Goward House Groups and Clubs

Nouvelles du Cercle Français à Goward House

Come nouveau membre du Cercle français depuis octobre 2005 j’ai constaté avec grand plaisir que le Cercle continue à attirer de nouveaux intéressés chaque année. Maintenant, en mars 2008 nous comptons 15 membres en deux groupes. Nous nous rencontrons pendant une heure et demie une fois par semaine. Le groupe du matin se rencontre mardi à 10:30, le deuxième mardi à 1:00 heure. Chaque groupe discutent des sujets tels que: 1) mot du jour; 2) quoi de neuf; 3) questions de grammaire; 4) quelques pages d’un oeuvre littéraire. La séance finie, on s’amuse ensemble avec un thé ou un café.

Nous sommes très heureux d’annoncer que nous aurons un programme de films français avec sous-titres en anglais tous les trois semaines à partir du 1 avril 2008.

News from the Goward House French Circle

The Circle continues to attract new interested persons each year. Now, in March 2008, we have 15 members in two groups. We meet once weekly for an hour and a half. The morning group meets Tuesday at 10:30, the second group at 1:00 p.m. Each group discusses such subjects as 1) word of the day; 2) what’s new?; 3) questions of grammar; 4) several pages of a literary work. Later, we enjoy tea or coffee together.

We are very happy to announce that we shall have a French film program with English sub-titles every three weeks from April 1, 2008.

Philosophy/Discussion Group

We started when Susan Turner [from UVic’s Philosophy Dept.] offered a philosophy-café type meeting once a month here at the House. We didn’t want to quit when Susan left, and have continued on our own for a few years, talking about a great variety of subjects.

Only a few of the current participants were here when Susan led, and discussions have become far less ‘serious’. We choose our topics by consensus, try to find a source for common reading (but don’t always succeed) and allow a great deal of freedom to roam around the official subject. Recently we’ve talked about Acceptable Limits to Free Speech as well as Changes to the Family Since the ‘30s.

In the last couple of months we’ve lost a few of the participants as they’ve moved away and/or dropped their GH memberships. We invite anyone who enjoys talking – and arguing – to come and see whether or not you’ll enjoy the time as much as the rest of us seem to.

Quilters Group

We are a small informal group which meets weekly on Wednesday afternoons. We have no set programme, but each works on our own projects, ranging from small items like cushions to full-size quilts. We are quite flexible and trade ideas and help each other when needed.

New members are always welcome and we’ll be happy to see them in the Sequoia Room any Wednesday afternoon.

Tai Chi Group

The Tai Chi group has continued to be popular at Goward House with instructors from the Taoist Tai Chi Society. There are two continuing classes and one beginners class running twice a week with a total of 65 students participating.

In September our annual open house was successful attracting several new members. We were pleased to welcome the President of the Victoria Tai Chi Society for the occasion.

Christmas 2007 was celebrated with a well attended coffee party when all the instructors were honoured, with great humour, by Harry Disbrow. Hugh Nash, from the Tai Chi Club, was invited as a special guest in recognition for his help and support throughout the year.

Tai Chi provides many health benefits to our senior members and we are fortunate to practice this ancient Chinese art in the beautiful surroundings of Goward House.

Fitness Classes

We have 2 Fitness classes, both of which meet twice a week. The Strength & Balance Class is conducted by Doug Panton. In April 2007, Jim Gibson of the Times Colonist Staff interviewed Panton who has a Masters degree in Kinesiology, at Goward House, took pictures of the class in action and published an article headed “Falling For Exercise”. This was endorsed by the University of Victoria’s Centre on Aging who stated “you can definitely reduce the risk of getting a fall by getting fit”. They went on to point out that “one in three seniors will fall this year”. Health Canada reported that death among seniors cost the health-care system upwards of $800 million annually with falling being the leading cause of death amongst seniors.

Along with this popular class, we have Total Fitness, run by Shirley Sukkel and Michelle Hoekstra. Shirley started this class many years ago and some of the original members still work out weekly under her guidance. Michelle Hoekstra’s class combines strength, grace and rhythm along with a strenuous work-out. These classes are informal, and fun! They result in friendships, and sociability often shared over coffee or lunch upstairs in our pleasant Lunch Room.

For days and times see the "Weekly Schedule" page

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