July_Newsletter - Rivercourt Residences

Independence Day continued
find quite familiar: an official dinner for the Continental Congress, toasts, 13-gun salutes, speeches, prayers,
music, parades, troop reviews, and fireworks. Ships
were decked with red, white, and blue bunting.
An 1825 invitation
to an Independence
Day celebration
In a remarkable coincidence, both John Adams and
Thomas Jefferson, the only signers of the Declaration of
Independence later to serve as Presidents of the United
States, died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the
50th anniversary of the Declaration. Although not a signer
of the Declaration of Independence, but another Founding
Father who became a President, James Monroe, died on
July 4, 1831, thus becoming the third President in a row
who died on this memorable day. Calvin Coolidge, the
30th President, was born on July 4, 1872, and, so far, is the
only President to have been born on Independence Day.
• In 1777, thirteen gunshots were fired in salute, once
at morning and once again as evening fell, on July 4 in
Bristol, Rhode Island. Philadelphia celebrated the first
anniversary in a manner a modern American would
The
Leatherboard
• In 1778, General George Washington marked July 4
with a double ration of rum for his soldiers and an artillery salute. Across the Atlantic Ocean, Ambassadors
John Adams and Benjamin Franklin held a dinner for
their fellow Americans in Paris, France.
• In 1779, July 4 fell on a Sunday. The holiday was celebrated on Monday, July 5.
Independence Day
• In 1781 the Massachusetts General Court became the first
state legislature to recognize July 4 as a state celebration.
Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of
the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain (now officially known as
the United Kingdom). Independence Day is commonly associated
with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and
ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events
celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United
States. Independence Day is the National Day of the United States.
• In 1783, Moravians in Salem, North Carolina, held a
celebration of July 4 with a challenging music program
assembled by Johann Friedrich Peter. This work was
titled The Psalm of Joy. This is recognized as the first
recorded celebration and is still celebrated there today.
• In 1791 the first recorded use of the name Independence
Day occurred.
• In 1870, the U.S. Congress made Independence Day an
unpaid holiday for federal employees.
• In 1938, Congress changed Independence Day to a paid
federal holiday.
Contacts
Susan Whitty-Kennedy
ext. 242
Sharon Amadon
ext. 234
Kim Landi
ext. 227
Karen McKenzie
ext. 222
Trisha McCaig
ext 223
Kathy Santiago
ext. 240
Executive Director
[email protected]
Resident Care Director
[email protected]
Welcome New Residents
Marjorie Shea
Virginia Warren
Bessie Sifakis
Mike Gust
Reflections Program Director
[email protected]
Director of Marketing
[email protected]
Brenda
Skehan, RA
One resident wrote: I feel
my physical and psychological
improvement has a lot to do with the
care received from Brenda! I have seen and
experienced her love and compassion for the residents. I feel respected and cared for by her.
Another resident wrote: Brenda is a super individual who is
always ready with a cheerful disposition to help me. And she’s very
good at helping with Teds too! She is very empathetic to me and I have
heard others say the same.
And another: She is always cheerful and smiling. She’s GOOD!
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Office Manager
[email protected]
Activity & Volunteer Director
[email protected]
Luna Lander
July 2014
8 West Main Street
Groton, MA 01450
www.rivercourtresidences.com
p: 978-448-4122 f: 978-448-4133
During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies
from Great Britain occurred on July 2, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in
June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia declaring the United States independent
from Great Britain. After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention
to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision, which
had been prepared by a Committee of Five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author. Congress debated and revised the wording of the Declaration, finally
approving it on July 4. A day earlier, John Adams had written to his wife Abigail:
The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history
of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the
day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to
be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells,
bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from
this time forward forever more.
Adams’s prediction was off by two days. From the outset, Americans celebrated
independence on July 4, the date shown on the much-publicized Declaration of
Independence, rather than on July 2, the date the resolution of independence
was approved in a closed session of Congress.
Historians have long disputed whether Congress actually signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, even though Thomas Jefferson, John Adams,
and Benjamin all later wrote that they had signed it on that day. Most historians
have concluded that the Declaration was signed nearly a month after its adoption, on August 2, 1776, and not on July 4 as is commonly believed.
the monthly newsletter for rivercourt residences
Wellness
Dehydration
sun catchers
Beautiful
were
made by the residents using plastic
pony beads. They designed their own
patterns with the beads in a metal
pan. They were then baked in the
oven until the beads melted, cooled
off, and then they were ready for the
residents to either hang them up or
put them in their windows.
Reflections: Out and About
Bowling at Harvard Lanes
Walter, Joe and Bill had a very close game
up until the second to the last frame, when
Walter got the only spare of the game and
then won!
Summer is upon us! I am sure that many of us
were feeling as if warmer days were not approaching fast enough! One thing that I would like to
point out that is extremely important during
these hot summer days is hydration. Many people do not realize just how important it is to drink
fluids, preferably water to stay ahead of dehydration. This is especially important for our elderly
population because they are more susceptible to
dehydration, which if left untreated can lead to
much more serious complications. A recent University of Chicago Medical Center study found
that 40% of heat-related fatalities in the U.S. were
among people over 65. Dehydration is also one
of the top ten causes of hospitalizations (www.
aplaceformom.com).
Assisted & Independent
Living
Dehydration is caused by several different things;
the first is simply from lack of adequate fluid
intake. Other causes include sweating which we
all too often fail to realize just how much fluid
we lose in the summer months, through sweat.
Some medications such as diuretics or more
commonly called the “water pill” can also cause
dehydration if you are not drinking enough
while taking it. And of course vomiting or diarrhea also account for fluid loss which often can
result in dehydration.
Symptoms of dehydration include dry mouth and
tongue as well as feeling like your saliva is thick.
Headaches, fever, dark or deep urine, cramping
in the arms or legs, weakness or a general feeling of being tired, dizziness, and the inability to
urinate are also some of the common symptoms
of dehydration. With this being said fluid intake
is key! Healthy older adults should aim for 1.5
– 2 liters (6 – 8 glasses) of liquid intake per day.
You should try and avoid beverages such as soda,
tea and coffee as they contain caffeine which acts
as a diuretic causing you to lose more fluid. So
while we are enjoying these
warmer months please
treat yourself to a tall glass
of water and have a great
summer!
–Nicole Young R.N., CDP
The Wellness Clinic is
held every Friday from
10:30–11:30 in the
Fitness Center.
Special Events and Entertainment
at RiverCourt
Massage Therapy.........................................Monday’s 1–4
Manicures/Pedicures/Massage.................3rd & 4th Tuesday from 9–3
Tai-Chi..........................................................Thursday’s at 1:15
George Parker on Classical Guitar...........7/1 at 2:30
Ceramics with Diane..................................7/2 & 7/16 at 10:45
Resident Council........................................7/2 at 1:30
Steve Stains on Piano.................................7/3 at 12:00
Independence Day Celebration
On a beautiful May afternoon some of the Reflections residents went on a van ride to Earl’s Farm in Groton. Earl lives on
Lost Lake in Groton. He kindly lets us visit with his animals,
which include goats, llamas , ducks, and rabbits. We were able
to feed the animals and hold some baby bunnies that were
born this spring.
Bill enjoyed a dance with a turkey name “Dinna.” Earl said he
would never be that!
Tour of America with Marty Sawyer........7/6 at 11:00
While visiting we could hear the classical music he plays daily
for his animals! What a great afternoon.
Art Class with Linda...................................7/9 & 7/23 at 10:45
Earl also has a museum called, Carter Myseum (spelling correct) of Groton History.
Andy Ross on Guitar..................................7/12 at 11:00
Matt McCabe on Piano..............................7/17 at 2:30
Book Club Meeting....................................7/17 at 4:00
Honky Tonk Piano.....................................7/24 at 2:30
Dick Sawyer on Piano................................7/25 at 2:30
Lowell Spinners Game...............................7/29 at 10:00
Birthday Party with Heather Marie..........7/29 at 2:30
Ladies’/Men’s Luncheon.............................TBA
Earl N. Carter
Lone Lane
Groton, MA
617-823-5757
A few of the residents went fishing over the railing at the waterfall. While
they were fishing, there was also a Blue Heron fishing on the other side!
On Thursday, June 12th, we had a cookout for our RA’s.
We wanted to let them know how very much we all appreciate all their hard work and dedication to both residents
and staff. I said to one RA, “I don’t know how you guys
do it!” and she replied,” Stay calm and carry on.” They do,
and we appreciate it so much. We have the BEST RA’s.
Thanks for ALL you do.
We had an ice cream social, and
we were all singing “I scream, you
scream, we all scream for ice cream.”
Who doesn’t remember that when we
were young! And, we were reminiscing about the good old days when a
Brigham’s ice cream cone cost 25¢
and you could ride on the tailgate
of the station wagon while enjoying
your cone. Those were the days.
For the past five years we have been hosting “Casual for
a Cause.” Donations provide funding for the care, support, and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association.
Originally it was just for the month of September. Now it
is a year round fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s
Association. Employees at RiverCourt
Residences are able to purchase a
sticker weekly for $5 and then
“Go Casual” for that Friday by
wearing their favorite jeans!
Around and about
with our RAs
Since starting “year round”
in September of 2013 we
have donated over $900 to the
Alzheimer’s Association in memory of residents and friends that
have passed from this disease. We will
continue to raise money to fight this.
Resident Profile: Joe Broderick
Our father Joe is a man of few words, but a million friends. To this
day, he makes friends easily everywhere he goes. That skill, as well as
his sharp intelligence, made him a great businessman. After serving in
the Army, where he was stationed in the Philippines during WWII, he
became the manager of Palm Grain Company in Lowell, Mass., and
the owner of Bruckmann’s Hardware in Lawrence, Mass., a successful
business which he ran for over 30 years.
Joe’s passions in life are his family, especially his beloved wife Rose, as
well as jazz, poker, and sports. He still loves watching the Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics. He and Rose traveled all
over the world. Among their favorite trips were their visits to Ireland, where they became very close to the Irish
branch of the Broderick family. The only things in life Joe really doesn’t like are snow and vegetables. He hates snow
so much he walked out of the movie Dr. Zhivago because he couldn’t stand to look at Omar Sharif ’s frozen moustache. And he faithfully gave up broccoli and spinach every year for Lent.
Joe put all four of his children through college, helped them get started buying homes and establishing careers, and is
the most generous man we have ever met. His favorite saying, which amuses us all, is ”Make believe you like me.” We
don’t have to make believe, Joe. Your four children, four grandchildren, and your new great granddaughter Charlotte
all love you very much.
—Lorraine Broderick
Lunch at Barber’s Crossing
Blue Heron by the
falls
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 and Trails
61 Lowell Rd.
Townsend Military Band Concerts
Town Common–Thursday evenings
July Birthdays
Jack Freeberg
Bessie Sifakis
Roy Cooke
Rose Gilbert
Linda Larsen
John Testa
Molly Junkala
Betty Pletschke
Robbie Greenbaum
Michael Gust
Isabel Bohne
Laura Waz
Marjorie Shea
July 2
July 2
July 6
July 15
July 15
July 15
July 16
July 17
July 22
July 23
July 27
July 29
July 30
“Life’s a beach, enjoy the waves!”
Fitchburg Art Museum,
free passes available at front desk
978-345-4207
The Natural Market
148 Main St. 978-448-5075
Bliss Bakery
134 Main St. 978-855-7562
Gibbit Hill Grill (American)
61 Lowell Rd. 978-448-2900
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
Susan’s Corner
For many the Fourth of July reminds them of cookouts,
parades and getting together with family. I too have very
fond memories of spending the day with my whole family
to include grandparents, aunts, uncles, and lots of cousins. My Dad was one of five children and they all married
and had lots of children. A good Irish Catholic family.
The day would start off with the parade in our town of
Canton, followed by all my relatives coming to my home
for a cookout, badminton, horseshoes, and croquet. My
uncles and Dad, all four of them would have us all laughing about stories of their childhood. Then we would all
go to another parade in Norwood with fireworks to follow. As I grew older we all went separate directions—in
the military we would have grand celebrations at the Air
Force bases where I was stationed. My immediate family
continued to grow but the parties of my childhood faded
away. Everyone is spread all over the country and they
now have their own celebrations. Today, my husband
and I love to camp and so this year we will be in Mystic,
Connecticut in our trailer enjoying a cookout, a parade, and
watching fireworks. I miss the
“GOOD OLD DAYS” but as time
moves on we make new memories. We are so blessed to live in
this great country, to be Free to
spend this holiday anyway we
wish. Enjoy . . .
Take Me Out to the Ball Game
On Father’s Day a group of us went to see a Lowell Spinners
Game. We had a lot of fun . . . so much fun that we are going
again on July 29th ! We hope you will join us.
Staff Profile: Lee
My name is Leandro (Lee). I am a full time housekeeper here at
RiverCourt. I enjoy being around the residents and having a great
time sharing laughs and stories with them and fellow staff members.
You may find me sometimes on the piano creating music. I feel that
music is the best way to express yourself when words cannot. People
often ask me where I learned to play or if I could play a certain song,
and in truth, I am unable to read
music or play by ear. I also work at
a camp here in Groton where I am
the host for conference groups and
weekend retreats. I have been with
that camp for about 21 years and
I bring my love for working with
people here at RiverCourt. My
main goal in life is to put a smile
on someone’s face each and every
day. Come and hear me play!
Sun Catchers
Catching the Sun