Seniors, welcome guests at New Lowell farm

Jenny Kers loves music and animals, and making people happy.

Kers volunteers at both the Stayner Care Centre and Blue Mountain Manor, offering musical entertainment to residents. She recently entertained visitors from both facilities at her home near New Lowell.

Last week, she hosted groups of seniors on two successive days.

Kers lives on a farm with horses, goats and a donkey. Her mother is in charge of the beautiful perennial gardens and her children help out with the animals.

“The whole family got involved,” says Kers. “Mom was busy making sandwiches and arranging cookies on platters while my daughter and one of her friends brought the animals out to the garden to visit with people.”

Shirley Bunn, a resident of Stayner Care Centre, thoroughly enjoyed the outing.

“It’s wonderful to get out and feel the sun on your face, to smell the flowers and pet the animals,” she told The Echo.

Kers says she has the perfect set- up.

“The bus delivers people right to our door then there are easy pathways out to the garden and the gazebo area. There’s shade for those who want it and an accessible washroom.”

Residents had to sign-up in advance for the tour and Kers says many were excited at the opportunity to get out and see the farm.

Kers and her husband Dwight both grew up in the area and went to school together. They looked at properties online for seven years before they found “the one” and purchased the 39-acre farm, which they named Eden’s Edge.

“I have a gift for hospitality,” she says, “and I love sharing all of this with other people.”

Kers would love to see the seniors’ visits become an annual event, and would love to expand to include people from more care homes.

“If we had more volunteers, I could focus more on the guests and worry less about getting coffee served. Lots of people want to help seniors. Well here’s an easy way,” said Kers.

Her friend Heidi Sterrenburg from Rural Roots donated cut flowers for the occasion. She would love to hear from anyone who wishes to become involved at jennykers@yahoo.ca