SENIOR SCAPE: Turtles?!

September 9, 2015 · 0 Comments

By Jim Abram

The Aurora Seniors’ Centre is fortunate to be situated right next to the Aurora Community Arboretum. The Aurora Community Arboretum is the 100+ acres of Town of Aurora parkland between Wellington Street on the south and St John’s Sideroad on the north along the valley of the East Holland River.
Having a river run through the Arboretum, as well as several ponds, not only makes for a diverse landscape, it makes water – essential to the trees, shrubs, grasses and wildlife – readily available.
Which brings me to the reason I am writing about the Arboretum and how it relates to the Aurora Seniors’ Centre. We certainly take advantage of the trail system that runs through the Arboretum for our walking club and our members enjoy the diversity of the trees, shrubs, grasses and wildlife. But we have one unusual relationship with the Arboretum that we would never have guessed. The aforementioned river and ponds are apparently home to several large turtles.
How do turtles relate to seniors? Is it that we come out of our shells as we mature into older adults? Is it because we move at the speed of turtles as we age? Is it because as we get older, like turtles, we eat things that are easier to chew? No, none of these reasons. It relates to Bocce Ball, of all things.
Our Bocce courts are apparently perfectly surfaced with gravel screening suitable for turtles to lay their eggs in! At least one of the turtle inhabitants of the river and ponds of the Arboretum has discovered our Bocce courts and laid her eggs there. I can’t wait until one of our Bocce enthusiasts rolls his or her Bocce ball at the pallino only to have it intercepted by turtle hatchlings!
Ontario boasts eight species of turtle, which is more than any other province in Canada. Unfortunately, that might be changing as seven of these species are at risk so if these turtles do hatch, help them out by relocating them from the Bocce courts to the river or ponds of the Arboretum. If you do see one of the adult turtles, leave it alone or simply move it out of danger and back into its natural habitat if it has ventured out onto the road or parking lot, for example.

10 YEAR ANNIVERSAY REMINDER
This is just a reminder not to miss this special once in a lifetime event! Our members are an energetic group of young-at-heart, older adults who are very enthusiastic about participating in the many programs, events and activities that the Centre has to offer. This year marks the 10th Anniversary of enriching the lives of older adults in our very special Aurora Seniors’ Centre.
Come on out to celebrate this significant milestone by joining us on Sunday, September 20 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Some of the founding members will present a history of the growth and successes of the Aurora Seniors Association from its humble beginnings on Victoria Street to what we enjoy today.

Jimmy’s last word: Budget Bistro Turtle Soup? Hey! That’s not even funny!

For more information on the Aurora Seniors’ Centre and all it has to offer, drop by 90 John West Way, visit the web site www.auroraseniors.ca, email auroraseniors@rogers.com or call 905-726-4767 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.