Pictures and Videos of VOBSS Events and Activities
VOBSS End-of-Year Festive Season Party 2024
The Voices of Burnaby Seniors Society held its end-of-year festive season party at the Christine Sinclair Community Centre in Burnaby on December 18..
Below are some pictures from the party.
Chronic Pain Presentation
by PainBC
by PainBC
VOBSS held a Watch Party and Zoom session on the topic of Chronic Pain on November 20, 2024. Shirvin Lee, a Clinical Counsellor with PainBC made the presentation via Zoom.
Last Outing of Summer 2024 - Photos
On Friday September 27, 15 members enjoyed the last of the City of Burnaby’s sponsored VOBSS Summer Series outings.
We visited Burnaby Foreshore Park where we strolled the walkway taking in sites of the Fraser River including a lone heron perched atop a tall post. Some members even tried their hand on the permanent exercise equipment along the walk.
Next we visited Riverway Golf Course spotting beautiful eco-sculptures, wild mushrooms and vibrant pollinators that attracted both bees and a butterfly. Here we took a fun group photo before leaving to enjoy our first ever restaurant lunch together.
Our last stop, at Sun Tai Sang Farm along Burnaby’s Big Bend, provided an opportunity to check out some unique items and do a little personal shopping.
[Click on the arrow at the side of picture to advance to the next picture.]
Photos from the Burnaby Eco-sculpture Tour and Central Park Visit
On September 14, 2024 VOBSS explored many of Burnaby’s unique and popular eco sculptures.
The howling wolves, fairytale carriage, rose gardens and breathtaking views atop Burnaby mountain were spectacular!
Our final stop was at Central Park where we enjoyed picnic lunch, strolling around the pond and communing with ducks and spotting fish.
[Click on the arrow at the side of picture to advance to the next picture.]
Visit to SFU Trottier Observatory & Burnaby Village Carousel
On Thursday August 22, VOBSS members boarded the bonsor bus and our driver Keith delivered us to the SFU Observatory. Here we enjoyed a very interesting tour with our guide Kieran before departing to Burnaby Village.
We enjoyed a Subway picnic lunch and complimentary ride in the carousel. Fun was had by all.
[Click on the arrow at the side of picture to advance.]
Picnic at Barnet Marine Park
On July 30, 2024 despite uncooperative weather, members either drove on the Bonsor bus or made their own way to one of Burnaby's hidden gems- Barnet Beach.
After being treated to Tim Horton's coffee, cocoa and donut holes, many guests enjoyed a stroll and ventured onto the wharf or beachfront. Our picnic lunch was shared in the Lakeview Room at Bill Copeland Arena before BINGO winners were crowned and word games were played.
[Click on the arrow at the side of picture to advance.]
Tour of the Poppy Residences
On June 19 members of VOBSS paid a visit to the Poppy Residences, a seniors retirement home for independent living, in Burnaby. At the Poppy, the visitors were briefed on the background of the establishment and the facilities available for its residents. Before the group broke up for a tour of the suites and facilities, they were treated to a sumptuous tea reception. The VOBSS members even managed to have a few games of bingo (courtesy of VOBSS event coordinator, Lori) while waiting for their turn for the tour.
After the suites' tour the visitors gathered at the patio for a final Q&A session with the Poppy management staff.
[Click on the arrow at the side of picture to advance.]
A Big Thank You to Sylvia Helma
VOBSS appreciates Sylvia Helmer (pictured here) from the Health and Wellness Institute of COSCO. Sylvia facilitated our 7 session series on Personal Care Planning including presentations on Wills, Representation Agreements and Powers of Attorney. The workshops were held from October 2023 to February 2024.
Writing Your Will Workshop
On Thursday, January 11, 2024, a full house benefitted VOBSS’s “Preparing your Will” workshop. Sylvia Helmer from the Health & Wellness Institute of COSCO fielded many questions while sharing her presentation describing the duties of the executor, legal terminologies, pitfalls to avoid when preparing your will.
VOBSS AGM 2023 and Holiday Celebration
The Voices of Burnaby Seniors Society held its Annual General Meeting on December 14, 2023 10:30am at the Lakeview Room, Bill Copeland Sports Centre in Burnaby.
After the AGM the holiday celebration started with a round of Christman/Holiday singalong led by Alfred on his guitar. This was followed by several games of Holiday Bingo led by Lori.
To round out the morning the VOBSS members were treated to some light snacks and a holiday cake.
[Click on the arrow at the side of picture to advance.]
Representation Agreement Workshop
On November 23, 2023, VOBSS held a workshop on Representation Agreement. This is part of the series of workshops on Seniors Empowerment.
The workshop was well attended and lunch was provided after the workshop.
Getting to Know You!
On September 12, 2023, VOBSS held the event "Getting to Know You!" for its members. It was an engaging "lunch and learn" session focused on getting VOBSS members to know each other better.
Cautious Consumerism: Identity Theft and Fraud
On August 29, 2023, VOBSS organised the workshop "Cautious Consumerism: Identity Theft and Fraud". The presenter, an expert Financial Educator with the Credit Counselling Society, Sheila Cahill, presented the most common frauds and scams in Canada and how to avoid them and told the participants what to do if they ever become a victim.
Lunch & Learn on Volunteering
On July 4 2023, VOBSS organised the event "Lunch & Learn on Volunteering" where participants shared their experiences on volunteering. Before the event started, a delightful lunch of sandwiches and fruits was served.
"Belonging" - VOBSS Burnaby Festival of Learning Event
On May 9 2023, VOBSS took part in the Burnaby Festival of Learning (BFOL). This year the theme is "Belonging". Several seniors through VOBSS put pen to paper and wrote about what Belonging means to them. At this hybrid event, these seniors read out their writings. Shauna Paull, the instructor for the Creative Writing class held by VOBSS earlier in the year acted as the facilitator.
Creative Writing Celebration
On March 21, 2023, VOBSS hosted a Creative Writing Celebration at the Lakeview Room, Bill Copeland Sports Centre, at the conclusion of classes.
Fabian Williams George, Matriarchal Chief of the Tseil-Waututh Nation, graced our event with a traditional indigenous drumming and song to welcome us to the Celebration.
This was a hybrid gathering enabling Shauna Paull, our instructor, to attend even though she was not feeling well. Many in the class, who had met only on ZOOM, had an opportunity to meet in person.
Shauna shared three powerful poems from her book “Blue Gait”. Many students shared a piece of personal writing before we enjoyed a catered lunch and social time.
Chair Yoga Completion Celebration
To celebrate the completion of the Chair Yoga series, a gathering for all the participants was held on August 30, 2022 at the Bill Copeland Arena. The Mayor of Burnaby, Mike Hurley and the Chair Yoga instructor Christine were the invited guests of honour at the event. Christine led those present through a short Chair Yoga session, after which lunch and refreshments were served.
VOBSS First In-person Celebration in Over Two Years
VOBSS celebrated the successful completion of its Tai Chi for Seniors and Watercolour Painting for Seniors classes at the Bill Copeland Sports Complex on March 21, 2022.