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 含羞草研究社榃indsong Singsong含羞草研究社� is a way for neighbours to gather, social distancing intact, and interact.
含羞草研究社淥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,含羞草研究社� said Cowling, in a phone interview. 含羞草研究社淭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.
含羞草研究社淲e used to do it every night, but I started running out of songs.含羞草研究社�
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.
含羞草研究社淚 let them know what songs we are going to do and they can rehearse on their own,含羞草研究社� he said.
含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 just our way of showing our appreciation,含羞草研究社� said Pat Rivers, who, at 93, is the oldest participant. 含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 one thing seniors can do, and it含羞草研究社檚 a beautiful way to say thanks. And it含羞草研究社檚 also entertaining for people walking by.含羞草研究社�
There are 15 residents in the 55+ strata (five couples, five singles) and participation is always at or near 100 per cent.
含羞草研究社淚n normal times we quite often have potluck dinners and that sort of thing that everybody comes to含羞草研究社� so we are quite a close group,含羞草研究社� said Cowling. 含羞草研究社淚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.含羞草研究社�
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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