Baking bread raises North Shore senior’s spirits

Wearing a bright red apron and contending with the blinding sun streaming through the window, Bruno Avignone is focusing on the task at hand – rolling, dividing and pre-shaping the dough on the table – only glancing up when asked to by a determined photographer.

In about two hours, the aroma of freshly baked bread will permeate Cedarview Lodge, an 89-bed residential care facility in North Vancouver’s Lynn Valley, where Bruno has been living since last December.

When Bruno first arrived at Cedarview, recreation therapist Anne Sulzberger sat down with him for an assessment and to find out his interests. She quickly learned he had been a baker at the iconic Venice Bakery on Main Street in North Vancouver.

Passion for baking

Baking continues to be a passion for the Italian-born Bruno. It’s also a way for him to show appreciation to Cedarview staff for their continuing efforts to make his life happy.

“I like to bake,” says Bruno, who prepares a “sponge” (rising agent) the day before. “I also do it to pass the time instead of watching TV.”

So every Wednesday morning from about 9 a.m. until noon, Anne sets Bruno up in the kitchen where he bakes 18 to 20 loaves, which are sold for $3 to $4. You have to get them fast, too. The bread sells out quickly and often gobbled up just as quickly.

“People have commented that his bread is like candy – doesn’t need anything and tastes amazing,” says Anne.

Creating a sense of purpose

Proceeds from the sales help pay for a companion to take Bruno on outings as he has no family, friends or income to do so.

“Bruno is not the first baker at Cedarview though he is the first where we have created almost like a social enterprise to create a sense of purpose and meaning to his life and enable him to achieve some of his personal goals – being able to go out and do things he enjoys, visit places he used to go to all the while being recognized for good bread,” explains Anne, who’s worked at Cedarview for 18 years.

Although Bruno is mobile and doing fairly well cognitively, he needs to be accompanied when he leaves the facility. To make that happen, social worker Jessica Rosenfeld reached out to the Italian Cultural Centre and local transport companies and ultimately settled on Driving Miss Daisy, a service provider that has generously donated some companionship hours to Bruno as well as regular hours.

“It’s often difficult for residents on limited income to be able to find money for the little pleasures in life after paying for rent, medications, podiatry etc,” says Jessica. “However it is the simple pleasures, such as having someone to walk around the garden with or buying a new night shirt, or favourite food that can make days meaningful at this stage of their life, especially when there is no family or friends around to offer support.”

Bruno now goes out regularly for a drive or to visit a mall where he picks up some of his favourite foods like grapes and walnuts.

“This particular story is an example of how creative we sometimes have to be in residential care, as we look after all aspects of the person who is making their home in our facility,” says Pauline Critchley, Cedarview Lodge’s manager.

Anne is now on the lookout for a male volunteer to help Bruno in his weekly baking.

“It would be great to find someone who likes to bake, too,” says Anne.

Cedarview Lodge pride

Pauline’s pride in the Cedarview staff, whom she describes as “very special” people, is palpable.

“We have a special place here,” says Pauline, noting that the efforts of Anne and Jessica take time and patience.

“That time is willingly given by Anne and Jessica, and has resulted in a resident whose world grew a little bigger, and has a little more value, thanks to their compassion and kindness.”