Orlando started the meeting at 2:30 pm.  18 residents attended as well as Marlene, Rani, Doreen and   Andrew.  

Andrew reported that he is staying at Doreen and Bob’s place, his billeting family, and is enjoying his stay very much.  He attended the opening night of “Jesus Christ Super Star” at the Capitol Theatre.  He has also attended 2 “Bulldogs” hockey games.  Life is great for Andrew!

A thank you was given to Olga for inviting her son Professor Val Geist to speak to us. The event was well attended, including most of the Katimavik participants and their leader.

Joyce is expecting to have surgery on one of her hands on February 11.  We wish her luck and hope that it is not cancelled again. The other hand will also be operated at a later date.

Unfortunately, Jean’s surgery has been cancelled once again. And Doreen reported that she has not finished with the doctors yet either.

Doreen reported that Elsie Binns is going on holidays so Audrey Pemberton and Monty will be taking her evening volunteer shift.

Rani reported that the annual “Punjabi Dinner” will be held on February 22^nd.  The cost for guest who will be attending the dinner is $7.00.  You must get your tickets by February 17^th from Orlando.  Katimavik participants have been invited to the dinner. They will also assist with the set up.

Glad has returned home from the hospital and is doing fine. Gerry was thanked for circulating a “get well” card for her.

Marlene has ordered our 2009 Abbey field calendar/agendas.  We will have 50 small and 50 large agenda calendars.

Phil has been replacing the pipe covers downstairs.  The outside taps have been drained and shutoff.  We must remember to do this again October 25^th.

Marlene reported that “Earth Hour”, an idea that began in Australia, that encourages everyone to shut off power for an hour all over the world, will take place March 29^th, between 8 and 9 P.M.

Olga has reported that she does not have heat in her room.

Evelyn has volunteered to change the items in the display case each month.  A thank you for the Valentine display was given to Evelyn.

Rani reported on the Chinese food that will be served, tomorrow, Feb. 7^th, for Chinese New Year.  This year is the Year of Rat in the Chinese calendar. 

Rani reported that someone is phoning from Abbeyfield to Quality Foods and not speaking.  The number is 724-1350.  Please check your numbers.

Kay Green has been keeping up the scrapbook.  She has brought 2007 up to date and is working on 2008.  2007 is on display by the office so stop by and have a look at it.

The “Jam and Java” with the  “Winkle Pickers” will be here at 7:00 pm tomorrow, Thursday, evening.

Casino night will be March 14^th starting at 6:00 pm.  Last year we raised $600.  The proceeds go to our Abbbeyfield Home.  The evening is organized by the “Eagles” and you can purchase  $200 of  “Eagle bucks” for $10.00.

The Abbeyfield Fashion Show is coming up on April 18^th and Katimavik has also been invited. Orlando said that this is an enjoyable event, having residents modeling and escorting and commentating. Katimavik participants also model at the annual show. We have a collection of old hats we use for the event.

Orlando has booked 12 tickets for the Kinsmen’s annual “Heritage Dinner” to be held at Echo Centre on Sunday, February 24^th. Irene has restarted the “Abbeyfield Drama Club”.  She and her cast: Mary Ella, Hazel, Orize and Joyce are working on a humorous skit.  Andrew is working on the props.  They are in need of a few costumes.   An email will go out to the Board inviting them to the performance.

Otto paid for the SKYPE program again this year.  Anyone is welcome to use it. Skype is a computer program that is used as a phone for long distance calls at a very reasonable rate.

An invitation was received from the Catholic Church to attend the “World Day of the Sick”, Monday February 11, 2008.  The contact person is Anne McLaughlin and Orlando has more information if you need it.

We have heard that Rod Stewart, resident and contact person of Abbeyfield St. Martin home in Victoria is doing fine even though they haven’t answered our last two e-mails. This morning Joyce phoned to find out how things were in that home. The residents of Abbeyfield St. Martin receive our newsletter every week. Joyce is our contact with that home.

The Abbeyfield website is available with weekly up-dates and news of weekly meetings.  . Thanks to David, a volunteer, we are now designing a new Abbeyfield Port Alberni Web page, with no advertising in it at a cost of less than $5.oo a month. Orlando wants input from the residents about the content of the new web page.

Cheryl Magnusson visited us yesterday and brought a poster and donation box to help her daughter Angel raise money for the Variety Club Telethon.

Gunda Urners’ husband passed away and there will be a service for him on March 1, 2008.  Orlando worked with Gunda at Fir Park Village for many years. She is known to many residents as Social Director, Orlando’s replacement.

Orize reported on her visit to the “Bulldogs” hockey game.  She was impressed with the comfortable seats and the building.  (See her article further on)

Orlando is teaching Spanish at the College on Mondays and Wednesdays for 6 weeks.

Wednesday evening Hank Mallon will be at Abbeyfield to entertain us.

The meeting adjourned at 3:25 pm.