April/May 2026 SECA Seniors News Update
Did You Know? April kicks off the third year of the 55+ Healthy and Happy Program – A Very Healthy Program Indeed!
Whoa! What a second year:
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Over 70 sessions
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1875 attendees
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1100 Hours of Volunteer Time Invested
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30 Sessions Dedicated to Exercise and Mobility
Our band of volunteers are committed to continue our program’s success–your appreciations throughout the past year have been our rocket fuel.
You may be familiar with the retirement planning terms: go-go years, slow-go years and no-go years. Attendance by senior age shows our program is popular with all these groups:
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ages 56–65 26%
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ages 66–75: 41%
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ages over 75: 30%
So as long as you can make it to our venue, there is something for everyone. Also: we have a back entrance and elevator for those seniors with limited mobility.
A Special Thank You. Our committee chair, Ashley Oshiro, sets the conditions for program success: creativity, organization and quiet, solid leadership. Thank you, Ashley, for all your efforts that make the program successful. Finally: for you mathematically-inclined participants who note our attendance percentages don’t add to 100% – Ashley is the reason – she’s the main part of the 3% of people below 55 years old who attend – in fact, Ashley is a regular attendee in addition to her other duties for the program.
Last Month - March 2025
Exercise Classes
By the end of March, the seniors exercise class: “Get Going! For Golf, Gardening & Getting Out.” successfully concluded. While the class prepared participants for spring, we are still waiting on mother nature to catch up!
The Prairie Mountain Fiddlers ensemble gave a universally-complimented concert on March 5th. Preceded by a preconcert reception (a first for the program), it was also a high point in our attendance for the program year. Anecdotal feedback was also at a program year high: several audience members shared how inspired they were by the music, while others overflowed in appreciation at the entertainment.
Travelling with a Smartphone.
Our own committee chair, Ashley, shared many pro tips to get the most of devices while travelling.
Spring Social Succeeds Again
A feast of music, food, games and conviviality filled our spring social with conversation and laughter. Throughout this program year, one could observe that the activities that seniors attended also built acquaintances, shared interests and encouraged connections in the group. The event was not one filled with strangers but of new acquaintances and friends.
Inaugural Baking Competition – Cookies, Cookies and More Cookies.
There were 17 entries in our inaugural cookie baking competition – at two dozen cookies per entry, that worked out to over 200 cookies. But there was no shortage of judges – the 40 or so attendees did double duty as judges. In the spirit of co-operation, recipes for all entries were provided – the winning recipes are included for your baking pleasure. Special thanks to committee member Debbie for organizing such a successful event.
Winning Bakers – with their “Trophies”
First Place: Susi F.
Recipe: Rolled Sugar Cookies
Second Place: Zeinab E.
Recipe: Coconut Maroon Cookies
2 egg whites + salt
½ tsp vanilla
⅔ cup sugar
1 ⅓ coconut
Beat egg whites & salt until soft beak. Add vanilla & sugar, one spot at a time. Beat until hard beak. Fold in the coconut. In a greased cookie sheet, create 2 tsp drops of mixture. Bake in oven 325oF for 20 minutes. Leave in baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing.
Third Place: Lorraine R.
Recipe: Crackle Top Molasses Cookies
This Month – April 2026
Art Classes Are Back
April kicks off seven weeks of mixed media art classes. Instructor Alida has returned to lead students with a new painting theme each week. Classes are free, drop-in with art supplies provided.
Exercise – Stay Strong, Steady & Mobile
Join a month of gentle fitness with a new instructor, Alison – maintain what you have and work towards gaining more strength, balance and mobility. This class is based on Yoga/Pilates and Barre-style movements with a chair, adapted for older adults. No floor work, no experience needed. Please bring your own 9” pilates ball and light set of hand weights (or water bottles) to these classes.
April Talk: Spring Gardening Presentation.
Get ready for spring and maintain your gardening spirit as you await the promise of a spring’s green growth – what a lovely thought, even if Calgary weather doesn’t always co-operate. Our presenter will be Sheryl Normandeau, a Master Gardener and accomplished author, so bring your questions on all manner of flowers, shrubs, trees and vegetables.
Next Month – May 2026
Art Classes Continue
May finishes with three more weeks of mixed media art classes. Each week is an independent project, so no prior attendance required – as well as no prior experience. Classes are free, drop-in with art supplies provided.
Exercise – Stay Strong, Steady & Mobile
Join a month of gentle fitness with a new instructor, Alison – maintain what you have and work towards gaining more strength, balance and mobility. This class is based on Yoga/Pilates and Barre-style movements with a chair, adapted for older adults. No floor work, no experience needed. Please bring your own 9” pilates ball to these classes.
May Talk: Assisted Living Home Care Presentation.
Assisted living: A challenging discussion and life phase for families to prepare for and navigate. Assisted Living Alberta will present May 28th on this subject:
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Differences between public, private, assisted, and non-assisted living
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Overview of government supports (what is covered and what is not)
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Step-by-step guidance on navigating the admission process
Assisted Living Alberta (ALA) is Alberta’s new provincial health agency, established by the Government of Alberta to manage continuing care and social services province-wide.
We’re Hiring: ESL Instructor for Seniors (55+)
SECA is seeking an ESL instructor to lead a 12-week, beginner to low-intermediate class for seniors this fall. If you’re passionate about helping older adults build confidence in their English skills in a supportive, low-pressure environment, we’d love to hear from you. For more information: https://bit.ly/SECA55esl
A full schedule is available online for the 55+ Healthy and Happy Program: HERE