Birchmere Retirement Residence
234 Bay Street L3V 3W8 Orillia, ON, Canada

We are already almost a week into November and our residents are continuing to keep busy as they enjoy lots of fun and engaging activities planned by the activation department! Check out our November activity calendar to stay updated on all of the activities happening throughout this month!

This afternoon we cozied up in the lounges (as much as we could while staying 6 feet apart), turned the fireplace channel on, and savoured S'mores! Our Tuesday Afternoon Treat Socials have been very tastily enjoyed by our residents! Next week we have a Chips & Dips Social... can't wait! #BirchmereRetirementResidence #RetireOrillia #TreatTuesdays

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, folks! A few pictures from yesterday's Halloween Happy Hour Social. This morning we had Fun & Fitness to some spooky tunes with Carolyn, and coming up this afternoon we have Treat Bingo! ... No shortage of laughter, candy, and decorations here at Birchmere this Halloween as we adapt to the changes surrounding the pandemic. Normally we'd welcome Trick-or-Treating kids in costumes, but sadly this year our doors remain locked to the public. Stay healthy, and stay safe!

Here are pictures of: One of the "cool" ways we show our appreciation for staff! Some of the countless drawings and artwork we've received to brighten our days and lift our spirits! As well as some donated ear savers! ... We can't thank everyone enough!

One of our resident's family & friends went all out to celebrate her birthday in "COVID-19" style on Saturday! Balloons, gifts, and her very own birthday parade out front of Birchmere! *** This is certainly not the first time this has happened here, but it's the first time one of our staff members was able to capture it! Thank you, Tatiana!

Some pictures of the fabric face masks that were donated to us at Birchmere and also to Champlain Manor (one of our sister homes). Thank you to our #CanSew community! #CaremongeringOrillia #COVID19 #OrilliaCares

A huge thank you goes out to Molded Precision Components (@MPCComponents) for donating 55 face shields! To the kind soul(s) who dropped off more than enough Canadian Flags so we could celebrate on Canada Day! And a special thanks to the Rotary Club of Orillia (@RotaryOrillia) for donating not one, but TWO tablets for our Activity Department to use with residents during programs such as Skype, Trivia, One-to-One Visits, and more! ... Please check out their Facebook pages and give them a like for their support: https://www.facebook.com/MPCComponents/ https://www.facebook.com/RotaryOrillia/

What a storm that was that rolled through the Orillia area not too long ago! To think that just a few hours prior some of the residents and I were out on Birchmere's boathouse, spending some quality time in the sunshine! We never get tired of the view here. Neither does this seagull; it kept us company the whole time and even posed for pictures. Haha!

Many more emails and cards with heartfelt thank you's and our "Wall of Thanks" in our Staff Room!

Here are pictures of: One of the "cool" ways we show our appreciation for staff! Some of the countless drawings and artwork we've received to brighten our days and lift our spirits! As well as some donated ear savers! ... We can't thank everyone enough!

Check out this article about Birchmere's history! https://www.orilliamatters.com//did-you-know-the-birchmere

Did you know Birchmere has its very own Tuck Shop?! We offer a mini-convenience store right in our Piano Lounge! It sure has come in handy for many of our residents during this COVID-19 pandemic. ... *Open EVERY Thursday morning! (It was also open on Monday afternoons when residents couldn't get out to do their own shopping... But now they can!) *All sorts of snacks & goodies available - the chocolate bars sell out FAST! *Personal hygiene items! *Stationery & all occasion greeting cards! *And MORE!

Some thoughtful emails from our residents' loved ones and even one of our entertainers!

What a storm that was that rolled through the Orillia area not too long ago! To think that just a few hours prior some of the residents and I were out on Birchmere's boathouse, spending some quality time in the sunshine! We never get tired of the view here. Neither does this seagull; it kept us company the whole time and even posed for pictures. Haha!

Check out this article about Birchmere's history! https://www.orilliamatters.com//did-you-know-the-birchmere

Did you know Birchmere has its very own Tuck Shop?! We offer a mini-convenience store right in our Piano Lounge! It sure has come in handy for many of our residents during this COVID-19 pandemic. ... *Open EVERY Thursday morning! (It was also open on Monday afternoons when residents couldn't get out to do their own shopping... But now they can!) *All sorts of snacks & goodies available - the chocolate bars sell out FAST! *Personal hygiene items! *Stationery & all occasion greeting cards! *And MORE!

We would like to wish all of the fathers, stepfathers, father-in-laws, grandfathers, and father figures in our lives a very Happy Father's Day! Our window visits went well this afternoon, and we were able to wrap them up just before the storm clouds rolled in. Thank you to all of the residents' families & friends for braving the intense heat to see loved ones today! It made their day! The gentlemen here at Birchmere even got to crack a cold one along with dinner this eve...ning. We're looking forward to seeing everyone again VERY soon!

It is a beautiful day here at Birchmere Retirement Residence Here is the amazing view of Lake Couchiching from our boathouse!

We're back again with the "Wheel of Champions" this week! It's being spun at lunchtime every second Thursday in recognition of our hardworking staff during these unprecedented times. Today was the second day that the "Wheel of Champions" was spun at Birchmere. Six winners were picked this time around! Winners for Thursday, June 18th include:... Dietary Staff Member x 1 Housekeeping Staff Members x 3 *a $50 prize was won!!! Administration Staff Member x 1 PSW Staff Member x 1 *the $300 top prize was won!!!!! Congratulations to each of the winners, and to all of our staff who are striving to go above and beyond! Thank you as well to our residents for their cheerful participation in this event! Stay tuned to see more pictures/videos from the next "Wheel of Champions" event on Thursday, July 2nd!

In spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, Birchmere's owner Norman Smith came up with a fun incentive for our staff in recognition of their extra hard work during these difficult times. We call it the "Wheel of Champions" and it offers a variety of prizes including a grand prize of $300.00, four chances to win $50.00, a case of toilet paper, and more! The "Wheel of Champions" will be spun at lunchtime every second Thursday. Five residents will pick five lucky staff members' names an...d win them the corresponding prize for whichever spot the wheel lands on. This past Thursday was the first day that the "Wheel of Champions" was spun at Birchmere. Winners for Thursday, June 4th include: Dietary Staff Members x 2 Housekeeping Staff Member x 1 Activation Staff Member x 1 PSW Staff Member x 1 Congratulations to each of the winners, and to all of our staff who continue to go above and beyond! Thanks also to our wonderful residents for their eager participation in this event! Stay tuned to see more pictures and videos from the next "Wheel of Champions" event on Thursday, June 18th.

It is a beautiful day here at Birchmere Retirement Residence Here is the amazing view of Lake Couchiching from our boathouse!

Our residents sure are keeping busy! Here is our June activity calendar. We are so thrilled by the amount of interest in SKYPE video calls. A fun new way to connect with loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic. ... We have limited spots available for Skype video call appointments. Please contact Ashley to book your time slot.

Happy June! Here is our June Menu Calendar.