The MacAskill Room of the Cove Guest Home was "filled to the rafters"as the crowd was treated to night of heart warming memorials and beautiful carolling by the St. Theresa’s Folk Choir. The night began with Roy Milley and Darren MacNeil lighting the Four Christmas Trees and many deck angels symbolizing eternal life. This was followed by the dedication of names read by, Archie MacKeigan, Cove Administrator, Janice Burton, Cove Nursing Staff and Gwen Shepard, Cove Auxiliary Member. Rev. Thomas Whent followed the names with a prayer of dedication. Hot apple cider and cookies followed special remarks by then Board Chairman, Carl Rideout.

Thank you, for your donation to the Festival of Lights 2000. Our holiday special event was very successful again, raising close to $14,000. The Memorial Book will be on display in the Cove lobby for the entire year. Take a glance through it next time your visiting. Your donation will help the Cove in the many stages of expansion as well as contributing to the purchase of new equipment.

Again, thank you for your continued support to this worthwhile project. This year we have included the Memorial Book on our web page. To find your loved one's name, just go to www.coveguesthome.com and click on "Special Events." Due to the growing volume, mailing the memorials was ruled out at the request of many donors. Keep your eyes peeled for this year’s event - it’s tentatively scheduled for December 5, 2001.

Volunteer Of The Year - Emma Nickerson

Emma Nickerson retired from the Cove Guest Home several years ago. While most retirees would be satisfied and content in reaching this ultimate goal of their working lives, a growing number of people are not following the norm, that is, settling into the perceived lifestyle of retired life.

Emma Nickerson is an example of a growing and dedicated group of people that are making a significant contribution to the volunteer service of our society. Emma of course, is no stranger to the Cove Guest Home and the fact that she worked here and knows the residents on a first name basis, it came naturally for her to volunteer her time in the pursuit of helping others.

It gives us a great deal of pleasure to acknowledge Emma’s contribution as a volunteer for more than eight years and her commitment as a dedicated member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Cove. Emma is devoted to the residents and one of her more important tasks has been to escort residents for Medical appointments, and on numerous occasions, on very short notice. Appointments vary, but it is not uncommon to be called two or three times a week which she always obliges.

Emma also assists with entertainment in the evenings, helping with serving tea and making sure residents are escorted to and from these special events. The Cove owes a great deal to Emma Nickerson and by a unanimous vote of the residents, Emma has been chosen by the Cove as "Volunteer of the Year."

Carol Manson
Director of Recreation & Volunteer Coordinator

Cove Chaplaincy - The Cove Centre on Aging

The Cove Guest Home, in partnership with the University College of Cape Breton and the Marconi Campus, of the Nova Scotia Community College, has developed a bold, new concept to address the quality of life of seniors - The Cove Centre on Aging. This Centre will address care and well or quality of life issues as they relate to seniors via research, academic training and practical application.

The Cove and its partners have taken the next step in the Centre's development with the awarding of a Feasibility Plan to icon Communications & Research, Sydney, Nova Scotia. The first step in the Feasibility Plan is to conduct an environmental analysis. A critical component of that analysis will be a determination of the cultural, recreational, and educational needs of seniors. This will be accomplished in part, via a series of personal interviews with seniors in the community.

Personal interviews with seniors are being conducted under icon’s coordination by current research of Sydney. One hundred are being planned. These interviews will be held in the seniors’ homes when at all possible. Should you be one who is interviewed, our thanks for your participation in this study.

Regards,
Rev, Thomas G. Whent
Chaplain
Cove Guest Home