NORWAY — Benjamin Trebilcock is a CNA at Norway Health and Rehabilitation Center, and is celebrating his 30th year there this spring. We sat down with him recently to talk about his job and why he likes working at Norway Health and Rehabilitation center.
Q. What do you like about working at Norway Center?
Ben: The feeling of being one big family. I have always loved the residents, making them laugh and smile. Some of them like to be sung to. Having great people to work with makes for a great place to work. The residents make me feel like I am part of their family.
Q. What do you do in your spare time?
Ben: When not working I love time with my family and my brothers. I love to go jet skiing on the Kennebec River to the ocean, Or start in Gardiner and go up the river to Augusta. I also like snowmobiling with my brothers to recharge. We ride to the Looney Moose Café (in Stratton). I also love to fly fish, either the ocean or lake fishing. I’m always fishing for whatever will bite. I also love to build bookcases and other small woodworking items. I enjoy watching all the famous cooking programs.
Q. Tell us a little about yourself and what led you to your long career at the Norway Center?
Ben: I was born and raised In Otisfield. I grew up doing anything outdoors during any weather. I loved to bike the Oxfords Hills roads. My favorite thing was camping, fishing trips that my parents took us on. I also went on trips with my grandparents. We had to bike to my grandmother’s house, which I did on many days as a kid, no matter how had the weather was. I loved to visit her and eat her fresh potato rolls.
When I was old enough to walk down the street alone, I would always go visit the elderly in the neighborhood. A lot of them were close by.
When my grandfather moved in, after my mom’s mother died. I started seeing how much more I enjoyed spending time with older people.
I had a plan to be a chef in a restaurant. I started cooking in culinary arts at Lake Region High school, and did a semester at CMTC, but was not able to do the cooking. I still love to cook beautiful meals for my wife and myself, though.
My mom eventually got me onto the CNA class through Oxford Hills High school. I was told by my teachers there that I was a born natural when dealing with elderly people. When I started at the nursing home, it felt like a perfect fit. The longer I stay the more I love my job. I cannot imagine working elsewhere and losing the feeling of family I have here.
