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FEBRUARY, 2024

Your life, your community, your news

FUN AND GAMES

Andrews of Summerside resident Valerie Waite laughs while playing a game of kerplunk. More photos on page 4.

ABOVE & BEYOND ANDREWS’ LOVEBIRDS

Check out this month's Checkand outBeyond our photo spread Above winner of resident | p. 10 couples! | p. 3

RESIDENT RECIPES GOLDEN GIRLS (OF SOURIS)

This month we feature a decadent butter tart recipe Schoolmates reconnect fromwhile resident Evelyn Rafuse living at Andrews | p. 4-5 | p. 5-6 of Stratford.

PET THERAPY RESIDENT RECIPE

Spending time with animals proven to benefit seniorsa recipe This month we feature and people living with for meat casserole. dementia| |p.p.7-8 6-7

UPDATE FROM ANDREWS Dear family members and friends of Andrews Senior Care, We had a great start to the new year at our homes. Residents enjoyed live music, winter buffets, coffee and hot chocolate socials, movie days, games and social club meetings. This month promises to be just as fun with Islander Day, Valentine’s Day meals and entertainment, plenty of live music as well as arts and crafts opportunities. We hope you all have a wonderful month and a happy Valentine’s Day! Sincerely, Andrews Senior Care

2 Team member Laura MacArthur, an LPN, and resident Anna Doucette share a laugh while walking to lunch at Andrews of Summerside.

Resident Valentine’s

Andrews of Stratford residents David and Martha Ellsworth have been happily married for 61 years.

Andrews of Stratford resident Heartz Godkin recently celebrated 33 years of marriage with his wife Della. Andrews of Summerside residents Fred and Arlene Gallant have been married for 68 years.

Andrews of Parkhill residents Charles and Erma Palmer recently marked 68 years together.

Andrews of Park West residents John and Anne Cameron will celebrate 68 years of marriage in June.

Andrews of Parkhill residents Willy and Elisabeth Thomas have been married 67 years.

Andrews of Stratford residents David and Iris Rogers are celebrating 63 years together.

Andrews of Stratford residents Doug and Fran Cudmore have been married 65 years.

ACTIVE AT ANDREWS

Andrews of Stratford resident Jane Pierce laughs during a game of bingo.

Andrews of Summerside resident Arlene Gallant concentrates while playing kerplunk.

LEFT: Andrews of Charlottetown resident Sister Eileen Doiron smiles during a recent bingo game. RIGHT: Andrews of Stratford resident Wanda Ings enjoys a game of bingo on a recent afternoon.

Andrews of Summerside resident Norma Paynter removes a stick during a game of kerplunk. The goal of the game is to slowly remove all the sticks from the caging while displacing as few balls as possible. The player to pull the stick that drops the last ball or balls loses.

Andrews of Charlottetown volunteer Sheila Neudorf shows resident Pat Smith her prize options after winning a bingo game.

Andrews of Charlottetown resident Betty Jay studies her bingo cards during a recent game.

Andrews of Stratford residents Anne Kells, Camilla MacPhee, Jane Pierce and Jeanette Pirkey all attended school at Saint Mary’s convent in Souris in the 1950s. Now, after decades of living away, they’re back under one roof.

The girls of Saint Mary’s Schoolmates reconnect while living at Andrews of Stratford American author Thomas Wolfe once wrote “you can’t go home again,” and while that may be true in spirit, four Andrews residents have come pretty close. Souris, P.E.I. natives Camilla MacPhee, Jane Pierce, Anne Kells and Jeanette Pirkey recently reconnected after decades living apart. The women, who all attended the Saint Mary Convent in Souris as students in the 1950s, now live down the hall from one another at Andrews of Stratford. RECONNECTING The four have Stratford activity director Sharon Woods-Bryenton to thank for initiating their reunion. “We always introduce new residents at activities and you know Island connections are made very fast,” she said. “Once we hear someone is from Souris or another Island community, we make sure they connect, or in this case reconnect, quickly.” “I’m the only one that got old,” Jane said, laughing. She added after 40 years of living in Boston, being able to sit across from a familiar face and chat about old times has been a positive experience. “It was a big adjustment coming back. It’s good getting reacquainted with people you knew.” Jeanette, who also moved to the U.S. to work after graduating, agreed. “I love to see people that I used to know,” she said. CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 Whenever the four get together, the conversation tends toward memories of their hometown, about how Jane used to walk by Jeanette’s house every day on her way to school or about town characters they all knew. But the topic they devote the most energy to is the old convent. THE SCHOOL The convent, founded in 1881, served as one of the primary schools in the community until the construction of the Souris Regional High School in 1955. “It was the only option we had,” said Anne. “The boys went to Grade 1 until they made their first communion, then off to the public school they went,” said Jane.

The oroginal Saint Mary’s convent was built in 1881 and served as one of the primary schools in the community until 1955. In 1972 it was demolished.

Life at the convent was typical of Catholic-run schools at that time. The hierarchy was rigid by today’s standards and the style of teaching was certainly more stick than carrot. Once, Anne accidentally knocked over an inkwell. As punishment, she was marched down to the mother superior’s office and made to kneel before her and kiss the floor. But the women agree these incidents were rare, at least in their experience. For them, the convent was a place of community and fun and the nuns that ran it were trusted mentors. “I don’t ever remember anybody getting a whack from one of the nuns,” said Jane. “I just thought they were walking saints.” “They were wonderful teachers,” said Camilla. Instead, they recall huddling outside to watch the boarders (children from off-Island who lived and studied at the school) arriving, learning piano and who got to be Queen of the May and place the floral crown on the Blessed Virgin statue during the May Crowning ceremony. PARTING WAYS By 1956 all four women had graduated and, with the exception of Camilla, moved from Souris. Anne went to Montreal and started a nursing career, Jeanette moved to New York and also worked as a nurse while Jane relocated to Boston. It would be decades before they would all live in P.E.I. again. Meanwhile, as rural P.E.I. began to grow and new schools were constructed, the student population at the convent shrank. By the mid-1960s the school no longer housed borders and by 1968 it closed. In 1972 the main building was demolished. “It was one of the worst days of my life,” said Camila. “They came with the big ball and chain. It was awful.” Jane said it was a shock visiting home one summer after the school closed and seeing the nuns around town. “They were all in street clothes,” she said. “It was another world.” A LASTING LEGACY While the building is gone, Saint Mary’s has secured its legacy in other ways. All four have remained devout Catholics and, in Jane’s case, still practice convent etiquette. “To this day I still move over to the side of the hallway,” she said. “We were taught you don’t walk in the middle because you may meet somebody. To this day, I’m the same. If I come out of my room and I’m on the other side, I move over. So many things I think of associate me with the convent” “It’s tradition,” said Anne.

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ANDREWS COOKBOOK MEAT CASSEROLE

In every family there's that one dish that mom or dad makes better than anyone else in the world. Maybe it's dad's chili recipe, or mom's secret to perfect ginger snap cookies. These dishes and desserts become family legend, favourites at holiday parties, birthdays or family dinners. The recipes are often passed down through generations and become a part of a family's story. We wanted to share those stories. Every month we feature a different recipe submitted by one of our residents. This month we feature a simple, but delicious, meat casserole recipe.

Meat casserole

Ingredients ½ lb hamburger or minced steak 3 medium potatoes 1 small onion 1 can of tomato soup Approximately 6 soda crackers (crushed) ¼ cup of grated cheese Salt and pepper to taste

Directions Brown hamburger in a skillet and set aside. Chop onion, potatoes. Layer meat, potatoes and onion in alternating order starting with the meat. Pour tomato soup over the mixture. Cover with crushed crackers and grated cheese. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 40 minutes.

Photos by Nathan Rochford. Prepared by Andrews' culinary team.

ABOVE & BEYOND

January 2024

Every month our team and residents recognize one team member for showing exceptional care

Parkhill

Summerside

Charlottetown

Stratford

Park West

Our Above and Beyond winner for January is Zahra Mubashir. Zahra is a hard-working team member who is patient and kind with our residents. We are fortunate to have her as part of our team. Zahra started working at Andrews of Parkhill as a caregiver six months ago. Prior to joining us, she worked as an RN in Dubai for three years. For her, the most rewarding part of her day is interacting with our residents. “The best thing is taking care of the residents,” she said. In her spare time, Zahra enjoys shopping, travelling and cooking food from her home country of Pakistan.

Our Above and Beyond winner for January is Rachelle Tac-an. Rachelle is a hard-working, dedicated team member. She’s kind and gentle with our residents and always willing to help her fellow team. We are fortunate to have her at Andrews of Summerside. Rachelle started working as a caregiver at Andrews of Park West three years ago. However, having worked as a nurse for six years in her home country of the Philippines, Rachelle was able to write the NCLEX and become an RN. In October 2023 she started working as an RN at Andrews of Summerside. For her, the best part of each day is knowing she’s making a positive difference in the lives of our seniors. “I enjoy talking to the residents and caring for them,” he said. In her spare time, Rachelle enjoys doing diamond art and watching movies.

Our Above and Beyond winner for January is Helen Langer. Helen is a dedicated team member, always willing to help where and when she’s needed. We are fortunate to have her as part of our team at Andrews of Charlottetown.

Our Above and Beyond winner for January is Rachel Marriott. Rachel is a supportive, hardworking team member who always goes above and beyond for her fellow coworkers. We are fortunate to have her as part of our Stratford family. Rachel started working with us as an administrative assistant in 2023. Prior to joining our team, she worked in similar roles in Ontario. Her experience working with us over the past year has been positive. “I enjoy seeing the residents every day,” she said. “I like the atmosphere and the team is good.” Outside of work, Rachel enjoys spending time with family, friends and two dogs as well as exploring P.E.I. beaches.

Our Above and Beyond winner for January is Fatoumata Keita. Fatoumata is a dedicated team member who consistently goes above and beyond for our residents and her team members. We are fortunate to have her as part of our Park West family. Fatoumata first started working as a caregiver with Andrews in 2021. Prior to joining Park West, she studied business administration at the University of Prince Edward Island. For her, the best part of her days is spending time with the residents. “I enjoy interacting with the residents,” she said. “Taking care of people is rewarding.” In her spare time, Fatoumata enjoys relaxing at home, watching YouTube videos and catching up on her rest.

GAMES Sudoku

Community Cash 50/50

The object of the puzzle is to fill the remaining squares, using all the numbers 1–9 exactly once in each row, column, and the nine 3 × 3 subgrids.

Weekly 50/50 draw in support of support not for profit groups including Murphy's Pharmacies Community Centre and the Holland College Athletics Department. Anyone can play for just $2/week.

If you or someone you know is looking for more information, here are some helpful resources.

Community and Nursing Care Decision Guide A comprehensive guide to help you select a community care or nursing home on Prince Edward Island. Some topics covered in this guide: How to navigate the senior care system on PEI (pg 4) How to choose a community care or nursing home home (pg 11) How to have the talk with your loved one (pg 28) Home evaluation checklists (pgs 13 and 24) Selling your home (pg 45)

This resources can be downloaded from the email version of this newsletter or by visiting www.communitycarepei.ca

Do You Have Any Questions? If you have any questions or would like to book a tour please contact our Senior Living Advisor Ph: 902.894.5896 Email: info@andrewsseniorcare.com

100% Happiness Guarantee Should you not be happy for any reason during your first month at Andrews, we will refund your money (private pay amounts only) and help you move back home.