Every Monday at 5 p.m., the residents at Windsong, a strata complex in Courtenay, B.C., converge on their respective balconies and break out in song.

Led by Dick Cowling, the B次元官网网址榃indsong SingsongB次元官网网址� is a way for neighbours to gather, social distancing intact, and interact.

B次元官网网址淥ne of our residents heard that people where banging pots and pans to show support for the health workers, so we thought we would get together and sing O Canada,B次元官网网址� said Cowling, in a phone interview. B次元官网网址淭hey asked me to lead them so I go out on the back lawn and they all come out onto their balconies and we sing. They all liked it so it sort of carried on.

B次元官网网址淲e used to do it every night, but I started running out of songs.B次元官网网址�

Cowling picks out appropriate songs, either by himself or by suggestion from other strata members, prints off the lyrics, and distributes them to all 10 units a couple of days in advance.

B次元官网网址淚 let them know what songs we are going to do and they can rehearse on their own,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just our way of showing our appreciation,B次元官网网址� said Pat Rivers, who, at 93, is the oldest participant. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 one thing seniors can do, and itB次元官网网址檚 a beautiful way to say thanks. And itB次元官网网址檚 also entertaining for people walking by.B次元官网网址�

There are 15 residents in the 55+ strata (five couples, five singles) and participation is always at or near 100 per cent.

B次元官网网址淚n normal times we quite often have potluck dinners and that sort of thing that everybody comes toB次元官网网址� so we are quite a close group,B次元官网网址� said Cowling. B次元官网网址淚t would be nicer to carry on the way we were of course, but this is one of the ways we can say hello to each other and have a bit of a social time.B次元官网网址�

This feel-good story is part of the #WereInThisTogether campaign by Black Press Media. Have an uplifting story that you think would bring joy to readers? Email your story, photos and videos to wereinthistogether@blackpress.ca.

terry.farrell@blackpress.ca
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