Seniors’ tour of Rustico undertaken thanks to contribution from late Adélina Gallant

RUSTICO, PEI – Sept. 14, 2012 – A number of residents of Le Chez-Nous Community Care Centre in Wellington as well as other Evangeline area seniors became tourists for a day as they visited Acadian attractions in the Rustico area Sept. 7. This “Adélina Tour”, as it was called, was provided to them thanks to financial contributions from their friend, the late Adélina Gallant, and her family.

When Adélina Gallant (wife of the late Léo à Jos Jacques Gallant) passed away at age 87 last March 24, her family immediately invited visitors to the her wake to make memorial donations to the Chez-Nous home’s recreational fund rather than purchase flowers. This was an easy choice for the family since their mother had greatly appreciated living in this home for the last four and a half years of her life.

As well, in June, Adélina’s family wanted to honor her memory in a special way so they organized the Adélina Gallant Memorial Walk. All participants could walk for Adélina or for other dearly departed loved ones. Together, they raised more than $1,000. Half of the total was donated to the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the other half to the Chez-Nous’ recreational fund.

“We thought this would be very appropriate because Mom thought so much of the residents as well as of the staff and management and had tremendous respect for them all,” says a note from the family. “Our goal was to give back for all the wonderful care our mother received while she was at the Chez-Nous.”

TOUR

Taking to heart the intent of these contributions, the Chez-Nous’ recreational director organized a day-long, fun and informative tour for residents and friends. A tour bus was rented; organizers posted a big sign on it that read “Adélina Tour”. They then headed off to Rustico.

The 25 senior participants visited the Farmers Bank of Rustico Museum, The Doucet House and the St. Augustine Church, accompanied by a kindly guide, costumed as the bank’s founder, the late great Father Georges Antoine Belcourt. They had a delicious lunch at the nearby St. Augustine School. While they ate, a group of students entertained them by singing the song “Sur les ailes des aigles” (On Eagles’ Wings), which the children wrote with the help of well-known folk singer Lennie Gallant, who hails from that community.

The seniors then checked out the beautiful boardwalk that stretches along the North Rustico bay. Of course, they had to take a glace at the revolving house that is located a few steps from the boardwalk. For the return trip, the bus passed through Cavendish and finally through Summerside, where those who had never been to the Centre Belle-Alliance were able to catch a glimpse of the school-community center.

All the seniors who participated in the “Adélina Tour” truly appreciated their guided visits.

“By hearing about the wonderful day they had on the bus tour, it warms our heart to know that we made a small difference in their life,” concludes the note from the Gallant family. “Mom would be so happy!”

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CUTLINE 1: Corinne Arsenault, representing the family of the late Adélina Gallant, presents a cheque for the Chez-Nous Co-operative’s recreational fund to co-op manager Edgar Arsenault. This amount paid the recent visit to Rustico.

CUTLINE 2: One of the senior participants in the “Adélina Tour” to Rustico, Marie-Anne Arsenault, chats about the Farmers Bank of Rustico Museum with the bank’s founder, the late great Father Georges Antoine Belcourt (played by tour guide Stéphane Blanchard).

CUTLINE 3: Participants in the recent « Adélina Tour » gather by the tour bus that brought them out to Rustico.

For more information:
Carmella Richard
Activities coordinator
(902) 315-2821