by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
COBDEN — Residents at Caressant Care Retirement Home have a place where they can enjoy the outdoors without being bugged by bugs.
Over the past few months, the residents’ council has been discussing the construction of a gazebo.
Last Friday, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held to officially announce the gazebo is now ready for use.
Inside, there are armside-tables, and comfy chairs and settees, which are courtesy of owner James Lavelle.
The gazebo was constructed by Tatlock Cedar Gazebos of Clayton, Ontario.
It was paid for with funds from the council, Mr. Lavelle, residents and other bequests and a donation from the Cobden and District Civitan Club.
Alexis Anderson, administrator of Caressant Care Cobden, welcomed those who were attending the event, including special guests Lois Younghusband from the Cobden Civitan club and Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski.
“For a long time, our retirement home manager Laurie Graham has been advocating for a gazebo to provide an area of comfort for our residents,” she said.
On two different occasions, two steel gazebos were erected, and both were destroyed by wind, she said.
But, with a “generous donation” from the Civitan club, and funds provided by the residents council, residents themselves, bequests and Mr. Lavelle, “we’ve been able to realize our dream of offering a small oasis that will never blow away, that offers respite from the sun and insects, and thanks to Dave Norton’s hard work in designing and building the ramp, is wheelchair accessible.”
Mr. Norton is the environmental services manager at the home.
Mr. Yakabuski said the gazebo is something that can always be used.
He said his daughter has a gazebo and it’s great to have.
“You need some sun, but you can do without the bugs,” he said. “This is a great addition. It will be a tremendous enhancement to the quality of life for the people here at Caressant Care.”
The donation by the Civitan club is another indication of how service clubs, like Civitan, work to make everybody’s life in the Cobden area better, the MPP said.
“I know you residents will enjoy this for as long as you want, because, like Alexis said, it ain’t going anywhere,” MPP Yakabuski stated.
Cutting the ribbon were residents Margaret Hofforth and Muriel Smith with help from Ms. Graham, Ms. Younghusband and Mr. Yakabuski.
Following the cutting, there was a social gathering with refreshments and desserts to enjoy.
Sitting in the gazebo, Civitan Wilf Smith said the club decided to donate money towards the gazebo because many residents of Cobden, and the township, reside at the home. And, it was those same residents who donated to the fundraising efforts of the club, and many still do, he said.
Afterwards, Ms. Graham said the area where the gazebo is located, is like a wind tunnel. There’s hope this one won’t get blown away.
What’s unfortunate she said, is many residents who were instrumental in getting this gazebo have passed on, so aren’t here to enjoy it.
She noted the gazebo will only be used in the summer, but will be decorated at Christmas to brighten up the area.
The Civitans became involved when Ms. Younghusband was asked by recreation assistant Doris Reaney if they could donate money towards the gazebo.
She brought the request to the club and after a short discussion, it was agreed to donate money.
