Every Monday at 5 p.m., the residents at Windsong, a strata complex in Courtenay, B.C., converge on their respective balconies and break out in song.
Led by Dick Cowling, the 害羞草研究所榃indsong Singsong害羞草研究所� is a way for neighbours to gather, social distancing intact, and interact.
害羞草研究所淥ne of our residents heard that people where banging pots and pans to show support for the health workers, so we thought we would get together and sing O Canada,害羞草研究所� said Cowling, in a phone interview. 害羞草研究所淭hey asked me to lead them so I go out on the back lawn and they all come out onto their balconies and we sing. They all liked it so it sort of carried on.
害羞草研究所淲e used to do it every night, but I started running out of songs.害羞草研究所�
Cowling picks out appropriate songs, either by himself or by suggestion from other strata members, prints off the lyrics, and distributes them to all 10 units a couple of days in advance.
害羞草研究所淚 let them know what songs we are going to do and they can rehearse on their own,害羞草研究所� he said.
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 just our way of showing our appreciation,害羞草研究所� said Pat Rivers, who, at 93, is the oldest participant. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 one thing seniors can do, and it害羞草研究所檚 a beautiful way to say thanks. And it害羞草研究所檚 also entertaining for people walking by.害羞草研究所�
There are 15 residents in the 55+ strata (five couples, five singles) and participation is always at or near 100 per cent.
害羞草研究所淚n normal times we quite often have potluck dinners and that sort of thing that everybody comes to害羞草研究所� so we are quite a close group,害羞草研究所� said Cowling. 害羞草研究所淚t would be nicer to carry on the way we were of course, but this is one of the ways we can say hello to each other and have a bit of a social time.害羞草研究所�
This feel-good story is part of the #WereInThisTogether campaign by Black Press Media. Have an uplifting story that you think would bring joy to readers? Email your story, photos and videos to wereinthistogether@blackpress.ca.
terry.farrell@blackpress.ca
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