The Andrews Tribune has won a provincial Heritage Recognition Award for documenting the lives and stories of Island seniors.

The award ceremony was held at the Eptek Art & Culture Centre in Summerside on Sunday, March 22.

The P.E.I. Museum & Heritage Foundation commended Andrews for its ongoing commitment to telling senior’s stories.

“Incredible efforts to keep care people-centred did not stop with Doreen (Andrews),” the Foundation wrote. “Forty years later, the monthly Andrews Tribune newsletter has become a beloved and integral part of life at the Andrews Senior Care Homes. The Andrews Tribune documents and shares the living history and stories of the Care Homes’ residents. The Tribune covers everything from veterans’ war stories to retired teachers’ tales of classroom tomfoolery, to cherished memories of P.E.I.’s bygone eras, peoples, and events. It is a wonderful example of historical storytelling using first-person sources backed up by research. For their work documenting and sharing the life stories and lived experiences of seniors, the staff of the Andrews Tribune Newsletter are honoured with a Heritage Recognition Award.”

Nathan Rochford, Andrews’ storyteller and editor of the newsletter, is happy the newsletter has had a positive impact.

“It’s a privilege to be able to tell our residents’ stories,” he said. “They let me into their lives. I often get to talk to their family members. It’s a real honour.”

He added the newsletter doesn’t happen in a silo.

“Without our amazing activity directors, I wouldn’t have much to write about,” he said. “Because they are in the homes every day, they have established relationships with the residents and are able to introduce me, or help set up an interview or photo. In that sense, the Tribune really is a joint effort. I’m fortunate to work with a team of supportive, caring individuals who see value in telling these stories.”

Group GM Mizan Uddin said the newsletter has come a long way from its inception.

“Gathering, developing, and sharing the real-life stories from our homes has turned the newsletter into something truly special,” he said. “We are so proud to see this well-deserved award highlight the impact of these storytelling efforts.”