Homemade pie deliveries were the order of the day for residents of a Barrie retirement home.
On the morning of March 22, Shirley Monger, Christine Maxamenko and Eleanor Ball, who live at the Chartwell Allandale Station Retirement Residence on Yonge Street, gathered up 13 freshly baked apple pies, some of which they made themselves.
With driving help from Chartwell general manager Kyla Krawczyk, they made their way around the city dropping off the desserts to local fire halls, police headquarters, the hospital, ambulance stations and a few other retirement homes in the area, too.
“There’s a group of us that always bake, and three of us came in yesterday to make them," Monger, 85, said shortly before they left their home. "Kevin, the head chef in the kitchen, cut all the apples up and soaked them overnight for us."
They added cinnamon, sage and other tasty ingredients to the mix.
“I love baking. It’s what I really miss,” she added.
Krawczyk says it's important to support seniors as they try to continue their lifelong hobbies and to use them to support the community.
They call it H.O.P.E., or Helping Others through Purposeful Engagement, she added.
"Baking pies and giving them to our community members is a perfect example of this," Krawczyk said. "When our seniors give to our community, it allows them to experience fulfillment, autonomy and connection to their community."
"Being active in our community allows our residents to break down barriers about perceptions of aging," she added.
BradfordToday and InnisfilToday tagged along as the first stop on the delivery tour was Barrie Fire headquarters on Dunlop Street West.
Unannounced, the ladies knocked on the door of the fire hall and were greeted by a handful of surprised firefighters, who gladly took the apple pies off their hands.
In return, the Chartwell Allandale Station residents were given a tour of Fire Station No. 1, walking through the garage where several fire trucks were parked all in a row.
“I feel very fantastic, super surprised,” firefighter Josh Yurkiw said about the gifted pies.
“Well, we’re very proud of you.” Monger told him. “And this is how we want to repay you.”
“We’re proud to work for you," Yurkiw replied, “and very happy to do it.”
“I have a family member that lives there,” he added, telling them about his wife’s grandmother who also resides at the same retirement home.
They know her well, as it turns out.
At that moment, another young firefighter made his way to the garage to see what is going on, and one of the ladies recognized him.
“He’s one of the cute ones that comes to Chartwell,” she exclaimed, prompting a round of laughter.
When the visit was complete, a few thankful firefighters helped escort the ladies back to their van so they could continue their generosity tour, leaving the men to enjoy their homemade treat.
The next stop? Barrie Police Headquarters on Fairview Road toward the south end of town.
Just moments later, as their vehicle was about to pull away, a call came into the station and the firefighters had to run back to their trucks and head out down the road, sirens blaring.
Their pies will have to wait.
#BarriePolice wish to thank the “Pie Ladies” and Kyla (General Manager) from the Chartwell Allandale Station Retirement Residence who dropped off fresh baked pies this afternoon for the men and women of the Service.
— Barrie Police (@BarriePolice) March 22, 2024
Your incredible kindness is very much appreciated! pic.twitter.com/a4iv6Hcsmn
