Happy New Year and welcome to the first newsletter for 2016.

I hope that everyone had a good Christmas holiday and managed to spend time doing something a little special.

My cousin and her family arrived Christmas Eve from England and stayed with me for two weeks, their first time in Australia. Had a wonderful time showing off our beautiful city the Blue Mountains, Taronga Zoo and the Northern Beaches. New Years Eve was spent on the harbour watching the midnight fireworks, spectacular. They are now back in England with snow and freezing temperatures. We are definitely the lucky ones!

Thank you to our residents their family and friends who came and shared our Christmas lunch and cheered on the staff in our performance of Mary Poppins. It was a great afternoon with evidence now hanging in photo frames in the Aged Care Facility. For those who missed us, we will be back……

Welcome Kim Loines to our Admin team

I would like to welcome Kim Loines to our Office Administration Team – Kim will be working 3 days a week on Reception. We farewell and wish Leesa Howell all the best in her new full-time role in the city.

The Village dining room is open for lunch every day

The Village dining room is open for lunch every day offering exceptional value. Menus for the month are displayed in the Community Hall, we hope this is helpful should you wish to plan for friends and family to join you for a meal. Meal tickets can be purchased at reception, they do not expire should you wish to purchase a few at a time and use at your convenience.

Daily three course lunch with tea/coffee. Residents $12, Visitors $14 (place your name on the list located in the dining room and select your meal). Booking to be made no later than the day prior to service. For groups of more than four please give as much notice as possible to help with catering.

Wednesday ‘Roast of the Day’ is great value at $10.00 for residents and guests. (Place your name on the list in the Community Hall by the previous Friday)

Themed monthly luncheons in the Village Dining Room continue to be a great success. They are advertised on the notice boards, bookings can be made and tickets purchased at reception.

Warringah Mall weekly shopping trips

Warringah Mall shopping trips continue weekly. Our appreciation and thanks once again go to our volunteer driver, Harold who makes this possible, and also Bob Willatt who fills in. Thursday mornings at 9.30am our village bus leaves from our lower car park for Warringah Mall and returns lunchtime. Walking Group A fun eneron getic group meet Sunday mornings at 9.15am at the Community Hall. Dust off your walking shoes and join in the fun!

Check our website and the noticeboard for upcoming events

Noticeboards displaying new and up and coming events are located on the covered walkway at the entrance to the Reception and at the entrance to the village near the letterboxes. If residents are required to add their name to a list, for example, the Bus Trip outings this will be located on a clip board in the Community Hall on the Cocktail table.

Rejuvenated BBQ area

Please enjoy socializing at the BBQ area that has been rejuvenated into a beautiful level setting with a new larger table and chairs and umbrella and gas BBQ. In addition, table and chairs have been placed around the pond area. It is good to hear that it is being used to entertain friends and families. The area is located at the end of the driveway adjacent to the pond and gate that leads to the War Memorial Park.

Volunteer your time

Volunteering your time to people or projects is a very beneficial and satisfying thing to do and a great way to connect with your community. Your time is greatly appreciated. If you are interested and would like to find out more please do not hesitate to contact myself or Virginia, Recreation Activities and Volunteers Co-ordinator for the Aged Care Facility.

Internet kiosk and library

The internet kiosk and library has books and DVDs available for residents to borrow, it is an honesty system ‘take and return’, if you have a good book or DVD that you would like to share, they can be left in the library. Open Monday to Friday 9.30 – 4.30pm. (Please do not leave large quantities of book donations in the library, contact Reception and they will advise if needed).

Wednesday movie nights are back!

Movie Night is back following the Christmas Break! Wednesday evening at 6.30pm on the large screen with surround sound. It is so easy for residents to stroll down to the Community Hall and enjoy socialising with friends and neighbours just minutes from home. The kitchen is there to share a cuppa or glass of wine. We have quite a long list of DVDs to choose from and some residents have also made their collections available. The movie title of the week will be displayed on both notice boards.

Sunday BBQs

All Village residents are welcome to attend. Sunday BBQs to be held every two months, more information on our notice boards.

Bus Trips

Check out the notice boards for information on up and coming Bus Trips and add your name to the list that is located inside the community hall on a clipboard on the cocktail table. Details can be found on both notice boards.

A warm welcome to our new residents

Please join me in extending a warm welcome to our new residents as they settle into the village. A friendly smile and hello can make all the difference!

I am always interested to hear from residents with new ideas and suggestions for social activities please give me a call, drop me a note or send me an email.

With warm regards
Patricia Cearnes
Retirement Living Manager
Email: pcearnes@alhvillage.com.au