Aberdeen Heights
NOVEMBER 2019
Gentlemen of Sound bring more than music to Aberdeen Heights
Martin Bergin is a cowboy poet and saddlemaker.
Cowboy poet entertains residents
Cowboy poet and saddlemaker Martin Bergin treated Aberdeen Heights residents to tall tales and dusty poems during a recent visit. “I was very well-received by the residents,” he said.
The Gentlemen of Sound came to perform for the residents. The show included a barbershop quartet and a sing-along. There’s nothing quite like the harmonic tones of a Barbershop Chorus filling the hallways with favorite songs from a by-gone era. When the Gentlemen of Sound visit Aberdeen Heights it’s a community affair—with residents and staff invited to join in and sing along with some of their favorite songs. “What ends up happening is that we’ll sing songs that they know and remember,” said Bill Westbrook, assistant director of the Gentlemen of Sound. “We get them involved in the sing-along and get them singing the songs they recognize.” Westbrook explained that the secret to great Barbershop-style singing is the melodies created by ending notes and accenting strong vowels within the tunes. If the four parts—lead, tenor, baritone and bass—come together SOUND - continued on page 4
The 79-year-old Bergin said he was a “ranch-raised kid” and that he’s been a cowboy all of his life. He’s been a saddlemaker for 68 years, and a rancher and cowboy poet for “50 years or so.” Below is one of Bergin’s poems, titled “Old Time Cowboy.” I’m just an old time cowboy and I ain’t got a lot But I’ll loan ya my last dollar or give you a place to flop I’ll share the coffee give you my makings Half my blankets and half the bacon I’ll surely help ya start a colt or go a chasen them wild cattle But please don’t ask to ride my horse or borrow my old saddle. ◆
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Rabbit Society members introduce residents to the joy of bunnies Residents had the chance to feel all soft and fuzzy when the Missouri House Rabbit Society visited Aberdeen Heights in September and October. While most might not consider rabbits to be good companions, the House Rabbit Society explained that rabbits make great house pets – and have been domesticated for more than 1,500 years. “When most people see a rabbit, they think of a cage with a rabbit sitting inside, or a rabbit in a backyard hutch,” said Marjorie Manahan, outreach coordinator for the society. “In truth, rabbits are social animals and thrive in an indoor environment where they are loved, cared for, and where their minds are stimulated daily.” The organization works to educate the public about these exceptional pets and helps rescue domestic rabbits from kill shelters throughout the United States. “One of our focus areas is to get them from kill shelters,” Manahan said. “They’ve lost the ability to care for themselves. People don’t realize that, and they let them out. They have a high prey instinct, and they’re scared.” As part of the program at Aberdeen Heights, the society brought out
rabbits for the residents to enjoy. Residents learned what the rabbits like to eat, how to house them, and how to teach them to use a litter box. “The residents enjoyed hearing about it,” Manahan said. “It was very good for the residents in extended care they can pet them and really enjoy them. Rabbits have their own personalities. Some are big, some are small, some are like big dogs, and move like lumbering giants. Small are small. They make wonderful pets. They are quiet and you don’t have to The Missouri House Rabbit Society came for walk them.” a visit. The residents enjoyed petting, feeding To learn more and talking to the bunnies. They also enjoyed a about the House presentation about the bunnies and the House Rabbit Society, Rabbit Society. visit https://www. morabbit.org/ ◆
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ABERDEEN HEIGHTS A PMMA COMMUNITY
314-909-6010 ◆ Fax: 913-599-3810 505 Couch Ave. Kirkwood, MO 63122-5536 AberdeenSeniorLiving.com
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | November 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: devans@PMMA.org Rick Cumberland, executive director Lily Landy, health care administrator
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Friends, family and sing-along make resident’s 95th birthday a special event to remember Birthdays are special celebrations— but they become even more memorable when it includes a room full of family and friends and the chance to belt out some favorite tunes.
Rita Napoli’s family travelled to Aberdeen Heights to join staff and residents in honoring Rita’s 95th birthday on August 23. The celebration included a birthday cake and decorations—but also included a piano and the chance for everyone to help sing some of Rita’s favorite songs. Rita’s granddaughter Christina played the piano, while her children, Rita’s greatgrandchildren—Gianna, James, Anthony, Michael, and Mary Rose—sang happy birthday along with residents and staff. Other favorite tunes included “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”, “Home on the Range”, “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah,” and “You Ae My Sunshine.” Other family members at the celebration included: daughter and son-in-law Maria & Mike Altrudo; grandson Michael Altrudo; granddaughter Christina and Jay Heddell and their five children. “We played a bunch of songs the resident recognized,” said Rita’s daughter Maria Altrudo. “So, they all started singing along.” Maria commended the staff at Aberdeen Heights for its work to help make Rita’s birthday such a fun event for the entire community. “The activities director did a great job,” Maria said. “He had the party all set up for us.”
Rita was born in Monaca, Pa., on August 23, 1924. She earned a teaching degree from Duquesne University and taught third grade in the Ambridge Public Schools. Rita married Joseph Anthony Napoli on June 12, 1947. After 66 years of marriage, Joseph died in January 2013. She has seven grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
Rita Napoli with her greatgrandchildren.
Rita moved to independent living at Aberdeen Heights in January 2017. She moved to assisted living in March 2017. “She is still very active,” her daughter Maria said. “She still gets hair done and nails done every week at Aberdeen, and at 95 still enjoys getting out and going to lunch.” ◆
Rita Napoli’s family came to celebrate her birthday and led a sing-along with the residents.
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ABERDEEN HEIGHTS A PMMA COMMUNITY
505 Couch Ave. Kirkwood, MO 63122 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
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as designed, it develops a tone that reaches across the sound spectrum. “The residents say they hear every word,” Westbrook said. “The words are all synchronized together, and the four parts sort of go ‘bing’ and physics means you hear every word. It’s called ‘expanded sound,’ and we’re trying to present a ringing chord, so that each note we sing sounds so cool. That ending chord is something so pleasing to the ear. It’s so moving.” A few standards that are popular with Aberdeen Heights residents include “Zippity Do Dah,” “Caberet,” “Hello Mary Lou,” “Caroline” and “Kentucky Bay.” The
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group also incorporates several Polka and Irish tunes into their sets.’ Aside from the chance to enjoy some great music, there are additional benefits to the Gentlemen of Sound performance. “A lot of memory care units report that the residents are alert after the performance,” Westbrook said. “Music is something a patient doesn’t lose. The music we work on are songs that were written in the 40s, 50s, and 60s.” Research from the Mayo Clinic suggests that musical memories reside in key areas of the brain
COMMUNITY MATTERS | November 2019
untouched by memory diseases such as Alzheimer’s. A performance of familiar songs can touch those musical memories, often with a calming emotional effect. Westbrook said the Barbershop Chorus also sings without music, from memory, so the performers can connect with the residents at Aberdeen Heights. “When you sing without music, you sing from the heart,” Westbrook said. “And your eyes make contact with the residents. We work on getting the story to whoever is listening.” ◆