Marda Loop’s Seniors’ Message for September

August 31, 2023

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Let’s begin with a write up from Frances Rawson, a spry member of our Seniors group, about one of our hikes organized in partnership with the Edward Seniors Residence:

“The bus was booked; participants were signed in; there wasn’t a cloud in the sky; Perfect! We were ready to go! – but – a forecast of +35C? Maybe the plan will be changed to a sightseeing tour, or better still, a taste test of the latest cold/frozen beverages or ice cream and gelato treats. But not with Deanna Benssler in charge – the Edward’s event coordinator. No, it wasn’t too hot as a breeze cooled us in the open hills and the forest provided peaceful comfort the rest of the time. The official temperature turned out to be a record-breaking +35.1C. Calgary’s hottest day of the year! Native berry bushes such as Saskatoons, Chokecherry, and bright red enticing clumps of Baneberry (poisonous for humans) were plentiful, a feast for the abundant resident birds. A hawk circled above, no doubt eyeing its next morsel of rodents or squirrels. After 3 km., Deanna decided to shorten the loop and instead wait for the bus in a cool shaded grove. It was a stone’s throw from her home and that’s why she knew every inch of this massive park (the fourth largest urban park in North America). We had the best gabfest while relaxing on the grass before our trip back to the Edward. What a day! Thanks to Deanna, an outstanding planner and leader, and the generosity of the Edward for their invitation to Marda Loop Seniors. Don’t miss out on the next trip offered by the Edward; I’m betting on another winner!”

Paulette Doyle, another energetic member had this to say about the same outing:

“The hills were alive with the sound of… moaning, grunting, and groaning! It was after all, the hottest day of the year (33C+) and here we were hiking Nose Hill Park! Our complaining fell on the deaf ears of our lovely, young hike director! She had us trooping up and down those hills like we were in our 20s haha! By the time we arrived at our last destination, we were cool as cukes, while the Director was hot, sweaty, and limping! She couldn’t keep up with us! Truth be told, she had to run between the head of the group and the tail of our group several times (a good half kilometer or more each time) to keep us ‘together’.

Our highlight was at the end of our trek, when we were sitting on a cool, shady patch of grass waiting for the bus, getting to know one another! Many good stories and laughs all around! We can’t wait for our next hike. Banff here we come !”

So, as you see, those dog days of summer have not held us seniors back. And wait, there was lots more happening on the pickleball courts! Two introductions to kids at the Summer Camps organized by our Association and another one by The City of Calgary Multi-Agency School Support Team. MASST is an early intervention, school-based program that supports children (6 to 12 years) who are exhibiting behaviours that put them at risk for negative, possibly criminal patterns of behaviours or victimization into teen years. As part of the program, children are introduced to sports, and this year it was pickleball and the seniors’ pickleball group was privileged to get involved. Each child was accompanied by a social worker and a police officer.

“Seniors in the Loop” will be meeting again on September 11 for a sketching workshop. See you there!

Heather Bhatty

Coordinator, Seniors in the Loop