VCH Food Asset Map

Learn to navigate the food asset map, discover free or low cost foods!

Welcome to Frog Hollow’s Community Connections Blog

Check out our Calendar of Events It’s updated regularly.

For more information see our About Us page.

 

Food Rescue-I’m good for You!

You just never know what kind of veggies your going to get in the food rescue!

I love me Spinach!

Prepared food rescue bags ready for the registered families to pick up weekly. Thanks to Van Whole Foods for their donations!

We are happy to say we are no longer using plastic bags, only reusable ones!

Event Recap: Clinton Park New Field House Launch

We had an amazing turnout during our new Field House soft launch grand opening this past weekend on Sunday, March 10th, 2019. Thanks to those who came by and celebrated with us. Your support is much appreciated. We had lots of activities that happened. Here is the recap of the event at Clinton Park on a beautiful, sunny afternoon.

Above: Youth and preteens volunteering at the button-making station.

Above: Samples showing the public what artificial soil turf look and feel like.

Above: Music performance by The Gram Partisans.

Above: Interactive display noting what activities people like to do at Clinton Park.

The Frog Hollow Outreach Tricycle

Volunteers educating our community about the Outreach Tricycle and explaining how they can also volunteer. Our purpose is to fight isolation by bringing programs and resources to neighbours doorstep.

 

Cutting of the cake to celebrate our Field House grand opening launch!

 

Drawing our vision of Clinton Park activities with the Co-Design Group:

Below: Follow along Tai Chi activity.

Below: Community Jam (bring your own instrument)

 

Last, but not least: prize draw to win a rooster ornament or handmade classic car model.

Thank you again to our supportive community who joined us for this wonderful celebration!

If you like to learn more about what programs are offered at Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House, come drop by our location at 2131 Renfrew St.

[Recap] 2019 FHNH Seniors Leadership Conference at Loon Lake

It was a cold winter morning on February 11th.  Snow covered the sidewalk and also the side streets from the previous day’s snowfall. It was the day where our senior leaderships and volunteers got together to attend this 2-day conference and retreat over at Loon Lake.  Our private bus came to pick us up. The main streets were cleared so traffic moved along slowly and smoothly.  In just about one hour later, we arrived at our destination and left our belongings at our assigned building.

DAY 1

Once settled with our conference meeting room prepared and ready to go, we all sat together in a circle and began with introductions. It was fantastic to hear how each participant all became involved in the Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House community. Of course, we also discussed the importance of housekeeping during our stay at the lodge and being respectful with each other during conference sessions. Our safety during these outings is also a priority and we made sure everyone is aware.

To start the fun, an ice-breaker mini-game was planned. The game starts where one person mirrors the other person’s movements just like in a mirror reflection. After a minute or so, the other person leads while one follows. This was the perfect warm up to wake up our minds in the early morning and to test our reflexes.

Lunch

Soon it was time to go for lunch. As a group, we all went to walk over to the dining hall, which is a separate building. Day one’s lunch meal included chicken burger, fries, coleslaw, cookies and fruits. Everyone enjoyed the food!

 

Site Tour

After enjoying our lunch, most of us went out for a walk and explored the outdoor area of the site while some of us decided to stay behind and rest up in their rooms at the lodge. Everyone remembered to follow safety guidelines as we discussed earlier.

 

It was a very cold day and a lot of snow around, but everyone was well prepared in their winter attire. Participants enjoyed the view and took photos of their adventures. Some of us went down to get a closer look of the ferry dock where there is a raft to cross to the other side of the lake. Unfortunately, the lake was partially frozen and it was closed due to safety reasons.

Digital Skills Workshop (facilitated by Lamont)

First conference session after lunch began with Digital Skills Workshop. Everyone learned about different tools that can be used to secure our identity in the online world. Topics include tips on password safety, internet safety, phishing email and scams, as well as how to upload your own videos to YouTube.  It is important, especially for seniors in this modern technology world, to understand what is digital security and how to protect themselves from risks of identity theft and fraud.

 

Health and Wellness Session (facilitated by Glaucia)

In health and wellness, many of us are aware of and try to make the best choices for living a healthy life. In this workshop, participants learn about simple exercise tips that help improve their well-being. Maintaining one’s mental health is also just as important as physical health for both yourself and others. The final part of this session, participants experienced various types of breathing exercises as well as slow movements.

 

Dinner

After doing some physical movements, everyone was hungry. It was finally dinner time so everyone walked out together to the dining hall. On the dinner menu, we had Angus roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, salad and cheesecake. Everyone enjoyed their meal.

Qi Gong Seminar (facilitated by Jacqueline)

Qi Gong is a Chinese martial art that practices cultivating the “qi” or vital energy in the body. Qi Gong focusses on slow movements, body posture and meditation, and help regulate breathing. With proper training and exercise, it will help calm the mind and relax the body.

Quilling Art Creative Workshop (facilitated by Jennie)

This hands-on workshop allowed participants to get creative. Quilling art is a type of paper craft technique that involves rolling and coiling strips of paper to create a design and then glued together on a canvas. Design examples were passed around for participants to get an understanding of how quilling art is like. Everyone had their own creative idea once they got inspired.

Free Time

The group had just finished their last workshop and it was nearing the end of the day. Some of the participants decided to have fun with some dancing while others decided to go to their rooms to relax for some quiet time.

DAY 2

Morning came and it was a new day. It had been snowing overnight and was still snowing like a blizzard when we went outside. It was like a winter wonderland and everyone enjoyed the amazing view of nature.

Breakfast

By 8:00am, everyone had to have their belongings packed up and ready for breakfast. A nutritional breakfast was ready for us at the Dining Hall. On the menu, there were scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, roasted potatoes, and mixed fruits.

Social Isolation and Outreach Workshop (facilitated by Lysandra and Manda)

In this session, we discussed how we can reduce social isolation among seniors in our community. Volunteering in a community is important, especially for one’s health both physically and psychologically. It offers benefits and a sense of accomplishment while building social networks and confidence. Volunteering is about contributing and helping other individuals as well as working with others to build a better community. Participants work together and came up with ideas and outreach strategies.

Laughter Yoga Session (facilitated by Monica)

Laughter Yoga is a fun and relaxing exercise that involves a series of movements to stimulate laughter and joy. Participants learn and experience laughter in a whole new way. As one says, “laughter is the best medicine”. Laughter decreases stress and releases endorphins to promote a sense of well-being.

 

Lunch

On the second conference day, lunch was Philly beef dip sandwich served with fries, spinach salad, and fruits — another healthy and delicious meal prepared by the staff at Loon Lake.

Community Vision Board Workshop (facilitated by Jennie)

A vision board is a collage of images, photos, and words that is designed to serve as a source of inspiration or motivation. It is powerful tool that uses the law of attraction and it works. In this session, participants worked together in small groups to create their vision of what they like to see or change within our community to make it a better place. Ideas include maintaining a positive attitude, staying healthy, new activities to try, building a compassionate community and much more.

Digital Storytelling Session (facilitated by Manda and Lysandra)

A few of the participants previously attended a digital storytelling workshop (facilitated by SFU students and previous students who took the digital storytelling workshop) and learned to use digital tools to document their life experience. A short film was put together using photos, music, and voice of the storyteller. Digital storytelling also allows the participant to learn digital media skills and build confidence and self-esteem.

Closing

Participants had an unforgettable experience during this 2-day conference and retreat. Everyone learned something new and everyone felt a little more confidence in themselves. Special thanks to our organizers and facilitators who made this a successful event. As a thank you, participants each received a gift card for their time and contribution.

Clinton Park Field House Soft Launch Event – March 10th

Come join us for the Clinton Park Field House Soft Launch happening on Sunday, March 10th, 2019 from 11am to 3pm. The event is located at 2690 Grant Street (Clinton Park). What do you want to see at Clinton Park? Share your ideas with local artists who will bring them to life!

EVENT SCHEDULE

11:30am-12:00pm The Gram Partisans (local community band)
12:30pm-1:00pm Norine Braun
1:00pm-3:00pm Community Jam (bring your own instruments)
12:00pm-2:00pm Co-Design

Other activities throughout include Tai Chi, Laughter Yoga, Parachute Play, Button Making and crafts.

Coffee and tea will be served.

Community Walk

Yesterday we have a walk to Clinton Park to visit the field house there as the renovation was done.  It is ready for us to see how we can use the place with a few furniture and some more preparation.

 

Info About Clinton Park’s New Lit Synthetic Turf

The Vancouver Parks Board is proposing to install synthetic turf on half of Clinton Park. With the installation of the synthetic turf also means there will be lights, bleachers, and a fence that surrounds the synthetic turf built in. The purpose of installing the synthetic turf is to use for soccer 80 to 105 hours per week.

Here is the link to the online survey: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/playing-field-upgrades-survey.aspx

If you would like more information, please see attached flyers. Furthermore, the Parks Board has a survey for all household members to retrieve feedback about this proposal. It is important to include household members’ postal codes and comments to reflect community concerns and feedback regarding the proposal.

Also, please comment below your feedback about how you feel with this plan.

Seniors Holiday Potluck

 

90 Seniors shared their delicious food at our annual seniors potluck. Thank you volunteers for preparing food from our food rescue project and creating such a beautiful addition to the potluck! Best of all was Manda’s Turkeys donated to us from the Greater Vancouver Food Bank- absolutely scrumptious! Special guests were from VCH Bright Spot, an Older Adult Mental Health Rehabilitation Services. Thank you for joining our celebration of appreciation for our seniors and their contributions to Frog Hollow.

Pumpkin Patches Festival

Last Saturday October 20 we have a great time on the day here are some photos to share.

The above are pictures from the Art Harvest.

Here are other activities happening on the day.

All in the Family – written by Marcia Toms

In 1964, Carmelo and Ella Renzullo established Renzullo Food Market on Nanaimo Street, adjacent to Kitchener.  They also set up housekeeping in a home on Nanaimo, directly across from their store. Aptly named “Casa Renzullo,” it is reminiscent of their Italian homeland with fig trees and summer-grown basil gracing the garden. There they raised six children who all attended neighbourhood schools.  And at the store, a neighbourhood institution was born. In the ‘good old days’ it was a place to find food from the ‘old country’ as yet not easily available in Vancouver: grapes for making wine and dried fish for special occasions, real olive oil and pasta that didn’t come in a can.  It was open all hours.

As the clientele grew beyond its Italian roots, the services offered also grew: a space to relax, drink real espresso and its many offshoots, enjoy a panino made from among a vast array of Italian meats, cheeses, olives and onions, and chat with an eclectic mix of people from just about everywhere. Advice, a few shoulders to lean on, life histories, current woes and triumphs, a chance to try out your Italian, and more are shared, chewed over and ingested.  Kids are welcome and soon learn to love hot chocolate: heavy on the whipped cream. As a local filmmaker notes: “I come here because it’s way better than going to a psychologist.”

The shop is a cornucopia of all foods and condiments Italian. Want Romano beans (the best bean in the world, someone once attested) as fresh as picked yesterday, how about some luscious Ricotta cheese that doesn’t come in a plastic tub or truly pure olive oil?  These and more are on offer.

The wooden floorboards and colourful displays of real food create a feeling of comfort and welcome.  Those are qualities increasingly rare in grocery stores and so, Renzullo’s offers both a nod to what is past – because the city used to have many such shops – and a reminder that a family effort to keep old-school traditions alive is thriving and much-loved. Today, Mirella Renzullo and her husband Franco Valenti run the store in concert with employees who come, originally, from Italy (both north and south, if anyone is interested), East Van, Saltspring Island, and Israel.  They, too, are part of an open-ended family that welcomes everyone.