 [whose intention is to enhance the lives of the residents and support the staff who care for them]
       Nine members braved the weather to attend the regular meeting of Friends of Moose Mountain Lodge February 10th, 2015 in the Activity Room at the Lodge. Since the second Tuesday of the month has proven to be unsatisfactory for several people regular meetings will be changed to the fourth Tuesday of the month on a motion carried by the meeting. Hence the next meeting is not until March 24th.
       Tom, the cat who has decided to move into the Lodge has had the necessary surgery and shots to allow him to stay. We are grateful to a family who has picked up that cost and to another volunteer who has supplied kitty litter and cat food. Friends of MML have decided to cover future costs because we know that Tom’s residency at the Lodge will be very beneficial to many residents. He is a calm and gentle cat as well as being very handsome.
       Fresh fruit with supper has been supplied to the residents twice now and the feedback from residents and staff has been extremely positive. We need to coordinate with the kitchen staff and need three volunteers to do the preparation – purchasing, washing, peeling and cutting up – so it is a relatively easy program to provide when compared to the benefits in appreciation from the residents. We will attempt to continue this twice each month.
       The second program started is ‘Welcome to Moose Mountain Lodge’ bouquets of flowers. To date three people have received a bouquet. The staff person heading up this program says it is the most enjoyable thing to be doing because people are so delighted and grateful to be receiving this welcome gift.
       The March Birthday Party will be held near to St. Patrick’s Day with that being the theme. The date will be determined when we know which day the entertainers can come. All Friends of MML are asked to attend since we are the sponsor of the March party. Members of the general public are also encouraged to attend.
       Friends of Moose Mountain Lodge now has its own Facebook page so anyone who is on Facebook can check frequently to see what we are doing at the Lodge. The residents look forward to visits so anyone who can drop in is certainly encouraged to do so.
       We are slowly getting organized and have established written Rules of Operation and Governance as well as a pamphlet to include in the Admission Package for residents and their families. The aim is to educate people regarding what we are hoping to accomplish for the residents.
       People continue to enthusiastically volunteer to help. This has been our most rewarding realization since the idea for this group started last fall. At this last meeting we had a group of business people indicate that they would like to volunteer as a group and by doing so would be able to access a monetary donation program available from their business. Several possible ideas were put forth and we will certainly figure out with them what can be done to assist their volunteer efforts to give back to the community and to expand our bank account. It is well known that programs can not be sustained without the financial resources to do so.
       Monetary donations from individuals and groups have served to make our start up relatively problem free. We have determined that those who are wanting a tax deductible receipt can have one by donating through the Town of Carlyle. Just be certain to write Friends of Moose Mountain Lodge in the memo line of your cheque. If you do not need a tax deductible receipt you may give your donation to any member of Friends of Moose Mountain Lodge.
       Many great ideas and suggestions were again evident at the meeting – now we have to figure out how to make as many of them a reality as possible. Anyone who wants to put forth ideas or suggestions of anything that would make the living at the Lodge more interesting and fun please let a Friend of Moose Mountain Lodge know. Help us out by providing the ‘why’ you think this is a good idea, where we can access the resources – people, equipment, etc – to make your idea happen, the approximate cost of your idea and if you can personally help with making it happen.
