An Afternoon at New Horizons

James Bay New Horizons

By Judith Castle

It's 12:30 p.m. on Thursday. I've just arrived for my afternoon shift at the reception desk and am listening to the two morning reception volunteers, Pam and Janet, who tell me that it's been a busy morning. They've sold two memberships, found a set of lost keys and are waiting for the owner to collect them. Someone has left her cane in one of the rooms, perhaps during the Current Affairs group meeting. If we find the cane, they give us the number to call. My regular partner on the reception desk on Thursdays is Sheila.

In the main hall are three full tables of members and people who have dropped in, lunching on bowls of Grilligan's delicious chili and the buttered ciabatta that goes along with it. Coffee or tea included. Smells tasty. What a bargain at $4. Volunteers Dorri and Anne serve the meal. Everyone chats. We wave to each other as I go by because this is how we are at New Horizons. Happy to be here. I enter the library and return the Grisham thriller to its place on the shelf.

The phone is busy. Someone wants computer lessons so I connect her with Shelbea who offers lessons here on our computers. Someone needs photocopies. Sheila helps them out.

Someone else wants a chair massage. We make an appointment for her. Another caller wants information about taxes. We refer him to the right people. Kim is at a meeting in Fairfield this afternoon, so I take a phone message down to her office. Someone else needs a lawyer. Or a rental for an event. I tell Sherri there's a call for her. Someone wants to donate books. Can we help? Yes, we can help.

People drop in to our New Horizons 'Boutique' (as we call it) a fundraising source of eclectic vintage clothing for men and women run by volunteer Joan whose eye for fashion and style makes the Boutique (located off the main hall) a definite stop-off for anyone who comes in the doors. What treasures. What prices! You should see my muskrat winter hat!

This afternoon we have a full house in the rooms where courses, meetings and get-togethers are held. The new Karaoke group is here, and the Be Alive group. Next week ukulele lessons begin. Elizabeth arrives by Handy Dart to play cribbage with Wallace. In an hour or so, another volunteer or student volunteer will make tea and coffee in the kitchen and load up the trolleys with cups and baked cookies to take to each gathering.

Meanwhile, at the desk, are a couple who have just moved to James Bay. They've dropped in to see what happens at New Horizons. We give them the calendar for the week and the monthly calendar. One buys an art photography card of the Empress Hotel which catches her eye. Sheila takes the couple on a royal tour. "What happens here?" they ask.

The answer? In addition to courses and meetings? A lot of goodwill and friendliness happens here, much fun, much learning about teamwork and kindness. All you have to do is walk through our doors and meet a few of us to find that out. As I say, New Horizons buzzes!