Hello Hawkwood!
I always enjoy the increasing daylight hours in March and look forward to that feeling of waking up from hibernation as the temperature rises. Although we will welcome the first day of spring on March 20, the rinks at the Hawkwood Community Park will be open if cooler temperatures prevail, so be sure to enjoy them while you can!
I recently came across an article about the epidemic of loneliness that developed over the past five years, beginning with the pandemic. Even several years after the lockdowns, it seems many people are reluctant to leave their homes, and this has had the unfortunate side effect of increasing levels of depression and social anxiety. Dr. Kate Mulligan, an assistant professor of public health at the University of Toronto, has founded the Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing to address loneliness and isolation. A key element to her work is to prescribe patients with social activities (visiting parks or museums, doing an activity with a friend) as her research has found that community interactions lead to better health outcomes.
As a board member with the HCA, this research resonated with me and happens to align with our Association’s goal to build a stronger community by creating connections through recreational, social, and cultural programs and events. The HCA is always working on building new programs and offering more opportunities, and I invite our members and Hawkwood residents to keep up to date on what we offer over the year.
As the warm weather returns, I would like to acknowledge and thank the Rink Maintenance team for their tireless efforts to make ice for the community this past winter. Please be sure to thank the team if you see them out on the rinks!
Please send me an email at [email protected] if you have any questions, comments, or want to learn more about the HCA.
In gratitude and kindness,
Michele del Valle
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