#ElderWisdom | Stories from the Green Bench
Society & Culture
Episode #41 - Hilda lives at The Village of Wentworth Heights in Hamilton, originally from Germany, joining to share her story from the green bench with Erin Davis & Doug Robinson. Stories of growing up during World War II, moving to Canada, having a son, leaving a challenging marriage, writing a memoir, and her resilience in all aspects of life.
"We were 6 years old. They told us that the gas masks looked like Mickey Mouse so we wouldn't be scared." - Doug Robinson
At 10 years old, she was strafed by machine-gun fire from a low-flying airplane. She locked eyes with the pilot who was laughing. She was rescued when two women ran out and pulled her to safety. It was an English airplane, and she was a child.
"They forced us to go into the Hitler youth, otherwise you wouldn't have any future. They pushed us in the direction they wanted us to go under Hitler." - Hilda Bolter
"I saw the danger in which my mother was in to giving the Jewish people food stamps. I took the stamps from my mother and was helping to give them." -Hilda Bolter
Hilda is writing her memoir, it is in German, it’s for her son and her granddaughter. "It is so powerful to what I went through and I want to tell my son that whatever it is, with the lord's help, you will conquer everything. You don't have to be afraid." -Hilda Bolter
"I wave to them and say hi. How happy they are and it costs nothing." - Hilda Bolter
“You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it” – Margaret Thatcher
When you can help someone, it makes the world better
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The Green Bench is a symbol of elder wisdom. Physically or virtually, the bench invites us all to sit alongside a senior, share a conversation, or give and offer advice.
It challenges the stigma seniors face; the ageism still so prevalent in society. It reminds us of the wealth of wisdom our elders offer and in doing so, helps restore them to a place of reverence.
"The greatest untapped resource in Canada, if not the world, is the collective wisdom of our elders." -Ron Schlegel
This podcast is brought to you by Schlegel Villages, retirement & long-term care homes in Ontario, Canada.
#ElderWisdom | Stories from the Green Bench is produced by Memory Tree Productions
Learn more about our host, Erin Davis, at erindavis.com
Learn more about #ElderWisdom at elderwisdom.ca
Felix Rommens - Living with hearing impairment, keeping hands busy with art, and growing up during WW2
Dr. Rea Brown - McGill University student, professor & athlete, remarkable medical career and surgeon during the Montreal massacre
Donna Duncan - reimagining long-term care, building community, and combatting ageism
Sheri Noecker - A story of sudden illness, inspiration after a stroke, and the Program for Active Living
Korleen Schmidt - the full circle of life, combining love for geography & theology
Ross C. Morton - Stories of a one-room schoolhouse, importance of sharing history, and reflections of time in the RCAF
BONUS | Jamie Schlegel - What is long-term care, an inside look at the Schlegel Villages organization, and the importance of community
Betty Anne Millar - A fairytale career in the shopping mall industry, dressing to raise your spirits, and planning for later stages of life
Annie Whittle - connection to Harry Styles through a passion for knitting, keeping busy, and how to eat a pomegranate
Brendan Rossiter - Dublin to Canada, wisdom about work, kicking habits and being resourceful
Steve Smith - a fascinating career as Red Green, stories from beyond the show and goose control
Beth Goodwin - Caring for a loved one living with dementia and being in the moment
Kathe Kleinau - Importance of storytelling and a collection of interviews among neighbours
Patricia & Dennis Bayley - A pursuit of passions, hobbies, poetry, traveling and laughter
Deborah Bakti - Author of Now What? Managing the Emotional Journey of Long Term Care for Families
BONUS | Kaye Brown & Jeff Studman - Experience of Covid-19 in Long Term Care at The Village at St. Clair, Windsor
Trish Baird & Merry Snider - roles of RPN & PSW in senior living, relationships and grief
Margaret Collard - a life given to ministry & outreach work, respect and care for everyone individually
Bruce MacNeil - Growing a garden, a community and friendships through volunteerism
Ruth White -Canada road trips, living and sailing in Bermuda, and a spirit of trying new things
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