Pipestone Flyer
Bob Layton with “The Old Guy”
June 4th was a beautiful, sunny day. A perfect day for gardening, going for a walk, mowing grass; in fact, almost any outdoor activity. Still, the parking lot at the Falun Hall was filled with vehicles and the Hall was filled with approximately 160 delegates that were giving up a day of sunshine to attend the Seniors Wellness Conference.
Cindy Kellerman, Family & Community Support Services, City of Wetaskiwin and one of the organizers, describes the event. “The Seniors Wellness Conference is held each year during Seniors Week. The main purpose of the conference is to present issues of interest to the senior population. The focus of the conference is on being positive and living actively. The conference is held at alternating sites so all seniors have the opportunity to be involved. The planning committee consisted of members from the various seniors groups in the City of Wetaskiwin, and County of Wetaskiwin and representatives from FCSS in the County and City of Wetaskiwin.”
Participants raved about the sessions - Frauds & Scams - Trent Jager, City of Wetaskiwin, By-Law; Skipping Without A Rope - Jack Almond; Atrial Fibrillation - Mike Hoffman, Alberta Heart & Stroke Foundation and Feature Guest Speaker—Bob Layton.
If humor increases longevity, Bob Layton added a lot of years to the seniors in the Hall with his story telling and ventriloquist acts joined by his props including the old man, alligator and squirrel. Bob also left the audience with thought provoking instructions. “If you don’t have something written down, one day when your day on earth is over, it will be lost and they (descendants) won’t know. Something you laughed at, or something about how you made it through the tough times, or what you did when a certain thing happened and how you dealt with it, all that experience all the wonderful life you lived will die with you. Write it down or all the wonderful life you lived will die with you. I just want encourage you that when you get the opportunity, write these things down. I hope that’s something you will remember.”
Entertainment was supplied by Barbwire & Roses and Mary Ellen Herman. The seniors also had the opportunity to view information displays.