Oh, the sites those beady bear eyes have seen.
Susanne McLeod believes her Teddy Bear may just be one of the most well-travelled stuffed animals currently residing in Sandycove Acres. The three-year resident of the Innisfil retirement community has owned Tuff Teddy for about 35 years, though she cannot recall exactly how he came into her possession.
Ever since the two met, however, they've been inseparable. He’s accompanied her around the globe — visiting the Acropolis in Greece and the unfinished Spanish cathedral Sagrada Familia, and helping to build a school in Uganda, among other feats.
There are pictures of Tuff Teddy seated on a large Harrods bear in Heathrow Airport in London, England, and on the equator.
He’s been to the American states of Pennsylvania and Kentucky.
Oh, Cuba, too.
But perhaps the most fulfilling journeys were the ones Tuff Teddy took with McLeod and her class. As a teacher, she’d bring the bear on field trips to help comfort students feeling homesick.
“I had a teddy bear collection,” she said, during the annual Teddy Bear Picnic held at The Wheel in Sandycove July 16. “Most of them I’ve given away. But this little guy, I just couldn’t.”
The free event, hosted by Senior Wish Association, brought about 130 people and their stuffies together for lunch and light refreshments. Everest ice cream truck handed out sundaes, and there was live music by Patty McLaughlin.
“Just look around the room,” organizer Linda Lewer said. “It’s neighbours meeting with neighbours. It’s some place to go and have fun without it costing an arm and a leg to do so.”
Senior Wish was first brought into Sandycove by Lewer about eight years ago, with the goal of spurring camaraderie and friendship among residents.
“I wanted to give back to the community,” Lewer said.
The association now hosts numerous events there such as a Valentine’s Day walk-in, Easter basket giveaways, a birthday bash in the fall, and a Christmas program where turkey dinners and gifts are handed out.
“It’s bringing us together for a time to enjoy and celebrate,” Lewer said. “It makes them not feel secluded. We cater to them all.”
Barbara Everett is McLeod’s neighbour, and she may very well own the oldest bear in the community. At an estimated 100 years old, her unnamed teddy is showing its age, with much of the fur worn off and holes in its fabric allowing the straw stuffing to poke through in parts.
But Everett, 84, has had the bear since she was born. It was a gift passed down from her teenaged cousin.
“It’s been on my bed ever since,” Everett said. “It’s very special to me. My husband said ‘you’re not going to take an old thing to a place like that’. But (the teddy's) not doing too badly these days. (Today) means a lot to me because I feel like Sandycove is a family.”
The association is always seeking donations. To help, email Lewer at [email protected].
