“We’re bitter enemies and great friends.”

That’s how Dorian Stewart describes the good-natured rivalry between the two Silveridge softball teams, the Silvers and the Golds. And even though Dorian was wearing his “Golds” baseball cap when we spoke with him, he’s the Commissioner for both teams and admitted that the Silvers were having the better year – the Silvers are undefeated at 5-0 while the Golds are 3-2.

If you’d like to see the teams in action, they play on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Red Mountain facility, with the times posted on the bulletin board near the post office. There’s an added benefit to being a fan: We learned from Bob Lytle, another of the leaders of the softball program, that fans are invited to join players and spouses at team social events (beer, wine and food), three times a year.

As for playing, while the teams are set for this season, Bob told us that they are always short of players at the start of the Fall league, and that’s the time to get in shape, and, Dorian added, “to not get too serious.”

Dorian concluded, “We try to be good ambassadors for the park and we’ve had people move here to be on the team. It’s a great way to meet people. We have 35-40 players, and wives. So you’ll get to know 70 to 80 people through softball, in your first season.”

“We have a whale of a time,” Bob said. “We’d do anything for each other. We even get together in the summer and go for a three or four-day fishing trip in Manitoba.”

We also took the time to get to know a little about Dorian and Bob. They both come from Manitoba and admitted that they were part of what folks at Silveridge came to call The Manitoba Mafia. Bob said, “We’ve mellowed, but we use to have parties that got so loud that people would walk a block out of their way to avoid us.”

Bob Lytle, on left, and Dorian Stewart

BOB LYTLE

When not at Silveridge, Bob and his wife Barb live on a farm in High Bluff, Manitoba, not far from Winnipeg. For 25 years they kept bees, but they gave that up and now raise what Bob listed as “edible beans, canola and wheat.” (I asked Bob about his “edible beans,” thinking that all beans are edible, and he explained, “The ones for human consumption are called ‘edible,’ as opposed to the ones used for feed.”)

Bob and Barb came to Silveridge only after touring Florida and Texas, trying to decide where they’d spend winters. Bob described their decision: “We flew down and stayed in a motel and visited with people from back home who were at Silveridge. I was on my way to the pool and I met a guy who said, ‘I’m going to sell you my place,’ and he was right, he did.’”

Bob has since made a modification to their new winter home – he created an opening in the roof so he could see the stars, and sank a 12-foot concrete pier in the ground that minimizes vibration for his telescope.

The Story of Us

Everyone has a story to tell

Message From Sue

Activity Director & Editor

For Christmas I bought my husband a DNA testing kits from Ancestry. Com. He anxiously awaits the results to see what heritage he is and to see if there are any DNA matches to some long last relative from the past.

Finding our roots has been a quest for many of us as we want to know where we came from and why we look and act the way we do. Recently I watched episodes of “Long Lost Family”; a TV documentary show that helps provide aid to individuals looking to be reunited with their long lost family members. Tears flowed as parents who gave up children for adoption were reunited with their children years later.

What is it in our makeup that makes us want to know where we came from and to be a part of a loving family? Thomas Merton wrote “ We do not exist for ourselves alone, and it is only when we are fully convinced of this fact that we begin to love ourselves and others”.

So how does this quote apply to us at Silveridge? We live in a senior park and as seniors we have had a full life; we all have a story to tell! Here are a couple ideas to apply your story for the good of others in our park.

How about someone starting a Journaling class with instructions on how to write your story? Can you imagine the stories; some funny, some sad and some secrets?? Not only would this be a book of memories for you but also for future generations to read.

This summer Jeff and I are starting our own Genealogy book, complete with stories and photos of our ancestors.

(Shutterfly has a great program that is easy to follow) I have challenged Mom to come up with some stories and write them down. One example Mom shared was that my Great Grandma skated on the Zuider Zee (the southern Sea) in Holland and sold hot chocolate to her fellow skaters! (How often do we say “If only I had asked my relatives to tell me more.)”

The Computer Club offers a genealogy class every Monday at 10:00 in the Computer Technology room.

How lucky we are to have knowledgeable teachers who are willing to volunteer their time in leading a class to help others! I challenge you to be the one to reach out with whatever is a good fit for you.

Recently I met with some of the newcomers in our park. How enjoyable to learn about where they were from and what brought them to Silveridge. It is interesting that the majority knew about our park because of a relative or friend who introduced them. Never underestimate the influence you have to make a new person feel welcome.

One of the newbies plays the ukulele and is looking for anyone to join them. Kudos to Deb Scherbring and Linda Hinzman for reaching out to our new people. These new residents are the future of Silveridge and will leave their legacy after we are gone.

Let’s not forget all the stories we hear over “Happy Hour.” Whether it be in a neighbors back yard or over a Dinner Show in the Ballroom. Instead of “Social Hour”, let’s call it our ‘Happy Hour” It is where we share our memories, stories, plans and our lives. It connects us to one another; friendships are formed, activities are planned and then we truly do find our Happy Place. As you share your stories, don’t be surprised if you find out that somewhere down the line you know the same people and just maybe you are related!!