World - Peterson Meadows

The
World
SPRING 2015
of
A FA I T H B A S E D C O M M U N I T Y
AN EXTRAORDINARY SENIOR LIVING EXPERIENCE
Wesley Willows Annual Benefit
Supercalifragilisticexpialadocious!
H
ere we go again! Another fantastic
Sunday afternoon on July 12th
at the Rock Valley College Starlight
Theatre with the Wesley Willows family!
You won’t need a spoonful of sugar to fall
in love with Mary Poppins because every
moment is delightful and a great time for
the entire family.
Join the “practically perfect” Mary
Poppins as she magically turns every
chore into a game and every day into
a whimsical adventure. Be charmed
by Bert, the Chimney Sweep; delight
in the dancing Hyde Park statues; and
find enchantment at Mrs. Cory’s magic
sweet shop, where everyone learns to be
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
We are thrilled to have the Broadway
Musical Mary Poppins as our annual
fundraiser. This is our 43rd year to
celebrate our Good Samaritan fundraiser
and our twelfth year to share this time
with Director Mike Webb and the
incredibly talented actors of the Starlight
Theatre. Presenting Sponsor Wells Fargo
along with our many steadfast business
partners look forward to enjoying this
family afternoon with you. In so many
ways, throughout the year, they and
you support our mission to care for
and provide charitable support for our
residents who have outlived their personal
resources. We sincerely appreciate all of
your devotion and kindness.
Before you enter the theatre at 2:00 p.m.
to enjoy Mary Poppins, you are invited
PRESENTING
SPONSOR
resident’s Message
P
n LeadingAge Leadership
Academy
n Conversations with
our Chaplains
n
to the Entertainment Tent at 1:00 p.m.
to snack on Wesley Willows cookies and
lemonade, pick-up a goodie bag, enter
the Coloring Contest or win a prize in
the drawing. The Mary Poppins actors
will join you in the tent for fun and
photos and Mike Webb will take you on a
backstage tour of the Theatre. Yes, there
will be Dairy Queen® Dilly Bars!
You can win prizes in our Alpine Bank
Kids Coloring Contest – open to every
age! Pick up an entry form at any Alpine
Bank location or at Wesley Willows.
Bring your entry to the Benefit on July
12th. Judges will award great prizes at
intermission. (You must be present at the
benefit to win.)
Purchase tickets or make a donation.
Simply mail your check or provide credit
card information in the enclosed envelope
that describes our special donor levels.
You can find additional information on
our website
www.wesleywillows.org
Step in Time to the music of Mary Poppins
and enjoy our very own special kind of
Spoonful of Sugar. Yes Dilly Bars®! On
July 12th they are waiting
for you!
of I College of
U
Medicine
n Relationships Make
the Difference
n Volunteer News
n
Celebrations
n Donations
n You Can’t Dream Big Enough!
n Glen Campbell I’ll Be Me
n
LEADERSHIP
Bill Pratt, President & CEO
A
s I prepare to share a few thoughts
with some of our soon to be new
Willows Suites III residents, I couldn’t
help but reflect on the opening of the the
Town Center & Suites I, and then three years
later the opening of Suites II. It is just about
time, another three years later, to open the next
phase of Suites apartments. It is amazing what God has
accomplished on our campus. It lends all sorts of excitement
and anticipation for our current residents as well as those
who will soon join us. It follows our 3-year Strategic Plan
and allows us the opportunity to grow our mission by serving
more Seniors.
The new additions over time also cause me to reflect on the
fact that in the 49 years at Wesley Willows, there have only
been three CEOs. That means leadership over the years has
been stable and as we look at the campus it is apparent that
each CEO has made a difference over the decades. This leads
me to the article about future leadership at Wesley Willows.
Our Senior Living Counselor at Peterson Meadows, Melissa
Wright, spent the last year taking an advanced leadership
training program to explore ways she can grow and make a
difference at Wesley Willows now and in the future. Sending
just one person is a step in addressing one of the biggest
concerns of our Board of Trustees, just as it occupies my
thinking about the years (5 – 8) until I retire. Our Board
has done a great job of succession planning for itself and
we are now working on ideas and planning for the future
management of Wesley Willows.
As the Chaplains write about change and looking forward to
what lies ahead, for me, it involves many areas on the campus
including: staffing, the facilities on campus, programs,
services, our future residents, and a number of other items
too numerous to mention. Likewise, it repeats the theme of
caring for the future of Wesley Willows.
Our article on the nursing profession and how it changes
so rapidly with folks making the choice to have their career
in the Senior Living field, addresses how the times have
changed and how nurses are deciding to be more focused on
relationships and quality care. I recall in nursing school 40
years ago, my professors telling us young, soon to be nurses:
“whatever you do, don’t go into Senior Living, there are
not many challenges nor a future for you if you make that
choice”. I couldn’t disagree more, as Senior Living HAS been
my career.
I love the article on Lorie O’Hearn as she celebrates 35
years as an employee here at Wesley Willows. She plans to
continue working “until, I can’t do my job any longer”. Her
dedication and work ethic are an inspiration to all of our
employees. We are so grateful for her 35 years of dedication
and we salute you Lorie.
Finally, in this edition you will learn how Wesley Willows, for
nearly 20 years has been having a positive impact on the lives
of second year medical students. A medical student’s first real
life experience with patients takes place at Wesley Willows
through a partnership with the College of Medicine of the
University of Illinois. It is a great story that shares the direct
contact and mentoring provided for these budding young
physicians by residents of Wesley Willows – a program that is
mutually beneficial to all who participate.
Till next time,
Bill Pratt
President/CEO
LeadingAge Leadership Academy
“I
t is never too early to start planning
for the future”- This is something
we tell residents and prospective
residents all the time. Likewise, Wesley
Willows has to be diligent in planning
for the future. Part of this diligence
includes developing its next generation
of leadership within the organization.
In April of 2014, Peterson Meadows
Senior Living Counselor, Melissa
Wright, was accepted into a yearlong
Leadership Academy offered by
LeadingAge of Illinois. Nationally,
LeadingAge is an association of over
6,000 not-for-profit organizations
dedicated to expanding the world
of possibilities for aging. Their
2
Leadership Academy was created with
the purpose of developing passionate,
empowered, and visionary leaders
committed to life-long learning who
would become successful advocates for
older adults while evoking excellence
within organizations.
Michelle Holleran, founder and CEO
of Holleran, a full service research firm,
and Deb Reardanz, President and CEO
of Clark Lindsey Village in Urbana
Illinois, led Melissa and 20 other
fellows from around the state through
a process that balanced actions and
reflections, and allowed for the sharing
of perspectives and experiences. As
each coach and fellow had their own
approach to leadership, their theories
and the practices they had learned were
very useful to help sharpen personal
skills and increase the sustainability of
leadership over the years.
Participation in the LeadingAge
Leadership Academy also involved
multiple campus site visits to different
retirement communities. Each
community was equipped with different
programs, services, and amenities. For
example, Concordia Village located in
Springfield, IL operates their skilled
nursing and Alzheimer’s unit using a
“greenhouse” model which consists of
clustering six to ten smaller resident
living areas. Site visits were a wonderful
resource and provided insights into
the “culture” of each organization.
Spring Has Sprung!
I
CHAPLAIN’S CORNER
Chaplains Jeremy Pool
and MaryLou Eubanks
It’s easy to see the evidence of change as the snow has
melted and there have been moments of warmth and
glimpses of blossoming bushes, trees, and flowers. We’ve also
felt the remains of winter with some brief cold weather, even
some flurries, and brisk windy days. With spring, comes hope
and promise and a sense of rebirth as change is beautifully
evident.
Not only is rebirth in nature evident during spring, it also
gives a revived sense of spiritual awareness. Early in the season
as we refer to the traditional Church calendar, we come to
face the majesty of Jesus (Palm Sunday), him asking to be
remembered through communion (Maundy Thursday), his
innocence and grace shown through his crucifixion, death,
and burial (Good Friday), and the
silence held as he is laid to rest in the
tomb (Holy Saturday). Much like
spring, rebirth occurs and hope is
restored! Similarly, we celebrate Easter
Sunday and reflect on the glorious
resurrection of Jesus and know that
hope is restored. As we gaze upon
the beauty of change around us this
season, we are reminded of the powerful
influence that spring and rebirth have to
offer. In both contexts, hope is offered
through transformation.
Even through the inconsistencies of
March and the jumpstart of heat in July, nature has a way
of reminding us of the magnificent wonders that reveal the
majesty of God. That is the beautiful message that came
from the grateful heart of devoted Italian monk Saint Francis
of Assisi in the year 1225. As a great lover of nature, Saint
There was also the opportunity to
meet leadership teams and outstanding
residents that exposed innovative ideas
and a chance to learn what Seniors are
utilizing today.
Each Leadership fellow was also assigned
a project to develop and implement an
individual action learning process, with
a focus of providing an opportunity that
would benefit their own organization.
Melissa has been working for Wesley
Willows for over two years, first as Bill
Pratt, President and CEO’s Executive
Assistant, then Mission Advocate, and in
the middle of the Leadership Academy
accepted a position at Peterson Meadows
as the Senior Living Counselor.
Melissa chose to dedicate her action
learning process to introducing Wesley
Willows Life Enrichment Program to
Francis saw the hand of God in all
creation, and he urged mankind to
respond with expressions of praise and
alleluia. The beautiful expression of praise in
“All Creatures of Our God and King” reflects
this and has endured over the centuries.
Similarly, at Wesley Willows the nature of
change is consistent and rebirth is reliable
with the loss of long-time residents and staff
and the addition of new residents and staff. Of
course it’s the changes and rebirth that produce
the paradox that change is difficult and
transformation takes time.
Parker Palmer, in his essay Seasons, says this:
“Transformation is difficult, so it is good to know
that there is comfort as well as challenge in the
metaphor of life as a cycle of seasons…Before
spring becomes beautiful, it is plug ugly, nothing
but mud and muck…But in that muddy mess,
the conditions for rebirth are being created…The
days get longer, the winds get warmer, and the
world grows green again.”
This reminds us that paradox will always exist
in seasons of nature and seasons of life but there are constants
that we can cling to. May you continue to cling to those
constants as the days get longer, have faith in change as the
winds get warmer, embrace transformation as the world grows
green again and welcome the rebirth in this season of nature
and in your life!
the Peterson Meadows campus. This
formalized program involved the seven
dimensions of wellness identified by
Wesley Willows–Social, Physical,
Intellectual, Community, Emotional,
Nutritional, and Spiritual, as areas in
which we would develop meaningful
activities, opportunities, and resources
for residents.
The residents and staff at Peterson
Meadows played a vital role in Melissa’s
action learning process. Many offered
their insights and suggestions to help
shape the future of programing at
Peterson Meadows. Several focus groups
were held to discuss each dimension
of wellness. These group meetings
provided an opportunity for residents
to talk about activities they would like
to see, and improvements they were
looking forward to in each dimension
of wellness. The discussions and
suggestions were then taken back to the
staff, and a plan for implementation was
created. Changes can already be seen
on campus with the addition of raised
garden beds; trips being scheduled to
local parks, museums, and restaurants;
and an increase in residents attending
the weekly chapel service.
Leaders within the Wesley Willows
organization are given the chance to
flourish and develop using innovative
ideas and practices. Residents and their
families, as well as staff, are also able to
be a part of their journey. Experiences
make great leaders and that is something
Wesley Willows celebrates and
encourages as we look to and plan for
the future.
3
U of I COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
Second Year Medical Students Learn From Mentors
F
or the second year under the direction of Dr. Linda Chang,
and in partnership with Wesley Willows, second year
medical students from the University of Illinois College of
Medicine have had the opportunity to benefit
from the mentor program. In this program,
the students are paired with residents of
Wesley Willows who have volunteered to be
mentors. Over the course of several meetings
with the residents, the mentors share their
stories and specific to
the students, they share
their medical history.
These encounters give
the students experience
in working with seniors
– identifying lifestyles
and family traits that
may have contributed
to well-being and
active aging or may
have had the opposite
impact. The relationships that begin to form as a result of the
mentorship program can be instrumental in helping students
develop their skills in listening to patients and enhancing their
people skills. This process has sometimes been referred to as
developing not only clinical professionals but compassionate
and empathetic listeners – in short, physicians who have a wellrounded approach to caring for their patients.
The partnership between the College of Medicine and Wesley
Willows in making this program available to students has
spanned more than 20 years. What is remarkable is that the
Wesley Willows residents often maintain relationships with
the students long into
the future. The students
visit the mentors in their
homes, and as a result a
comfort level develops
that is not typical of
what would develop
in an office or hospital
setting. Because this is
often an intergenerational
relationship, it can take
on the feeling of family.
As in most volunteer programs, the volunteers get as much
benefit as those who receive the volunteer services. That would
certainly be the case in this instance. At the end of the year
celebration, there was conversation and laughter among the
students and mentors. The value of the relationships to each
group was evident by the fact that no one seemed to want to
leave at the end of the program…even the fact that the cookies
were all consumed did not deter the interactions.
In our ongoing partnership with the College of Medicine,
Wesley Willows works creatively with Dr. Chang to enhance
not only this program, but to develop others to complement
it and the education the students receive. The interest and
commitment of the Wesley Willows residents to act as mentors
keeps that door open and the creativity flowing.
Relationships Make the Difference
O
ne of Wesley Willows core values
is “Relationships: creating a
community which exemplifies caring
and respect”. While residents and staff
alike would tell you of the importance
of the relationships they develop on
the campus, it is often these very
relationships that cause nurses and other
healthcare providers to choose careers in
the Senior Living field.
If we think of a nursing home 30
years ago and compare it to today’s
Willows Health & Rehab, Wesley
Willows skilled nursing facility, it
would be remarkable how different the
4
two settings and approaches are. It
would also cause us to reflect on how
today’s settings and approaches, and
expectations impact the staff who care
for the residents receiving services.
The five Nurse Managers at Wesley
Willows were asked to share their
impressions about the role of nursing
in Senior Living. All are experienced
nurses who have each spent different
amounts of time in their nursing
careers working with Seniors, ranging
from more than 10 years to just a few
months. To a person, they mentioned
two things that drew them in: the
clinical complexities of the residents
they care for which requires them to
use their best clinical knowledge and
judgement, and the added element
of developing relationships with the
residents and often their families and
friends as well.
In our setting, the nurse has to be a
specialist of sorts. Working with seniors
is often complicated in manners that
most would not think of until they
have experienced it. For instance,
assessment and observation skills take
on new meaning when the “patient”
can’t tell you if they are in pain, or
can’t recall the last time they saw their
doctor, or what their medical conditions
and medications are. In the senior
population, the nurse has to understand
VOLUNTEER NEWS
Take Me Out to the Ballgame!
C
elebrated during National Volunteer Month, Wesley
Willows took this year’s volunteers out to the Ballgame
for their annual Volunteer Appreciation Celebration. The
celebration honored the more than 300 volunteers who serve
on our campus in countless capacities including; wheelchair
transport; working in campus gift shops and libraries;
preparing and delivering newsletters; helping with mailings;
growing the community garden; supporting resident-driven
activities; and so much more. The time and expertise given
by our Board of Trustees
is also volunteer time.
During the past year,
residents and community
member volunteers
dedicated over 20,500
hours of volunteerism
on the Wesley Willows
campus. The Volunteer
Appreciation Celebration
was our opportunity to
show how grateful we are
for all who have given
their time and talents to
Rockford Peaches “Sis” Waddell-Wyatt.
our community.
which we all sang during the 7th-inning stretch.
The party theme and meal for this year’s event was “Take Me
Out to the Ballgame,” featuring ballpark hotdogs, burgers,
and brats fresh off the grill. Wesley Willows sent their
fans home with peanuts, cracker jacks, and baseball cards,
humming the chorus of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,”
As Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Everybody can be
great…because anybody can serve.” If you are interested in
joining the ranks of Most Valuable Player by becoming a
volunteer, please contact Jessica Story at 815-316-1596 or
[email protected].
that medications may not have the same
impact as in a younger person and that
changes in a person’s medical condition
can happen very quickly. To help
manage the care of residents clinically,
nurses work closely with their doctors
creating relationships of mutual respect
and reliance to ensure the best clinical
outcome for the residents. They rely
on their team of Certified Nursing
Assistants to be the eyes and ears of
the residents’ conditions, noticing even
the smallest of changes—good or bad.
Nurses also work closely with the other
members of the care team including
therapy, social services, dining services,
activities and chaplaincy, again for the
best outcome for the resident clinically
and holistically.
Helen “Sis” Waddell-Wyatt, former Rockford Peaches baseball
player, was by far the all-star of the game, sharing personal
stories of her time spent with
the team. Her stories not
only told us of the experience
of women playing baseball,
but gave us insight into the
times. Sis played for the AllAmerican Girls Professional
Baseball League from 1949 to
1951. The Rockford Peaches
were one of only two teams
who were part of the league
every year. In their eleven
years as a team, the Rockford
Peaches won four league
championships, one of them during Sis’ rookie year in 1950.
We were happy to have Sis entertain our Volunteers and
other guests at the Celebration as a way to say thanks for
their service. She may have been the all-star of the night,
but we consider each of our volunteers to have Most
Valuable Player status.
Along with being a specialist in caring
for seniors clinically, in the Senior
Living field nurses have to have great
people skills. They can’t expect to care
for the person and discharge them to
their home in a few days, because this
IS their home. Because nurses work
with residents in their homes, they are
not only caregivers to the residents,
they often find themselves working
with families providing educational and
emotional support, in short, caregiving
to the family as well. Nurses often feel
as if they are part of a resident’s family,
sharing in their joys and their sorrows.
If you speak to nurses who have chosen
to work in Senior Living, it is likely
that they will tell you they made the
choice because of the relationships they
develop with the residents, families and
staff they work with every day. Most
would also be able to share one or two
specific instances that reinforced their
decision. They might share a time that
they noticed something clinically that
kept a resident from having a negative
outcome, maybe even saving a life. They
might tell you of a time they were able
to comfort a resident during an illness or
listen to a family member trying to come
to grips with a failing loved one. But in
each instance, they surely would tell you
they are making an impact on the lives of
the residents they serve every single day.
In the month of May, we celebrate
NURSES nationally. At Wesley Willows,
we celebrate them every day.
5
Celebrating the Joy
Celebrating the Joy
you bring,
In March we celebrated the
lives of five Founders Club
Members at our annual
dinner. These Members
brought great joy to their
families, friends, community
and especially Wesley
Willows.
Dick & Grace Leighton
The lives you touch
Dick Leighton shared the joy
that his wife, Grace, brought to his life and to so many others
along the way. Their gift to the Good Samaritan Endowment
Fund will bring joy as it provides charitable care for our
residents for years to come. Their philosophy on giving:
“We are called to share generously from what we already have, so
that all may have enough, and all will be blest.”
Marsha Johnson spoke of her parents, Gerald and Juanita
Wallace, a couple devoted to each other, and to family and
friends for 71 years. They lovingly chose a Charitable Gift
Annuity in the name of our Good Samaritan Fund knowing it
would help care for others. A second gift of flowers and shrubs
for the Willows Arbor Entrance offers a beautiful welcome to
our visitors and residents.
Kay Glenny shared Mary Black’s love for the earth, flowers,
and her family farm. She brought that same devotion with
her when she made Wesley Willows her home and named our
organization in her will.
And the wonderful difference you make.
Virginia Webster loved walking, being outdoors, and keeping
her mind active. Her gift of the Webster Walking Track in
the Town Center was her way of saying to you, “Keep active,
stay young, do this for me!”
Esther Tomamichel was a very witty woman and great fun.
She simply brought joy to others by being herself. Through
her Charitable Gift Annuity, she is helping others live a joyful
and secure life at Wesley Willows.
Wesley Willows expresses its deepest gratitude to these
Founders Club Members and their families for their kindest
gift of all – Bringing joy to the lives of those who will follow
in their path.
Congratulations
to 35-Year Employee
O
n April 15, 2015, Wesley Willows celebrated Lorie
O’Hearn’s 35 years of service and honored her with a
party attended by her family and friends as well as Wesley
Willows residents and staff. Lorie doesn’t remember her first
day, but she does remember that she started as a housekeeper
in Willows Health and Rehab Center. She has continued in
that role for these last 35 years, witnessing incredible growth
and development on the campus.
During Lorie’s time here, she has worked under the leadership
of all three of Wesley Willows’ CEOs, commenting that, as
a staff person she didn’t know Ed Hunt very well, but due to
longevity and visibility had the opportunity to know Bob Ash
and Bill Pratt much better.
Lorie’s favorite things about her job have been getting to
know the residents and making a difference in their lives.
She spoke of a resident she was particularly close to, who
so looked forward to the birth of Lorie’s children that when
they were born she said she would “adopt them as her
grandchildren”. This resident was excited at the possibility
that Lorie’s son would be born on her birthday, and in fact he
missed it by only two days.
In keeping with Wesley Willows’ focus on family, Lorie
used to bring her children to Saturday morning coffee when
6
Lorie O’Hearn celebrates 35 years with Bill Pratt.
they were small. They would bring things in with them
and do a “show and tell” for the residents. At one of these
Saturday coffees, another resident reminded Lorie that her
son, Braxton, told the residents that he was going to work
at Wesley Willows someday…and he is currently a member
of our Maintenance staff. Lorie’s daughter, Breahna has
just completed her CNA training and will apply to work at
Wesley Willows as well.
We are grateful for the years of service Lorie O’Hearn has
provided to the residents of Wesley Willows and thankful
that, even after all these years, she still focuses on making a
difference in their lives everyday.
IN THE SPIRIT OF GIVING
We Deeply Appreciate All Your Generous Gifts Given To Wesley Willows.
January 1, 2015 - April 20, 2015
BUILDING
ENDOWMENT FUND
Sue Stadjohar &
Fritz Deichstetter
Gregory & Jolanda Taylor
United Methodist
Foundation
United Technologies
Matching Gifts Program
Jewel Hufstedler
Armina Mittendorf
GOOD SAMARITAN
ENDOWMENT FUND
GIFTS GIVEN IN
HONOR OF
Bill & Fran Pratt
Wesley Willows Auxiliary
Mary S. Young
GOOD SAMARITAN GIFTS
Anonymous Friends
Barber-Colman Alumni
Group
Alan M. Bloomfield
Mary Caskey
Marilyn Church
Robert M. Edwards
Georgalee George
Goddard Family
Foundation
Tom & Carol Harman
Jean Herro
Susan Kasten
Ruth Kearney
Lorna Keefer
Kristy Kovatch
Robert & Judith Larson
William McCorkle
Willard Meyer
Armina Mittendorf
Marcia Mueller &
Charles Prorok
Northern Illinois
Conference of The UMC
Elizabeth Northrup
Pecatonica UMW
Virginia Poust
Bill & Fran Pratt
Harry Rosson
Harry & Marjorie Smith
James & Ivonne Spelman
Jane Bailey
Carolyn Decker
Trudy Metzger
Nelson & Barbara Smith
Wesley Willows
Maintenance Staff
GIFTS GIVEN TO
HONOR OTHERS
Phyllis Gallano
Doug Hajek
Nancy Klahn
Janet Mace
Mary Ann Schou
GIFTS IN MEMORY OF
Mary Aleshire
Martha Armour
Gerald Arnould
June Atkinson
Mary Black
Dorothy Blackledge
Lucille Carlson
Roy Carlson
Elaine Carr
Robert Columbia
Martha Coursey
Donald Crowder
Carl Dargene
Sandra Elliott
Lillian Faeth
Marguerite Glenny
Bernita Gustafson
Bertie Hall
Richard D. Harshfield
Philip Harter
Virginia Holland
Daniel Johns
Willis Kersten
Lorraine Koehler
Robert Landis
Charles Lantz
Karen Levis
Armando Luevano
Richard Lyford
Rosetta McIntosh
Dorothy Moore
Mary Belle Moss
Portia Noble
Mrs. Reichensperger
Robert Rosecrance
Dorothy Schumacher
Elizabeth Siffren
Karla Stephenson
Mary Taylor
Esther Tomamichel
Diane Van Gundy
Charles Wagner
Elizabeth Walgren
Lois Wildman
MEMORIAL GIFTS
Judy Alexander
Dick Alfors
Anonymous Friends
Ann Arnould
Rachel Baskerville
Marie Beck
Roger & Lyn Becknell
John & Marilyn Bendixen
Lowell & Jodie Black
David & Anne Boccignone
Betty Brown
Lorraine Bruns
David & Janice Burmeister
Jane S. Carlson
Jean Castle
Mattie Chance
Patrick & Janice Conway
Alfred & Susan Cowan
Ernest & June Cummings
Samuel & Carol Darby
Dolores Deitrick
Joanne Dill
Dean & Doris Dion
Pam Donnelli
Donna Dow
Gordon & Georganne
Eggers
Donald & Nancy Erickson
Mary Anne Feltz
Sally Firestone
Lillian R. Flink
Dyvone Freburg
Tom & Darlene Furst
Mr. & Mrs. J.F. Gaziano
Georgalee George
Norma Gesell
Tom & Kay Glenny
Eileen Grigalauski
Judith Gsell-Kittel
Donald & Shirley Hacker
Hendrickson Family
Margaret Henning
Charles & Shirley Holzwarth
Jonathan & Sandra Johns
Mr. & Mrs. Edward L. Johns
Art & Joyce Johnson
Georgann Johnson
Robert & Susan Jorgensen
Mary Jane Kerch
Wilma R. Kuhlmeyer
Mary Lackey
Larry & Judith Larson
Richard Leighton
Peter & Krista Liddell
Betty Lockett
Steve & Melanie Lukasik
Janet Mace
Robert & Jean Major
Jill Meinzer
Trudy Metzger
Dave & Yvonne Miller
Vivian Miller
Morning Glory Garden
Club
Ronald & Anne Niday
Michael & Linda Parsons
Carole Perrin
Delbert & Lois Peterson
Port of Seattle
Luis & Mari Ramirez
Robert & Patricia Rinnan
Vicki Runestad
Beatrice Salis
Patricia Sample
Bob & Sue Saunders
Doris Schafer
Gayle Scheuer
Mary Ann Schou
Carolyn Schuelke
Janet Schuldt
Andrew Schumacher
Patricia Shaw
Eugene & Carolyn
Skoglund
David & Kathryn Smith
Marilyn J. Smith Axford
John & Jane Sohner
William & Kay Stanicek
Barbara A. Stauffer
Cathleen Strawser
Donald & Cloe Sturner
Raymond & Ann Sytek
Peter Tallacksen
Paul & Julie Telbury
Trudy Thompson
Donald & Justine Walhout
Kenny & Michelle Walkup
Catherine Webber
Robert & Sandra Weinstein
Wesley Willows Auxiliary
Wesley Willows
Alvin & Marilyn Westman
Ada Wilson
Shirley Wooden
Carl & Janice Swanson
Thrivent Financial Choice
Dollars Grant
Kenneth Wagner
DESIGNATED GIFTS
DEEPENING OUR
ROOTS…
GOOD SAMARITAN
ENDOWMENT
GIFTS & PLEDGES
Anonymous Friends
Harriett Brooks
Bradford & Janet Dickson
Barbara Erickson
Dorothy R. Erwin
Ted & Ginny Gapinski
Tom & Carol Harman
Lois McEachran
Louise Y. Mokadam &
Family Foundation
John & Dorothy Morgan
Charles & Madeline
Osadjan
Sharon Provenzano
Janet Schuldt
John & Debra Stone
UNDESIGNATED GIFTS
Howard Graening
Manfred & Juliana Krupka
Jean L. Larsen
Marilyn Workman
IN KIND GIFTS
Elizabeth Day
John Day
Joyce Fisher
Lisa Florczak
Jon & Nancy Gramzow
Kathy Miller
Ward & Ginny Miller
Susan Perry
Marlene Truesdale
Howard Walgren
Edward Weiss
Williams Tree Farm
Douglas & Renie Adams
Debra Adkins
Jeff & Peggy Gale
Bill & Fran Pratt
David & Kimberly Schmitt
Paul & Sheryl Thogerson
Mark & Carla Ticknor
Wesley Willows Auxiliary
You Can’t Dream Big Enough!
O
rion Samuelson’s autobiography, You Can’t Dream Big
Enough, gave Judy Schultz and Doral Watts, leaders of
the Wesley Willows Auxiliary, the courage to dream big and
ask Orion to a Big Country Breakfast on March 14th. He
came and so did 185 guests. Wesley Willows resident Dolores
Kruse sparked the request through her friendships with Jeff
and Paul Wallem, long-time good friends of Orion’s.
The “Big O” spoke of his life as a Wisconsin farm boy, his
years in radio, and life’s heroes. He shared his serious side,
humor, and Ollie & Lena stories. Orion signed books and
bookmarks and celebrated mutual March birthdays with his
friend Paul Wallem.
Seventeen antique tractors and pieces of farm equipment
lined Rockton Avenue and Johns
Farm Road to welcome Orion
and wife, Gloria. We thank
Stuart Glenny for organizing
the display and Monica Glenny
for serving as Volunteer
Coordinator of the event.
Many thanks, Auxiliary
Dolores Kruse &
members, for a tremendous
Orion
Samuelson
success! The event raised $5,000
You Can’t Dream Big
for the Wesley Willows Good
Enough!
Samaritan Fund! Thank you,
Orion, for helping them DREAM BIG!
7
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
ROCKFORD, IL
PERMIT NO. 3899
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Bill Pratt
President/CEO
Michael C. Gann
Chairman of the Board
Board of Trustees
4141 North Rockton Avenue
Rockford, IL 61103
Erin Maggio Calkins
Linda F. Chang
Joe Clinton
Michael W. Davis
Lori Diaz
Michael C. Gann
Monica B. Glenny
Anne Hammes
Doug Lamb
Mark McClenathan
Bill Pratt
David M. Schmitt
John Shockey
(815) 316-1500
www.wesleywillows.org
“GLEN CAMPBELL I’LL BE ME.” This film documents his extraordinary journey and
farewell tour as he and his family navigate the unpredictable nature of
Glen’s Alzheimer’s disease using love, laughter and music as their medicine of choice.
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
—————————————————————————————————————————
First Free Church: 2223 N Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL.
Doors open: 6:30 PM | Show starts: 7:00 PM
TICKETS: $11 in advance $15 at the door
call: (815) 316-1500 for purchasing details
“One of the most remarkable documentaries in recent years. You DO NOT want to miss this movie.” — Richard Roeper, CHICAGO SUN-TIMES