Hi Everyone,

The Centre is being inspected every 3 days and all is well. Your Board even managed a "virtual meeting" using the Internet!

There has been some GST/HST tax refunds recently received so while its quiet at the Centre, some property improvements are going to be done both inside and outside. We'll give you details and progress reports in the next Newsletter.

As you are probably aware, things are slowly improving as to Covid-19 but unfortunately gatherings are still a no-no. Even the 'up to 10 people' still means those 10 folks have to stay in their group "bubble". It means the group members cannot be getting together with other folks in other groups.

Here's a link to a CBC "Your Covid Questions Answered" that covers the meeting restrictions and talks about playing cards, among many interesting things.

CBC Health - Covid Questions Answered

Remember, if you have questions or comments just drop an email to rural60@tbaytel.net or phone and leave a message at 475-5779.

Stay well!

Hi Everyone,

We're just letting you know that all is well at the Centre. It is being checked regularly by members of your Board.

We are keeping to the Government guidelines and remaining closed until the all clear is sounded. We're also using current Ontario Government directives for not-for-profit corporations to set a date for our 2020 AGM as soon as Emergency Order restrictions are lifted. We'll let you know!

Remember if you need to ask a question or pass a comment to us, please send an email or leave a voice message on the phone. We'll get back to you just as soon as possible.

Stay well & Wash Your Hands!!

Your Board

Thunder Bay's 55 Plus Senior Centre is setting up webinars and chat lines for all seniors in the region! Click on the link above to see the poster and the info.

Wash your hands and stay well!

Your Board

If you need to do a bit more groceries shopping then a couple of things at your corner store, you might consider a trip to the following Thunder Bay main groceries outlets. Not all outlets have been personally checked so don't hesitate to call a store of your choice and check what they are doing.

All are offering Seniors hours (typically first open hour); controlled entrance to the store with physical distancing both outside and inside store; sanitized shopping carts and baskets; hand-sanitizer; one-way grocery isles; sanitized groceries check-outs including debit machines and plastic barriers between you and the cashier and in the case of Safeway on Arthur Street, announcements every 10 minutes or so reminding employees to wash/sanitize their hands.

Remember that if you bring your own bags, you have to pack them yourself so you might want to consider letting the cashiers use the store plastic bags for these trips until things get back to normal.

Do not be embarrassed to wear a protective mask and gloves - its very okay!!!

Superstore
Safeway Arthur Street
Metro Arthur Street

Any other ones you want to recommend, drop us an email and we will post them.

Stay well!

Your Board

Hi Folks,

Hope all is well with everyone and you are putting your "extra" spare time to great use. I am learning how to bake. I just finished learning how to bake a batch of cookies without burning the bottoms into oblivion! I am so proud me!!! Ha!

Just a reminder that if you have any questions on just about anything Virus or Centre-wise and are unsure where to get information, don't hesitate to leave a voice mail at the Centre (475-5779) or send an email to rural60@tbaytel.net, Your Board will do our very best to find an answer or point you in the right direction.

Also we'd like to urge everyone to please use official information sources for your updates and insights and avoid the flood of misinformation on social media.

Official Coronavirus links are (simply click on one to go to that site):

Government of Canada Virus Information
Government of Ontario Virus Information & Self-assessment Test
District of Thunder Bay Public Health Unit Virus Information

Please remember that the greatest help that you can provide for yourself and loved ones is physical distancing (6 feet or 2 metres), staying home as much as possible and washing your hands - often!

Stay well and looking forward to seeing everyones smiling faces back at the Centre soon!!

Your Board

April 7th Update

Hi Folks,

I am sure everyone has guessed that the Centre is continuing closed in keeping with Federal and Provincial directives and guidelines.

Please see the Stay Well - Stay Updated post for the most recent info.

Cheers
Your Board

Hi Folks,

Just a quick update to say the Centre will continue closed for the next 2 weeks as planned.

Your Board is staying up to date with Government and Health Authorities and their directives and anything new that we learn and think you should know, we'll post ASAP.

If you have any questions or comments, don't hesitate to send an email (rural60@tbaytel.net) or leave a voice mail (475-5779) at the Office.

Practice physical distancing and Stay well!

Your Board

Hi Folks,

If you have a personal item(s) that you would like to get from the Centre, we are opening the Centre this Wednesday, March 18, for 2 hours, from 12:00 Noon to 2:00 PM for you.

Please understand that this is for picking up personal items only and not an opportunity to do a "smidge more" on your favourite project - sorry!

Again we thank all of you for your patience and understanding as we work through these very unique times!

Stay well!

Your Board

Hi Everyone,

Your Board is temporarily closing the Centre to all activities and members and suspending any outside recreational activities (e.g. Bus Trip) for a period of at least 3 weeks. We will re-evaluate the situation at the end of that period and advise you of our review.

Our action is guided by the recent decision of Oliver-Paipoonge Municipality to close all Municipal facilities to meetings and gatherings as well as the community recommendations announced by the TBDHU Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Janet DeMille at her News Conference held Thursday morning, March 12.

The purpose in all of this is "to break the chain" of transmission.

Let's all do our part!

Thank you for your help and understanding!

Your Board

More information:
Thunder Bay District Health Unit Coronavirus Information

Hi Everyone,

Unless you have been living in a vacuum, you are very aware of and have some knowledge about an infection called the Noval Coronavirus or Coronavirus 2019 or Corvid-19 .... they are all the same nasty bug that is making an awful lot of folks ill, some very ill, some dying, all over the world.

Not only is it an easy infection to catch but the virus hits harder, substantially harder, the older you are! The harmful effects rise rapidly in severity in we seniors beginning around 60+ and becomes most severe in those 80+. Yep, the very age range of our membership!

The Board is requesting, until further notice, that all members and their friends who have travelled outside of Canada, including the USA, since the beginning of the year and who are just now returning as of early March, to please, not visit the Centre for a period of two weeks after their return. Also, any member or their friends who are experiencing recent coughing or sneezing episodes or have mild flu-like symptoms not visit the Centre until their condition has passed. Of course, members dealing with chronic conditions and not recent ones, please use your best judgement during these times.

For current and factual information on the virus and in our Thunder Bay region, here is the Public Health Unit phone number 625-5900 or click on their website link:

Thunder Bay District Health Unit Coronavirus Information

Thank you for helping!

If you are a member of Rural 60 Plus and a weaver, but don't have the right size of loom for your project, you can now rent one of our looms at $15.00 per project at the Center.

We have available Table, 36", 45" and a 60", 4@ shaft looms and two 45" 8@ shafts looms.

Any of our looms can be rented. In the event the loom that you need is occupied, we will put your name on a "first come - first serve" list and call you when it becomes available.

Please note the REQUIREMENTS:
1. You are a current paid member of Rural 60 Plus.
2. You provide your own supplies.
3. You sign the current Rural 60 Plus 'Waiver of Liability'.

If you are interested, please contact the Center at (807) 475-5779 or email "rural60@tbaytel.net".
You can also call Tina, Weaving Coordinator, at (807) 624-7580 or email "tguzzell@tbaytel.net"

"Warp speed ahead!"