SEM Haven - Monthly Update

Monthly Update, June 2009

EDEN ALTERNATIVE - Eden Principle 4 states: An Elder-centered community creates opportunity to give as well as receive care. This is the antidote to helplessness. People feel helpless when they no longer believe that they have the power to alter their environment and the terms of their existence. Our environment offers many meaningful opportunities to give care. Friendships have been formed and residents help care for their household in many ways from planning activities to selecting menus or helping set the tables.

HOUSEHOLD HAPPENINGS - Kugler Woods - We went to Magianno's and had a great Italian lunch (everyone loved the cheesecake). We have started a "Bells and Boomwhacker band" and plan on performing for the "SEM has Talent" show in July.
Ripple Ridge enjoyed many activities in May - we had two cookouts, a lunch outing in old Milford and happy hour. We hosted Western Day with a fiddler and root beer floats. We continue to do a variety of activities on the household which all staff participate in. The residents have been busy this month planting flowers and a large vegetable garden. We are planning a family picnic in June.
McCormick Landing - We have been enjoying the beautiful weather and flowers that May brings. In addition to our rose bushes in bloom, we added flower boxes on the patio. They are built at the right height so that our residents can add their tender loving care.
Shumard Rehab - Many of our patients enjoy some social time during their rehab stay. We had "Almost Out To Lunch" with LaRosa's, a cook out & a "slumber party" with popcorn and a movie. Marie Long helped to plant the hanging baskets outside the patient rooms & is proud to show them to visitors. We plan to do more planting and always have games & outdoor socialization.
Milcroft Manor - We have signs of corn popping up in our garden! We have also planted tomatoes, peppers, sage, cilantro, sunflowers, and all kinds of flowers. We are planning lots of patio parties for this summer. We will be going on a spring ride and out for lunch at the Old Spaghetti Factory. We will be having a PJ Party with s'mores and a Doris Day Movie, "The Pajama Game". Reminder to families - please ring the doorbell to enter our household; the code can only be given to staff members for security reasons.
Gatch Grove - May was another exciting month for the Gatch Grove family. Our lunch outing was to Milford Frisch's and the Red Hat Society ladies went to Aglamesis' in Oakley for ice cream. We have planned a fun filled June with an outing to Ault Park, lunch at Pompilio's, and grilling on the household. Our family, resident, staff dinner is scheduled for June 25^th. We are getting our cookbook ready for sale by the end of the month.

We wish to thank Milford Garden Center on Lila Avenue for their donation of bedding plants and vegetables. Even better was their invitation to have residents come to the store to personally make selections for their individual "households". Many chose flowers they remember growing such as petunias, begonias, marigolds (to keep the rabbits away), cockscomb, dusty millers and Big Boy tomatoes. One resident selected dianthus because it will come back next year and spread nicely. Many of the plants will go into new raised flower beds that can be reached from wheelchairs. The residents reminisced and shared their knowledge of gardening.

FRONTIER'S DAY PARADE - Once again SEM Haven resident's, staff and volunteers participated in Milford's annual parade. The theme this year was Believe in Magic. Our float was The Little Engine That Could. Thanks to Michele McFarland for her design and construction - it was wonderful! It's always interesting to note how many of the onlookers know our residents and staff!

MENUS - Our Spring/Summer menus have been well received so far with a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. We have incorporated many requests from our residents. Please continue to give us feedback as we try new recipes so we can make necessary changes.

STAFF NEWS - We are very proud of Eric Tometich, Brittany King and Rebecca Liming who recently graduated from high school. Congratulations to first time grandma, Vivian Hamilton. Emmett Michael Braatz was born June 2 and weighed 6lb, 4oz.

NURSING ASSISTANT MONTH - June has been designated as the month to recognize our nursing assistants. At SEM we have 69 Nursing Assistants whom we will honor with a special catered luncheon and a gift on June 9. I'm sure they would appreciate any kind words or notes from others who see what a wonderful service they provide to our residents.

FEATURED RESIDENT by Bill Oehler, Chaplain

This month Chaplain Bill writes about Mary Schutte, born August 20, 1925 in Peoria, Illinois. Her father was a salesman for "Caterpillar" earth moving equipment and the family moved a lot. During WWII Mary was a USO volunteer and dance partner. Later, at the Seymour Bowling Alley in Cincinnati, a fellow named Jerry Schutte asked her for a date. She informed him that she only dated Catholic boys. Fortunately, he had a rosary in his pocket so a relationship was started. They were married two years later on August 14, 1948. Jerry was a U.S. Army communicator on Guam during WWII. The family had a dry cleaning business. They had 7 children: Michael, Anna Marie, Eleanor, Tina, David, Tim and Tom. Mary has 14 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

This busy lady did manage to have hobbies. She loved to read. She kept a pristine home. She was an expert card player, especially bridge, and still plays bridge here at SEM. She was a great cook and baker; the family always had desserts and home made bread. Mary was a professional seamstress. She made almost all of the children's clothes, even ties, and made the whole family matching night shirts. She did alterations for the family business and also for other dry cleaners. One niece had her make her bridal gown and all the bridal party dresses (she made prototypes out of sheets). Mary worked until 1998. Tom and Tina are now partners in the family business. Mary played the piano beautifully and took lessons to help other family members. Songs from the 40's era such as "Satin Doll" and "Sentimental Journey" were her favorites.

They joined St. Andrews Church in 1955. Jerry was in the choir and Mary was the hostess for choir parties. She was in the "Rosary Altar Society" and still helps make rosaries at SEM. She volunteered in the cafeteria and as a teacher's aide. For all Mary did, she always hitched a ride. The first time she tried to drive, the car went through her brother's garage door. That was the last time! My passage for Mary is Matthew 9: Then, He said to His disciples, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; (38) so ask the Master of the harvest to send out laborers for the harvest". Mary has been a laborer and an answer to that prayer all her life.

SOCIAL EVENTS HIGHLIGHTS – Julie Clifford, a retired Music teacher, will sing & play the Piano on June 17^th. We will have a men's Cookout June 18th, Father's day celebration June 21^st, and a Cornhole tournament on June 24^th. Assisted Living Highlights are: June 4, 19, 25^th – 2:00 Bells and Boomwhacker practice; 2, 16, 20^th – 2:00 sing along with Ruth Schaeffer; 9^th – 7:00 pm Songs for Seniors with Mike Pendell; 18^th – Lunch Outing to Montgomery Inn on the River; 25^th – 12:00 picnic in the courtyard.
We would like to sincerely thank the students from Mariemont and Clermont Northeastern High Schools who joined us for our Senior/Senior Prom. It was very well attended and there was plenty of dancing. Congratulations to our king, Mel Chifari, and our queen, Estelle Phillips.

Barb Wolf,
Administrator