Spring / Summer 2014 Issue

SPRING/SUMMER 2014
SPRING/SU
“ALL THE NEWS
WS THAT FITS” FROM OUR HOMES T
TO YOURS
Marvin Plakut
Shelly Rucks
President & CEO
Foundation Executive Director
Midway Village is a house built on trust!
Midway Village is a $45 million tribute to trust. Trust based on our 120-year reputation for excellence
in providing homes and services to our residents and their families. Our reputation has given us the respect and
credibility that allowed us to proceed with building Midway Village. It is currently one of Saint Paul’s biggest
development projects, right behind the new Saints ballpark and the Green Line.
“The outpouring of support for our project is both gratifying and humbling,” says Marvin Plakut, Episcopal
Homes’ President & CEO. “It is inspiring us to keep reaching higher on behalf of the individuals and families
we serve. It is also inspiring to see so many wonderful people interested in living at Midway Village. It means
that our dream is a lot of other people’s dream too.”
Although it won’t open until November 1, The Terrace at Iris Park (Catered Living) is already full with a waiting
list. Over 400 people have signed-up to apply for the 50 Affordable Independent Living apartments at Midway
Pointe (opening December 1). And when Episcopal Church Home - The Gardens opens in February 2015, it could
be filled three times over with the current waiting list from Episcopal Church Home. But there is still more to be
done. The capital campaign on which our financing depends is within reach of its $5 million goal, and right now,
any gift you make will be doubled! Please do what you can. Read about the $150,000 matching grant on Page 4.
EpiscopalHomes.org
Page 1
At Home
“From death to life” - one family’s story
by Steven Claas, Gertrude’s Son-in-Law
Gertrude Chrobot was not happy about leaving her apartment and moving into
long-term care. But after decades of chronic pain and a series of unfortunate falls,
she moved into Episcopal Church Home’s May House in August of 2010. For the
first couple months, there was little her daughter Beth, the staff, or fellow residents
could do to get Gertrude to leave her room. But like springtime flowers after a
stubborn winter, Gertrude eventually blossomed. After three lively years in May
House, Gertrude moved to her heavenly home in October of 2013. Here are the
words I shared at her memorial service in Leigh Chapel on November 8th,
Gertrude’s birthday. Gertrude’s story is a testimony to her own will to live fully
and to Episcopal Homes’ commitment to full lives.
I’d like to start today by thanking all of you for being here. It’s so wonderful
to look out into this room and see all the faces of all the people from all the
Gertrude Chrobot
different parts of Beth’s, my, and Gertrude’s lives. It’s amazing. We really
Nov 8, 1930 - Oct 19, 2013
should do this more often. If I get a bit choked up in the next minutes,
you should know that it’s as much because I’m touched by your presence
here as it is from the grief of our loss.
Grief. Loss. That’s where I need to start my story today.
There was a time when Gertrude Chrobot was a depressed, lonely woman - often critical and sometimes maybe
even a little bit ornery. She was, to put it plainly, addicted to pain medicine: she had used fentanyl pain patches
for well over a decade and was taking escalating doses of vicodin and oxycontin on the side. During her trips to
the clinic, when asked how her back pain was on a scale of 0 to 10, her answer was always, “Off the charts!
Terrible! Constant!” Conversations with Gertrude almost always revolved around one thing, what she called
“my pain.” Her pain, it often seemed, was her dearest companion.
Let me tell you a few other things about Gertrude: She never forgot the pain of living with a father who preferred
to spend more time at the bar with the boys than at home with the family. She never stopped mourning her beautiful
big brother who was killed on the beaches of Normandy on D-day. The problems in her back and hip stemmed
from a surgery that was supposed to fix her spine but, instead, left her hurting for decades. Her husband, Eugene,
suffered from Alzheimer’s disease for many years, and Gertrude cared for him through it all. After Eugene died,
she moved into an apartment and, for the first time in her life, she lived alone. Beth and I visited frequently, of
course. But Gertrude flat refused to interact with other residents of her building—the gang of folks who met in
the lobby every day just to chat. In fact, I recall her saying out loud that she didn’t need “those people” outside
her door. She was fine, she said. She was happy, she said.
But she wasn’t fine or happy. She was becoming increasingly inwardly turned. When she fell and broke her
ankle, the doctors in the hospital looked at her and told us that she wasn’t thriving and had maybe a year to live.
And the pain—the pain that Gertrude swore was in her back and hip—it was getting worse and worse. And then
one day she moved to May House at Episcopal Church Home and all of that began to change.
The change is nicely illustrated by this story: For years Gertrude proclaimed that she had no use for cats, she
did not like cats - cats, she said, were sneaky and could not be trusted. (Trusted with what I don’t know, but
that’s what she said.) Then Fiona came to live in May House. (For those of you who don’t know, Fiona is May
House’s feline resident.) Fiona makes the rounds of rooms in May House, but she and Gertrude became very
EpiscopalHomes.org
At Home
Page 2
special friends. In the mornings Fiona would park herself outside Gertrude’s door and raise a ruckus until someone opened the door and let her in. In the last months of her life, I was visiting one evening (Fiona was there)
and Gertrude said to me, “You know, I never really liked cats before - until I had one as a pet!”
Of course, this was not the only change Gertrude underwent when she moved here. She began to talk about her
friends more than she spoke about her pain. It will probably not surprise some of you that Gertrude grew up in
a time and a place where people of different colors, who spoke different languages, who came from (strange!) foreign
lands were treated with suspicion (at the least). But any remaining traces of that vanished from Gertrude, and
she delighted in the diversity of those around her. Gertie gleefully participated in House activities and even rose
to the position of “Madame President” of the residents’ council.
She downright blossomed.
And another amazing thing happened not long after she moved here: one day, completely out of the blue, she
said, “You know, I don’t think these pain patches are doing a darn thing for me. Maybe I should get off of them.”
Beth and I were shocked that she would suggest this, but Gertrude faced her fears, followed through, and eventually determined that she, in fact, did not need the narcotic patches. After this she became even more alert, more
active, more alive. She became, as Beth likes to say, the outgoing, happy Mom that Beth remembered from
her childhood.
You can probably see where I’m going with this: It turns out that the pain Gertrude was feeling for all those years
wasn’t so much in her back or in her hip. You remember all those other things about Gertrude’s life that I shared
with you at the start (checked-out dad, war, disease)? Gertie was carrying the pain of a lifetime of big and little
injuries in her heart. And despite Beth’s and my best efforts, for years it was a pain she chose to carry mostly alone.
But that’s what changed when she moved here. Eventually Gertrude’s own will to live; the determination and
love of her daughter; and the care, compassion, fellowship, friendship, and love of the residents and staff
of May House pushed aside her pain and opened a space that we’ve all had the pleasure to occupy together
these past three years.
It’s amazing, the wonderful changes that can happen when a person really gets to know the cat outside the door.
And the people, too.
I think the lesson of Gertrude’s life is this: every one of us carries the pain of a lifetime of big and little injuries
in our hearts. But we need not and, in fact, we ought not bear those burdens alone.
Gertrude’s life was a tangible lesson in the healing and transformative power of community, in the abundant joy
of being alive together. While we are here on earth, God has given all of us each other. Gertrude taught me the
value of that gift.
So the story of Gertrude’s life is one of rebirth.
And now, lucky gal, she’s reborn again.
Happy birthday Gertrude Chrobot!
April 2014 Reunion: Steve Claas and his
wife Beth visit some old friends at May House:
Caregivers Badiatu Batterman, Mary Fredrick,
and Fiona the cat (Gertrude’s “pet”).
EpiscopalHomes.org
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At Home
NEWS YOU CAN USE
“Take a book, return a book”
at our Little Free Library!
Episcopal Homes is now the proud operator of a Little
Free Library! We hope you will “take a book, return a
book” when you visit your friends and loved ones. Our
library was made possible by an effort between AARP
MN, Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly, and Little
Free Library to reduce loneliness and isolation among
older adults while encouraging community.
Left to Right: Christina Fairbanks (Little Brothers - Friends
of the Elderly) • Pete Anderson (Cornelia House Resident
• Todd Bol (Little Free Library Founder) • Julie Niewald
(Cornelia House Manager) • Jay Haapala (AARP MN) •
Judy Emmings (Cornelia House Resident)
Your chariot is waiting at our campus
(University and Fairview) - and soon at
Kings Crossing (University and Dale)!
HOURCAR is the car-sharing program of the nonprofit Neighborhood Energy Connection. HOURCAR introduced car sharing to Minnesota in 2005
as a way for residents to get around conveniently
without owning cars. HOURCAR offers savings
plus a way to live and travel healthfully, reduce
pollution, increase the beauty of our cities, and help
our economy thrive. Bike, walk, or use transit and
rely on HOURCAR for personal driving.
We are proud to have an HOURCAR hub right inside
the entrance of our home campus (University and
Fairview), and soon at Kings Crossing (University
and Dale). Sign up and be part of the solution!
612-343-CARS (2277)
HourCar.org
Starting June 14, the Green Line will
make it easier than ever to get to your
free books and your affordable car!
Simply get off the train at the Fairview Avenue
Green Line Station and you’re there! If Kings
Crossing (University and Dale) is handier for you,
the HOURCAR people will be able to tell you when
the Kings Crossing hub will be opening.
EpiscopalHomes.org
At Home
EPISCOPAL HOMES FOUNDATION
Page 4
“I wish I could support every cause
that I believe in, but like you, I have to
pick and choose. Here is why I chose
Episcopal Homes.”
Ellen Watters
Past Chair, Board of Trustees
Capital Campaign Committee
Capital Campaign Donor
I have lived and worked
in
i the Central Corridor
for more than 20 years.
Watching the Episcopal Homes campus expand has
been exciting. It is one of the most transformative
developments in the area.
$150,000 Matching Grant
for our Capital Campaign
to build Midway Village!
Have an impact ~ double your impact! The Episcopal
Homes Foundation is honored to announce that the
Katherine B. Andersen Fund of The Saint Paul
Foundation is providing a $150,000 matching grant
for our capital campaign. Anyone who has not yet given
to this project will have their gift matched dollar-fordollar. Also, anyone who has already contributed to
the campaign and increases their gift by $1,000 will
have the increase matched. WOW!
The $45 million Midway Village project requires a
minimum of $5 million in private funds (through our
capital campaign) to leverage the financing. Our capital
campaign is currently at 82% of the $5 million goal.
Like our continuum of care, we have had a continuum
of gifts from caring individuals ranging from $500,000
to $25. Each gift makes a difference and each matters!
We invite each of you to help us complete this matching
grant and help us finish our campaign strong!
Call Shelly Rucks at 651-632-8855 to learn more
about Midway Village, our capital campaign, or to
make your donation. You can also donate online at
our web site: www.episcopalhomes.org.
When Episcopal Homes built Seabury, the first
of four affordable housing apartments for seniors,
it was the first new housing built on University
Avenue in 60 years. Many people didn’t believe it
would be successful. “Who would want to live on
University Avenue?” But Seabury was full with a
waiting list the day it opened in 2002.
That is why Episcopal Homes has continued to invest
in housing on University Avenue. Episcopal Homes
now has King’s Crossing at Dale and University
and Carty Heights near Lexington and University.
Both were full with waiting lists when they opened.
Midway Pointe will open on the home campus at
Fairview and University this December. Over 400
people have already signed-up to receive applications
for its 50 apartments. Clearly, there is no shortage
of people who want to live on University Avenue,
and with the Green Line coming on June 14,
demand will continue to grow.
The current capital campaign is for Midway Village
(which will include Midway Pointe). It will provide
homes for nearly 200 more residents, and that
is something I had to be part of!
Providing the highest quality homes and the most
caring and skilled services for low and moderateincome people is a mission I am passionate about.
That’s why I am passionate about Episcopal Homes!
EpiscopalHomes.org
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At Home
BACK TO THE FUTURE
When it opens in February 2015,
Episcopal Church Home
- The Gardens will be the first
Long-Term and Memory Care home
in Minnesota specifically designed
around the trailblazing GREEN
HOUSE Model of Care.
Left to Right: Kelly Rogers, Godwin Crabbe, Stacy Kangas,
Loveline Ndelle, Asafu Zeratsion, David Behler (Assistant
Director of Nursing), Monicah Jackson, Andrea Krebs (Episcopal
Church Home Administrator), Tammy Krefman, Catherine Olsen
(Employee Relations Coordinator)
But on May 4, Sister Annette
House at Episcopal Church Home
became our pilot for operating by
GREEN HOUSE philosophies and
principles. Our “Green Revolution”
has begun, and both residents and
staff already give it a “thumbs up.”
Pictured above is our first class of caregivers in the process of receiving
the 120 hours of special training required to earn the title of “Shahbaz.”
The GREEN HOUSE Model of Care is so fundamentally different from
conventional nursing homes that the old job titles just didn’t fit anymore.
Think of “Shahbazim” (plural of Shahbaz) as family caregivers who
really know a LOT about every aspect of caregiving - starting with putting
the Elders they’re caring for at the center of everything they do. Sister
Annette House is where Shahbazim will be trained for The Gardens and
the rest of the households at Episcopal Church Home. It’s a better way.
“Kicking Gas!”
Where is it written that one must drive
to work? Many of our employees are
opting for “greener” alternatives, like
walking, biking, bus - and the Green
Line starting June 14. With the HOURCAR hub on our campus, they can
still do any errands that require a car
and save money. See Page 3 to learn
how you can “kick gas” too!
Nicole Zauhar (left) commutes by foot.
Marvin Plakut (right) bikes to and from
his home in Woodbury.
EpiscopalHomes.org
thegreenhouseproject.org
At Home
Page 6
Episcopal Homes at a glance...
Episcopal Church Home
Iris Park Commons (62+)
Cornelia House (62+)
Rehab & Long-Term Care
Assisted Living
Independent Living
651-646-4061
651-646-1026
651-288-3931
1879 Feronia Avenue
Saint Paul MN 55104
1850 University Avenue W
Saint Paul MN 55104
1840 University Avenue W
Saint Paul MN 55104
Seabury (62+)
Carty Heights (62+)
Kings Crossing (62+)
Affordable Independence
Affordable Independence
Affordable Independence
651-379-5102
651-288-1142
651-493-4606
1830 University Avenue W
Saint Paul MN 55104
412 Dunlap Street N
Saint Paul MN 55104
500 Dale Street N
Saint Paul MN 55103
(1 block SW of University & Lexington)
(NE corner of University & Dale)
(1 block SW of University & Fairview)
MIDWAY ViLLAGE: Three residences completing our campus this year
The Terrace at Iris Park (62+)
Catered Living
Episcopal Church Home - The Gardens
Long-Term & Memory Care
Midway Pointe (62+)
Affordable Independent Living
Plan ahead! There are already waiting lists for all three residences.
Join our waiting list for the residence that fits you best. When you do, we’ll keep in touch with you about progress
on what could be your next home (with Light Rail at your doorstep). We’ll invite you to special preview events
as construction progresses too. To learn more, contact Community Relations Director Deb Veit at 651-632-8800.
EpiscopalHomes.org
490 E. Lynnhurst Avenue
Saint Paul MN 55104
T!
CHING GRAN
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A
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0
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0
5
$1
(See Page 4)
Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for seniors by providing homes and services that support each
individual’s physical, social, and spiritual needs. We’ve been saying “Welcome Home” to all for 120 years.
You’re invited to join our
residents (your neighbors)
for free matinee concerts
at Coventry Chapel
Mark your calendar!
SAT AUG 16
3-7 p.m.
Please RSVP to Julie Niewald at
Cornelia House: 651-288-3931 or
[email protected]
Memories for every
adult, dreams for
every child!
Third big year! Over 70 Classic Cars and Street Rods
• State Fair food at vintage prices • Big, inflatable
bouncer for kids • Live music + a popular car show DJ
• FREE off-street parking with shuttle bus. Family FUN!
Saturday, June 14 at 2 p.m.
Papa John Kolstad
and The Hot Club of East Lake
Our crowd has come to love Papa John Kolstad’s blend
of blues, folk, Django Reinhardt jazziness, and homespun humor! www.papajohnkolstad.com
Saturday, July 12 at 2 p.m.
Butch Thompson and Friends
Butch has played his personal style from Cairo to Kansas City
(and, of course, Prairie Home Companion). We are proud to
welcome Butch back to our stage. www.butchthompson.com
Sunday, August 12 at 2 p.m.
Mel Carter and Friends
Back by popular demand - some of the best swing era players
in town. Take the A Train or Route 66 and join us!
Check EVENTS on our web site for new additions!
EpiscopalHomes.org