Raising a musical family and quirky gardening with Angela Willis
11/01/22 • 29 min
5 Listeners
Episode #47 - A woman who always has a song in her heart surrounded by music her whole life, Angela Willis joins Erin Davis and Doug Robinson from The Village of Taunton Mills in Whitby. Stories shared about quirky gardening, art, baking, and raising a musical family - with a special tribute from granddaughter and singer, Cadence Grace.
Erin shares a quote from Terry Tempest Williams, “Once upon a time, when women were birds, there was the simple understanding that to sing at dawn and to sing at dusk was to heal the world through joy. The birds still remember what we have forgotten, that the world is meant to be celebrated.”
Angela and Doug share quirky items that were added to their gardens including a bin for goldfish, a BBQ, a cement mixer, a carousel and more.
"I just planted the flowers in strange things because I liked the look of them." - Angela Willis
Why wouldn't a neighbour take his shoes off? "Because he was afraid I would plant flowers in them."
Angela was the winner of 'Best large garden' in Scugog
"When you get your garden finished and you sit back and look at it, and you say wow, that was worth it." - Angela Willis
"You enjoy the summer twice as much when you have a beautiful garden." - Doug Robinson
Angela has fulfillment in growing her family tree. Growing up with music has been such a joy.
A special message to Angela from granddaughter, Cadence Grace, in thanks for the music.
Music feature: Don't by Cadence Grace
More about Cadence Grace and her music at cadencegrace.com
What advice would you give to someone who wants to bring the benefits of music into their lives.
"Sing! Just keep singing. It makes you feel so good." - Angela Willis
Singing with her husband Jack in the County Town Singers for 20 years. They toured Europe not long after they joined to share music as Canada's Singing Ambassadors. Her favourite venue to sing in was the Catherdral in York, England.
Still 70 members in the County Town Singers in the Durham Region. www.countytownsingers.com
Angela continues to try new things to excel at. She found an art class and decided to start painting in her 50s.
"You can start anything at any age, anytime." - Angela Willis
Angela tried decorating cakes one day. She enjoyed it so much that she made all of her children's wedding cakes. She also loves to bake pies.
She agreed to make a cake to feed 350 people for the 75th anniversary of the cottagers association.
Subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on any network and share your thoughts on social media using the #ElderWisdom tag to help others find us.
----more----
The Green Bench is a symbol of elder wisdom. Physically or virtually, the bench invites us all to sit alongside a senior, share a conversation, or give and offer advice.
It challenges the stigma seniors face; the ageism still so prevalent in society. It reminds us of the wealth of wisdom our elders offer and in doing so, helps restore them to a place of reverence.
"The greatest untapped resource in Canada, if not the world, is the collective wisdom of our elders." -Ron Schlegel
This podcast is brought to you by Schlegel Villages, retirement & long-term care homes in Ontario, Canada.
#ElderWisdom | Stories from the Green Bench is produced by Memory Tree Productions
Learn more about our host, Erin Davis, at erindavis.com
Learn more about #ElderWisdom at elderwisdom.ca
Episode #47 - A woman who always has a song in her heart surrounded by music her whole life, Angela Willis joins Erin Davis and Doug Robinson from The Village of Taunton Mills in Whitby. Stories shared about quirky gardening, art, baking, and raising a musical family - with a special tribute from granddaughter and singer, Cadence Grace.
Erin shares a quote from Terry Tempest Williams, “Once upon a time, when women were birds, there was the simple understanding that to sing at dawn and to sing at dusk was to heal the world through joy. The birds still remember what we have forgotten, that the world is meant to be celebrated.”
Angela and Doug share quirky items that were added to their gardens including a bin for goldfish, a BBQ, a cement mixer, a carousel and more.
"I just planted the flowers in strange things because I liked the look of them." - Angela Willis
Why wouldn't a neighbour take his shoes off? "Because he was afraid I would plant flowers in them."
Angela was the winner of 'Best large garden' in Scugog
"When you get your garden finished and you sit back and look at it, and you say wow, that was worth it." - Angela Willis
"You enjoy the summer twice as much when you have a beautiful garden." - Doug Robinson
Angela has fulfillment in growing her family tree. Growing up with music has been such a joy.
A special message to Angela from granddaughter, Cadence Grace, in thanks for the music.
Music feature: Don't by Cadence Grace
More about Cadence Grace and her music at cadencegrace.com
What advice would you give to someone who wants to bring the benefits of music into their lives.
"Sing! Just keep singing. It makes you feel so good." - Angela Willis
Singing with her husband Jack in the County Town Singers for 20 years. They toured Europe not long after they joined to share music as Canada's Singing Ambassadors. Her favourite venue to sing in was the Catherdral in York, England.
Still 70 members in the County Town Singers in the Durham Region. www.countytownsingers.com
Angela continues to try new things to excel at. She found an art class and decided to start painting in her 50s.
"You can start anything at any age, anytime." - Angela Willis
Angela tried decorating cakes one day. She enjoyed it so much that she made all of her children's wedding cakes. She also loves to bake pies.
She agreed to make a cake to feed 350 people for the 75th anniversary of the cottagers association.
Subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on any network and share your thoughts on social media using the #ElderWisdom tag to help others find us.
----more----
The Green Bench is a symbol of elder wisdom. Physically or virtually, the bench invites us all to sit alongside a senior, share a conversation, or give and offer advice.
It challenges the stigma seniors face; the ageism still so prevalent in society. It reminds us of the wealth of wisdom our elders offer and in doing so, helps restore them to a place of reverence.
"The greatest untapped resource in Canada, if not the world, is the collective wisdom of our elders." -Ron Schlegel
This podcast is brought to you by Schlegel Villages, retirement & long-term care homes in Ontario, Canada.
#ElderWisdom | Stories from the Green Bench is produced by Memory Tree Productions
Learn more about our host, Erin Davis, at erindavis.com
Learn more about #ElderWisdom at elderwisdom.ca
Previous Episode
BONUS | Resident Voices in Long-Term Care with OARC’s Melissa McVie & Devora Greenspon
4 RecommendationsBonus Episode - Erin Davis and Doug Robinson are joined in this special episode with the Ontario Association of Residents' Councils, Melissa McVie, Director of Education and Communications, and Devora Greenspon, LTC Resident and REAL Group Co-Chair.
Barry Hickling was our guest in Episode #5 speaking about ageism, living in long-term care, and his role with the OARC. We encourage you to revisit this conversation.
Devora was encouraged by the staff at her Long-Term Care home to participate in the Residents' Council. Feeling of chaos in the meeting and not being shy, stepped in. Before she knew it she was the president of their residents' council.
"There was absolute chaos during the meeting. I'm not shy so I just took over. Next thing I knew I was president of the Residents' Council." - Devora Greenspon
Devora’s Residents’ Council has adopted a Shared Leadership team model with residents from different parts of her home comprising a team that leads the work of Council based on individual strengths. She uses this inclusive team model in place of the traditional Executive model with a President, Secretary etc.
"Residents' Council is a great place for residents to express their hopes, their goals, their concerns with no fear of retribution." - Devora Greenspon
Residents' Councils are mandated to exist in every long-term care home. A vehicle through which residents can speak about the good, the bad, the ugly, and collaborate with the leadership in their home.
"Residents' Councils welcome an open dialogue with the leadership team in their long-term care home." - Melissa McVie
"Council is a place for residents to meet one another and develop relationships. So important when you live in long-term care." - Devora Greenspon
Learn more about OARC and access their newsletter, Season’s Magazine: https://www.ontarc.com/
"Everyone has a story, we cannot paint all residents with the same brush. Take a little extra time to get to know one's story." - Melissa McVie
Doug learns how to say 'good morning' in different languages to be able to greet each resident.
"I did not go into long-term care to die, but to live. To have a fruitful, happy, quality of life." - Devora Greenspon
What are your hopes for the future of long-term care?
Devora - To make quality of life better and better for each resident.
Erin Davis hears in our conversation, 'I'm still me, I will be heard, I want to be part of my community, and I want to help plan for the future.'
What is REAL “Resident Expert Advisors and Leaders”?
Is comprised of members who are resident leaders living in LTC homes across Ontario. It is an advisory group; REAL members bring their own lived experiences and perspectives as residents helping to inform and guide OARC’s work
*An OARC legacy program is in the works to award a long-term care home in Ontario a green #ElderWisdom bench each year in memory of Sharron Cooke.
Subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on any network and share your thoughts on social media using the #ElderWisdom tag to help others find us.
----more----
The Green Bench is a symbol of elder wisdom. Physically or virtually, the bench invites us all to sit alongside a senior, share a conversation, or give and offer advice.
It challenges the stigma seniors face; the ageism still so prevalent in society. It reminds us of the wealth of wisdom our elders offer and in doing so, helps restore them to a place of reverence.
"The greatest untapped resource in Canada, if not the world, is the collective wisdom of our elders." -Ron Schlegel
This podcast is brought to you by Schlegel Villages, retirement & long-term care homes in Ontario, Canada.
#ElderWisdom | Stories from the Green Bench is produced by Memory Tree Productions
Learn more about our host, Erin Davis, at erindavis.com
Learn more about #ElderWisdom at elderwisdom.ca
Next Episode
Benefits of #ElderWisdom and the Role of a DLO with Branka Matijevic
3 RecommendationsEpisode #48 - Learn about what the Director of Lifestyle Options role is within the Retirement sections at Schlegel Villages as Erin Davis & Doug Robinson welcome Branka Matijevic to the Green Bench. Branka is a relationship-builder, and community-builder, proud to support green bench conversations, and a fantastic DLO at The Village of Wentworth Heights in Hamilton.
Helping seniors and their families not only to choose the right living environment but to help new residents find community, trust, friendship, and a real sense of belonging.
"No matter what age, there is always a chance for love to bloom." - Erin Davis
As a Director of Lifestyle Options, Branka's role is to get to know individuals considering moving into a retirement community such as The Village of Wentworth Heights and working closely with the Hamilton community to highlight what the Village offers.
Her father's was living with Alzheimer’s and the way she was able to love and relate to him during this challenging time has helped her relate to people who are going through similar experiences.
"It has changed my life completely being able to sit on the green bench and meet so many interesting people." - Doug Robinson
"Having a level of responsibility is important as we get older." - Branka Matijevic
"Older adults have so much that we can learn from. It's great to watch the community gather this power and knowledge from the residents on the green bench." -Branka Matijevic
"We're turning things around. We are having younger people take the time to sit down and to learn from elders on the green bench." - Branka Matijevic
History of the #ElderWisdom campaign
In 2016, we began a campaign to end ageism in our communities by highlighting the wisdom and talents of seniors all while using the #ElderWisdom tag on social media.
- 2016 - Throughout June, we brought the green bench to 13 cities across Ontario where local seniors shared their wisdom with
key influencers and community members. - 2017 - On June 6, 2017, 80 seniors shared #ElderWisdom on the green bench with students at 16 different high schools across Ontario.
- 2018 - In June, 41 seniors from 19 villages participated in #ElderWisdom in 15 cities with the green bench.
- 2019 - Throughout the month of June, 50 seniors shared their #ElderWisdom in the community for 49 hours on the green bench. A Twitter chat with Ron Schlegel and Instagram experience was held on social media as well!
- 2020 - During June, Seniors Month, residents from Schlegel Villages share their #ElderWisdom digitally through our Stories from the Green Bench videos and our LIVE Facebook events on Tuesdays.
- 2021 - Our focus was on this Podcast.
- 2022 - Green Benches returned to the community visiting 6 locations across Ontario hosting over 114 hours of conversations with 44 Schlegel Villages residents.
End ageism
Ageism is a form of discrimination, often experienced by older adults. Our elders have a great deal of wisdom to contribute to their communities. However, societal norms marginalize seniors, treat them with disrespect, make them feel unwelcome and generalize as if they were all the same.
Ageism robs seniors of choice, independence, dignity and negatively
impacts their quality of life. Let’s use social media to end ageism and celebrate the great things seniors have to offer by sharing #ElderWisdom.
"My wish is that people would have more compassion, patience and to be more inclusive to all ages." -Branka Matijevic
"What I've seen to be most important is the relationships not just amongst residents, but with team members and residents. We've become one big family." -Branka Matijevic
Cultivate The Ultimate Team Member Experience
At Schlegel Villages, we have an amazing culture that stellar team members want to be a part of. We care about our team members as much as we care about our residents. As one family, we learn, grow, and move forward together. We are passionate and find fulfillment in making a difference in people’s lives. Our caring community honours and encourages well-being, and team members are appreciated in personally meaningful ways. Through mentorship, ongoing support, and education we are empowered to go beyond the status quo, and unleash our full potential.
“You can be you while being a part of our family.”
"What the elders see while sitting the young ones standing on their toes won't see." - African Proverb
Subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on any network and share your thoughts on social media using the #ElderWisdom tag to help others find us.
----more----
The Green Bench is a symbol of elder wisdom. Physically or virtually, the bench invites us all to sit alongside a senior, share a conversation, or give a...
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