THE FRIENDLY CIRCLE
Afternoon Auxiliary to Royal Inland Hospital
Kamloops, BC
1 of 10
NOVEMBER
2014
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
2014 will soon be behind us - another busy year for this active
auxiliary.
Our quilters and handicraft groups work hard creating items to
sell in the Gift Shop and at craft sales. The Thrift Seller and
Gift Shop are showing excellent sales month after month, and
the vendor program has been very successful this year. I
would like to thank each and every member of the auxiliary
for their hard work and dedication. Without your efforts
nothing would be accomplished.
By year end we will have fulfilled our equipment pledge of
$226,000 – an incredible amount for which you, our
volunteers, are directly responsible. The items we have
purchased will make a difference in the treatment and wellbeing of so many patients.
In October, eight delegates attended the Okanagan Mainline
Area conference in Summerland. We came home inspired by
the speakers and full of new ideas. The 2015 conference will
be held in Richmond from April 20th to the 22nd. As BCAHA
is celebrating its 70th year the theme is Zero to Seventy. I
encourage anyone who has never attended a conference to
seriously consider doing so next year. You'll meet lots of
interesting people to exchange ideas and network with. Along
with the Evening Auxiliary we will be hosting the April 2016
BCAHA provincial conference in Kamloops.
I would like to extend a warm welcome to all the new
members that have recently joined us. Thank you for choosing
to share your talents and time with us and contributing in your
own special way.
2015 will bring change as the much needed new parkade and
clinical tower are constructed. These renovations will
certainly improve our hospital. For our part we will continue
to raise funds to help fill the ever widening gap between
available funding and much needed equipment purchases for
RIH.
Thank you to the Executive, Convenors and all our members
for your commitment and support. I am wishing each of you a
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year for 2015.
Jean Dahl
THE FRIENDLY CIRCLE
Afternoon Auxiliary to Royal Inland Hospital
Kamloops, BC
2 of 10
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION
JUNE 2014 AWARDS LIST
5 Year
25 Years
Jean Badgero, Sandra Leatham, Jackie Novak, Karen
Sondergaard, Barb Morrill, Betty Meechem, Donna Frolek,
Hilda Konrad, Linda Hebner, Andrea Campbell, Alice Yu,
Edie McMullen, Iris Olson, Kathie Ayotte
Ella Ziegler
26 to 29 Years
Lynda Desrocher, Ilene Zurowski
6 to 9 Years
31 to 34 Years
Dody Blackburn, Loretta Ellison, Pat Liddy, Valerie Holm,
Dorothy Thiessen, Joyce Blackburn, Beth Wojciechowski, Dot
Falk, Ella Ablett, Fay McGill, Joy Parkes, Nell Hudyma, Mary
Goddard, Karen Wocnitz, Camille Hudson, Donna Otto,
Pauline Taillefer, Irene Keith, Rachel Cornwell, Fonsa Ma,
Jeanette Mackenzie, Del Reimer, Peggy Mears, Sheryl
Stothart, Cindy Lewis, Mary Kelly, Mildred Dalgleish,
Catherine Thompson, Barb Bryant, Krys Jarmana, Lori
Keetch, Kathy McLean, Vi Schwarz, Peggy Heath, Isilda
Rodrigues
Abundia Cobb, Geraldine Hubbard, Marie Shale, Marilyn
Kichlbach, Audrey MacKenzie
40 Year Service Bar
Janet Ashby (41 years of service)
45 Year Service Bar
Beppie Crawford (48 years of service)
10 Year
Silvana Porco, Wendy Venne, Marilyn Stephens, Elaine
Fitzgerald, Willa Dale, Maureen Tearoe, Merle Newman
11 to 14 Years
Lois Priebe, Lynn Littlejohns, Vicki Lemaire, Ethel Fowles,
Jean Dahl, Marg Bennett, Trudy DeLuca, Helen Comazzetto,
Stella Comazzetto
SCIENTIFIC REPORT
Older people do not decline mentally with age, it just takes
them longer to recall facts because they have more
information in their brains, scientists believe. Much like a
computer struggles as the hard drive gets full up, so too do
humans take longer to access information, it has been
suggested.
15 Years
20 Years
Researchers say this slowing down is not the same as
cognitive decline. The human brain works slower in old age,
Dr. Michael Ramscar said, but only because we have stored
more information over time. The brains of older people do not
get weak. On the contrary, they simply know more. Also,
older people often go to another room to get something and
when they get there, they stand there wondering what they
came for. It is NOT a memory problem it is nature’s way of
making older people do more exercise.
Jo Hill, Wilda Bronken, Veronica Dreshsler
SO THERE!! We Are All Brilliant!
21 to 24 Years
By Sarah Knapton, Science Correspondent
Joanna Pierrot, Toodie Hogg
16 to 19 Years
Nettie Makortoff, Evelyn Baziuk, Vicki Gray, Helen McLean,
Sonja Marek, Earla Horne, Joyce Thompson
Linda Mayhood, Yvonne Boulega, Irene Bridgeman, Joanette
Goddard, Janet Doubt, Dot McDougall
THE FRIENDLY CIRCLE
Afternoon Auxiliary to Royal Inland Hospital
Kamloops, BC
3 of 10
OMA CONFERENCE
The conference was held in Summerland, BC this year. Our
group, Joy Parkes, Sophie Therrien, Jean Hamm and I arrived
at the resort around 4pm. The accommodation was absolutely
wonderful. After settling in we had a happy hour then out for
dinner. After dinner, we went to the meet and greet session.
The next morning was registration and then off to the Thrift
Shop. It’s very well-run front and back. After lunch we had
two speakers. Hugh Culver was first and was very interesting
and funny. He is a published author and after his talk, he gave
away a few of his books and sold some. We then had a lady
by the name of Carole Patane lead us in a Zumba break for 10
minutes. The next speaker was Juanita Juill, who is the
Residential Health Services Administrator for Interior Health.
She spoke on team work etc. We then prepared for the
banquet. The theme was to portray a sport, so we all went in
Blazers Jerseys. The dinner was great and afterwards we had
some good old toe tapping music. Next morning was a Buffet
breakfast. We then had our last speaker, Del Reimer. He is a
Baptist minister. He was excellent. Among other things, he
spoke on personal growth. He also mentioned to weed out
disgruntled and ineffective volunteers. We then had another
Zumba break. The winners of the silent auction and bucket
raffles were read out. Then to our AGM which it looks like
we will be alternating the two conferences if the other areas
get on board. Then we came home. All in all we thought it
was a very good conference. We were not the only four to go
to the conference. Jean Dahl, Kathie Ayotte, Ann Hathaway
and Fay Walton also attended, as well as some from the
evening auxiliary went, Jenny Quince, Wilma Scheer, Krys
Jarmana and two others.
DICTIONARY FOR WOMEN
Argument (ar*gyou*ment)n. A discussion that occurs when
you’re right, but he just hasn’t realized it yet.
Airhead (er*hed)n. What a woman intentionally becomes
when pulled over by a policeman.
Barbeque (bar*bi*q)n. You bought the groceries, washed the
lettuce, chopped the tomatoes, diced the onions, marinated the
meat and cleaned everything up, but he “made the dinner”.
Blonde Jokes (blond joks)n. Jokes that are short so men can
understand them.
Cantaloupe (kant*e*lope)n. Got to get married in a church.
Clothes Dryer (kloze dri*yer)n. An appliance designed to eat
socks.
Diet Soda (dy*it so*da)n. A drink you buy at a convenience
store to go with a half-pound bag of peanut M&M’s.
Eternity (e*ter*ni*tee)n. The last two minutes of a football
game.
Exercise (ex*er*siz)n. To walk up and down a mall,
occasionally resting to make a purchase.
Grocery List (grow*ser*ee list)n. What you spend half an
hour writing, and then forget to take with you to the store.
Submitted by:
Irene Bridgeman
Jean Hamm
This Cook Book was compiled and Published by the Ladies’
Auxiliary to the Royal Inland Hospital in 1946 and sold for $1.00
each.
Mrs. Willoughby President in 1944 Mrs. Pyper President in 1941
THE FRIENDLY CIRCLE
Afternoon Auxiliary to Royal Inland Hospital
Kamloops, BC
4 of 10
GIFT SHOP
VENDOR PROGRAM
The saying goes “Time flies when you are having fun” and
this past year has certainly gone by quickly. It has been very
busy in the Gift Shop - sometimes hard to keep the shelves
stocked with new items. We are looking forward to a very
busy Christmas Season and have lots of giftware plus many
beautiful items supplied to the shop by the Knitters, Stitchers,
Crafters and Quilting groups - well done everyone! Visitors,
patients, staff and volunteers can usually find the perfect gift
they are looking for.
The Vendor Program is currently “Under Construction”.
Hopefully this will make things easier for everyone. We are
definitely busier and have had every available space booked
since September. Some of the vendors have been with us
since 2007 when Lynn Littlejohns and Lynda Derocher
promoted the Vendor Program. With our new scheduling
system we hope to accommodate as many vendors as possible
– old and new.
We are always thankful when students apply to volunteer in
the Gift Shop and we welcome Brianna Pickering, Chanel
Sangha, Hannah Cruickshank, Hannah McGrath, Monique
Nijjer as well as Ally Alburquenque who has been with us
since last year. Ruth Sorensen comes in to volunteer when she
is not working at her regular job - thanks to everyone!!
We have already increased the number of businesses to our
program which has given us an increase in revenues. Thanks
to everyone for their support.
Submitted by:
Sophie Therrien
As you all know - it takes a great team of volunteers to operate
the Gift Shop each and every day and we have that kind of
“team” in our shop. Thanks to each and every one of you for
the part you play in making the shop a success.
CANCER CLINIC &
LOOK GOOD FEEL BETTER
Submitted by:
Look Good Feel Better has participated in The Bay and Sears
Galas to spread the word about the Hat & Wig Lending Bank
at the RIH Hospital. We also did the Boob Tour event again,
as well as a Shopper’s Drug Mart Beauty event. We were at
the recent Craft-A-Fair promoting our program.
Lois Priebe, Maureen Tearoe, & Andrea Campbell
Submitted by:
We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year - as well as good health and happiness!!
Trudy Deluca
MOBILE CART
With the end of summer we have also seen the end of the
struggle for enough volunteers to man the mobile cart. We
have at this moment every day someone going out with it
which is wonderful to see as we are making the most of this
service. Thanks to Gayle and her "Youth Volunteers" we have
2 days filled by them taking the cart out and the other days we
have some very dedicated people. To mention one is Donna
Frolek who goes out every Tuesday for the last 6 years.
Thank you so much Donna and hope to have you part of our
team for a long time to come. Happy Holidays to all of you
and keep up the great work you do.
Submitted by:
Tilly Meuwissen
THE FRIENDLY CIRCLE
Afternoon Auxiliary to Royal Inland Hospital
Kamloops, BC
5 of 10
THRIFT SELLER
The Thrift Seller has had a great summer, and we’re working
on a profitable fall and winter season. We appreciate those
volunteers that saw us through the summer and early fall by
doing extra shifts and helping the store run smoothly.
Because of some extra effort and lots of team work, our profits
have done nothing but go UP. We got involved with Cann
Am, who come to the store every couple of months and pay us
for bags of discarded clothing. Last time they came, this was a
tidy profit of $814.62. Sports equipment was gathered and a
load was taken to Consignor Sports, who paid us $447.32.
The Royal Albert dishes we received put another $150.00 in
the bank! Sales continue to increase month after month, with
a huge October - $5,500 above last year. We cleaned out the
entire store at the end of August and had a very successful
following week, with a $1,100 day. Our volunteers are the
grease that keeps the engines running. Thank you so much
volunteers. Our Silent Auction is operating again, so come in
and see some of our treasures. The volunteers work constantly
on the pile of incoming donations and in return keep the
customers coming in.
If you take a walk down to the store, you’ll notice that our
building has been painted a fresh, modern colour. Our
displays are attractive and everyone has been helping to keep
the store clean and polished.
As we glide into the Christmas season, we will be involved in
the “28 Days of Christmas” campaign, sponsored by the
Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association. There
will be many prizes, draws, and perks for the shoppers. The
girls and guys have been working to keep the shelves and
racks loaded with good things, and we will have a huge
Christmas centre at the front of the store, before long.
We’re very excited to have nine new volunteers who are doing
a super job. They seem enthusiastic and make a difference
with filling shifts and making things run smoothly. Our
faithful long time volunteers do a great deal as well, and we’re
very grateful for their dedication. Once again, our
Christmas elves will be scurrying around and putting out some
delightful treasurer for the holidays. Come down and see us!
Please come to our Annual Christmas Luncheon and get to
know your fellow volunteers – Dec. 1st, 12:00 p.m. at the
Cavalry Community Church. See you there.
Submitted by:
Joy Parkes & Sophie Therrien
Cann Am load
“THANK YOU” to those of you who have made donations.
The small boxes jewellery comes in – either hinged or
cardboard are great. Please keep them coming. They work
well for our rings, earrings, etc.
Thank you also to Sabrina and Mark at the Jewellery
Exchange in Kelowna for continuing to help identify and
value items for the Silent Auctions. As well as, thank you to
Nicki at Danielle’s Silver and Gold in Sahali Mall for her help
in valuing jewellery donations we receive.
Submitted by:
Anne Hawthorne
The Jewellery Lady
THE FRIENDLY CIRCLE
Afternoon Auxiliary to Royal Inland Hospital
Kamloops, BC
6 of 10
YOUTH VOLUNTEERING
What’s new in Youth Volunteering?
Youth Volunteers, also known as Candy Stripers and Cadets
(the male counterparts), are high school students, ages 14-18.
Most have their sights on a career in health care and are eager
to learn everything they can about the hospital. They are
enthusiastic and glad to assist staff with small tasks and
provide patient comforts by visiting, helping people find their
way, reading, writing letters, or handing out magazines.
Volunteers are seeking experience as well as hours towards
applying to university or scholarships.
Youth volunteers are assigned in a variety of health care
settings acute or residential, usually under the supervision of a
nurse. Our Youth Volunteer program is sponsored by the
Afternoon Auxiliary to Royal Inland Hospital and overseen by
Volunteer Services. Volunteers are assigned to all areas of the
hospital: 7N, 6N &S, 5N, Peds, 4N, 3W, L&D, NICU, ICU &
SDU, Pharmacy, ED, Info Desk and the Mobile Cart.
Many recognize the term “Candy Striper” which creates a
vision of a teenage girl in a red and white striped pinafore.
This model dates back to the 1940’s. While there are some
programs that continue to subscribe to this traditional model,
we are promoting a more modern version of engaging young
people in all that we do. It is not unusual to find that many
leaders in our health care system today will tell you that as
teenagers they were Candy Stripers. Our goal is to see Youth
Volunteers – guys and girls - in acute hospital settings,
Auxiliary gift and thrift shops and assisting with other hospital
functions in addition to community events.
RIH Candy Stripers 1970 - 1978
We are proud to say that many of our recent Youth Volunteers
have been accepted into Nursing School and Respiratory
Program at TRU, X-Ray Technician programs, and numerous
universities in BC for Kinesiology and undergrad degrees for
medical school.
For more information about this program, please contact
Gayle Weiss, Volunteer Coordinator, RIH Volunteer Services
250-314-2313
Submitted by:
Gayle Weiss
RIH Youth Volunteers 2014
THE FRIENDLY CIRCLE
Afternoon Auxiliary to Royal Inland Hospital
Kamloops, BC
7 of 10
KNITTERS & CRAFTERS
SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
A very special group of women in the community spend their
time creating knit or crochet items that are then offered for
sale through the Gift Shop at RIH. There are a variety of baby
items such as sweaters, hoodies, toques, booties, hats and
blankets. The adults have not been forgotten either with warm
slippers, toques, mitts, ponchos and blankets available. If you
are at the hospital, please stop in at the Gift Shop on the 2 nd
floor and check out the many beautiful items. We were able to
attend the Craft-A-Fair in November and were very happy
with the support of the community as many of the items
presented were sold. We really appreciate the beautiful handmade articles we receive and would welcome anyone
interested in joining the group.
This baby blanket was started years ago but never completed.
The birth of a special baby boy made the family want to have
the blanket finished. Not knowing how to crochet, they
contacted the RIH Auxiliary Knitters. The blanket was
finished by one of the talented volunteers. We hope the family
is happy with the result and wish to say “Thank you” to the
volunteer for a job well done.
Thank you for another great year.
The craft group of the RIH Afternoon Auxiliary meet weekly.
Two new members joined the group recently, Camilia and
Annette, and we look forward to sharing ideas for future
projects. We have participated in special events such as the
Craft- A-Fair held at the Interior Savings Centre. All of the
crafts are for sale at the Gift Shop. We also have to make a
mention to our honorary crafter, Richard, who comes in often
to brighten our day. We enjoy the time we spend in the craft
room and have lots of laughs at some of our efforts.
Thank you to Convenor Linda Mayhood for another successful
year.
Submitted by:
Carol Day
QUILTERS
The quilters have been busy again this year selling tickets for
the draw on December 2, at the luncheon for our featured
quilt. We also attended the Craft-A-Fair again this year.
Thanks to all for another great year.
Submitted by:
Sharlene Reid - on behalf of the quilters
THE FRIENDLY CIRCLE
Afternoon Auxiliary to Royal Inland Hospital
Kamloops, BC
8 of 10
A LITTLE PIECE OF HISTORY…NOVEMBER 18, 1899
“Madam” The directors of the Royal Inland Hospital earnestly request
your attendance at the public meeting of the ladies of Kamloops to be
held at the hospital on Friday afternoon, May 28, at 3 p.m., for the
purpose of organizing a Ladies’ Auxiliary in connection with that
institution.
This letter led to the formation of our Ladies Auxiliary on November 11,
1899 when 34 ladies of “good character’ met to discuss hospital affairs to
determine how best to aid the Board of Directors of the hospital.
Membership fee was $ .50.
In those early years, the hospital was financed by donations from the
community, the work of the auxiliary, and some paying patients. Only
about half of the patients were able to pay the daily fee of $2.10.
Industrial concerns in the area paid $ .75 per month per employee,
entitling those employees to free service of the hospital and of a doctor.
The Auxiliary made money through Tag Days, Teas, Balls, moonlight
excursions on the Thompson River, Dances, Concerts and Fashion
Shows. A member of the community, Mr. Fortune, donated a horse to
the Auxiliary to raise funds. Another money working service of the
ladies’ was sewing and darning socks for the bachelors in Kamloops.
The first equipment list from the hospital administration in January 1900
was as follows: 4 dozen towels; 2 dozen table napkins, ½ dozen cups,
saucers and tea plates 2 dozen sheets; 2 dozen draw sheets; 1 dozen
flannelette night shirts.
Other purchases in those early years were a kitchen stove, linens, paint
forwards, and 3 footstools. In addition, $200.00 was donated towards a
battery-operated x–ray machine and $100.00 towards a furnace. The
ladies also had $24.00 posted as a reward to get a conviction against a
town character known as the “Dodger” for ridiculing the Ladies’
Auxiliary and the Hospital Administration.
In 1913, the outspoken Mr. Robinson, Mayor of Kamloops, called the
auxiliary a “useless organization as their united efforts for the year would
not maintain the hospital for 2 days” and he suggested they might as well
disband.
During the war years, the auxiliary came close to disbanding, dropping to
a low in 1917, making only $67.33. However, in late 1918, the ladies
reorganized and raised $926.00
In 1920, the Auxiliary raised over $1000.00. This was the first year the
ladies sponsored a dance for the graduation nurses, providing proficiency
scholarships of $15.00 and $10.00. Over these years, the Auxiliary
continued to provide furnishings for the Nurses’ home, turkey at
Christmas for the adult patients and toys for the children.
Mrs. Marlatt, whom many of you remember, and who died this year at the
age of 102, became the treasurer in 1930. During this 10 year period,
curtains were provided in the public and some private wards for the
privacy of the patient. A “Book Tea” was held to provide reading
material for a hospital library. Distributing these books and magazines to
patients became a regular service which has continued to the present day.
The 1940’s were another low period for the Auxiliary. Membership
dropped from the 90’s to the 60’s, a drive for $5,000.00 in conjunction
with the hospital administration netted only $1000.00. Some advances
were made however. The Baby Show Case was started and the first Cook
Book was printed, followed by a second edition in 1952. Money realized
from the sale of these books was earmarked to buy stainless steel bedpans
for the entire hospital. In 1948 the Auxiliary joined the provincial
organization and sent its first delegates to a convention.
The 1950’s produced our first publicity chairman and brought in the Play
Ladies who entertained the children 5 mornings a week.
The 1960’s brought expansion to our services in many areas. Two
members assisted in the Medical Library from 1962-1972 when a paid
assistants was hired. Our Thrift Shop opened downtown in 1963 in the
Old Wing Building, with a nominal rental through the courtesy of Mr.
Peter Wing. In 1967 our Concession and Cart Service in the hospital
wards started, showing a net profit of around $2000.00 for the year. For
the past 10 years the Thrift Shop and Gift Shop together have cleared
$30,000.00 - $50,000.00. In 1966 our first newsletter was published and
in 1969 our service in Admitting and Patient Comfort was started.
Through the 1970’s and to the present day, business in both the Thrift and
Gift Shops expanded to the point where a paid manageress was needed to
co-ordinate the businesses from one volunteer chairman to the next one.
The Thrift Shop also needed larger quarters and moved into the present
location on Victoria Street and the Gift Shop finally moved into
permanent quarters in the front of the hospital. In 1971 the Auxiliary
took over the sponsorship of the Candy Stripers from the Nurses
Alumnae. The Bandage-Bees, now known as the Versatile Group due to
the variety of the off jobs they take on, started meeting once a week. In
1973 the Auxiliary began assistance in the Diabetic Clinic and doing
Pharmaceutical Revision. The latter service was terminated this year
(2003).
In the 1980’s Pediatric Tours were started to familiarize young children
coming into the hospital for the first time with hospital routine. The
Quilters joined the already well-established Craft Group and promoted
further good publicity by their wall hanging in the Museum, called
“Kamloops Reflections”, and by the crest in City Hall done for the city’s
90th birthday. A Sunshine Committee was established to visit our own
members in hospital.
Over the years, three of our members have been Regional Representatives
of the Okanagan Mainline Area: Jen Krag, Adene Clay and Mary Martin.
Jen Krag went on to become Provincial President assisted by Provincial
Secretary June Aubrey. Adene Clay served a term as a Candy Striper/
Provincial Chairman and Norma (Betty) Dalgleish had a term as National
Treasurer.
In 1914 the first audit of the Auxiliary books was done, indicating the
year’s take at $440.86. In the past few years, 30 – 50,000 volunteer hours
per year have brought comfort and service to patients within the hospital
and raised money for the hospital equipment in the amount of around
$130,000.00 yearly.
SO MUCH FOR A “USELESS ORGANIZATION”!
Compiled by: Helen Karvonen, December 1984 from information
included in a leaflet given to her by Janet Doubt
THE FRIENDLY CIRCLE
Afternoon Auxiliary to Royal Inland Hospital
Kamloops, BC
9 of 10
VOLUNTEERS
As in the Article, which was in previous newsletters,
November 11, 1899 is a day to remember! 34 ladies of “good
character” met to discuss hospital affairs to determine how
best to aid the Board of Directors of the hospital. At that time
the RIH Ladies Auxiliary was born. Because of the
importance of all the volunteers in the RIH Afternoon
Auxiliary, the newsletter will feature a “Special Group” in the
following editions. In this issue we are spotlighting the
“Stitchers” group.
STITCHERS
The Afternoon Auxiliary Stitchers Group is currently 13
strong. We meet each Thursday morning at 9 AM, in an
upstairs room in the Thrift Seller. We meet to label and price
our sewing items, to plan future events and to organize our
next projects, as well as to enjoy coffee and chatting. All our
stitching is done at home. Each of us exercises our own
choices on the projects we do and the way we do it. Donated
material and patterns are available for our use. This freedom to
choose our own projects gives the group lots of variety, colour,
and patterns in the items we put up for sale in the Gift Shop at
the hospital. It also gives each of us variety and novelty in the
projects we do, which greatly adds to our interest in the group.
Marie Shale has convened the stitchers since it became
independent, and continues on enthusiastically in the position.
The stitchers were once a part of the crafters group. Originally
we all worked together, but over time found it easier to divide
into crafts, stitching, and knitting. We remained for a time
under one group umbrella, but met on different days.
Eventually we formed 3 groups, the Crafters, Stitchers and
Knitters. For many years we worked out of the hospital, in a
basement area, a ward area, and the alumni tower. Six years
ago we moved to the Thrift Seller to enjoy our own space
under the Auxiliary roof.
Although most of our time has been spent on making items for
the Gift Shop and for different bazaar and sale events, we have
worked on a few large projects over the years. We have made
baby and child night gowns and pajamas for the pediatric
ward, and kimono's and adult pajamas for the wards, As well
as our latest projects, gift bags for the Gift Shop to give away
to customers, and curtains for the nursery ICU.
Special mention goes to one of our members, Helen McLean.
She has been a member of the Stitcher group since she moved
to Kamloops from Little Fort. Helen was one of the first
people to move into the Ponderosa Lodge Apartments, having
put her name on the list even before the soil was turned for the
project! She has stopped coming to the meetings, as the stairs
are too much for her to manage, but has not stopped sewing
for us! She adds cheer and a very positive attitude to the
group and is never afraid to offer ideas and to do her share of
work in the projects. Most of her projects are colourful and
imaginative. Perhaps you have seen her finger puppets at the
Gift Shop or her animal child aprons! She has made puppets
and children's toys since her son was a child and in
kindergarten, and has done it for the Little Fort school as well
as our hospital ever since.
If you enjoy sewing and making interesting creations, if you
enjoy sharing a couple of hours a week visiting with likeminded individuals, if you wish to help raise money for the
hospital through your sewing----join us!! We are a lot of fun.
Submitted by:
Wilma Scheer
The Stitchers group consists of the following:
Barb Bryant, Rachel Cornwall, Ellen DeBryn, Lois Gallant,
Loraine Harries, Linda Hebner, Jo Hill, Dot McDougall, Helen
McLean, Peggy Mears, Wilma Scheer, Marie Shale
(Convenor) and Dorothy Thiessen
(Not all are represented in the photo)
THE FRIENDLY CIRCLE
Afternoon Auxiliary to Royal Inland Hospital
Kamloops, BC
10 of 10
PICTURE PAGE – SOME OF OUR ACTIVITIES!!!!
Merry Christmas and
from the Newsletter
Team – Carol and Shar