Elderberries Library: Program History

Elderberries programs : 2010 - 2016

Seniors attending a meeting sponsored by NSRAP in Spring 2010, identified projects of most interest to them : outreach and support for LGBT seniors living in long-term care, a non-club social outlet for LGBT seniors, and working together with LGBT youth.

The monthly potluck socials listed below have attempted to address the need for a non-club outlet that will offer both a social opportunity and an educational element, taking place in an accessible setting. In addition, the monthly e-mail newsletter links more than 200 Elderberry members.

Program topics fall into several types, including :

LGBT topics
senior life, health, etc
community history : sharing memories; local history round tables
showcase of artistic abilities of LGBTs : e.g., poetry workshop, musical presentations, photography workshops, author readings
presentations by local organizations : e.g., NSRAP, Rainbow Refugees Association, Spirit House, PrideHealth
seasonal : December party, August picnic
some months are social only, with no program

Please note : for some months, attendance figures were not taken.

2010 :

Aug 2010 : first organizing meeting : attendance 17. Discussion focussed on what members would like to see the group (not yet named Elderberries) be and do.
Sep 19, 2010 : sharing memories of LGBT life and coming out in "the bad old days." (12)
Oct 17, 2010 : Speaker Duma Young, "Wills and Inheritance." (20)
Nov 16, 2010 : Robin Metcalfe, guided tour of "Kent Monkman : the Triumph of Mischief" (gay Cree artist), SMU Art Gallery. (6)
Nov 28, 2010 : Round table on "Being Single." (14)
Dec 10, 2010 : Seasonal Potluck Party hosted by Nick and Duma (19)
Dec 12, 2010 : "LGBTs and Long-Term Care." Community Feedback Meeting at the Company House.

2011 :

From January 2011, the group became known as the Elderberries.

Jan 16 2011 : Live music with Joanne Bond, Joanne Manette, Lynn Murphy ; poetry reading by Patricia Martinson (20)
Feb 20, 2011 : "Our Eyes upon Ourselves," members show-and-tell LGBT photos from the community's past
Feb 26, 2011 : Louisa Horne, "The Story of Spirit Place." (15 plus one press)
Mar 27, 2011 : Social only, due to speaker cancellation (9)
Apr 17, 2011 : Jane Kansas, "Travels with a Handcart, Part I" (17)
Apr 19, 2011 : Tour of the Youth Project house, with Sheena Jameson. (3 or 4)
May 15, 2011 : Nora Kerr, workshop on "How to Write Poetry" (10)
Jun 13, 2011 : Members invited to attend talk at Halifax Infirmary. Dr Ravi Srivastava, "Why Does Diversity Matter to Health Care." Dessert potluck at Dan MacKay's followed.
Jul 19, 2011 : "Making a Case for LGBT history," panel during Pride week cosponsored by Elderberries and NSRAP Lecture Series. Speakers : Dan MacKay, James Morrison, Lynn Murphy. Attendance 50+.
"Inclusive Health Care for the GLBT Aging Population," Pride Week panel presented by PrideHealth. Bob Fredrickson represented Elderberries.
Aug 21, 2011 : Elderberry picnic at the Dingle.
Sep 18, 2011 : Nick Honig, talk and slide show on "Falling in Love with Photography." (9)
Oct 23, 2011 : Nadine Lapierre, reading from her lesbian mystery Slayer. (13)
Nov 27, 2011 : Danica Pion and Annnie Chou, students of MSVU Applied Human Nutrition Program, "Healthy Cooking for One or Two." Launch of Elderberry cookbook. (11)
Dec 18, 2011 : Seasonal Party for NSRAP and Elderberries, hosted by NSRAP at the Company House. (31)

2012 :

Jan 22, 2012 : Representatives of PrideHealth consult with Elderberries re the real health needs and concerns of LGBT seniors. (16)
Feb 26, 2012 : Paul Curwin, "Forever Fit : Balance Exercises for Seniors." (9)
Mar 25, 2012 : Nick Honig and Anita Martinez, "Do-It-Yourself Portrait Session (Photography)."
Apr 22, 2012 : Aine Humble, MSVU, "Nova Scotia Gay and Lesbian Couples and the Process of Getting Married." (8)
May 17, 2012 : No potluck social. Elderberries participated in the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) Rally in the Grand Parade. Theme : "Reclaiming Our Space, Reclaiming Our Rights."
Jun 24, 2012 : Social only - no program. (8)
Jul 2012 : No social. Attend Pride events.
Aug 26, 2012 : Potluck picnic at the Dingle. (15)
Sep 23, 2012 : Kevin Kindred, Chair of NSRAP, guest speaker. (9)
Oct 28, 2012 : Rev Eldon Hay, "How I Came to Be Involved in LGBT Marriage Issues." (19)
Nov 25, 2012 : Jenn Nearing, on being a trans woman. (5)
Dec 15, 2012 : Season's Greetings Potluck Social. (6)

2013

Jan 27, 2013 : Valentines theme : round table of (cheerful!) stories from our romantic pasts. (10)
Feb 24, 2013 : Video Courage in the Face of Hate from Egale Canada; discussion.
Mar 24, 2013 : Chris Aucoin speaks on NSRAP's Positive Aging Grant for a community oral history project involving LGBT youth and seniors. (17)
Apr 28, 2013 : Kathryn Hominick and Wenda MacDonald : Alzheimers Disease. (9)
May 16 : Elderberries participate in the IDAHOT Rally in the Grand Parade. Theme : Our Bodies, Our Health, Our Rights.
May 26, 2013: Ramona Westgate, Community Liaison with Halifax Pride. (7)
Jun 23, 2013 : Jane Kansas, "Travels with a Handcart, Part 2."
Jul 2013 : No social. Attend Pride events.
Aug 24, 2013 : Elderberries picnic, hosted by friends in the Gaspereau Valley.
Sep 8, 2013 : 90th birthday party for Patricia Martinson. (10)
Oct 20, 2013 : Social : no program. (11)
Nov 10, 2013 : Gabe Saulnier-Pictou and Dan MacKay talk about their participation in the Twenty-Fifth International Two-Spirit Gathering.
Dec 8, 2013 : Sing along to seasonal music with Garry Williams on keyboard (appearing courtesy of NSRAP). (15)

2014

Jan 12, 2014 : Kyle DeYoung, on the Rainbow Refugee Association. (12)
Feb 9, 2014 : Members were invited to attend the library program on Queer Spirituality Paths, held at Spring Garden Road Public Library, as our February event.
Mar 9, 2014 : Jesse Robson, Managing Director of Happily Ever Active. (16)
Apr 13, 2014 : Betsy Webb, Massage Therapy.
May 11, 2014 : Elderberries speakers report on their presentation to Charles P Allen High School
Jun 08, 2014 : Personal directives round table discussion.
Jul 2015 : No potluck social : members encouraged to attend Pride events
Aug 24 2014 : Fourth Annual Elderberries Potluck Picnic
Sep 14, 2014 : Elections for Elderberries Coordinating Committee
Oct 26, 2014 : Name that Face! Photos from the Jim De Young collection, looking for IDs
Nov 09, 2014 : Coming out Stories : Members' Round Table
Dec 14, 2015 : Holiday Potluck at the CoHo

Elderberry Coffee Breaks

From September 2013 to June 2014, Elderberry Coffee Breaks were held monthly in the Northwood Harbourview Room. Attendance varied from one to six : it was decided that the Coffee Breaks had not been sucessful, and they ceased in June.

2015

Jan 11, 2015 : Archiving LGBT History, with Karen White of NSARM
Feb 08, 2015 : Living Well with a Chronic Condition, with Kolten MacDonell
Mar 15, 2015 : End of Life Town Hall Meeting
Apr 12, 2015 : Facilitated discussion of upcoming Elderberries Surveys
May 09, 2015 : Sex educator Kaleigh Trace read from her book Hot, Wet and Shaking
Jun 14, 2015 : Round table of food related stories
Jul 05, 2015 : No potluck social ; Second Annual Bob Stead Memorial Picnic, July 05
Members encouraged to participate in Pride events
Aug 30, 2015 : Fifth Annual Elderberries Potluck Picnic : Black Rock Beach, Point Pleasant
Sep 13, 2015 : Lance Lockwood presented a video program re media images of gay seniors
Oct 04, 2015 : First Ever ! October Potluck Picnic : Black Rock Beach, Point Pleasant Park
Oct 18, 2015 : Elderberries Board Elections
Nov 08, 2015 : Meet and greet with new Board members : cancelled due to unexpected resignation of three new Board members. Potluck held with no program.
Dec 13, 2015 : Regular Potluck Social : no program

2016

Jan 10 : No program
Feb 14 : Robin Metcalfe spoke on the origin of Pink Triangle Day, with slide show
Mar 13 : Roy Ellis spoke on Dying, Death, and Grief (7)
Apr 10 : Kolten MacDonell spoke on Changes at Pridehealth
May 08 : Joanne Bealy spoke on starting a summer garden, large or small
Jun 12 : Lawyers Doug Elliott and Bruce Walker talked about how changes in the Criminal Code 1970s to now are affecting the Brent Hawkes case
Jun 25 : Paul and Tim invited Elderberries to a mingle and BBQ in the Valley
July 17 : several Elderberries were part of a panel on local LGBT history, held at the Bus Stop Theatre
August 21: annual picnic and BBQ at Black Rock Beach
September : attend Hugo Dann's one-man show at The Company House
October : Fall picnic (cancelled due to rain)
Nov 13: Discussion topics picked by the attendees: US Election, and the recent emotionally and politically charged Halifax Pride AGM.
December 11 : Holiday Party at the Company House. Free will offering donated to Rainbow Refugees Nova Scotia.

2017

January : program cancelled due to weather ; rescheduled for May.
Feb 12 : Longish introduction of people including their work and hobby history; presentation by Dan about our meeting with Pride; long discussion about outreach to the black lgbt community following that about (documented 2017-02-12 Meeting
MARCH: Caregivers Nova Scotia. Contact: Angus Campbell.
APRIL: Michael Collins from the Seniors College Association of Nova Scotia
APRIL AGM: Halifax Pride has some $$ for us; what do we want to do?
MAY: Gays In The Military. Anita says: LIKE WOW!!! WHAT a meeting!!!! Fantastic...extremely well attended...the 4 speakers where beyond amazing.....the interaction incredible... food..of course..good..yum!!!...I can send a list...photos coming soon....the stories would be great for WAYVES or GayHalifax...for sure..informative and lots of questions and answers...many inquiries about Lynn...So LYNN...let us know what is up...what we can do to help...what do you need...etc. big hugs to all and have a glorious week!!
JUne 11th: Downsizing / Spring Cleaning
June 29th Elders New Glasgow Expedition on
JULY: Gathering at Pride: across the street from The Smiling Goat; gather at about 12:30 to get a good location and get in some social time.
AUGUST: Picnic at Wayne's - Musquodoboit Harbour - August 13, rain date: August 20. Our home is on one level with two steps leading to main areas.
SEPTEMBER: A Workshop On Inclusive Pronouns, Facilitator: Dan
OCTOBER: Barend: life in Japan
NOVEMBER: Partners: What's a partner? Do you want a partner? How are you looking for a partner? What does partnership look like for you after 60?
DECEMBER: Christmas Social- storytelling, best Christmasses

2018

JANUARY: Patricia Martinson: reading from her poetry collection
FEBRUARY: Scott !MacNeil's publication launch, "Reflections In A Mirror Ball"
MARCH: How I survived the winter
APRIL: Lynn Murphy & Don Stevens: Art Therapy.
MAY 13: Susanne - the El Camino Norte
JUNE 10: AGM + Future Plans
JULY 22nd: Elders Salon. Seven speakers: JJ, Robin, Mike Sangster, Barend, Laura, Eric Smith, and Lynn M, and about 100 participants.
AUGUST 12 (Sunday) Halifax BBQ - Point Pleasant Park. New time: 1-4PM
AUGUST 25 (SATURDAY) Time: Anytime after 3, plan to eat around 6, Particulars: BBQ will be ready so bring your BBQ’ables. Bring your own camp chair if possible. There may be live music!
SEPTEMBER 9: Sherri Kasten <smk1@eastlink.ca> from the Shaar Shalom Synagogue - a short lgbt history of the Shaar
October:Alison reported back on attending the Canadian LGBTQS Leadership Summit in Saskatoon. And, assembled members discussed the future format and name of our events, in light of the Summit and as a response to our survey of last month.
NOVEMBER 11: Patricia and Barend told personal and family stories of World War II, and we got an introduction to CARP, the Canadian Association of Retired Persons, from Paula.
DECEMBER 12: Roundtable introductions and White Elephant Gift Exchange! Which went surprisingly well!

2019

JANUARY: New Year's Resolutions. your most memorable winter. Resolutions were saved in 2019-01-13 Meeting to publish in December.
FEBRUARY: Allison: Linda Furlought - Northwood Radio
MARCH 10: ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2019-03-10 AGM Meeting + Pride Feedback Event
APRIL 14: Food & program sponsored by prideHealth: Health Questions, Answers, & Discussion
MAY 12: Mother's Day: Stories about Mother Figures In Your Life
JUNE 9: Raymond Taavel's Birthday. Picnic in Raymond Taavel Park. $80 BBQ supplies, $50 rental of tables & chairs. 15 elderberries... 2 street people; a couple drop-ins, 1 from the Raymond Taavel Park group, 20 altogether.
JULY 22: Pride Salon
AUGUST 11: BBQ in Point Pleasant Park. Rain Date: Aug 18
SEPTEMBER 9: Cancelled - Hurricane Donair
OCTOBER 13: 1) Dan: Archives Project. 2) Vote on Future Meeting Topics
October 27: Celebration of Life for Scott MacNeil
NOVEMBER 10: Double Reading: Jackie Dumas, Ann Bishop. DAN will bring the wireless mic & amplifier.
DECEMBER 8: 1) Publish the "New Years Resolution" notes in 2019-01-13 Meeting 2) Maybe 3-4 people from the Gay Men's Choir leading us in carols. 3) White Elephant Gift Exchange.

2020

January 12: "What is your favourite movie, and why?"