Illinois’ oldest charitable entity, Caledonia Senior Living & Memory Care, supported by Chicago Scots, has teamed with Wally’s Hearth to present Telling the Bees Fest: a Chicagoland Deathcare Education & Resource Festival. Wally’s Hearth, a nonprofit formed two years ago, aims to reshape end-of-life discussions. The festival draws its name from a Celtic tradition where families share crucial news with household bees.
Historical Roots and Symbolism
Tiffany Johnson, co-founder of Wally’s Hearth, describes the significance of telling the bees. This ritual emphasizes connectedness, sharing stories of births and deaths with beehives shared among Scottish immigrants in the South. Gus Noble, president of Caledonia Senior Living, mirrors this sentiment, likening the bees to the people and nature around us.
Festival Details and Cultural Heritage
Scheduled for September 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the festival will occur at Caledonia Senior Living, 2800 Des Plaines Avenue, North Riverside. Open to the public, attendees can register via [email protected].
Chicago Scots, with roots dating back to 1845, enriches Caledonia’s care style, stressing Scottish culture and senior care. Meanwhile, Wally’s Hearth, described as a nonmedical hospice home, welcomes guests at no cost, charting a path at the end of life to alleviate familial burdens.
Joining Forces for a New Vision
The collaboration between these organizations arose as Wally’s Hearth explored opening a residence within Caledonia Senior Living. Despite logistical challenges, both entities saw alignment in values and recognized the absence of proactive end-of-life planning.
The festival serves to fulfill informational gaps, bringing together aging population providers and community members. The emphasis is on non-traditional care options such as green burials and water cremation, with expert talks scheduled throughout the event. A native plant florist demonstrates integrating nature and ritual into such experiences.
Engaging Communities Across Generations
The festival promotes legacy creation and legacy preservation. From writing notes for loved ones to age-appropriate conversations on grief, resources for families will be available. Music and food complement short presentations, featuring groups like the Threshold Choir and bagpipe performances—displays of cultural heritage connecting loss across backgrounds.
Continued Exploration and Community Contribution
Planned across Caledonia’s five-acre campus, the festival aims to host between 150 and 350 participants. Attendees can experience peaceful settings amidst trees and hear speaker discussions on various end-of-life care topics.
Festival attendance is free, with donations supporting future events. Noble highlights the event’s potential to become a recurring community resource, noting the personal relief and direction that planning can provide.
Attendees are expected to leave with newfound peace and actionable plans, opening a doorway to conversations that foster love and comfort within communities.