Will You Be Our Valentine?

Stewart Memorial Hospital Auxiliary’s 26^th Annual Valentine’s Dance will be held Saturday, February 9th at 8:30 p.m. at the Ellerslie Legion, 1136 Ellerslie Road.  Great dance music by the band Old Habits, lots of door prizes, surprises and a 50/50 draw.

This is one of the Auxiliary's major annual fundraisers and proceeds will be used to support hospital projects.  The Auxiliary's purpose is to raise money to purchase items for the comfort and care of SMH residents and patients.  With the wonderful support of our community, we have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars over our 63 years!

Tickets are $12 and can be reserved by calling Wanda at 831-2684 or Cindy at 831-2662.  We'd LOVE to see you there!

The Auxiliary is also selling raffle tickets four great prizes that will be drawn the night of the dance:

1st Prize:  2 nights accommodation for 2 with breakfasts, dinners and special extras, donated by Rodd Mill River Resort.

2nd Prize:  Hand hooked mat, made and donated by Olive Grigg.

3rd Prize:  2 Adirondack lawn chairs, made and donated by Evan Locke.

4th Prize:  A CBC jacket and hat.

Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5 and are available at the Tyne Valley Post Office, Murphy's Tyne Valley Pharmacy and from any auxiliary member.

Making Merry in Tyne Valley

Each year the Stewart Memorial Hospital Auxiliary combine their December meeting with a sing-a-long with the hospital's residents and patients.  We held the 2012 version on December 17 and had a great time singing and visiting with the residents.  Everyone enjoyed sandwiches and sweets and a beautiful cranberry punch provided by our members.  It's a great way to end the year!

Another great way to end the year is with the results of our 2012 Christmas Tea.  We raised over $3,500 this year, which we believe is a record for this event!  Thanks again to our volunteer servers and those who prepared food and donated items to sell.  Special thanks to Inge Rittweiler for our raffle wall hanging, Prestige Florist for the door prize floral centerpiece and Shelly Campbell for her decorating magic!

Life Members

Marilyn Ramsay (left) and Kit Loschiuk

Stewart Memorial Hospital Auxiliary recently honoured Marilyn Ramsay and Kit Loschiuk with life memberships in the Prince Edward Island Association of Healthcare Auxiliaries.  Marilyn joined the SMH Auxiliary in 1975 and Kit in 1994, so they have 55 years of auxiliary volunteer experience between them.

Marilyn Ramsay and Kit Loschiuk with PEIAHA President Norma Getson

Both ladies served in executive positions on the SMH Auxiliary and are enthusiastic supporters of all our fundraising activities.  They were also very involved in the two Canadian Association of Healthcare Auxiliaries national conferences that were held in Charlottetown in 2001 and 2009.  Congratulations to these two great women!

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PEIAHA Life Membership Nominations

KIT LOSCHIUK

Kit Loschiuk has put the “fun” in fundraising for the Stewart Memorial Hospital Auxiliary since she joined in 1994. Her enthusiasm and great sense of humour have made her special not only to her home auxiliary, but also to auxilians across PEI.

From 2002-04, Kit served as President of the SMHA and she did so much for our Auxiliary and our hospital.

She has knit dozens of baby sweaters, hats, mittens and baby booties for our gift cupboard; baked and cooked for our special events; sold tickets on every raffle we have had; decorated, planned and entertained.

In 2001, when PEI hosted the Canadian Association of Healthcare Auxiliaries convention, Kit took a very active part in the planning due to her artistic abilities.  She made three Island tartan-covered boxes to hold tickets for the three raffle items secured by our Auxiliary, and topped them with a miniature quilt, rug and picture, which were the items being raffled.  She made lots friends at this convention and maintains close ties with many of them today.

Kit was also on the organizing committee for the 2009 CAHA conference, again held in Charlottetown.  She has attended nearly all of the semi-annual and annual Prince Edward Island Association of Healthcare Auxiliaries meetings and has been to at least nine CAHA conventions.

Kit is a member of the SMH Foundation, has been a member of the Freeland Women’s Institute for over 20 years and sings in the Tyne Valley Community Choir. Kit also sings with her two sisters, Jean and Priscilla, at ceilidhs and concerts across West Prince, including at SMH, and all her volunteering is done with a smile or a joke.  Kit, Jean and Priscilla were jointly named as the WI Members of The Year at the 2010 Tyne Valley Oyster Festival.

She is hardworking and dependable, creative and dedicated, so it is with great pleasure that we award a PEIAHA Life Membership to Kit Loschiuk.

MARILYN RAMSAY

Marilyn Ramsay joined the Stewart Memorial Hospital Auxiliary in November 1975 and has been a very active, involved, hardworking and dedicated auxilian.

She served two terms as SMHA secretary (1977-79 and 1994-96) and one term as SMHA treasurer (2008-10).  She also served as the Prince Edward Island Association of Healthcare Auxiliaries treasurer from 2003-05.  All of these positions take a tremendous amount of time and she carried out all these four executive roles while also working and raising her family. 

Marilyn prepares food for and actively participates in all Auxiliary events and fundraisers.  Her ideas and skills always make our meetings and events successful, and she is a whiz at selling tickets.  She is willing to tackle any project, always leading the way and anxious to help.

Marilyn goes to as many PEIAHA meetings as possible and has been to nine Canadian Association of Healthcare Auxiliaries conventions, always making friends wherever she goes.

In 2011, Marilyn invited her granddaughter, Olivia, to become our first official junior member, and she is just like her grandma: happy, enthusiastic, full of energy and always willing to help.

Marilyn has held all executive positions in the Poplar Grove-MacNeill’s Mills Women’s Institute, has been a steward of the Bideford-Conway United Church and is now an elder.  She has been a CGIT leader and is involved with the Ellerslie Elementary School breakfast program.

Not only is Marilyn a wife, mother and grandmother, she also works fulltime at a very demanding job.

It is with great pleasure that we award a PEIAHA Life Membership to a special lady with a positive outlook, a very dedicated and deserving auxilian, Marilyn Ramsay.

2012 Christmas Tea

For the 46th year in a row, the Stewart Memorial Hospital Auxiliary will be holding our Christmas Tea and Bazaar on Wednesday, November 21 from 3:00 - 5:30 p.m. at the Tyne Valley Fire Hall (7078 Route 12).  For many people in our area, this has become a much-anticipated event that eases them into the busy Christmas period.

The first tea was held in December 1966 in the hospital itself.  Tables were set up in the hospital boardroom and the tea and goodies were served from the hospital kitchen.  Handmade crafts and baked goods were sold and that event raised $46.50.  In 2011 our tea made over $2,700, thanks to the generosity of those who donated items and those who purchased them!

Ladies enjoying the 10th tea in 1976

1981 Tea

Come and join us on November 21 for a lovely afternoon of food and fellowship.  The cost remains unchanged: Adults $7.00, Students $3.00,  and children under 6 free.  And bring some extra cash to spend at our bake and craft tables, which will no doubt have something to tempt everyone.

We will also be selling raffle tickets on a beautiful wall hanging created and donated by Ingeborg Rittweiler.  And the generous folks at Prestige Floral Studio have donated a centerpiece for our tea table that will be used as a door prize.  Local decorator Shelly Campbell will once again be donating her time and considerable talents to making the hall look cheerful and Christmasy.

All proceeds will be used to purchase items for the care and comfort of patients and residents at Stewart Memorial Hospital.

2011 Bake Table

2010 Craft Table

Gathering Together

12 of our members headed to the Western Curling Club in Alberton for a wonderful day with members of the PEIAHA at their 2012 annual meeting.  After the business meeting concluded, Sandra Ramsay (daughter-in-law of our own Marilyn Ramsay) spoke to our group about her work counseling individuals and families with addictions. She gave us examples of the varied techniques she uses included yogic breathing and aromatherapy.

The ladies of the curling club prepared a beautiful turkey dinner followed by pie and tea or coffee.  Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves judging by the laughter and buzz in the room!

Here are some photos from the day.  You can see more in our Picasa photostream by following the link in the right sidebar.

Our meeting delegates

Back row (l-r): Norma Ramsay, Ruth MacLennan, Doris Dennis, Aleah MacLennan, Carolyn Biggar, Kit Loschiuk, Marilyn Ramsay

Front row: Pam MacKinnon, Doreen Wooder, Wanda Barlow, Thelma Phillips, Verna Barlow

Norma Getson, PEIAHA President, with SMHA life members Marilyn Ramsay (left) and Kit Losckhiuk (right)

Some of our life members

Back row (l-r): Aleah MacLennan, Verna Barlow, Marilyn Ramsay

Front Row: Norma Ramsay, Kit Loschiuk

Lots of News

The summer just flew by and now our group is back in gear for another season.

Many thanks to everyone who purchased tickets on our raffle of a case of lobster.  We sold $1,444 worth of tickets and we are already looking for ways to spend it on items for the hospital!

Some of our auxiliary members provided home-baked treats for our hospital staff two mornings this past week.  Our dedicated staff go above and beyond every single day and we wanted to say thank you.  We had some nice compliments about our culinary skills from the staff, who appreciated being appreciated!

Our new executive have assumed their leadership duties for the next two years.  We are glad to have Pam MacKinnon as President, Carolyn Biggar as Secretary, Cindy Gorrill as Treasurer and Thelma Phillips as Public Relations.  Pam, Carolyn and Cindy are also new to the Auxiliary, so it is really generous of them to give their time and talents to our group.

We've added a biography of Dr. J.A. Stewart to our blog.  His dedication to the people of the Tyne Valley area during his 38-year career led the hospital's founders to name their facility after him, and we think his story should be more widely known.

Dedicated Lives

Our Annual Meeting on June 25 was a lovely early summer evening.  President Doreen Wooder and the hospital staff went to a lot of effort to transform the board room into an inviting dining room:

We started the proceedings with a delicious meal prepared for us by the Stewart Memorial Hospital food services staff.  They are undoubtably some of the best cooks on the Island!

Beautiful cold plate supper

And strawberry shortcake for dessert!

Doreen had the great pleasure as the Vice-president of the Prince Edward Island Association of Healthcare Auxiliaries to present life memberships to three of our members, Aleah MacLennan, Norma Ramsay and Verna Barlow.  Here are their citations:

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PEIAHA Life Membership Nominations

ALEAH MACLENNAN

Aleah MacLennan joined the Stewart Memorial Hospital Auxiliary in February 1990, and she has done a great deal to help our Auxiliary and our hospital because of her dedication to both.

Aleah graduated from the PEI School of Nursing and then in 1976 joined the staff at SMH, and we are so grateful to still have her.  She is a very caring and committed nurse and auxilian.

In her role as RN, Aleah keeps the Auxiliary up-to-date on what is needed for the care and comfort of the residents and patients, and also what might assist the staff with their work.  Her input is extremely valuable at Auxiliary meetings when discussions arise on items requested by the hospital.

Aleah willingly prepares food for every event the Auxiliary has and will do anything asked of her, which often means juggling her shifts at the hospital.

Her demanding work schedule has not always allowed Aleah to attend as many Prince Edward Island Association of Healthcare Auxiliaries meetings or Canadian Association of Healthcare Auxiliaries conventions as she would have liked, although for the two CAHA conventions held on PEI in 2001 and 2009, she certainly did her share of the work.

Aleah has a B.Sc.N. degree and, along with three other classmates, put on the first hospice training session at Prince County Hospital in 1988.  She has also served as the nursing representative on several SMH accreditation committees and spent three years on the Advisory Council for the Status of Women.

She is a member of the Port Hill Women’s Institute, a member of the Lot 14 UCW and has served as elder at the Lot 14 United Church.  Aleah has also freely given her time and talents to many local community groups.  Proof of her total volunteer dedication is that she takes her vacation during the Tyne Valley Oyster Festival just so she is free to volunteer long hours in the kitchen preparing meals.

Aleah MacLennan is very dedicated to her hospital, her community and to our Auxiliary, and we are pleased to award her a Life Membership in the PEIAHA.

  

NORMA RAMSAY

Norma Ramsay first joined the Stewart Memorial Hospital Auxiliary on January 26, 1968.  After a few years away while she was busy with work and raising a large family, we were fortunate to have Norma come back to our group, and she is a dedicated and valued auxilian.  Even when she wasn’t able to attend Auxiliary meetings, Norma always supported our Auxiliary in whatever ways we needed.

Norma was the secretary of the SMHA from 2004-06.  She has attended numerous Prince Edward Island Association of Healthcare Auxiliaries meetings, along with approximately six Canadian Association of Healthcare Auxiliaries conventions.

Norma was very involved with the 2009 CAHA convention in Charlottetown.  She sold lots of raffle and 50/50 tickets, all the while making everyone feel very welcome.

Norma is also a great ticket seller for our Auxiliary and for two years in a row undertook the huge task of pre-selling tickets to our annual Valentine’s Dance.  She also managed to sell many raffle tickets, prepare food and help set-up for the dances.

Norma plays the piano for our annual Christmas sing-along with residents and patients.  She is well known for her great musical ability and plays the piano or organ for many church and community events.  She belongs to the Tyne Valley Community Choir and her church choir as well.

Norma was made a Life Member of the Northam Women’s Institute, has been a life-long member of the United Church and UCW and has been an elder and treasurer for the church.

Norma has been very involved with the Ellerslie Legion and held many executive positions on their Ladies Auxiliary, as well many executive positions on their provincial board.  Norma’s unfailing dedication to the Legion organisation led her to join the Tignish Legion Ladies Auxiliary when the Ladies Auxiliary in Ellerslie disbanded.

Norma is a very caring and devoted community volunteer who so freely shares her time and talents. We think “ask and ye shall receive” is her motto, and we are pleased to award Norma Ramsay with a Life Membership in the PEIAHA.

VERNA BARLOW

Verna Barlow joined the Stewart Memorial Hospital Auxiliary in 1975 and from day one has done everything possible to help, advise and guide our Auxiliary to be the best it can be.

Verna was SMHA President twice, from 1977-79 and again from 1994-96.  She oversaw many special projects and events during those tenures.

Verna served as Vice-president of the Prince Edward Island Association of Healthcare Auxiliaries from 2001-03 and was President from 2003-05.  The PEIAHA celebrated its 40^th Anniversary in 2004 and Verna planned a great celebration meeting, which included giving special recognition to life and charter members.

When the Canadian Association of Healthcare Auxiliaries convention was in Charlottetown in 2001, Verna took a very active part in the creation of the beautiful table favours for the delegates’ breakfast, awards luncheon and banquet.  She worked constantly and helped in a very big way to make it one of the best conventions ever.

Verna has attended the majority of PEIAHA meetings and has been to at least nine CAHA conventions.  Wherever she goes she makes new friends and adds so much to the proceedings.

As a staff person at SMH, Verna is known as “the person to ask” if you need to know something or need someone to help you.  We have never known her to say no! 

Verna has been a member of the Poplar Grove-MacNeill Mills Women’s Institute for over 30 years and is a life-long member and volunteer for the Freeland Presbyterian Church.

Verna was named Volunteer of the Year at the 2008 Tyne Valley Oyster Festival, and has received many special awards for all she has done for her hospital, church and community.

She is usually the first to offer to prepare food for any upcoming Auxiliary event and she is a great organizer.  Her quick wit makes her a wonderful emcee.

There is only one Verna Barlow and we are so lucky to have her, so it gives us great pleasure to award her a PEIAHA Life Memebership.

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Verna Barlow, Aleah MacLennan and Norma Ramsay

After the citations were read, Doreen presented each woman with their Life Membership pin, certificate and a beautiful miniature rose plant.  These three ladies have given so much to our Auxiliary and our community, so it was wonderful to honor them with this award.

Our annual meeting following the ceremony.  We were very pleased to have Pam MacKinnon join us as the incoming President of the Auxiliary.  She is already an incredibly busy and talented volunteer in the Tyne Valley area, so we are very fortune to have her join us.

Our meeting adjourned and we stepped out into a beautiful warm twilight.  We won't meet again until September 17, but our next fundraising event is already underway:  a raffle on a case of lobster.  Tickets are $1 each and will be available for purchase during the Tyne Valley Oyster Festival during the first weekend in August.

Check out more pictures from the evening in our Picasa feed.