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 91ƵWindsong Singsong91Ƶ is a way for neighbours to gather, social distancing intact, and interact.
91ƵOne 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,91Ƶ said Cowling, in a phone interview. 91ƵThey 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.
91ƵWe used to do it every night, but I started running out of songs.91Ƶ
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.
91ƵI let them know what songs we are going to do and they can rehearse on their own,91Ƶ he said.
91ƵIt91Ƶs just our way of showing our appreciation,91Ƶ said Pat Rivers, who, at 93, is the oldest participant. 91ƵIt91Ƶs one thing seniors can do, and it91Ƶs a beautiful way to say thanks. And it91Ƶs also entertaining for people walking by.91Ƶ
There are 15 residents in the 55+ strata (five couples, five singles) and participation is always at or near 100 per cent.
91ƵIn normal times we quite often have potluck dinners and that sort of thing that everybody comes to91Ƶ so we are quite a close group,91Ƶ said Cowling. 91ƵIt 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.91Ƶ
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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