GORE BAY—Co-workers, former staff members, residents and family members, as well as friends packed the front room of the Manitoulin Lodge Nursing Home in Gore Bay to recognize Gloria Hall, who has retired from the Lodge, to recognize her for her wonderful service over close to the past 39 years.
“I have had the pleasure of working with Gloria over the last six years,” said Jaime-Lynn Kalmikov, administrator of Manitoulin Lodge. “The heart and dedication that Gloria brings to this home and our residents is incredible.”
“This woman has been one of the most dedicated people to our home spending countless hours, long hours, weekends and evening hours here to ensure all aspects and needs of our residents are met,” said Ms. Kalmikov. “She comes in on her holidays and her days off to ensure residents have their zoom meetings to see their families or take a resident to their appointments. She is the go-to person to fix your glasses, organize a volunteer for appointments, find missing hearing aids and answer any health and safety questions.”
“She organizes our resident activities and recruits and supports all our amazing volunteers,” continued Ms. Kalmikov. “We often refer to this woman as the ‘Heart of Manitoulin Lodge.’
“Her passion is to ensure all residents, families, staff and the community have the best day and best life possible. This woman not only volunteers way more time than her scheduled 40 hours here at the lodge every week, she also volunteers her time with the Canadian Cancer Society, Warm Hearts Palliative caregivers and Victims Services. This is just a quick glimpse of the amazing contributions she is making towards our home and community.”
“So, on behalf of the entire team hear at the lodge, thank you Gloria for your amazing 38 plus years here at Manitoulin Lodge. You truly have been so appreciated over the years and a valuable asset to our team,” continued Ms. Kalmikov.
Ms. Kalmikov said, “We all know this has been a very difficult decision for Gloria to make. However, it is now time for Gloria to focus on herself, her friends and her family. I’m sure it won’t be long before Gloria will be back in the home volunteering. We will miss you here, but please know that you have made such an amazing difference in so many lives and your legacy will continue on. Please join us in a round of applause for this amazing woman, Gloria Hall!”
Lodge employee Laura Lewis presented Ms. Hall with a card signed by, and with good wishes by fellow employees and residents of the Lodge.
“I had wanted to bow out and not have any type of celebrations on my retirement,” quipped Ms. Hall. She said, “It has been my pleasure to work at the Lodge, and I have enjoyed every day here.”
“I will greatly miss all the residents, staff, volunteers and community members,” said Ms. Hall. “I would like to thank everyone of you for your support over the years.”
“I would like everyone here to remember one thing. If you or someone needs something, try to provide it that day because tomorrow may be too late for yourself or the residents.”
Everyone had the opportunity to enjoy cake, tea/coffee and punch and to mingle with Ms. Hall and others on hand at the celebration.
The Expositor had the opportunity earlier last week to interview Ms. Hall about her time at the Lodge.
In her close to 39 years of being an employee at the Manitoulin Lodge Nursing home in Gore Bay, Gloria Hall has seen many changes in the staff, residents, building and programs and projects that have proven to be a benefit.
However, when Ms. Hall was asked to provide the biggest highlight of her career and something she will never forget and has stood out, “Seeing a smile on the residents’ faces. You can’t beat that.”
“I have so many great memories to choose from over the years,” said Ms. Hall. “One of the best memories I have was after we had the Angel Bus on hand we were able to take a lady resident, whose prosthetic leg didn’t fit, to get this fixed. After several appointments in Sudbury, they were able to work this out and fix her prosthetic leg. This was very rewarding.”
“About 85 percent of our residents would not be able to get to medical and other appointments without the Angel Bus, thanks to the Angel Bus, its drivers and volunteers,” said Ms. Hall.
“When I was first hired, I was to start work in the kitchen, but I didn’t work in the kitchen at all,” she explained. “The charge nurse was begging for me to work on the floor. So, I started out as a nurse’s aide, and then took the health care aid course when Joan Beach was here and became a healthcare aide.”
Not long after, about two years, Ms. Hall was encouraged by Dana Pelling to become the Life Enrichment Advocation Director at the Lodge. “I took more schooling to get my Life Enrichment recreation and leisure certificate (at the same time she was working in the Lodge).”
“I have been in Activation Life Enrichment at the Lodge ever since,” said Ms. Hall. “I never figured I would be at the Lodge for close to 39 years. Over the years I have always done my best to help the residents and families. I try to make the atmosphere like being at home for the residents as much as possible.”
Ms. Hall has also worked in restorative care at the Lodge, and picked up the volunteer program along the way, she told The Expositor. “And when there was a need, I became the management representative for the health and safety department. I did this for many years.”
“Yes, I’ve seen a lot of changes over the years,” said Ms. Hall.
One of the biggest changes she has seen over the years, “Years ago, our residents overall were a lot more independent, now they are more dependent on staff support and help, which is a little more challenging.”
“There have also been many changes in staff over the years,” continued Ms. Hall.
“I can remember when we got the Easy Rider bus to take residents to appointments and on outings,” said Ms. Hall. “Slim (Dennis) Field spearheaded this. We worked hard to and bought a bus from the town (Gore Bay) for $1.”
“And Slim was instrumental in helping me to develop the men’s breakfast program,” said Ms. Hall, “as most of the programs provided at the Lodge were for our female residents.”
“Later on, we got the Angel Bus, after Sandy Cook spearheaded this program, to make sure transportation could be provided to the residents, and was a unit that would provide wheelchair mobility, to be able to take residents to different events and appointments.”
“Another highlight over the years was getting the Manitoulin Lodge Auxiliary started. Hugh McLaughlin spearheaded this and I worked with him on getting it started and putting bylaws in place. Hugh is still the treasurer of the auxiliary and Bob Cacciotti is the auxiliary president now.”
“Over the years there has have been so many great residents’ stories that have come through the front door,” said Ms. Hall.
“Unfortunately, we have lost a lot of very good employees at the Lodge, including people like Maxine Middaugh, Pauline Van Every, Linda Witty, Joan Beach, Marie Foster and many others. There has been a lot of great people work here.”
During her employment at the Lodge, Ms. Hall has had a knack for bringing in individuals and groups to provide entertainment for the residents. “Whenever I am somewhere like a concert, if I can find someone to provide some entertainment for the residents at a later date I would ask. The worse a person or group can say is no.”
Ms. Hall noted that when she was a youngster she always wanted an accordion. “But I was working and raising my family, so I didn’t have time to learn and play an accordion. My kids bought me an accordion one Christmas. But unfortunately, I still didn’t have time to learn to play it.”
“I remember a group from Austria was here for a local event, and they visited the health food store Klaus Bach operated years ago. Anyway, one of the members of the group had mentioned at Klaus store they had lost their accordion on the plane ride over to Canada. Michelle, my daughter, who was fairly young at the time, was working in the store. She heard the story and called me and asked if I could lend the group my accordion. I said I would, on one condition. That the next day after their concert they would come and perform at the Lodge. They did and were fantastic, dancing, singing, yodelling. The residents loved this.”
“We have been fortunate to have so many local and off-Island entertainers come to the Lodge; all you have to do is ask,” said Ms. Hall.
“I’m going to miss all the residents and their family members, volunteers, staff members. I will miss everyone,” stated Ms. Hall. In retirement she said, “yes, for sure I will volunteer at the Lodge. Whatever I can do to help, I will. I always figured you can’t expect someone to help and volunteer if you are not willing to share your time with another organization.”
“You do for others what you can do today because you may not get a chance tomorrow,” said Ms. Hall.
As for retirement, “I will work in my garden and on my home. I will have the chance to do some things I haven’t had the chance to do over the years, like quilting, knitting, crocheting, and maybe some painting.
Of course, I will be spending more time with my family, time is precious.”
