Saskatchewan lieutenant-governor Russ Mirasty, front left, tours Harwood Manor in North Battleford Saturday. He is shown with the home administrator Sharon Meena, front right, along with his wife Donna, centre, and Mayor Ryan Bater, back. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Festive reception

Lieutenant-governor visits residents at North Battleford care home

Feb 3, 2020 | 1:29 PM

It was a busy day at Harwood Manor Saturday when Saskatchewan Lt.-Gov. Russ Mirasty visited the facility to meet residents.

Mirasty was joined by his wife Donna as well as North Battleford Mayor Ryan Bater.

Saskatchewan Lt.-Gov. Russ Mirasty, right, receives a gift of homemade wine from centenarian resident Marsil Van Hooren, front left. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Mirasty said he appreciated seeing what is available to the residents and learning more about how they are being helped at the facility.

”We are an aging population,” he said. “That demographic is really increasing rapidly. It’s nice to get an insight into what options people have, in terms of where they might go in their senior years.”

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Fiddle group Second Avenue performed during the gathering. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Originally from La Ronge, Mirasty was appointed to the position of Saskatchewan’s lieutenant-governor in July 2019. His first language is Woodland Cree. The retired RCMP officer served with the force for 36 years before taking on his new role.

During his visit to the area, he also planned to attend the Battlefords Pride Gala.

As part of his duties as lieutenant-governor, Mirasty said he visits many people in care, such as the Harwood Manor residents to bring greetings.

“The biggest reward for this position is to get out to communities and meet people of all backgrounds, all ages,” he said. “To come to a place like this where we see the seniors being looked after, and they are obviously very comfortable and happy, it’s gratifying to see that. This is probably the best part of the job, getting out to meet people all over the province.”

Lt.-Gov. Russ Mirasty, left, with resident Shirley Tebay who was celebrating her 95th birthday. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

During Mirasty’s visit, he honoured resident Shirley Tebay turning 95 years old with a commemorative birthday greeting. He also received a bottle of wine made at the facility, presented by centenarian resident Marsil Van Hooren, who helped make the product.

Bater said the event was a good opportunity to show the lieutenant-governor some of what North Battleford has to offer.

“It seems to be a very warm reception for him here,” he said. “I hope he and his wife feel very welcome because it would be great to have them back any time at their convenience.”

Bater said the lieutenant-governor is also familiar with the local area since Mirasty was stationed near the Battlefords at one of his RCMP postings.

Sharon Meena, home administrator for Harwood Manor, a private care facility under Golden Health Care, said residents appreciated meeting the lieutenant-governor during his visit to the area.

“We have a very non-institutional vibe here,” she said of the facility. “It is home; that’s what we really focused on, making this their home.”

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow