Essie's Novella Autumn Newsletter 2019

Essie Summers Retirement Village • Autumn edition 2019

Children’s Party A beautiful summer’s day for residents and children at our annual party

Meet Hilary

Knit & natter

Men’s Club

Greetings from Rosemary...

Hello and welcome to the autumn edition of Essie’s Novella.

looking forward to spending more time with our wider family.

As the seasons change, it is always nice to look back to remember the days just gone by. Our summer seems to have been a hive of activity, with picnics, barbeques and races to name just a few events. A highlight was an in-house documentary we made about love and romance.

Mel, our Clinical Manager, and I are always happy to help. If you have any need, just pop in and we will gladly be of assistance.

We spoke with couples, singles, residents and staff, and with people across the generations. The message delivered was the same. It was that love rules, that we still hold on to it dearly and will for decades to come.

In the meantime, take care and we look forward to catching up with you soon.

Warm regards,

Rosemary Deane Village Manager Ph: 03 337 2702

We are changing our events and ideas with a view to inviting more family members to join us.

We have many wonderful upcoming events and opportunities to celebrate. So, we’re certainly

A note from Michelle...

It’s been a busy time settling into my new role here.

I have been warmly welcomed by the fantastic staff, gorgeous residents and many of our friends of the village. So, thank you, Essie Summers is already my new home away from home!

My first week we were lucky enough to be entertained by pianist Carl Doy. It was a wonderful concert where he played a selection of well-known songs. There were many smiles and toe tapping.

Carl truly is a talented musician.

Serviced apartment available now!

We also have some wonderful events planned for the coming months so please keep an eye out.

There will be something for everyone.

If you’re interested in Essie Summers we currently have a studio serviced apartment available. If you would like to view this gorgeous home please call me to arrange a time to suit you.

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Michelle Van der Park Sales Advisor Ph: 03 337 6500

Village news

Children’s Party It was a beautiful summer’s day for our annual Children’s Party.

The theme was Neverland and in true Essie-style the village went all out. Pirates flocked to the bubble machine and played on the ‘walk the plank’ while a few Tinker Bells made sure to wave their wands at the crowd and sprinkle their magic.

Clown Adam Allsorts, and his little chihuahua, entertained the children with his antics and was a fan favourite among the residents too. Chef Karen Jenkins and her team made sure that the troops had more than enough to eat and drink with themed cupcakes, donuts and delicious fruit kebabs.

It was a happy, full on day and the kids loved it!

Above: Adam Allsorts entertained everyone with his high jinks.

Right: Activities Coordinator Nemo Arriola with Thea Stoop.

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Long Road Home brings team together Ryman supports veterans’ charity event A memorial service to celebrate the end of The Long Road Home charity trek brought a tear to the eye for many involved in the walk.

The walk was organised to raise awareness for post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI), and was sponsored by Ryman Healthcare.

The early new year trek from St Arnaud along 110km of high-country station roads ended in Hanmer, on January 12, with a memorial service at Soldier’s Block in the South Island township.

Dozens of onlookers gathered at the block to hear accounts from the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Charitable Trust (NZMRT) team that took part in the horse-ride and walk.

They had followed the route taken by soldiers returning from World War 1, 100 years ago, but with the benefit of blue-sky days and a support team.

The event remembered that soldiers returning from WW1 were often left to make their own way home. Many felt abandoned, hopeless and segregated from their fellow Kiwis after witnessing the horrors of war.

The walk was a success and Ryman has signed on to support the trek next year, and the plan is to make it an annual event.

The trust was also in contact with overseas groups, to help spread the idea of supporting those with PTSI. PTSI continues to impact the lives of soldiers that have served in arenas such as Korea, Malaya, Vietnam, Timor and Afghanistan.

“I think 800 people a year are exiting our current armed forces … some of those will definitely be suffering from PTSI,” Mark said.

Organisers Bernard Shapiro, Murray Hill and Mark Appleton, president of the NZMRT, said the group was raising funds for people suffering from PTSI as a result of traumatic events.

The walk was a success and Ryman has signed on to support the trek next year, and the plan is to make it an annual event.

There were wreaths laid at the memorial on behalf of Ryman, a sponsor of the trust and its work.

Above: NZMRT members, Ryan Haigh and Anna Keehan, with their horses.

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Book review

Dust to Gold The compelling story of Bendigo station, home of Shrek.

Written by John Perriam and photographed by Stephen Jaquiery.

This fascinating history of Central Otago’s iconic Bendigo Station is illustrated with stunning photographs of a wild and rugged landscape. It also showcases the farms owners, the Perriam Family as well as stockmen, animals, wildlife and memorable characters including the legendary Shrek, filling the pages with vibrant colour.

Shrek was the woolly hermit merino, whose story captivated the world when he was discovered high in a mountain cave after avoiding muster for six years. Read about his famous discovery and his subsequent travels throughout the country as an ambassador for Cure Kids. Incidentally, all profits from the sale of Dust to Gold will also go to Cure Kids, a worthy charity for sick children.

As you read, you begin to feel part of this resilient family, joining them in their struggles and setbacks as they nurture the land in their care while also promoting their merino breed of sheep from “fleece to fashion”.

I felt their pain as they watched their family’s original farm, brimming with memories and dreams, sink below the waters of Lake Dunstan: the trigger

for the eventual purchase of Bendigo Station.

From droughts, weeds, gorse and rabbits to indifferent bureaucrats and meddling politicians, many battles were fought and not always won.

The Perriam family story is a compelling one.

“For me it was a nostalgic reminder of my roots in the nearby North Otago high country.”

This is a book for rural and urban dwellers alike.

For me it was a nostalgic reminder of my roots in the nearby North Otago high country.

It is also an insight into the lives of those who work with and care for our land and country, a blue print on diversifying and a connection with the past for us all.

John Perriam’s prose is easy and uncluttered, with the pages full of accurately drawn high country characters and the sometimes cruel events impacting on the lives of his family.

Reviewed by Phyllis Thorby Edmund Hillary Retirement Village.

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Melbourne bowls challenge Ryman supports trans-Tasman bowls excursion A group of Charles Upham village lawn bowls enthusiasts have made the most of a trip across the Tasman making friends and enjoying some Ryman hospitality in Melbourne.

The group of bowlers and supporters from the Canterbury-based village took on some of the best from Australia at Melbourne greens located at the Glen Waverley Bowls Club, not too far from where Ryman’s Weary Dunlop and Nellie Melba villages are based.

They won the right to represent Ryman having topped a South Island Ryman village competition held at Charles Upham village in November.

The bowlers Barbara McJarrow, Bruce McCorkindale, Alan Pegley and Frances McDowell plus supporters Trevor McJarrow, Anna Armstrong and Gill Small flew out on Boxing Day and stayed in Australia until New Year’s Day. Ryman is a major sponsor of the Glen Waverley club and bowls carnival.

Alan says the team competed on four of the five days in the open competition.

“The calibre of competition was of a very high standard with many of the locals having represented Victoria and Australia,” Barbara says.

“We won a few and lost more than we won,” Alan adds.

Two days saw temperatures in the mid-30s, with more than 150 players at the club to contend with the sweltering conditions. The thermometer reached 36.4 degrees on the first day.

Between them the group members have been bowling for a considerable number of years and have watched changes in the game including more modern bowls running on a ‘tighter draw’, meaning they don’t have to be played so wide.

Nowadays the events are social, colourful and regularly held at most Ryman villages.

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Gemma wins the Cashin Scholarship Gemma Ballantyne’s year has got off to the best start possible thanks to the 2019 Cashin Scholarship.

Gemma has opted for a pharmacy degree after her first year, which adds another four years at university followed by an internship.

Gemma, 18, will use the scholarship to fund her pharmacy studies at the University of Otago in Dunedin.

Gemma’s looking forward to starting back at university and says the scholarship will be a big help with a busy year of learning ahead.

She was thrilled to get the news.

“I’m thrilled to win and I’m honoured that the Cashin family selected me,” Gemma says.

“I’m thrilled to win and I’m honoured that the Cashin family selected me.”

“It’s awesome to win. It means that it will ease the financial stress this year and allow me to focus on my studies so that I can be the best that I can be.”

Gemma has been part of the Ryman family since 2016, when she was a part-time receptionist at Anthony Wilding Retirement Village in Christchurch.

“I’m really grateful.”

Blair Cashin, Mike Cashin’s son, said the family wished Gemma all the best with her studies.

There were 100 applicants this year, a record for the scholarship.

The Cashin Scholarship

She says she loved the job from the very start.

“I was 16 and it was my first job and I couldn’t have had a better place to work. I loved talking to the residents, they were always interested in what I was studying and it was like having 200 grandparents.”

In 2018 she began her first year at university, studying health sciences at Otago University. She worked at Yvette Williams Retirement Village in Dunedin part-time to support herself.

The Cashin Scholarship was established to honour the memory of former Ryman director Mike Cashin. Mike was a strong believer in the power of education to change lives and was a great advocate for Ryman Healthcare and its staff. The scholarship is designed to provide a helping hand to members of the Ryman family who are taking on tertiary study. Each year the Cashin family help select the winner of the $5,000 grant, which is intended to help with study costs.

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Serviced resident profile

Meet Hilary

I have six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren spread across New Zealand, Australia and England.

As a family, we have Indian, Scottish, English, Māori, Dutch and Samoan heritage and a shared culture.

We are our own little United Nations!

I am currently semi-retired. I am a Christian Minister and remain working in the Anglican Church.

The greater part of my work has been as a chaplain, in industrial settings, including working with the New Zealand Police. I’ve spent the last 15 years as a chaplain at Christchurch Women’s Hospital. Probably the greatest privilege in my working life was to be a community chaplain to the unemployed.

Everyone has a story to tell, everyone should be listened to, and shown respect.

Village life meets my need to be part of a community.

It also gives me privacy and time to spend with my family. It’s the best of both worlds, and I feel very blessed.

Village life is wonderful.

I strongly recommend it.

Hi, my name’s Hilary Barlow and I enjoy living in one of the village’s serviced apartments.

I was born in England, and with my husband and three children moved to New Zealand in 1971.

Now, at the age of 80, Essie Summers is where I want to be.

Singing, music, poetry, reading and laughter are my soul food favourites and there are plenty of opportunities for all of these here.

Village life is wonderful. The staff are amazing, compassionate, caring and patient and we all love getting along. I strongly recommend it.

Village news

Knit & natter Every Monday, come hail or shine, a group of residents gather to do some knitting.

The knit & natter group started some 17 years ago and was initially started by a handful of keen knitters. Hilda Ball is the longest serving member of this group. The group knits jerseys, blankets, fingerless gloves, gloves and scarves.

Most of the ladies knit for charities, hospital babies, residents and an overseas charity – Mission Without Borders. They love this social time together.

Pictured: Some of the knitting is done for special care unit residents.

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Village news

News from our care centre residents

Motorcycle mania

Musical moment

The air was filled with excitement at the Essie Summers parking lot during February.

Harley Davidson motorcycles formed the ‘beating heart’ of the Men’s Club big bike event. The show delivered both a spectacle and entertainment.

It was with enormous pleasure to have Carl Doy, the internationally renowned pianist, to play piano for us on Valentine’s Day. He performed at the care centre for over an hour to special care, hospital and resthome residents.

Pictured: Serviced apartment resident Bob Kirk tries out the Harley Davidson.

Pictured: Carl Doy performs to an appreciative audience.

Staff profile

Introducing Antonette

Hello, my name is Antonette Lucero Asuncion. I’m a registered nurse here at the village.

I love the village with its beautiful atmosphere and gardens and its friendly residents and staff.

I was born, raised and worked as a nurse in the Philippines, where I am the middle child in our family.

I like to put smiles on as many faces as possible.

I moved to Australia and then to the beautiful New Zealand.

While I gained my nursing credentials I worked as a caregiver. The moment I qualified I applied to work at Essie Summers and now here I am! It’s a prayer answered.

I like to put smiles on as many faces as possible.

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Away from work I am married to a supportive and loving husband and we have a daughter who will be 4 years old this year.

When I have the time, which isn’t often, my hobbies are reading, watching movies, playing badminton, travelling and gardening.

Puzzles Word finder • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

A chorus line Aida Amadeus Annie Avenue Q Buddy Cabaret Cats Chicago Deathtrap Dreamgirls Equus Evita Funny girl Gemini Grease Guys and dolls Hairspray

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

S U U Q E G S L L O D D N A S Y U G

Harvey Jersey boys King and I Les miserables Lion king Mame Mamma mia Mary poppins Music man My fair lady Oklahoma Oliver Phantom of the opera Pippin Rent Sleuth The producers The wiz Wicked

M L R E N T A D I A O P P P I N L H

U E S T A C M D Y P K H A L X I R A

S S N S D W Y D D K L A R Z O P H R

I M I R J U F R D I A N T Z G P Z V

C I P E Y S A E U N H T H G A I E E

M S P C I Y I A B G O O T E C P N Y

A E O U A O R M M A M M A M I A I Q

N R P D H B L G O N A O E I H Z L G

C A Y O T Y A I J D P F D N C I S N

W B R R U E D R V I A T N I U W U I

T L A P E S Y L E E M H E K J E R K

G E M E L R R S L T R E L I M H O N

T S B H S E S A E R G O A A N T H O

E V I T A J W R K G G P M U O N C I

Q G S U E D A M A V Q E U N E V A L

D E K C I W Y A R P S R I A H S T T

A K F U N N Y G I R L A U D K J W C

Crossword Across 1. Darwin’s ship, also a breed of dog (6) 5. Arm muscles (6) 10. Whim (7) 11. Endurance (7) 12. Peril (6) 15. Element, C (6) 16. A long time ago (colloq) (4,3) 17. Submerged rock (4) 18. Inheritor (4) 19. Serviceman (7) 20. Scorwch (4) 22. Swift (4) 25. Deeply embarrassed (7) 27. Glum (6) 28. Hold in custody (6) 31. Yearning (7) 32. Manner which a doctor should have (7)

Across: 1. Beagle, 5. Biceps, 10. Impulse, 11. Stamina, 12. Danger, 15. Carbon, 16. Year dot, 17. Reef, 18. Heir, 19. Soldier, 20. Sear, 22. Fast, 25. Ashamed, 27.

Morose, 28. Detain, 31. Longing, 32. Bedside, 33. Gently, 34. Yonder. Down: 2.

Expense, 3. Galley, 4. Even, 5. Best, 6. Cravat, 7. Pliable, 8. Finder, 9. Banner, 13. Remorse, 14. Gradual, 15. Covered, 20. Simple, 21. Arrange, 23. Avarice, 24.

Tanker, 25. Assist, 26. Deaden, 29. Ugly, 30. Obey.

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33. Softly (6) 34. Visible, but distant (6) Down 2. Cost (7) 3. Ship’s kitchen (6) 4. Level (4) 5. Overcome (4) 6. Men’s neckwear (6) 7. Easily bent (7) 8. Discoverer (6) 9. Long flag (6) 13. Deep regret (7) 14. Step by step (7) 15. Overlaid (7) 20. Uncomplicated (6) 21. Organise (7) 23. Greed (7) 24. Bulk liquid carrier (6) 25. Help (6) 26. Muffl ffle (6) 29. Unattractive (4) 30. Comply (4)

Savoury or sweet profiteroles fi Ingredients ¾ cup water 125g butter 1 cup high grade flour

Pinch of salt 4 eggs

Savoury filling 150g middle rindless bacon

Sweet filling 200g fresh or frozen raspberries 3 tbsp icing sugar 2 tbsp lemon juice 200ml double cream 150g white chocolate 50g shelled pistachio

(diced)

500g smoked chicken breast (diced)

125g sour cream 125g mayonnaise ½ cup spring onions

A note from Ryman chef,

Timothy Garlick This makes a delicious finger food as it’s small and easy to eat. It’s always a big hit with everyone and you can change it up and serve it as an entrée or dessert.

This is on the menu at Jane Mander Retirement Village and the residents absolutely love it!

(finely chopped)

Sweet filling

Profiterole method • Preheat oven to 180˚C. • Bring water to the boil in saucepan, add butter and stir until melted. Sift in flour and salt, and mix with a wooden spoon over a low heat until the paste starts to dry out. Allow to cool.

• Place paste in a bowl and beat in eggs, one at a time, mixing really well after each egg is added.

• Place tablespoonfuls of mixture onto a tray lined with baking paper. Bake for 20 minutes. Cool profiteroles on a wire rack.

Savoury filling • Fry the diced bacon and place in a bowl to cool.

Add the diced chicken with the sour cream, mayonnaise and spring onions. Slice the top off the puff, add the filling and put the lid back on top.

• Serve with your favourite chutney.

Put the raspberries, icing sugar and lemon juice into a food processor or mini blender and blitz until smooth. Press through a sieve into a bowl.

• Whip the cream until stiff, then fold in 4tbsp of the raspberry sauce. Spoon the filling into a piping bag and make a hole in each profiterole.

Make sure the profiteroles are cool before piping in the filling.

• Break up the chocolate into a small bowl and melt in the microwave on low for 1½-2 mins.

Leave to cool briefly until slightly thickened.

• Carefully spoon the melted chocolate over each filled profiterole and sprinkle with pistachios.

Leave to set. To serve, drizzle the remaining raspberry sauce over the profiteroles.

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Village news

Valentine’s Day The undoubted highlight of Valentine’s Day was our film on love. It was screened in the village lounge to an appreciative audience, some of whom appeared on screen to everyone’s delight.

This was followed by a screening of Valentine’s Day. The general consensus was the American movie lacked the ‘truth to life’ of the local film.

Residents were also offered the opportunity to be photographed in a romantic setting. The stars of our film and evening included Carol and Stan Coleman and Hilda and Ron Ball, still kissing and laughing after who knows how many years.

Pictured: Serviced apartment residents Hilary Barlow and Rita Stephenson who appeared in the film.

Rosemary Deane Village Manager Ph: 03 337 2702 Call Rosemary for general enquiries, or information about resthome, hospital and dementia care.

Michelle Van der Park Sales Advisor Ph: 03 337 6500 Talk to Michelle for information about townhouses or serviced apartments.

222 Colombo Street, Beckenham

www.essiesummers.co.nz