BLOCKHOUSE BRIEFS II JanFebMar2008.pub

Jan/Feb/Mar 2008 Inside This Issue:
I want to let everyone know that we are already planning the events for the State Vet‐
eran’s Home Week, which is from June 8th through the 15th. The staff at PSSH want to make this a very special week for our Veterans. The staff are preparing for a carnival on June 12th here on the grounds, which will offer lots of fun for all. A big thank you to the staff for all their special efforts on making this event a great success. Also, a big thank you to all the service organizations, service organization representatives, and volunteers that help us to make this entire week a great success. Sincerely, Nancy Stevenson, MBA, NHA, Commandant We celebrated the Seabee’s Memorial Marker in the garden on March 5, 2008. This marker has been placed in front of the main building at PSSH. The US Navy Sea‐
bees Veterans of America Island X‐II from the Jamestown NY, region, dedicated this marker to commemorate all of the Sea‐
bees for serving this great country. The Seabee’s Island X‐II have also donated flowers which will be planted in front of the marker some time this spring. Take the time to look at the memorial maker, it’s beautiful! BUFFALO SOLDIERS
VISIT OUR SOLDIERS
&
TAPS
2
VALENTINE’S DAY
3
CELEBRATIONS
PRISCILLA WHITE
TAKES FIRST PLACE
4
ORGANIZATIONAL
BINGO DONATIONS
& VOLUNTEERS
5
STATE VETERANS
HOME WEEK SCHEDULE
&
DONATIONS GIVEN
6
TO PSSH
NEW YEARS EVE
CELEBRATIONS
&
THE CLOTHING ROOM
OPERATIONS
VOLUME 8 ISSUE 2
EDITOR:
KIMBERLY O’TOOLE
7
Because it was so enjoyable to see this group of young men march to a cadence. The Buffalo Soldiers are from Franklin, Pennsylvania. Their instructor Captain Moss, who is a former Marine announced that these young men have been practicing this performance for just a little more than a month. These Buffalo Soldiers consider it a honor to perform for our Solders and Sailors. After the program these young men proudly shook our resident’s hands while introducing themselves. This was not their first time here at PSSH and we are hoping that they return to perform for us again. PENNSYLVANIA SOLDIERS’ AND SAILORS HOME
EXTENDS IT’S DEEPEST CONDOLENCES
TO THE LOVED ONES OF THE FOLLOWING RESIDENTS WHO HAVE RECENTLY PASSED
AWAY. THEIR PRESENCE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED.
EUGENE BOGDAN
1/17/08
ROBERT ALEXANDER
2/15/2008
ANTHONY SILKA
1/2/2008
GERALD SAUERS
2/23/2008
NICK SAWKO
1/9/2008
RICHARD FISHER
2/28/2008
EDWARD SZYMULA
1/12/2008
ROBERT LEMKE
3/3/2008
JAMES WANDLESS
1/22/2008
Page 2
A day to express likeness or love for another. Well, it is no surprise that our American Legion Auxiliary Department of PA and American Legion Auxiliary # 285 once again expresses their love for PSSH Veteran residents. They expressed their love by providing sponsorship for the Valentine’s Day parties Valentine’s Day entertainers; and entertainment . We would be at a great loss with‐
Carla Marie Mckrell and Todd out the support that they and others provide to our Morton entertained our leisure and social activities here at PSSH. Let’s residents on the Alzheimer’s remember to express our love for these programs, Unit during the Valentine’s these organizations, and most of all to the individuals Day party. who make it all happen. A great big THANK YOU goes out to Joyce’s Canteen for hosting a raffle and Bonnie Colburn, for donating these two prizes for the raffle. The proceeds went to the activities department to sponsor bingo for our residents. Photo on right: John Guras and Bonnie as she hands John the money made from this raffle. Congratulations to the lucky winners: Mr. David Austin and Mrs. Laurie Stevens. An abundance of Valentine’s Day cards and well wishes were sent from school children, churches and scout troops. Almost all of these card were created by the sender. A heart felt thank you goes out to these individuals who created these wonderful cards!! Cupid, the child‐like, winged deity often associated with our modern Valentine’s day, is the son of Venus, the Roman goddess of love. In Greek mythology, cupid is known as Aphrodite’s son Eros. Page 3
Our very own Priscilla White , RN won first place with her music, lyrics, and video. Priscilla is a very talented musician, who composes her own music, writes her own lyrics, plays guitar and also sings. Priscilla saw the contest posted on Mather life Ways website this past fall. Mather’s was looking for someone to compose their theme song. The only guidelines Mather’s required was that the song be about “Aging Well”. Priscilla states that she immediately began to create her song. She also shares that several of the lyrics came to her while walking here on the grounds at PSSH, during her break. Priscilla got her husband Rex involved to accompany her with vocals and also in playing guitar. “Priscilla beat out numerous 55‐plus‐year‐old contestants who submitted songs from as far away as Ireland and England. Mather’s developed the Aging Well Rock song competition to give millions of older adults the chance to express themselves through music.”(Mather’s website). Jeremy Jeziorski, Video director and operator who is a friend of the family assisted Priscilla in making the video, which is also on Mather’s website. On January 17, 2008 WSEE Channel 35 news media came to PSSH to interview Priscilla. During the interview Priscilla performed her winning song “Aging Well” for both Channel 35 and PSSH residents and staff members. To view Priscilla’s winning song and video go to Mather Life Ways website: httpwww.matherlifeways.com/agingwellrocks/ IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING OR MAKING A DONATION PLEASE Our volunteers will soon be wearing photo ID name badges. If you see a volunteer please make them feel welcome and thank them for their kindness and time that they are giving to our veteran residents. CONTACT OUR VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR KIMBERLY O’TOOLE LISA volunteer (814) 878-4961
Page 4
Did you know that PSSH has BINGO 365 days a year? Wow, now that is impressive and what’s even more impressive is that we receive donations and volunteers for nearly all of the bingos held. I would be willing to bet that PSSH holds the record in Erie County for having bingo each and everyday of the year! This would not be the case without their support!! We can not put into words how much we appreciate our Organizations and Individuals who make all of this possible. Please know that our hearts are sincerely speaking when our faces are smiling. Listed below are both organizations Listed below are organizations who and individuals who sponsor PSSH sponsor and volunteer for PSSH bingos bingos throughout the year. throughout the year. American Legion # 108– Bradford American Legion Riders #105‐ North East American Legion #111 American Legion #381 American Legion Auxiliary Department of PA American Legion #237– Union City American Legion Auxiliary #571 ‐ Wesleyville American Legion #580 ‐ Monaca American Legion Auxiliary # 392 American Legion Auxiliary #771 ‐ Erie DAV & DAVA Department of PA Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Eastern Star Catholic War Veterans DAV Chapter # 75 Erie Sertoma Club Guardians USA Vets Erie Maennerchor Ladies Auxiliary Military Order of Cooties Post #37 VFW #264 or VFW #264 ‐ Corry American Legion # 432 ‐ Wheatland VFW Auxiliary Department of PA Military Order of Purple Heart Auxiliary #197 VFW Auxiliary #464 or VFW #464‐ Oil City VFW Auxiliary 470 Meadville Daughters of Revolution VFW & VFW Auxiliary # 4789 ‐ North East Sons of American Legion #105– North East VFW # 169 VFW Auxiliary # 5958– Titusville VFW Auxiliary # 3374 VFW Auxiliary #8755 ‐ Sheffield Navy Mothers Club #747– Meadville With Spring upon us the Activities Department is gearing up to be on the road again with trips to various organizations for bingo/luncheons, Erie Seawolves games, scenic trips, dinners, Victorian Princess dinner cruise, fish fry picnic at VFW # 5958 picnic grounds, fishing trips to 3CU trout derby, AL # 494 picnic grounds derby, on the Victory Boat, a four day camping trip and two Sheffield fishing derby’s sponsored by DAV chapter # 75 and Safari Club International with an additional camping sponsorship from American Legion. The residents are also going on a train ride on Titusville & Oil City railroad with dinner at VFW # 5958. Our residents are looking forward to the car show and Bikes for Vets, during SVHW 2008 June 8th –15th. The Gazebo Concert Series 2008 is featuring 15 concerts from July 2nd through October 2nd and a picnic sponsored by VFW #8803 Tidioute. We will be looking forward to as many organizations as possible to participate in PSSH Annual Memorial Day ceremony on May 25th, 2008 at 1:00pm on PSSH grounds. PSSH golf team outings will be starting for the personal care residents in May and will go through September. Again, thanks to all of the organizations for sponsoring events and inviting the PSSH Veteran Residents to your post for special events throughout the year. Without the organizations volunteer work, donations and support the resident’s programs and activities would not be as successful. Your work is greatly appreciated by the residents and all that you do brightens the resident’s day. Page 5 STATES VETERANS HOME WEEK JUNE 8-15th 2008
Sunday June 8th :
2:00pm National Order of the Rats,
Dubois, Special SVHW Bingo
Thursday June 12th:
7:30pm AL #111 & VOAC
1:00pm Carnival
Special SVHW Bingo
7:30pm ALA # 571 & VOAC
Special SVHW Bingo
Monday June 9th:
9:00am Eastway Lanes Bowling
Friday June 13th:
1:00pm Doggone Good Country &
2:00pm MOPHA # 197 & VOAC
Rock & Roll Band
Special SVHW Bingo
Gazebo Community Concert
3:45 Resident & Employee
7:30pm AL #381 & VOAC
Golf Tournament
Special SVHW Bingo
Saturday June 14th:
Tuesday June 10th:
12:00pm11th annual Bikes for
Vets
2:30pm AL # 773 & VOAC
Sponsored by DAV & DAVA
Special SVHW Bingo
Picnic with the Black Diamond
7:00pm Resident, Employee &
Music Entertainment
Volunteer Eastway Lanes Bowling
7:30pm VOAC
Tournament
Special SVHW Bingo
Wednesday June 11th:
10:00am Picnic at VFW # 264
7:30pm ALA # 771 & VOAC
Special SVHW Bingo
Sunday June 15th:
6:30am Resident & Employee
Fishing Tournament
7:30pm ALA #237 & VOAC
Special SVHW Bingo
PLEASE CONTACT KIMBERLY O’TOOLE IF INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING (814) 878-4961
TWO BOOK CASES ONE THOUSAND DOLLAR NINTENDO Wii SPORTS PACKAGE DONATION DONATION WITH A EXTRA CONTOLLER DONATION Advanced Drying & Restoration a VFWA # 470 gave PSSH two new VFW #470 gave PSSH a $1000. DKI member Inc. and also The Chris book cases. These book cases donation on February 26, 2008. & Carl Show on Talk Radio 1400 were much needed. One was This contribution will be going gave PSSH a Wii Sports package placed in the resident library and towards a large screen television with an extra controller. This Wii is the other was placed in a lounge for the Alzheimer’s unit. one of three PSSH is hoping to get on the second floor of the PCH. for the residents. Page 6 New Years Eve was celebrated with entertainment and much cheer. There was a party held in each one of the buildings. All three parties had: music entertainment, party favors, and lots and lots of food. The New Years Eve parties were sponsored by: The American Legion and the American Legion Department of Pennsylvania. A special thanks goes out to these sponsors and also to all of the volunteers that helped make these parties a great hit. Without the sponsors and the volunteers cheerful presence, and their help, these celebrations would not have been the success that they were!!! Thank you and Happy New Year! The song Auld Lang Syne was partially written by Robert Burns in the 1700’s, it was first published in 1796 after Burns’ death. Early variations of the song were sung prior to 1700 which inspired Burns to produce the modern rendition. An old Scotch tune, “Auld Lang Syne” literally means “old long ago,” or simply, “ the good old days.” To bring in the new year the song Auld Lang Syne can be heard playing at the stroke of midnight in almost every Eng‐
lish‐speaking country in the world. Stocked with donations from floor to ceiling. The clothing room is very appealing. Don’t judge this room by MR. RON VANCE,
it’s over stuffed appearance! This RESIDENT VOLUNTEER room is better than any retail sales clearance. Articles of clothing come MANAGES THE
and go. Some leave quickly and some RESIDENT CLOTHING leave slow. All donation are much ROOM WITH A SMILE. appreciated. You can see that our residents are elated. Family members are welcome to come in and search for something to make loved ones grin. This clothing room is man‐
aged proudly by Mr. Vance. So come on in and give it a chance. And re‐
member it’s more than what you see at first glance. Page 7
FROM I‐90 EAST Take I-90 towards Erie
Take Exit 32 (Wesleyville)
Follow Bayfront Connector
Turn Left on Route 5
Turn Right on Ash Street
Go Three blocks
Turn Right into
PSSH Main Gates