Stoddart Sparks Margaret Stoddart Retirement Village
Summer edition 2018
Winter magic A Cinderella Pantomime warmed the hearts of residents this winter
Meet Janice
Weka Pass trip
International Month
Greetings from Merrin... Hello and welcome to the summer edition of Stoddart Sparks. It has been over a year since I left Southland and drove up north to Canterbury. How time has flown by! My fondest memory this year was when the Highlanders played the Crusaders and I showed up in blue, maroon and gold. The tide of red-and-black dressed residents certainly enjoyed the outcome of that game! Our village is small but has a big heart, and I greatly enjoy the banter and support of our residents, staff and relatives. We have a major focus on being kind to each other, and I certainly hope that any visitor to our village can see that in our interactions.
We have had a busy few months at the village celebrating Father’s Day, Wellness Month and International Month. Residents were also delighted with a Cinderella Pantomime performed by our independent residents – they were spectacular. There are many events coming up in the lead up to Christmas, so please have a look at your activities calendars. As always, my door is open if you have any queries. Kind regards, g
i Jack k Merrin Village Manager
Meet Zac Recently we welcomed Zac Johns to the village to speak about life at the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Zac is active in the musical world and has conducted the Auckland season of Sister Act, Evita and Mama Mia!, among others. It was fantastic to hear him speak about the NZSO’s current repertoire. Susie
Merrin Jack Village Manager Ph: 03 348 4955 Call Merrin for general enquiries, or information about resthome care.
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Susie Cowles Sales Advisor Ph: 03 337 6500 Talk to Susie for more information about independent townhouses or serviced apartments.
A winter pantomime A traditional folk-story warmed the hearts of residents, staff and guests at Margaret Stoddart’s winter pantomime. The Margaret Stoddart Players (residents Janet Emeleus, Audrey Burton, John Emeleus, Veronica Shepherd, Caroline Curry, Murray Drury, Annette Chapman, and Activities Coordinator Ariana Harper) were back by popular demand and delivered a fantastic rendition of the classic Cinderella. With the success of last year’s Romeo & Juliet, expectations were high for the new play. The Players did not disappoint – with outstanding costumes sourced from op-shops and the cast’s personal wardrobes, a hand-painted backdrop and a fantastic wheelchair carriage, the Players delivered a pantomime worthy of an Oscar. The cast did a wonderful job and we can’t wait to see their next play. Above: A happy ending for the lovely Cinderella. Right: Resident Annette Chapman was fantastic as the stoic footman.
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RYMAN E H T
H E A LT H C A R E S E A S O
If you notice the Christmas decorations going up a bit earlier in our villages this year, it’s to celebrate our partnership with the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s season of The Nutcracker. We know our residents will enjoy being immersed in the whimsical story of the Nutcracker as our villages are transformed – think sugar plum fairies, gingerbread houses and toy soldiers. There will be a range of activities on offer – from appreciating Tchaikovsky’s beautiful
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musical score, to having a go at making themed-decorations for display. The ballet will be touring throughout New Zealand, opening in Wellington on 31 October, and finishing in Auckland on 15 December.
Want to see a show near you? Contact your village reception for exclusive Ryman discounts on tickets!
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Ryman chefs take top prize At the recent New Zealand Hospitality Awards, our in-house Chefs; Steve Iraia and Paul Korunic, took the top two prizes.
also pleased to go one better than last year. “We’ve got the two top positions in the country, which is a brilliant result.’’
Steve has been the chef at Princess Alexandra village in Napier for 10 years. He was named the winner in the senior lifestyle section.
Steve and Paul had 75 minutes to cook meals for eight people consisting of four hoki loin dishes and four dishes featuring beef cheeks.
Steve came second in last year’s competition.
Ryman Hotel Services Manager Andrew Gibson said he was proud of the chefs, as the dishes they prepared had to be practical and suitable for Ryman menus.
“I’m absolutely ecstatic, it was a bit like taking care of some unfinished business.”
Village chefs serve up more than 10,000 meals a day to our residents. Chefs prepare the food fresh on-site, with three main course choices, including a vegetarian option.
Both Steve and Paul’s classic recipes feature in Ryman Delicious menus. Paul, Chef at Anthony Wilding village in Christchurch for the last four years, was
myRyman rollout crosses the finishing line Our myRyman electronic care system has been rolled out to all our villages in New Zealand. myRyman is a robust electronic care system located in each resident’s room. It allows nurses and care assistants to view the full care profile of each resident at the touch of a button. Information is recorded in real time, dramatically reducing paperwork. In 2015, Chief Operations Office Barbara ReynenRose went looking for an electronic care
system but couldn’t find one she liked, so Ryman decided to build its own version.
“It makes us excited about what’s possible, and where we can take it next.” Chief Executive Gordon MacLeod said the project would keep Ryman Healthcare at the forefront of aged care. “What we have achieved is very, very rare. To take a concept that involved a complete change in how people work and make it into a system that is operable 24/7 in a care operation is incredible. “It makes us excited about what’s possible, and where we can take it next.’’
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Resident Profile
Meet Janice
I started working with the Canterbury Laundry Services and worked there for 48 years. I was with my partner, Peter, for 20 years, whom I loved for his bright spirit, kind nature, and for being a wonderful friend. We travelled to visit his family in Australia and the UK, building many fine memories together. But, unfortunately, Peter passed away a couple of years ago. Our favourite pastimes included going to the Cashmere Working Men’s Club for entertainment and socialising with friends. We loved Christchurch very much, and in the summer would often go to different parks for picnics, with the Botanical Gardens being my favourite.
The staff, food and activities are brilliant.
Hello, my name is Janice Wisker and in August this year, I moved to the resthome here at Margaret Stoddart. I was born and bred in Christchurch and have lived here all my life. Once I finished school,
I truly like being at Margaret Stoddart. I have really enjoyed meeting the staff and fellow residents. I enjoy good company and have already made some new friends. The staff, food, and activities are brilliant, and this is a very nice home for me. My nieces, Carol and Jacqueline, are the closest family I have, and I am very grateful to them for the support they have given me over the last few years, and for helping me find a new home here.
Weka Pass trip A group of our residents headed to Woodend where we met up with residents from two of our two sister villages; Woodcote and Ngaio Marsh, to embark on a great day out.
views and scenery as we headed through the pass to Waikari, where we stopped for a picnic.
We boarded the train at Glenmark Station in Waipara. Residents loved the stunning
Pictured: Residents Joyce Walker, Marie Pomare and Therese Marsh’s niece Babette.
It was a wonderful day spent in great company.
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Midwinter solstice e
International I month
The village went purple for our midwinter solstice celebrations. The resthome and serviced apartment residents enjoyed a gourmet lunch with fantastic entertainment, sing-alongs, dancing and of course a bubbly to toast the middle of winter.
For International Month we invited resident Marika Kerdemelidis’ family to the village to teach residents Greek dancing. It was a full house for the spectacular mediterranean evening with the music performed by Costa and Theo Kerdemelidis.
Pictured: Resident Marg King with Activities Coordinator Ariana Harper and Senior Carer Anita Chapman.
Pictured: The Kerdemelidis family entertained everyone with fantastic music.
Staff Profile
Introducing Grant
Hello, my name is Grant Eggers. I am the head gardener for Margaret Stoddart. I recently joined the team and I am enjoying learning and settling into the new role. I have found the staff to be very helpful and wonderful to work with, which makes for a very happy work environment.
I am always on board in embracing a new environment and learning new things.
My background is in horticulture, having grown up on a family hops and tobacco farm in the Moutere Valley in
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Nelson. I sold the farm many years ago, and I am now enjoying living in Christchurch with my wife Helen and daughter Sophie. We have two cats; Maple and Sammy Pepys. When I am not working I enjoy listening to music, photography, sailing and walking in the hills. I am looking forward to getting to know everybody in the village and helping to make Margaret Stoddart a peaceful and beautiful place to live.
Antarctic Centre During August several of our townhouse residents visited the International Antarctic Centre.
Upcoming events October
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Neurological Foundation presentation
Melbourne Cup celebrations
The highlight was the penguin feeding! They also have a room inside that simulates the temperatures of the Antarctic – so much so you feel that you are in the middle of a snow storm!
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After a fun few hours our residents relaxed with a delicious afternoon tea.
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Diabetes Society talk
Christmas dinner
The centre is a fun and interactive adventure where our residents experienced a taste of Antarctica. There is so much to do that the hours passed by quickly.
Above: Activities coordinator Ariana Harper crawls through the igloo. Inset: Resident Therese Marsh and her niece Babette enjoyed the day.
23 Bartlett Street, Riccarton, Christchurch
www.margaretstoddart.co.nz