#ElderWisdom | Stories from the Green Bench

Bonus Episode - We turn our focus to Covid-19 and thank Kaye & Jeff for sharing in this important and timely discussion. The Village at St. Clair has recently garnered negative attention in the news and online media.  Hear their stories about having covid, working/living in long-term care through the pandemic and their hopes for the future.   Erin Davis & Lloyd Hetherington are grateful to be join...

Episode #16 - A conversation with two people who are the strong threads that bind this quilt of a caring community together.  Celebrating team members at Schlegel Villages during Caregivers' Week we welcome Trish Baird from The Village at University Gates and Merry Snider from The Village of Winston Park. Trish began as a Personal Support Worker and is currently a Registered Practical Nurse at The...

Episode #15 - A sparkling chat with Margaret Collard who has given her life to ministry joins Erin Davis & Lloyd Hetherington from The Village of Winston Park in Kitchener to share her story from the green bench. A Minister for the United Church of Canada in Scarborough, with a focus on street ministry in outreach projects, Margaret shares about the challenging work with her community. Her husband...

Episode #14 - Talking dirty in this episode, a conversation about soil.  81-year-old Bruce MacNeil joins us on the green bench in a conversation about his love for horticulture and for being a Volunteer at The Village of Winston Park in Kitchener. "Come on in and make yourself homely." -Bruce As we celebrate National Volunteer Week in April, this episode is a way for us to honour those who give of...

Episode #13 - Hosts Erin Davis & Lloyd Hetherington share virtual travels with Ruth White from The Village of Arbour Trails in Guelph. This Canada Day marks her 80th Birthday and she is thrilled to share her adventures across this country in her stories from the green bench. "It never hurts to learn new things, does it?" Ruth has a spirit of trying new things and is happy to be adding this podcast...

Episode #12 - This isn't David's first time in front of a mic, he's been providing entertainment for audiences for most of his life. His spirit of living life to its fullest, even as he battles a difficult health challenge, is all about connection.  David shares his Story from the Green Bench from the Schlegel Village, Pinehaven Nursing Home in Waterloo. Born in Elmira in a little apartment over t...

Episode #11 - Turning the spotlight onto a man who is living an exemplary life. A life in education and theology, leading a life in service and now serving up his own wisdom, laughter, questions, and conversations every couple weeks on the green bench as our podcast co-host.  Listen as we learn a little bit more about Lloyd Hetherington and his life leading up to being part of this podcast. Lloyd...

Episode #10 - Taking a chance for a dance, a career in Nursing, Family Life & parenting with challenges. Judy Stefnitz shares her story of a varied and fascinating life with ups and downs, and she comes through shining.  Joining Erin Davis and Lloyd Hetherington on the green bench from The Village of Tansley Woods in Burlington. How do you start your day? Share with us on Twitter ( @GreenBenchStor...

Episode #9 - The story of life in media, radio, tv, and print news and giving back through the Salvation Army and countless community organizations.  Doug Reed, a resident of the Ailsa Craig Neighbourhood located at The Village of Arbour Trail s in Guelph, shares his story from the Green Bench in a conversation with host Erin Davis and co-host Lloyd Hetherington. Learn about Doug's passion for his...

Episode #8 - Topics of Dancing with Parkinson's, laughter, humour, spiritual awakenings with a Guru in India, and romance. The spirit and the spark, call her Dee 'Precious' as we hear her story on 'Dancing with Parkinson's', an improvement on balance and gait by using music throughout the day. "Whatever it is, the body has to keep moving no matter what." - Dee Preikschas  The importance of laughte...

Episode #7 | A look back, a look ahead, and a look inside with Ron Schlegel. The green bench concept and the Schlegel Villages Wisdom of the Elder signature program come from Ron's message about the importance of tapping into the wisdom around us. "The greatest untapped resource in Canada, if not the world, is the wisdom of our elders." What is wisdom? Learn about Ron's father, Wilfred, and the ro...

Episode #6 | 94-year-old Hank Floyd has NO REGRETS, had a great, successful life & career.  Started working at a young age, worked his way up, changed companies and careers a number of times. Joined the Royal Canadian Navy at the age of 17 and served in WWII.  Hear about his management philosophy, his wisdom, and his advice for people who are entering the workforce. "You don't have to be brilliant...

Episode #5 | Ageism is stereotyping and/or discrimination against individuals or groups on the basis of their age. Ageism dictates that at a certain age you have to act a certain way.  We need to work together to eliminate ageism - starting with education, informing people with alternatives, and creating an environment where you value people and their contributions.  Hosts Erin Davis & Lloyd Hethe...

Episode #4 | Women in the workplace, loving the work you do, being fired due to pregnancy, making dreams come true & a variety of hobbies including knitting & crocheting are the topics of conversation on the green bench.  Erin Davis and co-host Lloyd Hetherington welcome Louise Jolliffe, a resident at The Village of Aspen Lake in Windsor, to share her stories and wisdom with us. According to a pie...

Episode #3 | Erin Davis along with co-host Lloyd Hetherington join Doug Gilmour on the green bench (virtually) to share his life experiences, trials, triumphs, and wisdom with you.  Doug is a resident at The Village of Riverside Glen, a Schlegel Village, in Guelph, Ontario. His passions include family, trout fishing, square dancing, and writing - including his book, A Successful Life: Overcoming A...

Episode #2 | Erin Davis along with co-host Lloyd Hetherington join Sally Carter on the green bench (virtually) to explore relationships, family, travel, career, and more.  Sally is a resident at The Village of Erin Meadows, a Schlegel Village, in Mississauga, Ontario. She shares stories and knowledge gained through her work as an educator in the food industry, her travels, and family relations. Su...

Episode #1 | Erin Davis along with co-host Lloyd Hetherington joins Doug Robinson on the green bench (virtually) to explore life, love, and grief.  Doug is a resident at The Village of Sandalwood Park, a Schlegel Village, in Brampton, Ontario. He shares stories from his work in the hospitality industry, his brush with royalty, his relationship with his wife of 60 years, and discusses grief. Subscr...