The Ridgewood at Shenango Valley

FALL 2013
www.ridgewoodshenango.org
A Senior Living Community
The Ridgewood
at Shenango Valley
2013 Family Picnic
Red, White, & BBQ
See more photos on pages 10-11
Fall 2013
By Ron Duez, Administrator
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our many sponsors and donors for your
support of our 11th Annual Strawberry Festival & Auction. The weather was cooperative and we had a beautiful day. This year we were hosts to our largest crowd
ever. The monies raised will support our benevolent and unfunded care. This
event grows just a little more each year and we are thrilled that so many people
choose to spend a summer afternoon with us. We look forward to this event and
have already begun planning for next year. We hope that you will join us.
Throughout the year we have many businesses, organizations, and individuals who give graciously in countless ways to support many needs of our residence.
This edition of our newsletter recognizes our donors. We could not do all that we
do without your support and we are forever grateful.
Also, we have a variety of outside organizations and individuals who enhance the lives of our residents by bringing their programs and services into our
residence. Inside this issue you will have the opportunity to learn about some of
them. I am thankful that they are willing to share their time and talents.
In August we held our Annual Family Picnic. Once again, weather was on our side and our residents and staff
members had the opportunity to enjoy an afternoon of good food and fellowship with their families. The highlight this
year was the wagon rides provided by the Clydesdales owned by the Cannon and Yanak families. A special shout out to
my staff that worked hard in preparing for and hosting this event. This is always a fun day and I am happy that so many
family members were able to join us.
In November, we will once again hold our Annual Christmas Appeal. This initiative affords us the opportunity to
provide gifts to all of our residents. I thank you in advance for your consideration. God bless you for your gracious support.
It’s hard to believe that we are closing in on 2013. This has been a great year for all of us here at The Ridgewood
at Shenango Valley. Our staffing remains stable and our census remains high. My staff works hard every day to meet the
needs and desires of our residents and their family members and for that, I am thankful.
As we begin to think about 2014 I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all of our residents, family members, staff
members, and board members happy and healthy holidays – happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and happy New Year!
Dates to Remember
Saturday, November 23rd at 6:00 p.m. - Christmas Light Up Parade, Hermitage, PA
Sunday, December 15th, Noon to 3:00 p.m. - Annual Christmas Tea
Partners in Senior Care, Inc. - Board of Trustees
Mr. Robert Beach
Mr. Joseph J. Despoy, Jr.
Mr. Steve Gargasz
Ms. Sally Kaiser
Newsletter Team
Mrs. LuAnn King
Mr. G. Bryan Oros
Mr. Kevin Orsinger
Mr. Larry A. Redfoot
Mr. Glenn Riley
Mr. David Shulik
Mr. Jeffrey A. Wallace
Atty. Terry Wheeler
Rita Clemente, Director of Colony Living & Community Outreach
Ron Duez, Administrator
Diane O’Brien, Director of Development
Adam Hale, Chef
Beckie Erwin, Marketing Specialist
Mindy Mangino, Activity Director
Bonnie Benton, Development Specialist
If you’d like to receive a copy of this newsletter via email please write to Rita Clemente at [email protected]
and you will be added to our electronic mailing list. Questions or comments can also be emailed to Clemente.
FEELING FIT, STAYING STRONG
A little physical exercise can go
a long way toward overall wellness.
John Caporali, exercise
consultant, has been working with
the residents of The Ridgewood at
Shenango Valley since March on lowimpact fitness routines to help with their
balance and strength building.
“I get a lot of enjoyment from
it,” he said. “I think people tend to
underestimate the elderly. It’s amazing
what they are capable of doing. I
love helping them and watching them
improve.”
Caporali meets with around 23
residents each Tuesday and Thursday
for about 30 minutes. When the program
started five months ago, most could
only do about five “sit and stands,”
meaning they could stand from a seated
position in a chair five times before
getting winded or achy. By the end of
August, everyone was doing 10-15 of
that movement.
For Caporali, the primary goal is
to improve the residents’ quality of life,
something Administrative Director Ron
Duez said is happening in spades.
“They’ve gotten so much
stronger,” Duez said. “They love it.
We want to keep everyone healthy and
John does a great job with this fitness
program.”
Of its 40 residents, there are 27
who are 90 years and older, 17 of whom
are in Caporali’s class. Duez calls this
“remarkable.”
“They are happy and staying
social, all while keeping fit,” Duez
said. “We don’t make anyone come to
this program. They want to be here.”
That is evident
by the smiles
on their faces
as John leads
them through
the exercises.
“ I t ’s a
lot of fun, not
like you think
of exercise,”
said resident
Jean Hoza. “I
love it and it’s
really helped
me. John does
a good job!”
Caporali earned his bachelor’s
and master’s degrees at Slippery Rock
University. Certified in senior fitness
and rehabilitation, he is retired as an
exercise physiologist at Penn StateShenango and currently is an exercise
consultant focusing on back problems,
core strength, flexibility, fitness,
wellness, post rehabilitation, exercise,
and stress management. He can be
reached at 724-977-1784 or by email at
[email protected].
WHY FACEBOOK?
There are many reasons to check out The Ridgewood at Shenango Valley Facebook page. It’s fun, eco-friendly,
informative, and progressive. If you own a computer and have access to the Internet, above all Facebook can be key
in keeping up with activities and events of the residents who live at RWSV.
Facebook as a social media is a great means for communicating information, especially to friends and loved
ones of our residents. For those who live a distance away from the residents of RWSV and maybe can’t visit as often
as they like, Facebook can be a terrific link to what’s happening at RWSV. Photos, along with details about activities
and events, can all be found on the Facebook page designated to The Ridgewood at Shenango Valley.
After one resident was pictured on The Ridgewood’s Facebook page, two of her grandchildren posted comments
to her in immediate response. Facebook offers a unique opportunity to see a resident enjoying their environment and
taking part in activities with staff and friends. In turn, family members are welcome to post their own photos for
residents to enjoy.
The Facebook page is monitored regularly so residents can be made aware of and shown anything that is sent
to them personally through Facebook. They are then able to share those
photos and greetings with their friends, as well.
So, check us out. Go to www.Facebook.com. Search for The
Ridgewood at Shenango Valley. “Like” us. “Share” us. Most of all, celebrate
with us. See you in cyberspace!
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11th
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This year’s event, the 11th Annual Strawberry Festival & Auction, was enjoyed by more than 400 people and
raised nearly $12,000. The day featured various raffles, Chinese and live auctions, and a selection of delicious
strawberry desserts. Proceeds support unfunded and benevolent care at The Ridgewood at Shenango Valley.
Thank you to our many supporters and participants. See you next year!
CLYDESDALES DELIGHT FAMILIES AT ANNUAL PICNIC
The majesty of the Clydesdale cannot be overstated.
That high-stepping stride beneath the tall, muscular stature
is readily recognizable as that of a Clydesdale. Residents
and family members of The Ridgewood at Shenango
Valley had the opportunity to get up close and personal
with the beautiful
animals during the
annual family picnic
on Aug. 11.
Owned by
Don and Stacey
Cannon and Tim
and Lisa Yanak, the
Clydesdales, named
Lady, who is 11,
and Haley, who is 5,
have their home on
a farm in Hermitage.
The Cannons and
Yanaks have been
raising Clydesdales
since 2002 and
regularly show them
at parades and fairs.
“It’s rewarding,” they all agree. “They have a nice
disposition.”
During the Family Picnic, the Clydesdales were very
comfortable when the children snuggled up to their faces and
would pet their manes. Everyone’s eyes grew wider when the
giant beasts would nudge them and seemingly want to play,
but there was never any reason to fear.
Lady and Haley treated everyone to a wagon ride
around the Ridgewood
grounds, much to the
delight of residents who
recalled similar rides
they took as youngsters
themselves.
“Our residents
really enjoy these
Clydesdales,” said
Administrative
Director Ron Duez.
“They will talk about
them for weeks after
the picnic.”
The Cannon Farm
on Lamor Road in
Hermitage offers
wagon rides during
a Fall Fest every
weekend in October and welcomes anyone to visit their
beautiful Clydesdales.
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The Ridgewood at Shenango Valley is greatly appreciative for the
individuals, couples, churches ,and businesses who have generously
supported our residents through in-kind and monetary donations.
With gratitude, we recognize the following 2012 donors:
AAA Pest Pros
Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Abrams
Ad Dimensions
Administrative Resources, Inc.
Aflac
Anderson Coach & Travel
Anonymous
Mr. & Mrs. Clint Appleby
Art and Frame Gallery
Miss Betty Lou Artman
Mr. Robert Augustine
Bail USA, Inc
Mrs. Theresa Bair
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Ballish
Borland Golf Course
Mrs. Sue Brennan
Rep. Michele Brooks
Mr. & Mrs. Jack Brown
Brusters
Buhl Community Recreation Center
Ms. Cindy Burich
Burich Amoco Service
Mr. & Mrs. Charles V. Byrne
Ms. Helen L. Cain
Carbis Walker LLP
Carnegie Museum/Art/Natural Hist.
Carnegie Science Center
Catale and Associates
Charlene & Co. Hair Designs, Inc.
Mrs. Lynn Chuey
Mr. & Mrs. Don Clemente
ComDoc
Commercial Printing
Mrs. Mariah Corson
Cottage Gardens
Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Cross
Ms. Judith Crothers
Curran Taylor, Inc
Custom Corner Sports
Dr. James E. Danner
DiLorenzo’s
DJ’s Greenhouse
DQ Grill & Chill
Driftwood Gallery
Mr. & Mrs. Ron Duez
Eat-n-Park
Edible Arrangements
Ehrlich Pest Control
Ms. Heidi Emerick
Erie County Historical Society
Erie Otters
Erie Sea Wolves
Erie Zoological Society
Mr. & Mrs. Shaun Erwin
Ms. Diane Esposito
Faraone Brothers
Mrs. Marge Fenton
First National Bank of PA
Fisher Auto Parts
Flagship Niagara League
Frank Schwartz & Son, Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Fred Garrett
Mr. & Mrs. Harold Garrett
Ms. Stella Gerlach
Giant Eagle
Giglio Produce Co., Inc.
Goldstein’s Furniture
Mrs. Dorothy Goodrick
Gordon Food Service
Ms. Marilyn F. Gozik
Mr. & Mrs. Clark Graham
Great Lakes Medieval Faire
Greater Cleveland Aquarium
Greens at Greenville
Greenville Kiwanis Club
Greenville Savings Bank
Greenville Symphony Orchestra
Mr. & Mrs. David Grunenwald
Mr. & Mrs. Francis Habuda
HaloLee Wayne
Ms. Sandra K. Harmon
Mr. & Mrs. Scott Hartle
Mrs. Margaret L. Headland
Mrs. Peg Henning
Hermitage Kiwanis Club
Hickory VFW Golf Course
Home Instead Senior Care
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Hosmer
Mrs. Vera Hubicz
Jacobs Investments, Inc.
Joy Cone Co.
Mrs. Sally Kaiser
Mrs. Jean Karns
Ms. Katherine Kelly
Mr. & Mrs. Gerald King
Mrs. Luann King
King Jewelers
Mr. & Mrs. William Kirker
Mr. & Mrs. John Koshan
KQV
Lakeside Jewelry
Mr. William Larocca
Liberty Mutual Foundation Match
Mrs. Tammy J. Lininger Hause
Long John Silvers
Rep. Mark Longietti
Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Lordo
Mr. & Mrs. Mark Lucas
Mr. & Mrs. D. Michael M. Walton
Mahoning Valley Scrappers
Majestic Bar & Grille
Mr. & Mrs. Philip Marrie, Jr.
McGonigle Ambulance Service, Inc.
Mrs. Roye Ellen Miller
Ms. Faith Ann Miller
Ms. Linda Mong
Morgan’s Foods, Inc.
Moroco Construction
Mr. James Moyer
Muscarellas Cafe Italia
Dr. Christopher J. Nagle
Mr. Alan Nathan
Nonni’s Ristorante & Bar
Mrs. Diane K. O’Brien
Ms. Amy O’Connell
Mrs. Catherine M. Oden
Mr. & Mrs. William Ogg
Ohio Wine Producers
Olympic Fun Center
O’Neill Coffee Co.
Operation Veteran Benefits
Mr. & Mrs. G. Bryan Oros
Ms. Rhonda Paglia
Penn State Shenango
Pennstar Federal Credit Union
Mr. & Mrs. Matthew A. Pepe, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Petite
Ms. Lynne Petro
PharMerica Corp.
Philadelphia Candies
Mr. & Mrs. Duane Piccirilli
Pittsburgh Children’s Museum
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Symphony
Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
Dr. Leonard Pleban
PMC Ohio, LLC
Miss Mary Evelyn Popovitch
Mr. Virgil D. Popovitch
Powell Enterprises
Ms. Janice M. Preston
Primary Health Network
Pro Football Hall of Fame
Pymatuning Deer Park
Quaker Steak & Lube
R Builders
Mr. & Mrs. Ron Radford
Radisson Hotel Sharon
Mr. Larry A. Redfoot
Reese, Lower, Patrick & Scott
Reeves Information Technology
Mrs. Betty Repas
Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Riley
Mrs. Marie Riley
Mr. & Mrs. Tom Robinson
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum
Mr. & Mrs. David Roddy
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Rodgers
Mr. & Mrs. John Rose
Mrs. Sally Ruffo
Sam’s Club #6327
Sen. John Heinz History Center
Senior Healthcare Associates
Service 1/Mr. Don Clemente
Sharon Speedway
Shenango Valley Cinemas
Mr. & Mrs. Larry Shonka
Mr. & Mrs. David D. Shulik
Silver Shores Restaurant
Mr. & Mrs. Jodon Sonney
Springfield Restaurant Group
St. Paul’s Continuing Care Community
Mr. & Mrs. Alan Stankiewicz
Starbucks
Stitch Art Custom Embroidery, Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Stokes
Mrs. Clara Subasic
Tam O’Shanter Golf Course
Ms. Therese Taylor
The Right Sort, LLC
The Sharon Herald
The Winner
Thiel College
Mr. Jerry H. Thomas
Ms. Janet L. Thompson
Turner Dairy Farms, Inc.
Unique Ventures
UPMC Horizon
UPMC Horizon Foundation
UPMC Horizon Wellness Center
VNA Alliance Home Health Agency
Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Wallace
Wendy’s International, Inc.
Westminster College Celebrity Series
Mr. & Mrs. James Weyman
Atty. Terry K. Wheeler
Mr. Thomas White
Wilhelm Winery
Mr. Roy W. Wilt
WPIC AM-WYFM-WLLF-WWIZ
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Yeatts
Youngstown Phantoms
Youngstown State University
Youngstown Symphony Society
“For it is in giving
that we receive.”
~ St. Francis of Assisi
The Development Office strives to provide complete and accurate listings of The Ridgewood at Shenango Valley supporters. However, if you do find
an error or omission, please notify us at 724-588-7610, Ext. 1237 or 1214, or email [email protected] or [email protected].
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‘Tis The
Season For
Giving!
Before too long the snow will be flying and
many people will be busying themselves
with preparing for the Christmas season.
At The Ridgewood at Shenango Valley,
resident Gertrude Linn will be preparing to
celebrate her 104th Christmas holiday!
Mrs. Linn, who credits her longevity to being
raised on a farm and eating a lot of fruit, has
made her home at The Ridgewood for five years.
“It’s a wonderful place. They really go all out for
Christmas here,” Mrs. Linn said, noting the
annual Christmas Tea that is held each year for
residents and their families. “They take good care
of me here.”
“At Christmastime and all year round at The
Ridgewood at Shenango Valley, all of our
residents are part of our family and we want
Getrude Linn, left, and her daughter, Margaret King.
to make each person feel special and loved,” said
Administrator Ron Duez. “For some residents
without family or friends nearby the only gift they
receive is from The Ridgewood. The generosity of
our donors helps make this possible.”
Any funds received beyond the cost of gifts will
be put toward the purchase of “wish list” items for
the enjoyment of all the residents.
Thank you for considering making a gift to the
upcoming Christmas Appeal!
Please support our 2013
Resident Christmas Appeal!
For more information about the Resident Christmas Appeal,
please call Administrator Ron Duez at (724) 347-0998 or
Director of Development Diane O’Brien at (724) 588-7610, Ext. 1237.
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A MINISTRY ALL HER OWN
Helen Cain has made a ministry all her own.
The resident of The Ridgewood at Shenango Valley uses her
spare time to make crosses from plastic canvas and yarn, tucks them
into a canvas “pocket” and adds the verse, “The Cross in My Pocket”
on pretty paper to send to those she hasn’t seen in awhile or to someone
who might need encouragement.
So far, she has made around 13.
“I had never made them before,” she said. “So I’m getting
better at it after 13 of them.”
She learned to make the plastic canvas pieces at a class that was given
at The Ridgewood.
“I took my project home and thought, ‘Doggone it, I’m going
to make this for others,’” she said. “I thought the poem was a lovely
sentiment and could help people.”
SERVING THE LORD WITH GLADNESS
For more than six years, faithful members from Sharon Missionary Alliance Church have spent every other Sunday
afternoon worshiping with the residents of The Ridgewood at Shenango Valley.
Current worship leaders are Tim McCall and Andy Canady. They look forward to their interaction with the residents.
“They seem to enjoy it. They like to sing – and it’s the work of the Lord,” McCall said.
The Sunday tradition began with the Rev. Craig Snyder and Jean Turos, a retired “pioneer,” of the church who
wanted the residents to have a regular worship experience, McCall said.
For the most part, the current worship experience is a hymn sing. McCall and Canady choose a selection of hymns,
accompanied on the piano by
resident Dorothy Kennedy, and
then the residents choose their
favorite hymns to sing.
“The words of these old,
old hymns have a very deep
meaning,” McCall said. “A lot
of these hymns people learned by
heart and when we open up the
hymnal, it’s like ‘Wow! I didn’t
know that was in there!’”
The afternoon worship
time also includes scripture
reading and a devotional. Also,
something that is obviously
very popular with the residents
– McCall sings a solo song in a
beautiful tenor voice.
“They do a good
job,” Kennedy said. “It’s an
enjoyable way to spend a Sunday
afternoon.”
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Red, White & BBQ
United We Stand
Family Picnic 2013
10
11
One Elston Way
Hermitage, PA 16148
724-347-0998
www.ridgewoodshenango.org
INSIDE THIS EDITION
Ron’s Message....................................... 2
Feeling Fit.............................................. 3
Strawberry Festival................................ 4
Donors.................................................6-7
Christmas Appeal................................... 8
Serving The Lord................................... 9
Family Picnic.................................. 10-11
For information about The Ridgewood at Shenango Valley
or to schedule a personal tour please call 724-347-0998