Autumn Glen September 2021

3715 Coon Rapids Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433 763-772-4492 | autumnglenseniorliving.com

at Autumn Glen Senior Living S E PT E M B E R 2 02 1

TEAM Director of Nursing Kelley Deen Director of Sales & Marketing Cynthia Frances Life Enrichment Director Jessica Derx Culinary Director Craig Chernosky Business Office Manager Julie Morin Maintenance Director Bill Schmidt Memory Care Life Enrichment Coordinator Katie Olson Staffing Coordinator Heather Zander Resident Care Coordinator Vanie Heu Front Desk Receptionist Megan Spaulding Van Driver Pete Kist

IN LOVING MEMORY We remember our dear friends who have passed in the last month: •

Jim B.

NEW RESIDENTS We would like to welcome our newest residents!

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Liz S. Clara O.

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Mary Ann W.

BIRTHDAYS We want to wish the following residents a very happy birthday: • • • • • •

Margaret G. - 1st Vicki M. - 2nd Mary B. - 4th Rita B. - 13th Ron J. - 16th Deloris T. - 22nd

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Evelyn K. - 26th Donna M. - 26th Marian D. - 28th Jane M. - 28th Sharon L. - 29th

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YOU NEVER KNOW…WHAT YOU MIGHT LOSE OR WIN IN A POKER GAME!

SEPTEMBER LIFE ENRICHMENT HIGHLIGHTS

By Gary Solomonson

As we welcome September, we realize how fast summer has flown by. As autumn approaches there is a lot to look forward to. Please take a look at the calendar for our upcoming activities.

Save the date for the following special events!

In the mid 1970s, I was invited to play poker with a new acquaintance by the name of John B. Goodman.

A mutual friend, Ronnie Fingerhut, introduced us and thought we’d enjoy learning about each other’s businesses.

John was following in his father’s (Sidney Goodman) footsteps by getting involved in property management and development. I had a small market research company that focused on multifamily apartments and senior housing. Wednesday night poker stakes for the seven of us were modest nickel, dime and quarter games. No one ever lost or won much; however, each week someone usually won ‘big,’ and generally lost it the next!

In 1978, John asked me if I would conduct some research and focus groups in Largo, Florida, at one of their multifamily apartment communities. He wanted to explore the possibility of adding senior living communities to the company’s development and management services. In Largo, John and I had a blast meeting with residents and talking about building a unique senior living campus in Largo. In 1983, John persuaded me to sell my research firm and come to work for him. Since 1978, I’ve continued working for The Goodman Group off and on between several retirements!

As a result of that Wednesday night poker game, I eventually became the Big Winner. I lost more quarters than I ever won, but becoming part of John’s dream opened up an unbelievable future for my passion to work with seniors. He offered a canvas that allowed maximum creativity and innovation. I continue to enjoy working with my colleagues here at Autumn Glen Senior Living and at other properties managed by The Goodman Group. It’s a wonderful development and service company with heart and soul that strives to deliver Platinum Service each and every day.

Gary Solomonson is manager of business development for The Goodman Group. He lives in Two Harbors, Minnesota, with his wife Julie, three sons, three dogs, and six chipmunks.

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New Resident Meet & Greet Social – Saturday, Sept. 4 Church service with FCC of Anoka – Wednesday, Sept. 8 Valiant Veterans® program: 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony – Friday, Sept. 10 Mass and communion with St. Stephen’s Church – Sunday, Sept. 12 Men’s Luncheon – Wednesday, Sept. 15 Sept. Birthday Celebration with live music from Dale (History of Music Show: ‘20s to The Beach Boys) – Thursday, Sept. 16 Autumn celebration & live music from Joe on the accordion – Wednesday, Sept. 22 Ladies Spa Afternoon – Thursday, Sept. 23 Church service with Blessed Hope Baptist Church – Sunday, Sept. 26 Rosary and communion with St. Stephen’s Church – Monday, Sept. 27 Virtual Travel Day – Wednesday, Sept. 29 Book Club – Thursday, Sept. 30

In September we also have National Assisted Living Week from Monday, Sept. 13 through Friday, Sept. 17. Please be on the lookout for more information on special activities and events this week. This year’s theme is Compassion, Community, and Caring—all things we will be celebrating and highlighting throughout the week!

RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT: MICHAEL S.

CANINE CORNER: STEVIE

Michael S. was born on Feb. 8 in Oahu, Hawaii. Michael lived in several different states throughout his childhood but eventually moved to Minnesota in 1957 at the age of 14. Michael’s father passed away just days after he was born, resulting in him being raised mostly by his mother. Michael’s mother eventually remarried and Michael grew up with other siblings.

Meet Stevie! She is a 10-year-old beagle and pug mix, also known as a puggle. My mom ran a local animal shelter for 20 years and that is how Stevie joined our family. She was rescued from a high-kill shelter in Ohio.

As Michael looks back through the years, three major accomplishments come to mind. His time spent in the Army; raising two loving, caring and successful children; and having a successful career in building maintenance.

Stevie was 12 weeks old when we adopted her.

She was a mischievous puppy. She liked to dig holes and crawl under the privacy fence. I don’t know how many times I had to take the car and go around the neighborhood calling her and asking people if they had seen her. Luckily, she was never gone very long before I realized she wasn’t in the yard.

Michael was drafted into the Army in 1964. During this time, Michael was serving in Germany. He was initially going to be trained in infantry but his actual duties were working in supply, mail clerk, and was the captain’s jeep driver. Michael also drove the truck to resupply the fuel for the generators.

As a result, he was responsible for the fuel truck and became very skilled at keeping it clean and in great shape, as much as is possible for that type of Army vehicle. Michael took great pride in his vehicle and cleaned it up, painted the wheels, and painted white pinstripes around the wheels. He paid attention to every detail. One of the best compliments he got was when his sergeant said, “That’s the cleanest, best looking fuel truck I’ve ever seen.”

One time we were out looking for her and my daughter got a call on her cell phone from the Coon Rapids Police Department. They said they had found her on 119th down by the railroad tracks. My daughter, who was 16 at the time, said, “I’ve never been brought home by the cops, but our dog has!” After that adventure we had to bury chicken wire all around the fencing in our yard to keep her from escaping.

She still digs but now she can’t get out.

When Michael’s time in the army came to an end in 1966, he was ranked E-4 Specialist, which is very rare for someone to achieve after only two years in the Army. This was a huge accomplishment for him.

She is still very active for an old lady. She loves to chase squirrels and bunnies out of our yard. We have a sound barrier hill in the back of our yard, and she likes to sit up there and watch for people who are walking on the other side of the fence and bark at them. We call it “guarding the hill.”

Michael has two children, Emily and Gary. They were both born on April 4, just one year apart. Emily currently works in accounting and Gary is an electrician working in project management, both very skilled in their fields.

Both of Michael’s children took on his traits of being very logical, precise, and paying close attention to detail. Gary was also in the military and was given special credit for his exceptionally clean guns, many of which set the standards for his peers.

Michael started his career in building maintenance with Kolstad Company as building maintenance manager for 11 years. After working there, he got a job working as the maintenance manager for the City of Brooklyn Center where he worked for 30 years. Michael was in charge of maintaining the building and grounds of multiple buildings and the civic center pool.

Michael loved his job and retired in 2013.

Michael first came to Autumn Glen Senior Living in April 2019. He needed to recover from a spinal injury he suffered which resulted in him needing to use a wheelchair. Michael was at Autumn Glen a little over three months, and then returned home after making his home wheelchair accessible. As time went on and his living situation changed, Michael and his children decided it would be best for him to sell his home. He immediately thought of Autumn Glen and his daughter began working with Cynthia, the director of sales & marketing, to move back to Autumn Glen.

Michael quickly became active in the Autumn Glen community and reconnected with friends that he had met in April of 2019. Michael said he feels like all the team members are very caring and supportive of him, which he really appreciates, and is one reason why he chose Autumn Glen.

He also appreciates the opportunities to be social and is more involved with others than he would be if he lived at home alone. Michael is a helpful neighbor to all, is very social, and loves to joke with others.

She loves to sing. Her favorite song is “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” As soon as she hears it, she immediately starts to howl. She also sings along to “Happy Birthday” at every birthday party. She is so very sweet and loves to cuddle up and give me hugs when it’s time for bed.

She has given me so much joy and love in the last 10 years and I am hoping for many more.

Heather Zander Staffing Coordinator

FOND MEMORIES OF THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR

TEAM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: MAEGAN S.

Soon the hot and muggy days of August will launch another State Fair. I can still hear Pat Boone singing the song in the 1962 version of “State Fair.” Remembering the cast of Bobby Darin, Ann-Margret, Tom Ewell, Pamela Tiffin and Alice Faye, I still fondly recall one of my first high school dates when we went to see that movie. For the first hour I pondered holding her hand, but chickened out.

Meet Maegan S., one of Autumn Glen Senior Living’s CNAs! Maegan has been an important part of the team at Autumn Glen and has brought a lot of love and compassion to our residents.

However, the next year we went to the Minnesota State Fair and held hands the entire time! During our boat ride through Ye Old Mill, in the boat nearest us, I remember one lady saying to her husband, “Oh look honey, wouldn’t it be nice to be in love again?” Poor guy, I wondered what he was thinking?

Certified nursing assistants play a huge role in the care of our residents, and they are an invaluable part of our community.

My fondest memories of the State Fair were during my grade school years in the 1950s. Our family would make the trek from a small southwestern farming community to see the wonders of this magnificent and colorful event.

CNAs directly care for our residents daily and often get to spend the most consistent time with our residents. They develop special bonds, and our residents rely on their care so much.

Upon arrival at the fairgrounds, my mom was always in a hurry to visit the 4-H and Home Activities buildings. My dad would have none of that and handed my little brother and sister off to mom, dragging me along to Machinery Hill, Agriculture and Horticulture buildings, and the WCCO Radio booth, where he spent too much time with old friends.

How long have you worked at Autumn Glen?

As a kid, it was my plight to constantly whine about having to spend the first hours going with mom and dad to see “old people stuff,” as I could hardly wait to hit the Midway! For months, I had saved my paper dollars and coins from mowing lawns and pulling weeds in the bean fields. All my money was organized in my OshKosh overall jean pockets for quick retrieval.

Two years.

What made you want to become a CNA? I’m currently in school to become a nurse (attending school at Marian University in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin), so this was my first step to become a nurse, and it gives me a lot of hands-on experience.

What’s your favorite thing about Autumn Glen?

I love all the residents. It’s so fun to get to know each one of them and learn about their life. Also, being able to see them every day and building relationships with them.

Outside of work, what do you like to do for fun?

Following lunch at the Lutheran church kitchen, I was ready to seize the moment as we headed for the Midway!

I like to play sports. I play hockey and softball. I also like spending time with my friends, boyfriend and family.

Mom was saddled with the two little ones and spent most of her Midway time on the merry-go-round with them, while dad and I attacked everything from the side shows to the bottle throws, ring tosses, and bb-gun duck shoots.

I was a sucker for every carnie barker, always pleading with dad saying, “But he said…” It was one of the very few times my whining overruled his logic about throwing my money away.

What would you do if you won one million dollars?

With my money gone and in debt to my dad once again trying to win the ring toss, we finished the day high above St. Paul on the Ferris wheel.

I remember thinking that next year I’d bring more money to finally figure out the secrets so I could win more prizes at the ring toss and bottle throw!

Gary Solomonson Manager of Business Development The Goodman Group

First, I’d pay off all my student loans, then I’d buy a car and a house. After that, I’d take a long vacation in Europe.

What’s your favorite color?

Teal, but like a blue-ish teal.

What’s your favorite food?

I love tacos!

Do you have any pets?

I have one dog named Lily. She is a Yorkie-Maltese mix. I love her so much!

Maegan is heading back to college this fall to continue working on her nursing degree. We will miss you, Maegan! Best of luck on this next year of school. We all know you’ll be an amazing nurse one day very soon!