Woldenberg Happenings

Woldenberg Happenings
Woldenberg Village Newsletter
Winter 2014
Remembering: Mildred Proske
3701 Behrman Place
New Orleans, LA 70114
Village Notes
By: Joe Townsend, Executive Director, Woldenberg Village
Happy New Year!!! It is hard to believe that yet another calendar year has passed here at
Woldenberg Village. Here we are beginning 2014. I guess it is my imagination, but it truly
seems that the sands of the hour glass speed up with each coming day. At my age, I begin
to understand what my parents tried to instill in me years ago: “Stop and smell the roses.”
With that thought in mind, it is essential for me and my staff to be acutely aware of the
importance of providing as much an opportunity as possible for our residents to enjoy life
here at Woldenberg Village. Quality of Life opportunities involve those activity programs,
which we offer seven days a week. Traditional long-term care facilities base their activities
around the 3-B’s. Bingo, Birthdays, and Bible (spiritual). However, those programs must
be much broader than the 3-B’s and are designed to meet the wants and needs of the
individuals who stay with us. A good activity is designed specifically to enhance cognitive abilities, increase
motor skills, invoke positive emotions, and provoke spiritual enlightenment. If our Quality of Life programs
address at least one of these areas, then that program is typically a successful program. I met with our activities
professionals and discussed the importance of having programs that meet one or more of these four major
Quality of Life categories.
Rita Austin and her team of activities professionals work very hard throughout the year. I applaud their efforts
day-in and day-out. January 19-24 is designated as National Activities Professions Week. It is a week of national
recognition that truly is warranted. My thanks to all of them.
Upcoming Events!
For more information about activities, call Woldenberg Village at (504) 367-5640 or visit www.liveatwv.com.
Villas
February 12: Ron Jones
February 13: Hearing Tests
February 15: Movie Screening
“New Orleans Love Affair with Food
February 16: Mardi Gras Ball
February 26: Birthday Party
February 27: Ulrike Masakowski
March 5: Bert Sylvest
March 12: Remember When
March 13: Flute Player Kerry
March 26: Birthday Party
March 27: Laughter Yoga
Willow Wood and Azaleas
February 14: Johnny Justice performs
February 16: Margarita Warren performs
February 20: Art Show by Martin Davis
March 3: Mardi Gras Ball for residents –
Willow Wood and The Azaleas
March 22: Henry Lee
Left: Mildred as a little girl. Above: A few of
Mildred’s favorite treats.
On December 19, Roberta and Gary Jones hosted
an informal memorial service for their aunt, Mildred
Proske, to provide closure for her friends and the staff
at Woldenberg Village.
Mildred and her life-long friend, Alma Smith,
became residents of Woldenberg Village in 2009.
The two ladies shared an apartment in The Azaleas
Assisted Living Community until Alma’s advancing
dementia necessitated her transfer to Willow Wood
Skilled Nursing. Mildred would make daily treks from
her apartment to Alma’s room and spend the better
part of the day with her, sometimes having lunch at
Willow Wood. Thus, Mildred became a well-known
resident throughout Woldenberg Village. In Spring
2013, due to failing physical health, Mildred was
transferred to Willow Wood. Once again, Alma and
Mildred were roommates. Mildred lived to celebrate
her 96th birthday on August 29 before passing away on
September 22, 2013.
Mildred was not a native of New Orleans but had
come with Alma from Baltimore, Maryland, to attend
Tulane’s Graduate School of Social Work.
After graduation, both ladies went to work for
Family Services from which they both retired. Neither
woman chose to return home, instead buying a house
together in Algiers where they lived for over 50 years,
before moving to Woldenberg Village.
Alma Smith’s only niece, Roberta Smith Jones
considered Mildred as a second aunt. Therefore,
Roberta wanted to do something special in Mildred’s
honor because she knew her Aunt Alma would have
wanted it that way.
In December, Roberta and her husband Gary
arranged for a memorial event at Woldenberg Village
which highlighted Mildred’s life story and offered
closure for the staff that cared so much for this lovely
lady. A reception followed with cake, sandwiches and
some of Mildred’s favorite treats. The family would
like to thank Woldenberg Village’s Activity Department
for their assistance in making the memorial such a
wonderful event.
3701 Behrman Place | New Orleans, LA 70114 | 504-367-5640 | www.liveatwv.com
Charmaine Neville performs at Woldenberg Village
A Delicious Holiday Treat From Hotel Monteleone
The residents at Woldenberg Village in Algiers received a special
musical performance by Charmaine Neville and her band on Nov. 12. The
New Orleans legends visited and performed their greatest hits to a crowd
of residents, family members, and Woldenberg Village staff.
Everyone enjoyed the soulful sounds of Neville and the jazzy tunes of
pianist Amasa Miller as they captivated and delighted the Woldenberg
Village audience.
“Charmaine’s visit was an uplifting treat for both the employees and
residents at Woldenberg. She showed everyone compassion by taking her
time to give hugs and listen to stories from her excited fans.” said Andrea
Centofanti, Interim Director of The Azaleas Assisted Living Center at
Woldenberg Village.
Charmaine Neville, Janet Craig,
Woldenberg Village resident, and her
daughter Susan Hellwig enjoyed the
wonderful concert at Woldenberg Village.
Tikkum Olam - Repairing the World through the Gift of Music
The United Synagogue Youth
International Convention students
perform and delight the audience at
Woldenberg Village.
Over thirty Jewish high school students from around the country and
Canada who were visiting New Orleans for the United Synagogue Youth
International Convention took some time out of their busy schedules to
give back to the community. The various jazz music students, ages 15-18,
performed an impromptu concert that left the residents of Woldenberg
Village in sheer delight and with a song in their hearts.
“As part of the Jewish religion, the value of “Tikkum Olam” or
Repairing the World is very important. The students displayed this
important value to our residents through the art of music and loving
kindness.” said Rita Austin, Director of Activities at Woldenberg Village.
The students played jazzy versions of “Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel” and
“Hava Nagila”, as well as famous New Orleans classics such as “When the
Saints Go Marching In.”
(Photo from left to right) – Father Vincent
Pham; Chef Minh Duong, Executive Pastry
Chef for Hotel Monteleone; Melissa O’Brien,
Director of Food Services at Woldenberg Village;
Joseph Townsend, Woldenberg Village Executive
Director; Tina Bonstaff, Woldenberg Village
Marketing Manager; and Chef Jose Munguia,
Executive Sous Chef for Hotel Monteleone.
The Senior Resource CEU Fair at The Villas
Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr. and Ronald Jones Bring Holiday Cheer
On Wednesday, December 10, the staff at Woldenberg Village received
a nice holiday surprise from two New Orleans performers. Musicians
Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr. and Ronald Jones surprised Woldenberg Village’s
employees by performing at their annual holiday party. Employees
were treated to a private performance from the two musicians and also
received a delicious holiday lunch and special gift.
“Our employees had no idea that Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr. and Ronald
Jones were performing at the event. It was so nice to see the smiles on
their faces when they discovered the surprise.” said Tina Foret Bonstaff,
Marketing Manager of Woldenberg Village.
Musician Ronald Jones, Joseph Townsend, Woldenberg Village Executive Director, and Musician Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr.
A sweet surprise was in store for the residents of
Woldenberg Village during the holidays as the chefs of
the Hotel Monteleone baked up some Christmas cheer.
Executive Pastry Chef Minh Duong and Executive
Sous Chef Jose Munguia presented the residents with
a beautiful traditional Yule Log Cake, also known as
a Buche de Noel, a French Christmas cake made of
chocolate, sponge cake and fresh berries.
In order to welcome the New Year and relieve the
air of last year’s events, families as far back as the 19th
century would burn logs, called Yule Logs, which were
garnished in holly, pinecones, or ivy. Afterwards, they
would then keep the ashes for good luck.
During the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte, the use
of fireplaces was outlawed because he believed the
cold air coming in the flue would hurt his people’s
health. In light of the law, French citizens created the
Buche de Noel cake to celebrate the hearth, a place of
togetherness during the holiday season.
Special thanks to the wonderful chefs of Hotel
Monteleone for their sweet and thoughtful gift.
Toddy Wobbema, Publisher and Owner of The
Senior Resource Guide, welcomes case managers
and social workers to the CEU Fair.
Every year, professional social workers and case managers
broaden their educational background and professional
knowledge by obtaining Continuing Education Units or CEUs. A
CEU is a measure used in continuing education programs in order
for a professional to maintain their license.
On December 11, The Villas at Woldenberg Village teamed up
with The Senior Resource Guide and hosted The Senior Resource
CEU Fair. This community event was promoted to all hospitals
and healthcare agencies in New Orleans and the surrounding
areas and attracted over 50 social workers and case manager to the
event. At the fair, case managers and social workers learned about
various health-related programs and issues from over 35 different
health care providers. At the conclusion of the event, each case
manager and social worker received 1.5 CEU hours toward their
professional license.
The Senior Resource CEU Fair was created by Toddy
Wobbema, Owner of the Senior Resource Guide, and her
daughter Serra Wobbema, Marketing and Event Manager for the
Senior Resource CEU Fairs, as a way to further the educational
opportunities for healthcare professionals.