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<title>V!VA Retirement Communities RSS Feed</title>
<link>http://www.vivalife.ca/rss</link>
<description><![CDATA[Join the friendly conversation on retirement living with a difference.]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 17 May 2012 14:17:12 -0700</pubDate>
<item>
<title>Valentine's Day comes early to V!VA Mississauga</title>
<link>http://www.vivalife.ca/about/blog&amp;id=377/</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Dorothy Whitelaw, mother of three, grandmother of six and great-grandmother of three is in love.  

Dorothy moved to V!VA Mississauga soon after it opened in 2011 from her home in Montreal, QC to be closer to her family.  Her family will be growing in ways she hadn’t expected. On Dorothy’s 81st birthday, she was presented with an engagement ring from fellow Community Member Dinny Madill. The couple will be getting married in March.

“I wasn’t looking for a relationship. I just enjoyed Dinny’s company and our time together,” Dorothy candidly shares.

Smiling ear to ear, Dinny’s take on the budding relationship is a bit different. “The moment I saw her, I thought to myself, ‘What a classy lady!’ and ever since then, it has been all about Dorothy.”

When asked how love has been different this time around, Dorothy says, “It isn’t teenage love, where we thought we knew everything. Our feet are more firmly rooted in the ground this time, though we feel like teenagers in love! I am giddy all the time.” 

Initially, Dorothy was somewhat hesitant to share the news with her daughter Kathie, mainly because she felt ‘foolish’. 

“Who gets married at our age?” Dorothy asks as she looks at Dinny and reaches for his hand. “But my daughter was so happy for us, as were all our friends and the wonderful Team Members at V!VA. They made us feel so loved and valued.”  

Dorothy is now dress shopping with her daughter and preparing for their wedding in March.   Upon hearing the news, her daughter had said, “Mom, it is about time you had some happiness.”  

When asked if they have any pearls of wisdom to share, Dinny pulling Dorothy closer says, “Never stop loving and live life to the fullest.”

Check out Mississauga News' coverage of this wonderful story at: http://www.mississauga.com/what%27s%20on/article/1295795--never-too-old-for-cupid



]]></description>
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<title>V!VA Mt. Kilimanjaro</title>
<link>http://www.vivalife.ca/about/blog&amp;id=351/</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[While everyone at V!VA consistently strives for ‘peak’ performance, it's not every day that one of us actually reaches the top of the highest mountain in Africa!  Well, that's precisely what Donna Armstrong, a V!VA Mississauga Community Relations Coordinator, did last week when she climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro with her husband and four friends.  

Mount Kilimanjaro is situated entirely with the borders of Tanzania, although it is situated close to the border of Kenya. It is situated 3 degree, or about 340 km, south of the Equator. 

They tackled the Machame route which is regarded as the most scenic route on the mountain.  It was completed in 6 days.  With this route, climbers need to be prepared to put in a couple of taxing 10 hour pushes.

Kilimanjaro comprises three distinct non-active volcanic cones: Shira - 13,000 feet (3,962 meters) which Donna and her team climbed on Day 3; Mawenzi - 16,896 feet (5,149 meters) which they climbed on Day 4; and, the tallest,  Kibo - 19,340 feet (5,895 meters) which they climbed on Day 5.

Statistics indicate that only 44% of those attempting to reach the summit (Kibo) actually make it.  In Donna's group of six, all were successful in making it to the top!

Congratulations Donna!  Thanks for inspiring everyone at V!VA to always reach for the top!   
]]></description>
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<item>
<title>V!VA hosts Minister Fantino for seniors forum</title>
<link>http://www.vivalife.ca/about/blog&amp;id=349/</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[V!VA Mississauga's Presentation Centre played host to an important event today with community leaders from senior organizations throughout Mississauga gathering to share their concerns and ideas with the Honourable Julian Fantino, Canada’s recently appointed Minister of State (Seniors).

The senior forum was hosted by Mississauga-Erindale MP Bob Dechert at the presentation centre for V!VA Mississauga Retirement Community, Mississauga’s newest rental retirement home. 

“We have so much to learn from our older adults, and so many reasons to be thankful for their contribution to society,” said Dechert. “The ideas put forward today will be helpful when our government is considering priorities for retired workers and senior citizens."

Surrounded by V!VA’s images of active and vibrant senior living, Presidents and Board Members of the city’s leading senior organizations sat with Fantino and Dechert to discuss issues important to older adults including healthcare, taxes, and safety – among others. 

“Our government is committed to helping seniors lead active and engaged lives,” said Fantino. “There is much to be learned from this generation of Canadians who have contributed so much to our nation.”

Darlene Faulkner, Community Director for V!VA Mississauga, summed up the day’s event: “With our commitment to building and operating innovative communities designed to enrich the lives of seniors, V!VA is proud to host today’s forum focused on bettering the lives of older adults across Canada.”]]></description>
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<title>Say &quot;hello&quot; to our Model Suite!</title>
<link>http://www.vivalife.ca/about/blog&amp;id=348/</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 31 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[What a fantastic weekend!  We've just completed two fun-filled (and very busy!) days providing tours of V!VA Mississauga's brand new, fully-furnished, professionally decorated model suite!  From morning ‘til evening, our team guided group after group through the model suite located on the first floor of the V!VA Mississauga property.  

The response has been absolutely fantastic! Our guests were delighted with the size and spaciousness of the suites.  Plus, they really appreciated the thoughtful features we've included, such as large walk-in closets, huge windows, step-in shower with built-in seat and grab-bars, and emergency call buttons - to name a few. 

We received an unprecedented number of reservations this weekend, so the best suites are going fast.  We do have some excellent options still available ranging in size from studio to two bedroom.  
 
To book your private tour of our model suite, please give us a call at 905-566-4500.  We look forward to hearing from you soon!
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Eldership Summer Camp Program</title>
<link>http://www.vivalife.ca/about/blog&amp;id=320/</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 18 Jul 2010 21:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[This summer, the children from Arlan Day Camp have been visiting the Waterside to participate in games and activites with our Community Members on a weekly basis.  The children range in age from 6 to 12 years and have called the program "Adopt a Grandparent".  Every Wednesday morning, Waterside transforms into a Games Room for the children and our Community Members to have a little fun.  The noise level increases a few notches with the excitement of winning Snakes and Ladders or celebrating a billiards victory.  Other campers enjoy some reading with our Community Members in the front lobby area.  

Once all the activity and games are cleared away, the children enjoy a glass of juice and snack before departing on their walk back to camp. 

All in all, we are thrilled with how our V!VA Eldership program is continuing to bring generations closer together. This program help our kids learn from our elders and vice versa!]]></description>
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<title>Victory Garden - Grand Opening Party</title>
<link>http://www.vivalife.ca/about/blog&amp;id=319/</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Waterside hosted yet another wonderful party celebrating the official opening of the Victory Garden located in the heart of our retirement community.  With the persistent heat and humidity, the ribbon cutting was done quickly by our Community Director, Marilyn Colton.  Assiting her were two Community Members from our Garden Club - Joe Dittmar and Bev Willis, as well as volunteer Doreen Duff. 

Everyone retreated back into the building after a quick peak at the raised garden beds that our Garden Club Members have worked so diligently on.  All 50 guests were able to relax and enjoy the buffet lucnch while being entertained by Bernie Costello on piano.

Thank you to Kathy from Home Depot who graciously donated flowers for the planters that will displayed outside in the front entrance to the Community. ]]></description>
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<title>2nd Annual Wellness Fair - A Huge Success!</title>
<link>http://www.vivalife.ca/about/blog&amp;id=316/</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 27 Jun 2010 21:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[On Tuesday, June 22nd the Waterside Retirement Community hosted its 2nd Annual Wellness Fair.   With attendance numbers up into the 80’s, the patio level of the Retirement Community was transformed into a busy and hopping spot.  There were over 20 booths manned by various health professionals for visitors to browse through and gather information and ask questions.  Vendors ranged in variety from massage therapists to dental hygienists, the Ontario Provincial Police to metal health professionals.  Demonstrations were provided by V!VAfit staff on strength training equipment, LifeMark Physiotherapy in the pool with aqua therapy  and massages provided by our RMT, Wendy Giles.  Guest presentations presented by LifeMark Physiotherapy on “How to Protect Yourself from a Fall” which filled our theatre full of individuals who attended the fair.  
Thank you to everyone who participated in the great success of our event.  We could not have done it without a GREAT Team of individuals!   
]]></description>
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<item>
<title>V!VA Pickering Groundbreaking Ceremony</title>
<link>http://www.vivalife.ca/about/blog&amp;id=318/</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 09 Jun 2010 11:16:05 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Community leaders, politicians and the local media all braved the rain and cloudy skies to celebrate the official groundbreaking ceremony for V!VA Pickering Retirement Community.  

City of Pickering Councillors, representatives from the Board of Trade and leaders from the local senior centre were all on hand to congratulate V!VA on the start of construction.

In honour of the project's on-site Victory Garden featuring raised planters for easier gardening, V!VA presented a donation to Pickering's Valley Plentiful Community Garden.  

For more information on V!VA Pickering, please e-mail pickering@vivalife.ca.

]]></description>
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<title>Vimy Ridge Day - April 9th, 2010</title>
<link>http://www.vivalife.ca/about/blog&amp;id=231/</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 04 Apr 2010 21:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[In February, John &ldquo;Jack&rdquo; Babcock passed away; he was the last known veteran from WWI. Jack served with approx. 640, 000 other Canadian soldiers during WWI and the Government of Canada would like to pay tribute to all WWI veterans this Friday, April 9th, 2010 &ndash; Vimy Ridge Day!
The Government of Canada will honor and recognize all Canadians who served in WWI by requesting that all Canadians display red poppies in their windows at home, work and businesses.
The Waterside Retirement Community will be displaying poppies that our local Sparks and Brownies groups from the Girl Guides of Canada have decorated for our Community Members.
Let the poppies bloom in our windows across Canada, from sea to sea on Vimy Ridge Day!
]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Patriotic Craft Group</title>
<link>http://www.vivalife.ca/about/blog&amp;id=263/</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Our craft group is a patriotic one!Community members along with Alison and our craft volunteer, Sharon Lommen, were preparing for a sunny Canada Day by decorating sun visors in a very patriotic fashion.Even Maggie, Joyce&rsquo;s niece&rsquo;s puppy, joined us for a quick photo opportunity.Sharon has been volunteering here since the Waterside opened as the &ldquo;official&rdquo; craft lady and every Tuesday morning, she brings great ideas to keep our community members engaged in various interests.Thanks so much Sharon for being part of our team!The ladies dared me to put the picture of me sitting on the driveway &ndash; they have a good laugh when I talk about putting an event on the blog!
]]></description>
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