Feb-Mar 2016_Newsletter_online

The
Leatherboard
February/March
2016
The Saint of February
as told by the man himself
Let me introduce myself. My name is Valentine. I lived in Rome
during the third century. That was long, long ago! At that time, an
emperor named Claudius ruled Rome. I didn’t like Emperor Claudius,
and I wasn’t the only one! A lot of people shared my feelings.
Contacts
Sharon Amadon
ext. 242
Rya Bennett
ext. 234
Executive Director
[email protected]
Resident Care Director
[email protected]
Kim Landi
ext. 227
Karen McKenzie
ext. 222
Trisha McCaig
ext 223
Cheryl Young
ext. 240
Reflections Program Director
[email protected]
Director of Marketing
[email protected]
Office Manager
[email protected]
Activity & Volunteer Director
[email protected]
8 West Main Street
Groton, MA 01450
www.rivercourtresidences.com
p: 978-448-4122 f: 978-448-4133
Claudius wanted to have a big army. He expected men to volunteer to
join. Many men just did not want to fight in wars. They did not want
to leave their wives and families. As you might have guessed, not many men
signed up. This made Claudius furious. So what happened? He had a crazy idea.
He thought that if men were not married, they would not mind joining the army.
So Claudius decided not to allow any more marriages. Young people thought
his new law was cruel. I thought it was preposterous! I certainly wasn’t going to
support that law!
Did I mention that I was a priest? One of my favorite activities was to marry couples. Even after Emperor Claudius passed his law, I kept on performing marriage
ceremonies—secretly, of course. It was really quite exciting. Imagine a small
candlelit room with only the bride and groom and myself. We would whisper
the words of the ceremony, listening all the while for the steps of soldiers.
One night, we did hear footsteps. It was scary! Thank goodness the couple I was
marrying escaped in time. I was caught. (Not quite as light on my feet as I used
to be, I guess.) I was thrown in jail and told that
my punishment was death.
I tried to stay cheerful. And do you know what?
Wonderful things happened. Many young people
came to the jail to visit me. They threw flowers and
notes up to my window. They wanted me to know
that they, too, believed in love.
One of these young people was the daughter of the
prison guard. Her father allowed her to visit me
in the cell. Sometimes we would sit and talk for
hours. She helped me to keep my spirits up. She
agreed that I did the right thing by ignoring the
continued back page
the monthly newsletter for rivercourt residences
Reflections’ Happenings
The Music and Memory program started in December
with the Groton School students visiting three afternoons
per week. We had various activities the residents could
work on as a way to get to know each other.
For the remainder of the Music and Memory program
the students will be working with their residents to create
a totally customized playlist of songs for their own personalized music library. They have their own iPods and
headphones along with splitters so the students can listen
with them
Reflections In, Out, and About
Lois was the clean plate
club winner.
Bill won, it was a tight game. Scores were all within a few
points of each other
Our holiday “Green
Craft,” working with
recycled Christmas cards
fronts and cereal boxes,
the residents created
beautiful door hangers
for their apartments.
The residents enjoy the back patio on an
unexpected mild sunny December day!
Check out the shades!
Ho Ho Ho
The living room was filled to overflowing as we gathered to sing holiday songs
with Emma. We enjoyed cookies decorated by a resident team of elves and were
delighted by a surprise visit from Santa.
Funny how everyone still loves to have
their picture taken with him!
What’s a party without goodies to eat?
Exploring the Area
Groton Historical Society & Museum
172 Main St. 978-448-0092
Kimball Farms
400 Littleton Rd.,
Westford 978-486-3891
Gibbet Hill Barn, Trails, and Restaurant
61 Lowell Rd.
Fitchburg Art Museum,
free passes available at front desk
978-345-4207
Carter Myseum of Groton History
Lone Lane 617-823-5757
The Natural Market
148 Main St. 978-448-5075
Bliss Bakery
134 Main St. 978-855-7562
The Herb Lyceum (New American)
368 Main St. 978-448-6499
Filhos Cucina (Italian)
235 Main St. 978-448-5664
Main St. Café
(Friday Night Entertainment )
159 Main St. 978-448-9634
This group of artists is decorating freshly baked
confections. Everyone found their creative side and
we managed to decorate dozens of cookies for our
holiday party the next day. Thank you ladies!
Staff Profile: Lauren McCraig,
Lead Concierge
Lauren Marie McCaig was born
July 13, 1986 in Boston, joining the
family of Trish, Joe, and big brother
Joey, where they lived in Arlington.
Lauren was an admitted tomboy
during high school and would regularly change her study hall time
to be able to go to the gym and
work-out room. She would take the
bus to Gold’s Gym, regularly after
school at Arlington High for more
time running and doing the muscle conditioning circuit. At
her graduation Lauren was presented with several awards
for health and fitness, representing the best in her class.
Lauren continues to run many miles every day, this now, at
her own home on a treadmill. Lauren and her just-turned
nine-year-old daughter, Gianna, recently moved into their
new “digs” in Lunenburg.
Both Gianna and Lauren love to spend time together drawing
and sketching, mostly animals with elephants as a favorite.
A goal of Lauren’s would be to spend time as a Global Aware
volunteer in Thailand living with, feeding, and caring for
elephants in captivity. This would be right in line with her
high school dream to become a zoologist and world traveler.
In the meantime Lauren and Gianna look forward to an
“adventure” in the Dominican Republic this spring and some
treasured, long summer weekends at Hampton Beach enjoying boogie-boarding and continuing to attempt to conquer
surfing.
Here’s a sampling of the variety of
music we shared over the past weeks.
From classical pianist, Archie Richards,
to country singer, Lyle Pierce, harpist,
Rebecca Swett, A Goodlie Companye
madrigal choir, tap dancing/singer/
guitarist, Ted Powers, to Broadway
and Standards favorites played by pianist Lis Leal. And let’s not forget the
holiday classics sang by a Cub Scouts
troop from Groton. We had it
covered!
•
Singer, Marti Sawyer brought
us to the end of 2015 and ready
to celebrate the New Year
with a song list filled with joy,
appreciation, memories, and
anticipation for a happy and
healthy 2016.
Resident Profile: Wayne S. Porter
To sum up a residents’
life in a few hundred words
is nearly impossible.
Dr. Wayne Porter’s story
is no exception. Wayne, as
he prefers to be called has
the stories, vivid recollections, and experiences
that could fill up pages.
Wayne was born in Lowell, Maine, June 12, 1923.
(Penobcsot County, population 358, as of 2010
census) The son of John and Laura Porter, he was in
the middle of eight children, including two brothers
and five sisters.
was in a school of twenty-six children in eight grade
levels in the township of Saponac, Maine. There he met
Theora Bartley, a teacher herself, through a friend and
fellow educator. They married June 25, 1949, and both
taught in Ashland, Maine, for five years, “until the
family came along.” Today, son Kevin lives in Pepperell
and daughter Terry lives in Douglas, MA.
Wayne’s teaching career moved him and his family
to Auburn, ME, Gloversville ,NY, Saugus, MA, and
Bloomfield, CT. He received his certificate of advanced
studies in education, from Boston University and while
serving as high school principal in Connecticut and
achieved his doctorate in education from the University
of Massachusetts during his tenure as superintendent
of schools in East Longmeadow, MA.
Many life events are etched in memory in detail, including a hunting accident, witnessed at four years of age
that would influence Wayne throughout his life. Passadumkeag, the Escutasis, Pistol and the Saponac Lakes,
Nicatous Camp, and trapping porcupines are but a few
of the places his stories come from.
Wayne retired and returned to Maine after Theora
passed away in 1969. An interest in genealogy and local
history, as well as his education background, and personal experiences, would lend themselves to a project
taken on with Georgia Turner Stacy, a local genealogist
to write, The History of Lowell Maine, that was published in 1993 in Brewer, Maine.
Attending Lee Academy, a private high school in Lee,
Maine, Wayne played baseball, ran track, and cross
country, finishing third in a state meet. He attended
Castine Normal School—later known as the Maine
Maritime Academy—and entered the Army Air Corps
in late 1942 where he was stationed in Grotaglie, Italy,
joining the 449th Bomber Group. Wayne returned to
the states after three years of service attaining corporal’s rank.
We welcome you now to Rivercourt Dr. Wayne!
Wayne met his second wife Shirley Piper, a former
classmate, while retired in Maine and enjoyed years
together before her passing. He left the Orono, Maine
area returning to East Longmeadow to live at Bluebird
Estates, an independent living community. In the fall
of 2015, Wayne moved once more to be closer to his
family, including a growing number of grandchildren
and great grand-ones.
Wayne attended the University of Maine, graduating in
1948 and got his first “big opening” into teaching. This
Pat McLaud
Tom Gianacakes
Peter Laggis
Pat Whittemore
Kathleen Horgan
Happy Birthday
Assisted & Independent Living
We took a break from the
winter weather to experience
a “Taste of the Tropics Day” recently.
A special menu was prepared for the
lunch and dinner meals, including coconut
shrimp, mahi-mahi, and pineapple upside
down cake. In the afternoon we were treated
to a Hula show with Sarah demonstrating the
many moods, styles, and dress of different
culture Hula dances. Kudos to Barbara and
Pearl for volunteering to learn to dance to
the song, “Lovely Hula Hands.” They
were quick learners and did an
excellent job!
Upcoming
Special Events and Entertainment at
RiverCourt
Spanish Guitarist, George Parker......................................................... Tue, Feb 2, 2:30 pm
Veteran’s Breakfast at the Senior Center.............................................. Thu, Feb 4, 9:30 am
American Legion Meeting at RiverCourt........................................... Thu, Feb 4, 7:30 pm
Honky Tonk Pianist, Ethan Stone...................................................... Mon, Feb 8, 3:30 pm
A Closer Look at China with Ron Falong...........................................Tue, Feb 9, 10:30 am
“Swingin’ Love Songs of the 40s & 50s”
with Brian Kane, saxophonist........................................................ Thu, Feb 11, 2:30 pm
Singer, Guitarist, Andy Ross............................................................... Sun, Feb 14, 2:00 pm
Birthday Party with Ted Powers..........................................................Tue, Feb 16, 2:30 am
Indian Hill Bach Lunch Concert...................................................... Thu, Feb 18, 11:45 am
Silent Movie Night with Richard Hughes.........................................Thu, Feb 18, 6:45 pm
Art Matters presents “Northern Renaissance”................................Tue, Feb 23, 10:30 am
Harpist, Rebecca Swett.......................................................................Wed, Feb 24, 2:30 pm
Veteran’s Breakfast at the Senior Center ............................................Thu, Mar 3, 9:30 am
A Closer Look at Ireland with Ron Falong...................................... Tue, Mar 8, 10:30 am
Irish Singer, Guitarist, Brian Corcoran.............................................. Tue, Mar 8, 2:30 pm
“Jumpin’ Juba”, New Orleans Boogie Woogie,
Guitar and Vocals Duo, Steve and Bruce.....................................Thu, Mar 10, 2:30 pm
Singer, Guitarist, Andy Ross..............................................................Sun, Mar 13, 2:00 pm
Birthday Party with Heather Marie.................................................. Tue, Mar 15, 2:30 pm
Indian Hill Bach Lunch Concert......................................................Thu, Mar 17, 11:45 am
“All Things Green” Party................................................................. Thu, March 17, 3:30 pm
Happy Birthday
Barbara Boisseau
Ann Callahan
Flu Season Is Upon Us!
For those recovering from influenza and
similar respiratory infections, even colds, the
recovery can be slow and prolonged. This is
often the nature of recuperating from any
condition that has caused fever or extended illness. When symptoms last for a week or more
causing decreased appetite as well as decreased
mobility the time it takes to return to normal
can be much longer than usual (www.mayoclinic.org).
With this being said, there are several things
that we can do to prevent the spread of colds
and influenza but the single most effective way
to prevent the spread of communicable illness
is by washing your hands. Because we cannot
see germs with the naked eye it is important
to wash your hands often. Proper hand washing consists of first wetting your hands with
warm water, applying soap, and rubbing hands
together for at least 20 seconds making sure
you are cleaning between the fingers and also
under fingernails were germs are likely to
gather. Rinse well and completely dry hands
using a paper towel.
The Wellness Clinic is held
every Friday at 1:00 p.m.
in the Living Room on the
second floor.
–Nicole Young R.N., CDP
Other things that we can do to prevent spreading illness include covering your mouth and
nose when sneezing or coughing using a tissue. It is important to dispose of these tissues
right away so that germs are not spread to surfaces and picked up by someone else. If you do
not have a tissue close by you can also sneeze
or cough into the bend of your elbow, if your
hands are what catches your cough or sneeze
you should wash them immediately.
Also, if you are ill it is wise to avoid close contact with others so as to prevent the spread of
illness. And last it is important that you receive
a flu vaccine. Check with your primary care
provider to see if you have received this vaccine and to discuss if you should be getting it
annually (www.jointcommission.org).
It is important to wash your hands:
• Before, during, and after you prepare food.
• Before you eat.
• After using the bathroom.
• After handling animals or animal waste.
• When your hands are dirty.
• More often when someone in your home is
ill.
There has been a lot of creating going on
here at RiverCourt. From cookie making for
afternoon snacks, thanks to Margery and
others, to cupcake baking, a la Barbara,
to decorate for our monthly birthday party,
to a clay sculpting workshop with Jean
McCrosky instructing.
continued from page 1
Emperor and going ahead with the secret marriages. On the day I was to die, I left my friend
a little note thanking her for her friendship and
loyalty. I signed it, “Love from your Valentine.”
I believe that note started the custom of
exchanging love messages on Valentine’s Day.
It was written on the day I died, February 14,
269 A.D. Now, every year on this day, people
remember. But most importantly, they think
about love and friendship. And when they
think of Emperor Claudius, they remember
how he tried to stand in the way of love, and
they laugh—because they know that love can’t
be beaten!
Welcome New Employees
Welcome New Residents
Peter Laggis–Apt. 7B
Brian Levensailor–dishwasher
Giovanni Paglierani–server
Denise Higginson–Refections porter
Sandra LeBlanc–business manager
January
Donna Carroll
Donna’s outgoing
and bubbly personality,
her non-stop energy and
her consistent willingness to
help out wherever she can sets her
apart. Donna goes above and beyond in
her role as RA and her efforts sometimes can
go unnoticed, working the overnight shift. She
is “the elf” that decorates the staff lounge, keeps the
recycle table full, and organized, spends her own time to
shop for the Town Meeting raffle items, all done behind the
scene. The little favors she does for so many are just one way her
generous heart is so appreciated here.
Linda
Weegie Dodd–Apt. 5A
Chet Gapinski–Apt. 237
Sara Bosley–Apt. 201
Donna
February
Linda Veillette
Linda goes beyond the requirements of her job and makes sure everyone is happy with
their orders. She also does extra things in the kitchen like stocking the fridge, doing her best
to help anyone who needs it when she isn’t busy. She even helps put away dishes and pans at the
end of lunch. She always goes above and beyond to help others.
Employees of the Month