They say that April showers bring May flowers, but I wonder what April snow will bring? Hopefully it brings grass to mow.
Thank you to all of our regular volunteers, who I will individually name in our next column, but April was a special month that deserves a special column.
The trust committee hosted our annual spring fundraiser on April 12. The event was held at the Estevan Exhibition Association building, with over 225 people attending. We were tickled with laughter as we watched and listened to our two comedians entertain us with their antics.
Estevan Bowl and Catering provided us with a delicious prime rib and chicken meal. The desserts were so tasty that many of us fell off our diets that night.
We had a live auction at our fundraiser for the first time. Murray GM donated a 4H steer, which was purchased by Mid-City Plumbing and Heating. Southern Plains Co-op donated $1,000 in gift cards, which were purchased by Councillor Dennis Moore, and Flynn Roofing donated two tickets to a Winnipeg Jets 2019-20 regular season hockey game, which were purchased by Mark and Rhonda Tarnes.
Thank you to everyone who participated in our first and very successful live auction.
We had a silent auction table that was very well supported by all who attended our event. There was a draw for three prizes. The first prize was getaway for the Temple Gardens Hotel and Spa in Moose Jaw, which was won by one of our very dedicated volunteers, Joan Wock. Melodye Pierson, who another of our dedicated volunteers, won our second prize, a $500 Estevan Staycation package, which was filled with wonderful gift cards from our Estevan business community.
Third prize was a fit bit and that was won by William Chamney. Congratulations to all our winners, we are very happy for you.
A huge thank you to the individuals and the business community who supported our fundraiser, and to the ladies who volunteered at the fundraiser to ensure we all were taken care of.
Together we raised $27,500.00 and the money will go towards our roof project in the 300 hallway.
Creighton Lodge was the recipient of a generous donation from the estate of Mylan Chase. The funds will be used for our capital projects at the lodge and we are beyond delighted that Mr. Chase decided to bestow such a generous gift upon the lodge.
The other big event that happened in April was the retirement of my partner, co-manager, friend and mentor Judy Pratt. The residents, staff and I are going to miss seeing her on a regular basis.
Judy and I came to the lodge together on May 15, 2010, and for nine great years we co-managed the lodge. It was Judy’s idea to leave healthcare and apply to become the new managers of Creighton Lodge when the RMs took ownership. I was the nervous one, but fortunately I had faith in my friend who was confident it was the right move to make. She was 100 per cent right.
From day one Judy and I made a great team. Some people say we are total opposites, but we know that together we make the perfect pair. Judy is the designer, the crafter, the one with an eye for detail (she never lets me get away with fake cranberries on Christmas day when the real ones could be had), and a pillar of strength in times of crisis. She has a wonderful sense of humour, a love for her family and others that is shown daily. She is generous, she is a good listener, a superior conversationalist, the No. 1 Juice Plus saleswoman and she loves to shop.
I could go on with reasons why Judy is such a great person, but this column can only be so long, so if you want to hear more about how wonderful we think Judy is, her retirement tea will be held at the lodge at 2:30 p.m. on May 24.
Please come and honor Judy Pratt and help us wish her the best in her retirement.
Thank you Judy for being such a great partner at work, a mentor both on a professional and personal level and I look forward to the next stage of our friendship. How does lunch next Tuesday sound?
