On Monday, August 13, Bonnechere Manor residents invited their families, day program clients, staff, volunteers, community neighbours and dignitaries to help them celebrate 60 years of long-term care service in the Renfrew and area communities. It was on that date exactly 60 years ago that the first Bonnechere Manor opened its doors to the new residents at 782 Raglan Street in Renfrew.
Fast forward to 1995, and the County of Renfrew and City of Pembroke contributed to the provincial funding to construct a new, state of the art “A” facility at its current location on 470 Albert Street. Since that time, the Renfrew Rotary Club and numerous other local people and businesses contributed to the beautiful auditorium addition, known as Renfrew Rotary Hall. It was only fitting that the old-fashioned (1958 to be exact) Garden Party was held in this space and adjoining courtyard garden. It is estimated approximately 250 guests enjoyed entertainment, including the Manor’s own resident, staff and volunteer choir singing, “Summer of 58”; a riff on the popular Canadian Bryan Adam’s song and one of the residents’ award-winning pieces in this year’s Rotary Music Festival. Other local entertainers, who included Dave Hurley, The Countrymen and Dennis Riopellle, made sure everyone’s toes were tapping throughout the afternoon. Another Renfrew institution – Odi’s King Burger, provided their delicious hamburgers. Local Brum’s lemonade, popcorn and ice cream filled out the lunch menu to fit in with the 1958’s theme.
Shelley Sheedy, Director of Long-Term Care introduced the local dignitaries who were on hand, including Killaloe-Hagarty and Richards township Mayor Janice Visneskie Moore, Chair, as well as Mayor Bob Kingsbury, Vice Chair, both of the Health Committee, that governs the Home and Mayor Don Eady and Reeve Peter Emon from the Town of Renfrew. They brought greetings to the residents and their guests from County Council and Health Committee and the Town of Renfrew respectively.
“It is no wonder residents and families highly recommend Bonnechere Manor to their friends and family and the Home has a waiting list of over 200 people,” said Mayor Visneskie Moore.
Mayor Eady presented the Home with a beautiful scroll and Reeve Emon credited the long-serving dedicated staff who ensure “they uphold the strong reputation for quality care that the Town relies on.”
Ms. Sheedy thanked the management and staff who assisted the residents in planning the day’s festivities and noted that they all look forward to many more years of working together to ensure the best possible programs and services.
Claire Ullrich, Fundraising Co-ordinator, reminds everyone that the 60th party does not end here – next up: the Bonnechere Manor Foundation’s annual Gala on Saturday, October 20th, which will also feature the 60th Anniversary theme. Contact Ms. Ullrich for tickets as they are selling fast, and get your name in for the early-bird draw before August 31st for your chance to win two tickets to see Elton John in concert, generously donated by Aikenhead’s PharmaChoice Drug Store. You can contact Claire at 613 432-4873 Ext. 1252 for more information.
Bonnechere Manor is a 180-bed municipal (not-for-profit) long-term care home. It is owned and operated by the County of Renfrew and City of Pembroke and has provided quality care to the frail and elderly since 1958. A wide-range of long-term programs and services including 24-hour nursing care, accommodation, meals, as well as physiotherapy programs and a variety of social and recreational activities. In addition to long-term care services, the Manor also offers a variety of community services such as respite care, an adult day program in Cobden and Renfrew, and a Parkinson’s support group. Bonnechere Manor holds Accreditation with Accreditation Canada which provides the Home with the opportunity to benchmark their programs and services to national standards and assists in continuous quality improvements.
