This time of year, with its stunning changes in the leaves and the light, the cooling of crisp autumn evenings, and little children dressed up like dragons and superheroes, is prime for various customs and traditions. Halloween has historically been linked to the Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrating the end of the lighter half of the year and the beginning of the darker half. They called this ‘thin time’: ancient Celts believed that the border between this world and the unknown worlds became very narrow at this time of year, allowing presences to pass.
Halloween is a festive time and the perfect opportunity for families and friends to unite. At Seasons Retirement Communities, this includes our residents and team members celebrating with costume competitions, door decorating contests, pumpkin carvings, themed parties (like murder mysteries), and crafting trick-or-treat bags for children in their local communities. These activities ensure that All Hallows’ Eve at Seasons is a blast for ghouls and goblins of all ages!
Food evokes such special meaning, especially around this time of year. Seasons realizes how fundamental it is for its residents to enjoy the food served, and they are determined to provide delicious and well-balanced meals. However, there is plenty of cooking and baking by its talented residents, sharing their creations and traditions. Seasons launched ‘Seasoned with Love, Volume II,’ a cookbook featuring treasured family recipes, earlier this year. It’s rare to see these intergenerational food shares documented as they are usually lost over time. Thankfully, residents at Seasons have kept these tasty dishes alive and shared their tried, true, and authentic recipes.
Some of these specialty recipes fit this holiday, including Seasons Camrose resident Jennette’s Austrian Coffee Cake (Gugelhupf). “This tasty cake is a family favourite. I married into a family of German culture, and my mother-in-law shared this recipe with me. My father-in-law loved this cake, so I frequently baked it for him. I have passed this recipe onto my daughters to keep this German tradition alive.”
The Care team at Seasons Clarington submitted a simple yet classic recipe on behalf of a past favourite resident of theirs, Evelyn, Nan’s Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Resident Gerdie at Seasons Strathroy shared her Perfect Pecan Pie recipe. Not only does it taste great, it is so easy to make! Gerdie has won almost all the pie-baking contests at Seasons Strathroy.
There is also a Rum Cake courtesy of resident Pat from Seasons Olds: “Everyone loves my rum cake at gatherings and luncheons. It makes me feel good to share what I enjoy cooking.”
Finally, Seasons Cambridge resident Phyllis scribed about her Rocky Road Squares. She has enjoyed baking and cooking throughout her life and has always kept others sustained. “I can’t make them fast enough; our family and my husband Brian eat them as quickly as I make them. Brian chuckles that he was always well-fed and enjoyed my sweet treats,” said Phyllis.
Seasoned with Love, Volume II is a labour of love brought forth by Seasons residents, allowing readers to recreate a homemade appetizer, entrée, or dessert, with many dating back 100 years. This cookbook is also a fundraising initiative, with proceeds going to the local food banks in every community where Seasons Retirement Communities operates. As of July 2023, Seasons has donated more than a quarter of a million of food and funds to their local food banks. These cookbooks sell for a minimum donation of $10 and can be picked up at any Seasons location across Ontario and Alberta. Seasoned with Love, Volume II would make a thoughtful gift, letting your loved ones test out creations in the kitchen this Halloween.
If you are searching for a retirement home for yourself or a loved one during your visit and would like to learn more about the seasonal activities and events offered at Seasons, please click on the locations tab on our website. In your retirement years, you should expect to continue the traditions and routines you appreciate most, and enjoying meals should be no exception. Seasons also has spaces that residents can reserve to host events or gatherings for special occasions.