned to us no later than September 5th to attend this event Here's a sneak peak at the menu! Tuesday September 7 -2:00pm Let's get together and share some fun! Wednesday Sept 8 - 1:00pm Book Club - This month we're discussing All The Devils Are Here by Louise Penny. If you'd like to attend or would like more info please email us at events@widowedfriends.ca Wed September 8 -6:00 pm Bring a glass of wine or cup of tea for a social and game of Name That Tune! Thurs September 9 -2:00pm Chat about Loss & Grief -Join us for a discussion of the grief journey and steps we can take to support one another. Thursday September 9 4:30 pm - Bingo! Join us for an hour of virtual bingo. Let us know if you would like us to email or mail bingo sheets to you.  Friday Sept 10th - Lianne returns with the Roaring Twenties! See the description above!

BINGO!! Join us August 26th at 4:30pm for our next game! Please email us at widowedfriendsltd@gmail.com if you'd like to join us.  Winners from the August 19th game include: Game 1: Joanna Game 2: Pauline Game 3: Leslie T Game 4: Leslie F Game 5: Leslie T Game 6: Joanna Game 7: Joanna Game 8: Chet