Enhance your life, make friends at TCAG
Visit the Thorold Community Activities Group (TCAG) centre any day or night of the week, and you’ll see smiles — on the pickleball courts, in the yoga room, the craft and music area, and adjoining swimming pool on the sprawling Richmond Street property.
For decades, the community hub has hosted fun activities for youth and adults alike, including ballet, basketball and baking.
But beyond the many programs, it’s the connections — the friendships forged — that often have the biggest impact on participants’ lives.
Take Rosie Persi and Renate Webb, for example.
What do the middle-aged developmentally-challenged woman and the 73-year-old widow have in common?
An appreciation of art. Yoga. Zumba. And most of all, each other.
“We met at the TCAG,” says Webb, who began taking fitness classes after retiring in 2012.
“We became friends and I encouraged Rosie to come to Zumba with me and she loved it.”
Initially, Persi’s parents drove her to and from classes, but Webb was happy to assume that role.
“I just took her under my wing.”
They’ve since joined yoga classes, which are helping Persi “relearn her body,” says instructor Adrianna Kravjansky.
“I see her building creativity and independence. And she will take it upon herself to pick up all the blocks at the end” of yoga class, Kravjansky adds.
But it was when the two Thorold friends delved into art classes that Persi’s inner artist was awakened, revealing her true hidden talent.
At the beginning, Persi would complete her various types of artwork using just one colour.
Now, her pastel landscapes leap off the page as the creative artist sketches striking mosaic or striped mountains and unique contemporary trees, all in her own signature style.
With pride, she boldly prints ‘Rosetta’ at the bottom of each page she creates — though she’s affectionately known as Rosie by everyone at TCAG — and delights in giving her artwork to others.
“Before, it was plain,” says Webb, “but since she’s come to art classes, she is really excelling, and she’s so proud showing us. It’s incredible how she came up with her own style.”
Art instructor Katia Perez is very proud of Persi’s improvement, says TCAG program manager Jennifer Douthwaite.
Meanwhile, Webb has taken full advantage of TCAG’s switch to an all-inclusive membership system which last year changed the policy of paying for each program separately to a single fee that entitles members to unlimited classes in every program.
“Renate is very active,” says Douthwaite. “She was before her husband’s passing but now she’s here twice a day on the average — Zumba, aerobics, arts and crafts, and pickleball.”
While taking various classes side by side, the bond has strengthened between the two Thorold women.
“When I had carpal tunnel (syndrome), Rosie put my shoes on for me,” says Webb. “She’s a wonderful caring person and I really love my Rosie.”
But it’s not only adults who make friends at TCAG.
Nineteen-year-old Julia Biscaro, who returned as a TCAG camp counsellor because she “really enjoyed it” last year, lists making new friends, getting fresh air and exercise as key among the benefits of summer day camp. “We have two hours of swim time every day. We are so blessed to be able to use that pool.”
The aspiring teacher is taking music and family and child studies at University of Guelph.
“There’s a good opportunity for kids to experience something they wouldn’t normally,” she says, such as weekly trips to places like local farms, the Heartland Forest, and the Greg Frewin Theatre.
Where else can kids learn to saw people in half, milk a cow and paint with squirt guns?
Remaining summer theme camps include The Magic of Camp (Aug. 14 to 18), Farm Summer Sensation (Aug. 21 to 25), and Licence to Thrill (Aug. 28 to Sept. 1).
“They are able to develop independence from mom and dad and build their self-confidence,” says Douthwaite, “through learning new skills and making social connections. Most importantly, summer camp is a place for fun, laughs and making memories that last a lifetime. Camp is filled with a variety of activities, selfdiscovery, friendships that last long-term and experiences that are ingrained for years.”
In addition to camp, youth and adult programs, TCAG also provides licensed child care to all Thorold and area citizens.
For all these reasons, and because of people like Webb and Persi, the Sons of Italy has designated TCAG as this year’s donor charity for its upcoming annual elimination draw at Club Capri.
“It’s because of the programs TCAG provides in the community at an affordable cost,” says city Coun. Terry Ugulini, who’s also a Sons of Italy club member.
“They deliver services that the City of Thorold would not be able to and any help we can give the TCAG is very worthwhile to both them as well as the city.”
The elimination draw takes place Sept. 27, featuring an all-inclusive deluxe dinner and drinks plus $1,000 cash jackpot prize. The second prize is $500, and every 25th ticket drawn will win a prize. Anyone wishing to purchase tickets or donate a door prize can call TCAG at 905-227-0545.
More information about TCAG programs is available at www.Thoroldgroup.org.