Several residents of Midtown Manor in Estevan have been demonstrating their creativity by incorporating cutlery into crafts, and by pursuing other art forms.
Gladys Littlejohn donated the cutlery that residents transformed into objects. Her grandparents brought the silver with them when they came to Canada in 1923.
Littlejohn knew that her fellow Midtown Manor dwellers needed materials to create their crafts, so she donated the spoons, forks and knives.
"They've done a beautiful job," said Littlejohn. "My grandparents would be so proud."
She expects that there's still a lot of cutlery that hasn't been used, and that it will be incorporated into other projects.
Stan Sjodin created a Ferris wheel, a teeter-totter and a swing set using the silverware.
"With all of the spoons, there are over 25 spoons on that one project (the Ferris wheel)," said Sjodin.
The swing set was the first object that he made with the spoons.
"It turned out pretty good, and I figured that it should be decorated, and that also turned out really good," said Sjodin. "And then I dreamed up the idea of the Ferris wheel."
Friends Bob and Marian Meyers donated the metal wheels that were needed for the Ferris Wheel. Ferris used the spoons to create the posts, metal bars and seats. Saskatchewan and Canadian flags are attached to the posts.
Sjodin said it took quite a bit of time to complete the project, since he needed time to round up all of the parts. But he is pleased with the finished product.
"It was a challenge, because I dreamt it up," said Sjodin. "But it turned out so well."
Bella Gervais created the dolls who occupy the Ferris wheels' seats. And she used materials that were donated by Richard Sorensen to fabricate the green carpets that are supposed to be the grass beneath the Ferris wheel, the teeter-totter and the swing set.
Gervais has other creative outlets, too. She makes flower arrangements by purchasing flowers, inserting them into buckets, and adding birds, butterflies and other items.
She has also created and decorated a birdhouse that hangs on one of the walls inside Midtown Manor's activity room.
A couple of other residents have showcasing their creative sides, too.
Alma McGill has been creating placemats for years. Over the years, she estimates she has made close to 100 placemats.
"I used to sell them at craft sales," said McGill. "I still have a big bucket full of material."
Recently she started to create scarves and napkin holders. Many of the scarves were given away as Christmas gifts, but she has also sold a few of them.
And Doreen Bachynski creates wall hanging rugs. One of them, depicting Jesus Christ, hangs on a wall in the activity room. She has also created handmade dishcloths and towels.
Bachynski said it's something that she can do in her spare time, and it gives her an activity that keeps her mind engaged.
All are pleased with how their projects turned out. Sjodin said it reflects the creative nature of Midtown Manor's residents, and their desire to keep their minds active and busy.






