Tanamakoon Reflection - A Season For Seniors

We arrived at Cache Lake a motley crew of Seniors, some renewing their past acquaintance with Tanamakoon, but most of us greenhorns to the experience.  The name Season for Seniors couldn’t be more appropriate.  Here we are in the fall of our years coming to enjoy the beauty of the fall season.  As with the season, we come with a variety of splendour in our personalities from the boisterous fifty year olds to the energetic octogenarians and the rest somewhere in between, but we blended into a harmonious group.

       With trepidation we ventured into the various crafts and activities offered to us by the out-going, and patient leaders, surprising ourselves by our many hidden talents and artistic abilities.  Friendships flourished as we supported and encouraged one another to participate, no matter how outrageous the activity appeared to be.  It was good for one’s heart to hear the laughter ringing from cabins, through the woods and over the water.  We all seemed to be young at heart this week.

       As the week gradually winds its way to the end, we feel that the spirit of camaraderie will go with each of us.  We were blessed with excellent leaders, beautiful weather, great meals, and we will all take special memories home with us as we reluctantly leave this place of tranquility.  As Canadian residents of Ontario, we are blessed to have such a place of God-given beauty to enjoy and may we work hard to leave it this way for the future generations to enjoy.

       It has been a fantastic week.

Diana Schnitzler

September 5-10, 2005.

When you signed up for a week at a “Senior Camp” did you have any idea what was in store for you?  Did you ever dream you would be sharing a cabin with nature’s tiniest creatures?  Curious field mice, chipmunks, red squirrels, and even racoons.  They tried so hard to make us comfortable in their environment.

       And meals!! Who’da thought that two young people – Danny and Kirsten - could serve up such inspired menus for us old fogies – I have never seen porridge served with hot prunes and beans – but is was on the menu.  Not to mention all the other wonderful meals they were challenged to put together for us.

       And STAFF – Patti, Ray and Larry who not only kept us busy – entertaining us but also cleaned up behind us.  Talk about “Jack of all trades”.  To come up with so many ideas – where we can put our talents to use and not look too shabby in doing so.

       The cookout, the canoe and kayak training as well as as other artistic events – I never dreamed I would be taking home a paddle that Ray would make me believe that I had made.

      And I have to mention the staff behind the scenes – Ron, Chris and Matti who kept things running as smoothly as possible in all situations.

And our special visitors

1)   Ron and his educational tour of trails and wetlands

2)   Jane and Ted, Mary and John for yet another challenge in the artistic craft area

3)   Catherine for enhancing historical information on Tanamakoon

4)   And last but not least – Kim for making it all happen.

To all the new and wonderful friends we have come together with – what a great group of people – and seniors on top of all that.

       Who would think we could have so much fun together in our golden years?

We take home many new memories – many new friends -  and a “wonderful new outlook on life”. Thank you.

Joan Welch