KAMSACK — It was a three-pronged celebration at the Kamsack and District Nursing Home on Aug. 27 when the home’s auxiliary held its annual August patio party, inaugurated its nearly-completed, newly landscaped enclosed outdoor courtyard and marked its 50th anniversary.
As the MC for the anniversary program, Marianne Frances, a member of the nursing home staff, explained that for the first year ever, the annual patio party had to be moved indoors with air-conditioned comfort because of the 30 C temperature outside.
“This is a big year for the auxiliary, celebrating 50 years,” Frances said. “We are honoured to have the auxiliary and we’re proud of it and the hard work and enthusiasm of its members, who go the extra mile to help make life better for the residents.
“They’re a wonderful group and thanks is just not enough,” she said, before introducing Doreen Chorney, the auxiliary president, who acknowledged that this was the sixth annual August patio party.
The outdoor courtyard with gazebo is an enclosed space of about 80 feet by 120 feet located within the Kamsack Nursing Home and Hospital building complex. The task of its upgrade was taken on by the nursing home auxiliary last September.
The area had been rather unattractive with steep inclines not suitable for easy going by wheelchairs until workers with Queen City Rubber Paving of Regina began their work, which included the installation of a wide rubber pavement, upgrading the gazebo, providing new seating and placing decorative plants, Chorney explained.
Now the outdoor courtyard is nearly completed and the public, as well as residents, were invited to enjoy the space.
Held in conjunction with the auxiliary’s annual August patio party, the anniversary, in addition to the serving of banana split treats, included a sing-along performance by Mary McGriskin and Donna Deederly of Togo.
The auxiliary was first organized by a few members of the nursing home staff in 1974, and it got going in 1975, Chorney said. In 1981, volunteers, including members of the Busy Bees, a group headed by Ann Jumaga and Pat Makowsky, began to join.
The group was active during the construction that linked the hospital and nursing home, she said. Currently, the nursing home has 61 resident rooms and two rooms reserved for those on respite.
Chorney, who was elected president of the auxiliary in 2018, is the eighth person to hold that position. Eleanor Sookocheff was the first president, serving in 1974. She was succeeded by Eva Wishnevetski, who held it until 1979. For the next two years, Marge MacLean held the gavel. From 1982 to 1986, Polly Reiben served as president. She was succeeded by Nayda Chernoff from 1987 to 1993. Irene Podwin took over the presidency in 1993 and 1994, and Beverly Scobie, from 1994 to 2018, when Chorney was elected.
The mandate of the auxiliary is to provide service to the nursing home residents and facilitate some of the comforts of the home, Chorney said. “We currently host a Mother’s Day tea in May, a Father’s Day coffee in June and the banana split patio party in August, often with entertainment. In addition, the auxiliary holds a Christmas sing-along in December.
Among the purchases for which the auxiliary was instrumental in making over the years are: Broda chairs, a sound system, comforters, newspapers, large print books, exercise equipment, craft and baking supplies, a television, a piano, guest room chairs, wall clocks, wall television mounts and an ice machine.
“We continue to purchase birthday carnations, bedding plants, flowers for Christmas and Easter and we provide handi-bus tours and Christmas gift bags for each resident, which has been ongoing for the entire 50 years,” she said.
The largest project undertaken by the auxiliary was the financing of the outdoor patio that was constructed in 2017 and 2018, she said. The auxiliary also provided funding for the purchase of the patio’s gazebos and benches.
The most recent large project has been the restoration of the back outdoor gazebo courtyard, which is fully enclosed for the safety of the residents, she said. “To date, we have landscaped the area and purchased rest benches and containers for flowers and vegetables. We installed an outdoor walking path made of rubber paving material, which is non-slip, stays cool, is shock absorbent and has no cracks.”
This courtyard provides a safe area for the residents in order to exercise in the fresh air and enjoy family visits or barbecues, Chorney said.
The auxiliary’s fundraising comes from donations by community members and businesses, memorial donations in the name of loved ones and from a Saskatchewan Lotteries grant provided by the Town of Kamsack. All donations are gratefully acknowledged and are recognized on a plaque installed on a wall in the nursing home.
The auxiliary is currently in need of volunteer members, she said, adding that the membership is at 18.
“Five or six more people would be great,” she said. “If you have a desire to join us in our service to the residents, please contact any auxiliary member or member of the executive.”
Currently serving with Chorney on the executive committee are: Joyce MacLean, vice-president; Joanne Zarchikoff, secretary, and Adeline Nykolaishen, treasurer.
“All new members will be welcomed,” Chorney said. “Volunteers are not paid, they are priceless.”
