“Cowboy” Mark McDonell is a Kingston musician in the band Ambush who was featured on Global News in 2020 for bringing joy to seniors residences during the COVID-19 lockdowns. During the pandemic, Mark traveled to many residences to lift the spirits of residents who were isolated in their rooms, including Woodland Villa and Sunset Cove in Long Sault.
On July 24, 2023, “Cowboy” Mark returned to both Long Sault residences, this time performing inside where the residents can gather together once again.
“I was really excited to get asked to come back and perform. I had performed at both of these homes during the heat of COVID and it was great to see so many familiar faces,” McDonell told Seaway News, “They were excited to see the cowboy back and a great thanks to Bruce Anderson Construction for supporting live music and helping me put some smiles on some faces and get some toes tapping and hands clapping.”
Among the residents who enjoyed Mark’s latest visit was Beth McIntire, a resident of Sunset Cove who recently celebrated her 101st birthday and was up and dancing along with the tunes. Another resident’s daughter cried happy tears because their family member with Alzheimer’s was enjoying themselves for the first time in a long time after a difficult diagnosis.
“Mark has this charisma, he puts himself out there. He’s got big energy that fills the room with happiness, joy, and love,” shared Sunset Cove Activity Coordinator, Lisa Grant.
Grant says the energy remained high after the show, with residents still talking about it weeks later and some saying they would love to have “Cowboy” Mark play for them once a week.
