Wilmot raises first Seniors Month flag

Mayor Natasha Salonen, councillors Lillianne Dunstall and Steve Martin, Wilmot Township staff and a number of community volunteers stand by the first-ever Seniors Month flag raised in the municipality. Scott Dunstall photo

By Scott Dunstall

In December 2024, the province of Ontario legislated the month of June as Seniors month in the province.

For the first time, a Seniors Month flag is flying over the Wilmot Township municipal offices in Baden, marking June as a month dedicated to recognizing the contributions seniors have made and continue to make throughout the community.

The flag was raised on June 1 at Castle Kilbride with township staff, Mayor Natasha Salonen and councillors Steve Martin and Lillianne Dunstall attending. Salonen spoke eloquently about the contributions of seniors in Wilmot.

“It’s so important to acknowledge our seniors in our community for everything that they did prior to being senior citizens and now the knowledge carriers that they are today,” she said.

Also in attendance were several staff members as well as Cathy Harrington, executive director for Community Care Concepts, a not-for-profit organization that covers many programs dedicated to the health and wellbeing of seniors in Wilmot, Wellesley and Woolwich.

“The number of seniors is growing steadily in the communities we serve, so the need to support them grows as well,” she said. “Having something like this flag shines a light on this segment of our population and the contributions they have made and continue to make.”

Also present was Tara Held, publisher of Embracing Change magazine, which also serves the senior community and their caregivers in the three townships.

“As the publisher of Embracing Change, I am grateful to the township for helping celebrate and recognize the invaluable contributions, resilience and impact of older adults in our community.”

The design of the flag itself is a collaboration between Held and community volunteer Scott Dunstall, the author of this article, and is an extraction of the Embracing Change logo rising from a flower. The E and C from Embracing Change are embedded in the butterfly wings. And what a perfect phrase to hold as we all make (if we are lucky) this transition in life.

A reflective example of our dynamic seniors community are Ross and Jane Eichler, who were invited to attend. Ross Eichler, a former member of the famous New Hamburg Hahns and NHL draft pick, is now a recent past president of the New Hamburg Legion and Morningside Homeowners Association. He also plays a vital role in organizing the annual Morningside Terry Fox Walk and is past chair of their annual Summer Games.

Jane Eichler, a dynamic force volunteering in Morningside, has also been the key figure in organizing the New Hamburg Legion’s yearly Youth Education Program, which unites students across the township in submitting poetry and artwork recognizing the sacrifices of our service members. Winning selections are awarded and then submitted for the provincial and national finals.

“We are grateful to be in attendance today and for this beautiful flag that represents so many in our township and surrounding areas,” Ross Eichler said of the flag raising.

Ward 4 Coun. Lillianne Dunstall, who helped champion the initiative locally, said the flag represents more than a ceremonial gesture.

“As Canada's population continues to age, communities are increasingly looking for ways to recognize seniors while also ensuring they have access to programs, services, transportation, social opportunities and support systems that allow them to remain engaged,” she said.

“This flag may be a simple symbol, but I hope it will become a visible reminder of the gratitude communities feel toward those who helped build them, not only here but across the province and perhaps the entire country.”

Lillianne Duntall added that letters have been written to Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris Jr. and Kitchener-Conestoga MP Tim Louis requesting this flag be tabled to adopt it as a province and countrywide symbol.

As the flag now waves over the municipal offices throughout June, it stands as a reminder that while communities often celebrate youth, innovation and growth, they are equally built upon the experience, dedication and service of those who came before.

In Wilmot, Seniors Month is now flying proudly for all to see.​