Aberdeen Heights — The Glen
JULY 2019
The Glen celebrates Skilled Nursing Week
Art is Ageless® reception
The Annual Art is Ageless® event was celebrated throughout the Aberdeen Heights community on April 30 with a cocktail reception from 4-6 p.m. Residents, guests and community members were invited.
Having a good time with old friends, Connie and Frank Josse and Dot Ebeling. Located behind them are Connie’s painted porcelain collectibles, which she made of St. Louis Landmarks. They were sold to locals and tourists alike, and we are sure they are around the world in glass cases and bookshelves as well.
Beautiful art was created and placed for all to see. The Glen skilled care, memory care, and assisted living participated in this annual event in several ways. By showcasing art that residents have made in the last year, created in their lifetime, or have collected throughout the years, art appreciation was in the air! Especially fun for all to view was this year’s special exhibit, “The 100 Dresses Project.”
As with last year’s 2018 special exhibit, this year’s exhibit was a multigenerational art display involving residents from the ages of 65 to 100 and school children from the age of 2 to 18. The “100 Dresses Project” was inspired by a program last fall by resident Marjorie Weisenfels Greene about women during the Great Depression. In the presentation she shared a wall hanging created of a paper doll cut out and vintage fabric. Taking that image and combining it with the popular children’s book “100 Dresses” by Eleanor Estes created the idea for Aberdeen to invite local students and clubs to work with residents to make 100 dresses. Over the course of four months, students from Robinson, Keysor and Tilman elementary schools, Kirkwood Middle School, Ursuline Academy and various scout and other groups came to Aberdeen Heights to work with residents in both skilled and assisted. -AiA, continued on page 6
National Skilled Nursing Week was held May 12-18. The purpose of National Skilled Nursing Week is for skilled nursing centers to show how they assist seniors and people with disabilities in living their happiest and best lives possible. Whether it’s planting, cooking, reading or listening to music, skilled care centers pay it forward by helping individuals find their own happiness to improve quality of life. Dawn Gonzalez-Rubio, director of nursing, planned many fun and engaging events to be done with residents and staff, as well as several staff recognition events. Residents and staff participated in arts and crafts and were treated to special treats such as Root Beer floats, 1950s style cheeseburger and fry lunch, a Hawaiian grill out, and a popular favorite, Banana Splits, as well as prizes and giveaways! In the midst of that, Glen Administrator Lily Landy found out that it was one of her favorite holidays, National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, so we were all treated to those as well. The week of the events, Dawn’s son Zach was on hand to help staff and residents with activities. The theme this year was “Living Soulfully” and that we did. Themes -Nursing, continued on page 2
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ranging from 1970s karaoke, 1950s Route 66, roaring ’20s, Wild West, and tropical luau kept staff and residents engaged in fun and
meaningful activities to celebrate who we are and the work we do.
that occured during our Skilled Nursing Week.
Check out the photos featured throughout this newsletter to learn more about the fun activities
See your friends and Aberdeen staff have fun and live out the meaning of “living soulfully.” ◆
We got our kicks on Route 66!
Musical duo Memories Times Two put together a great all-Elvis set list for us for their fourth Aberdeen performance. Upon hearing that Joyce Ellis’s son, John Ellis, would be playing for us as part of the duo, Nurse Ryan Brooke expressed his desire to play with John. Ryan, whose second passion to nursing is playing his Gibson guitar, joined in on an Elvis song to the staff and residents delight.
We got our kicks on Route 66! While on our Route 66 & 1950s themed day, we had a hula hoop contest, all Elvis music performance, and pink Cadillac diner-style burger and fries with Root Beer floats for residents and staff.
Hula hoop contest winner Rico Singleton of plant operations and set up must have been practicing his Elvis hip swing as he was the clear winner to our hula hoop contest. Left: Dana Jacobs, MDS coordinator, with her pink Cadillac burger and fries. Right: Residents also helped staff make binoculars for our journey along Route 66. ◆
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ABERDEEN HEIGHTS A PMMA COMMUNITY
314-909-6010 ◆ Fax: 315-909-6011 505 Couch Ave. Kirkwood, MO 63122-5536 AberdeenSeniorLiving.com
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2019
Community Matters
is published monthly for residents and friends of Aberdeen Heights by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organizaton.
To submit or suggest articles: bholohan@PMMA.org Bethany Holohan, life enrichment dir. Rick Cumberland, executive director Lily Landy, health care administrator
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Berlin Wall presentation Katherine Brucker, the daughter of resident Mary Ellen Brucker and the late Eugene Brucker, joined us in October 2018 and gave two wonderful programs on her role as the director of the US Embassy in The Ivory Coast.
In town in late May, Katherine gave another interesting program on her time in Germany during the fall of the Berlin Wall; primarily focusing on the peaceful revolution before the fall. With the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall approaching, we were pleased to have her speak to us. Katherine drew a big crowd and some even
followed her from assisted living to skilled care for her back-to-back presentations. Hilde Messer, originally from Germany, was there along with residents Toni McCoy, Art Weber, Paula Edick and Nancy Varley. Dorothea Bruschke, who moved to the United States in her early 20s, was also in attendance and even wore colors of red and yellow for Germany. She took a few minutes to talk to the group about her own experience living in the divided country, before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall. ◆
Miss Jubilee from the popular St. Louis Group, Miss Jubilee and The Humdingers, performed for residents in skilled care and assisted living in two back to back concerts. Residents wore vintage diamonds and pearls and played guessing and trivia games to mimic speakeasy password entry.
Marjorie Green dazzles in her vintage jewels. ◆
For the last year we have had three students from De Smet High School in St. Louis volunteer for their service and learning project in The Glen. Here we have Alex, John and Matt, with Fred Bird. These young men were a big help and did such great service work. They read to residents, played games, pushed wheelchairs and assisted staff. Resident Services Director Joyce Wilton deserves great praise for mentoring the students, giving them direction and inspiration. Thanks so much! ◆ Aberdeen Heights | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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The Aberdeen Choir, directed by Beth Beattie, put on a great show for us, singing all Broadway hits. The Glen’s own Martha Sweeney’s voice is as pretty as she is! To kick off the day, Aberdeen staff participated in an all 1970s karaoke contest. Everyone went home a winner. Thanks to all who participated.
“Coming out to let the world know” were Rosemary Crowder from dining services and Sharon May, Carole Colich and Kelly Walker from human resources, with Diana Ross!
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2019
Chaplain Julie Berger and Social Services Director Joyce Wilton led us in some Carole King. ◆
‘Wild, Wild West’ activities
If anyone has seen Richard Burr around, let us know. He is on the “most wanted” list!
And of course, we had to go fishing along the winding dirt road our wild west getaway.
In Presbyterian Manor’s ongoing commitment to customer satisfaction, we have partnered with Pinnacle Quality Insight. This company will periodically contact the people we serve via telephone to conduct an interview regarding their impression of our service. We use this feedback as a tool to continually improve our quality of care and enhance our relationships. When you are contacted to participate in the survey, they will always identify themselves specifically as being with Pinnacle Quality Insight. All state and federal confidentiality laws are met in Pinnacle’s service. We greatly value your opinions and encourage you to be frank and honest when contacted.
Thank you in advance for your participation.
Staff members were also treated to banana splits for Western Day and residents and staff heard western music with Charlie. ◆
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We showcased arts and crafts from the collections of Dot Ebeling, Joan Beck and Betty Spence. Don Otto shared with us a special piece from a well-known folk artist Jesse Howard, who has works displayed at The Smithsonian Institute. Also included were: Eugene Bruckers’s photography, Dotty Mill’s pottery, Joan Murphy’s pottery, baskets and wood carvings, needlework by Joyce Ellis, Ellen Umlauf, Faye Prince, Marianne Spiegelhalter, and Janice Hovda Grant, bronze sculptures from Dr. Donald Berhrens, painted Christmas ornaments and decorations from Carol McSweeney, painted miniature porcelains from Connie Josse, paintings from Dr. Richard Kloecker and Richard Burr, Betty Schmitt’s extensive craft collection, Mary Alice Lynch’s children’s book “Puffy the Cloud,” and knitting projects created by Sit and Knit with Cindy, where residents make baby sacks and hats for newborns. Also displayed were works from all of our activities throughout the year and the creative inspirations from David and friends in memory care. The Art is Ageless® cocktail reception was a two-hour event. Harp music was played for the “100 Dress Project” and live painting to music was in our assisted living by Vesna and Aaron. Hors d’oeuvres, spirits, and refreshments were served to residents, staff and guests. After reading about the art show in the local newspaper, “The Kirkwood Webster Groves Times,” the Kirkwood Public Library inquired about displaying “The 100 Dresses Project” at their art gallery -AiA, continued on page 8
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2019
Guests entered The Glen hearing the sounds of Danielle Williams on Harp.
Marjorie Weisenfels Green, the inspiration for the 100 Dresses Project, with her daughter-in-law Sally Weisenfels and niece Kathy, in front of the 100 Dresses Project.
A talented harpist plays.
The beautiful result of painting to two hours of live music.
Marianne Spiegelhalter and her “best son in the world” Tom. Tom and his wife Jean traveled from Chicago for their mom’s showcase. Showcasing over 18 of her beautiful embroideries, which had never been seen by the public before! We were honored to showcase them for our art show.
Vesna Delevska paints to live music by Aaron Burlbaw. Starting with a blank canvas, she starts and finishes her painting while music moves her to choose colors and strokes.
Connie and Frank Josse, tropical love birds, enjoy a little island ambiance on the patio.
Thanks to Zack Gonzalez Rubio for helping with our week of fun! He got some help here from Nelda Richardson and Janice Smith.
At the end of our Living Soulfully Journey, the boat dropped us off at the islands of our assisted living patio! Margaritas, coconut shrimp, lemon bars and pina coladas were served, with steel pan and guitar island music to provide that perfect island feel.
Above: Joyce Duke just moved to Aberdeen Heights from Michigan. In fact, the tropical happy hour was her first day! We told her that is how it works for all residents on their first day. Here she is with her daughter Linda and son-inlaw Buzz, also new to St. Louis. Welcome to all! Left: As a master gardener, we know Jane Noyes appreciates all flowers, but today she really enjoyed something more tropical. â—† Aberdeen Heights | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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ABERDEEN HEIGHTS A PMMA COMMUNITY
505 Couch Ave. Kirkwood, MO 63122 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
OUR Mission:
To provide quality senior services guided by Chri stian values.
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local showcase. The 100 Dresses Project will be displayed Sept. 1 to Oct. 30 at the Kirkwood Library. ◆
Displayed were pictures of the “original” dress in the middle, and pictures of children and residents creating the dresses and the article in local paper.
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2019
Joan Murphy, assisted living resident, and Rick Cumberland, executive director, in front of Joan’s pottery and baskets. The wood carving is named “Rebecca,” also made by Joan. Rebecca has been the official mascot and greeter of Art is Ageless® for four years.