SEM Haven - Monthly Update

Monthly Update, August 2009

EDEN ALTERNATIVE - Eden Principle 5 states: An Elder-centered community imbues daily life with variety and spontaneity by creating an environment in which unexpected and unpredictable interactions and happenings can take place. This is the antidote to boredom. At SEM we are trying to deemphasize the programmed approach to activities and focus more on life on our households. The resident's social life is now the responsibility of our entire household staff, not just the activities professionals. We are seeing a lot more interactions between residents and staff - conversations, listening to music, movement and exercise, taking walks and more. We can have fun and still get the work done!

HOUSEHOLD HAPPENINGS - McCormick Landing - We have been having happy hour once a week that has become a big hit. We had a grill out and enjoyed steaks, hamburger, hot dogs, several side dishes and wonderful desserts. We enjoyed almost out to lunch from White Castle instead of going out due to the rain. We have been doing things spontaneously like going for walks, conversation, cards and sitting on our patio watching plants and wildlife.
Gatch Grove - In July we had almost out to lunch at KFC, a bus ride to Eden Park and Fountain Square, an all American grill-out with home-made apple pies, lunch at the Cheesecake Factory, and a Birthday Party for Bugs Bunny who turned 65 on the 27^th. We also had a baby shower for Amy Jewell - Tim and several residents made a lovely diaper cake. In August we will have banana splits on the 7^th, lunch at Mariemont Inn on the 10^th, grillout on the 17^th, and Happy hour on the 26^th . Family members are always welcome to attend any or all activities.
Milcroft Manor - We are enjoying the fruits from there garden. We are having fresh tomatoes in our salads daily and there are ears on the corn at last. We had almost out to lunch from Skyline and are having a cookout August 12^th. We are also planning a summer ride to the park. Our men take trips monthly to the Old Town Barber Shop.
Ripple Ridgee - We enjoyed lunch at Red Lobster this month. We are having happy hour August 27^th and are planning a lunch outing to IHOP. We will be busy practicing for the Olympics. We will be decorating the household bathrooms to make them more home like. The residents continue to enjoy the garden and all of the activities held on the household.
Kugler Woods - July was a wonderful month of entertainment. We had Ray Heckman with his saxophone for the 4^th of July, and Dave and Jackie McCoy with their banjo to wrap up the month. In between we practiced our Bells and Boomwhackers for the SEM has Talent show. It was a big success and we had a wonderful time. Thank you Marge Hale and Carol Whitaker, our wonderful friends that volunteer, for all your much needed help.
Shumard Rehab - We had our first summer picnic. Staff and residents enjoyed the burgers and hot dogs. The weather was perfect and maintenance man, Harley serenaded us. We cheered on our very own "Latoya" who was one of the line dancers at the Talent show. We are looking forward to eating from the crops outside our dining room windows. Our patience has paid off - the flowers that were started from seed have turned into beautiful baskets of color and the sunflowers are an awesome view. .

STAFF NEWS - Diane Cunningham (Gatch) is thrilled to have her son Larry back in the states after a tour in Iraq. Congratulations to Jessica Edwards, our newest state-tested nurse aide. Congratulations to Dawn Field (Milcroft Manor), Amy Lay (Ripple Ridge), and Tiffany Stahl (Milcroft Manor) on their recent marriages.

DENTIST - He will be here soon to do routine cleanings and check ups soon. Please contact Melody Murray if you need this service.

FACEBOOK - We are developing a Corporate Facebook Page and will need the e-mails for all interested parties so we can send out information or notify you of events at our home. Please send your e-mail address to cpierce@semcommunities.orgg.

RESIDENT OF THE MONTH (by Chaplain Bill):

In Gatch Grove I often run into a charming lady named Virginia Finkler.. She grew up in Pleasant Ridge, OH. Her father worked for the government and her mother was a homemaker. She had two brothers and one sister. Her maiden name was Murphy and, boy, is she Irish! She graduated from Regina High School then studied interior decorating and art. Virginia was married in 1937 to Elmer Finkler who was in the U. S. Army during WWII. While he was away, Virginia taught nursery school in Richmond, Virginia. She has a daughter, Judith, grandchildren, Edward and Sarah, and great grandchildren, John and Paul. Elmer worked for the IRS as an accountant and also owned a furniture store where Virginia worked part-time. She had another job later in life that she really loved - working for the Cincinnati Enquirer as a proof reader for the Obituary Department. Virginia's hobbies include painting portraits and reading (especially about Ireland). She traveled to Ireland 13 times to visit family.

Her favorite music is Irish, Big Band and music from the war years. Her favorite movie was "Gone with the Wind". Her favorite actors were Leslie Howard, Clark Gable and Maureen O'Hara from the movie. Her favorite TV programs were WCET British comedies, and the Charlie Rose talk show. She was a great driver, into her eighties, and her favorite car was an older green Mercedes.

She was a member of Annunciation Catholic Church in Clifton and later Holy Angels on Madison Road. She is very devout and faithful. She comes to chapel whenever she is able and loves "Family Devotions" on Gatch Grove. She loves to sing and pray with the Chaplain or nurse Bobbi and others. Everyone who knows her loves her. A passage that reminds me of Virginia comes from the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:5-9 "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. (6) Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. (7) Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. (8) Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God. (9) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." Yes indeed, that's Virginia!

SOCIAL EVENTS HIGHLIGHTS - Nursing - 13^th - Harkster's singing group.
Kugler Woods (Assisted Living) - Aug. 4^th & 18^th - Piano With Ruth Schaeffer; 11^th - 2:00pm Guitar with Andy and Shrimp Cocktail; 13^th - 2:00 pm Corn on the Cob social; 19^th - 10:30am History with Bill; 20^th - Lunch Outing; 27^th - Picnic Lunch in the Courtyard; 27^th - 2:00pm Singing Trumpet Player Jerry Conrad; 29^th - 10:00 am Donut Social.

SEM HAVEN CARNIVAL - Our annual carnival is August 6 from 1:30 to 3:00. We will have games with prizes, including tiger ring toss, duck pond & floating ball toss. There will be popcorn, cotton candy and snow cones. The carnival will be held in the front parking lot.

SEM HAVEN OLYMPICS - The Olympics will be held the week of August 31^st through Sept. 4^th, 2:00 pm Monday through Thursday and 9:30 am on Friday. Each household is responsible for organizing the events for one day. The mornings will consist of practice on the household & pep rallies. The afternoons will be one group event & one individual event. The opening ceremony will be on Monday; the closing ceremony on Friday.

Have a Great Month!

Barb Wolf, Administrator