McHarrie LifeTimes Fall-Winter 2022

Dear Friends, A

s we approach the winter season, it is important to remain vigilant in protecting the health and well-being of our residents, staff members, and each other.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to follow the guidelines of our public health agencies to keep everyone safe and healthy.

McHarrie

Independent

McHarrie Place Health & Rehabilitation Center McHarrie Foundation McHarrie Towne Independent Living

McHarrie Place Health & Rehabilitation Center

Just a reminder, before visiting our campus, please monitor your health and any symptoms you may have.

NYSDOH still requires that ALL visitors MUST present a negative test result prior to visitation. All visitors must complete a health screen and staff will monitor to ensure safety guidelines are being followed.

McHarrie Life Foundation

With your support, we continue to provide a safe and healthy home for our residents and staff. Thank you for all that you do to help us achieve this goal.

As we reflect on our year, we’re thankful you’ve been a part of it. You inspire us to think a little harder, laugh a little louder and smile every chance we get. We hope you have a happy holiday season filled with joy, happiness, and peace.

Admissions: 315-638-2521

Together, as ever, as one.

Mark Murphy, CEO

McHarrie Pointe Assisted Living Residence

Admissions: 315-638-2525

Sage Court

Memory Care @ McHarrie Pointe Admissions: 315-638-2525

McHarrie

Towne Independent Living

Admissions: 315-638-1172

To request information about our programs, please call 315-638-2521 or visit our website at www.mcharrielife.org.

McHarrie Place Health & Rehabilitation Center

LifeTimes is a publication of McHarrie Life Senior Community 7740 Meigs Road Baldwinsville, New York 13027 315-638-2521

LifeTimes Editor: Kelly O’Neill-Rossi Director, Development & Marketing

McHarrie Life Foundation

McHarrie Assisted Residence

If you would like to add/remove your mailing address information, please email krossi@mcharrielife.org.

McHarrie Life Senior Community is a not-for-profit organization that offers a continuum of healthcare programs and services for older adults including; independent living at McHarrie Towne, assisted living and memory care at McHarrie Pointe, and short-term rehabilitation and skilled nursing care at McHarrie Place. All programs and services are conveniently located at 7740 Meigs Road in Baldwinsville, New York.

Q & A

for your health

Q:

My mother and father currently live in their own home, but my mother requires more assistance with bathing and grooming. My father wants to remain at home for as long as possible, but he cannot assist her with the care that she needs. We have tried hiring help, but we are finding that it’s not reliable. How can we help my parents realize that now is an excellent time to evaluate different housing options that can alleviate some of the burdens of my mother’s care needs while still living as independently as possible?

Q:I am in the hospital recovering from surgery. I would like to come to Syracuse Home for my short-term rehabilitation, but the hospital discharge planner recommends their affiliated rehabilitation program. Can I choose Syracuse Home?

A:Yes, it is always your choice where you want to go for short-term rehabilitation. We have successfully helped thousands of people get well and return home after surgery, illness, or accident. Please contact our Admissions Department at 315-638-2521 to learn more about our program.

—Karen Carson, L.P.N., Admissions Coordinator

A:While this conversation is difficult to have with your parents, it’s an important one. Making them part of the solution is important. To start, create a list of local facilities, choose the ones they would like to tour, and schedule times that work best for both. Find a facility that will allow them to have a meal in the dining room or even participate in an activity. It will enable your parents to get the whole experience. People need to feel connected to their environment and those around them. Having the ability to choose the facility makes for a smoother transition. Your parents will be much happier and agreeable with their decision if the choice was their own. To learn more about options for assisted living at McHarrie Pointe, please call us at 315-638-2525.

—Maggie Reap, Director of Residential Services, McHarrie Pointe Assisted Living

am available

A:Our volunteers are welcome to choose the days and activities that work best for them. We have an array of special events, projects, musical performances, and outings scheduled throughout the year (including holidays), so there are plenty of opportunities available, and no minimum hourly requirement. Call 1-303-1134 to sign up today.

—Jessica Lynch, Volunteer Coordinator

A:Same-day laundry service is provided free-of-charge seven days a week for our short-term rehabilitation and long-term care residents.

—Deb Rivette, Director of Housekeeping/ Laundry, Syracuse Home

Q:I work part-time but would like to volunteer at Syracuse Home. I

to volunteer on Fridays and Sundays. Can you use my help on those days? Do you have a minimum hourly requirement for volunteers?

Q:My mother is coming to Syracuse Home for short-term rehabilitation next week. Is there a fee for laundry service?

Bring a Dish to

If you are in a pinch to find a recipe to make for an upcoming party, you’re in luck! Try one of these easy, hearty potato dishes to “wow” a crowd!

Loaded Baked Potato Casserole for a Crowd

Prep: 40 mins. Total: 2 hr. 20 mins. Servings: 18

INGREDIENTS:

5lb russet potatoes

4 tablespoons butter, softened 1 cup sour cream

¾ cup half-and-half 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper

3cups shredded Cheddar cheese (12 oz) 10 slices bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled 4 green onions, thinly sliced

STEPS:

1. Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 3-quart baking dish with cooking spray.

2. Place potatoes on cookie sheet; prick all over with fork. Bake 1 hour or until tender. Remove potatoes; reduce oven temperature to 350°F.

Let potatoes cool until able to handle, about 15 minutes.

3. Cut potatoes in half and scoop out insides into large bowl. Add softened butter; mash with potato masher until most of the lumps are gone. Stir in sour cream, half-and-half, salt and pepper. Reserve 1 cup of the cheese, 3 tablespoons of the crumbled bacon and 1/4 cup of the sliced green onions for topping. Stir remaining cheese, bacon, and green onions into potatoes.

4. Spoon mixture into baking dish. Sprinkle reserved 1 cup cheese on top. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until top is slightly puffed and starting to brown around edges.

5. Garnish with reserved crumbled bacon and green onions and serve.

Pass

Restaurant-Style Hash Brown Casserole

Prep: 10 mins. Total: 1 hr. 10 mins. Servings: 5

INGREDIENTS: 1 (2 pounds) package frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed 1 (10.75 ounces) can condensed cream of chicken soup 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese ½ cup chopped onion ½ cup butter, softened 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

STEPS:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9x13-inch dish with nonstick cooking spray. Gently mix potatoes, soup, cheese, onion, butter, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Pour into the prepared dish. Bake in the preheated oven until browned, about 1 hour.

Fun Facts about Potatoes

l Potatoes are 80% water.

l The world’s largest potato-producing country is China.

l In 1995, the space shuttle Columbia took potato plants into space. This marked the first time any food was ever grown in space.

l The potato originated in the region of southern Peru where it was first domesticated between 3000 BC and 2000 BC.

l The world’s largest potato weighed in at 18 pounds, 4 ounces. This is enough for more than 70 portions of medium fries at McDonalds. This gigantic potato was found in England in 1795.

l The average American eats 140 pounds of potatoes per year. Germans are among the biggest potato lovers as they eat more than 200 pounds of potatoes per year.

l Potatoes are also used to brew alcoholic beverages such as vodka, potcheen, or

One unskinned potato provides: l More than 40 percent of the recommended daily value of Vitamin C l About half the Vitamin B6 needed for the day l More potassium than a banana l Calories: 265 l Protein: 6 grams l Fat: 0 grams l Carbohydrates: 61 grams l Fiber: 4 grams l Sugar: 5 grams

Maryann Roefaro, MS, FACMPE. In addition to being CEO of Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY, Maryann is a tireless advocate for others and serves on numerous boards and committees

Personal Relationships AND THE VALUE OF TRUST

BY: AUDREY GIBBS, DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY

It is entirely possible that Maryann Roefaro might be one of the most fascinating people one could hope to talk to. With a deep sense of caring and warmth, a sprinkle of humor and an energy that is contagious, Maryann is always pushing herself to do more and be more…for the benefit of others

Maryann’s Introduction to Syracuse Home

“I was a Vice President at Crouse Hospital and worked closely with Sergei Yevich, who was on the board at what was then called Syra cuse Home. Sergei, who had a long volunteer relationship with the Home, was not only an incredible architect but became a very dear friend. One day he said, ‘I want you to be on the Syracuse Home board with me,’ and that was it! I would have done anything for Sergei. I wasn’t even familiar with Syracuse Home when I joined many years ago, but it did not take me long to see that it was one of the absolute best long-term care facilities in CNY. The love of the staff for the mission and resi dents was palpable. I could also see that the leadership and board composition did much

Author of A Human’s Purpose by Millie the Dog

for the success of the organization. I loved my years on the board and am incredibly grateful for that op portunity and the personal and professional growth that followed because of my involvement.”

An Industrious Volunteer

For 22 years Maryann served as a director on various McHarrie Life Boards and committees. During that time, the Caring for Generations Capital Campaign took place, reaching a successful goal of $4 million raised by 2008. The funds helped to build a state-ofthe-art 80-bed skilled nursing wing, and the reno vation project that turned the then existing skilled care units into McHarrie Pointe & Sage Court assisted living and memory care residences. Adding Assisted Living was a valuable and vital leap forward for the organization. It is the program that created a com plete continuum of care for the non-profit healthcare campus.

At the main entrance of McHarrie Place, dedication of the beautiful, warm, and welcoming lobby com memorates Lori’s magnificent gift, her admiration for Maryann, and Roefaro’s mother, Angela Marie Roefaro; three extraordinary people.

Of course, successful capital campaigns take tre mendous planning and leadership. What a gift it was to have Maryann serve on the Campaign Cabinet. Maryann was at the forefront from the assessment and feasibility studies. She served on the Steering, Planning, Fundraising, Marketing and Communica tions committees. She was an integral part in the rebranding of Syracuse Home, an organization es tablished in 1851, to the descriptive name, McHarrie Life. She brought her wealth of knowledge, bound less energy, and fun to an enormous and greatly needed expansion and renovation project.

Securing a Transformational Gift

Maryann started running when she was 53 years old. She has finished five marathons and more than 45 half marathons. “My mother died when she was 53 and it was my way of celebrating her and being grateful to have lived longer. I had pushed myself in all other aspects of my life, why not try physically! It’s my form of meditation — it’s how I clear my head, solve problems, write books, love nature, and appreciate life! ”

As a Reiki Master, Maryann helped many people on their journey with cancer and other serious diseases. One of those people was Laurie Mezzalingua who through Maryann, donated $100,000 dollars to the Caring for Generations Campaign. Laurie felt that her relationship with Maryann, and the energy of reiki, helped her so profoundly throughout her disease process, that she wanted the recognition for her gift to be an anonymous tribute of friendship to Maryann. Unbelievably grateful for this magnanimous gesture,

Angela Marie Roefaro (below) and with Maryann as a child.

Maryann tried to decline recognition for herself. Laurie, who sadly is no longer with us, would only make the gift, if she remained anonymous at that time, and Maryann received the credit and recognition. When Maryann spoke about losing her mother at a young age, and asked if recog nition could be in memory of her mom, Laurie was thrilled.

The personal and intimate nature of the gift, and the trust between these two friends, culminated in a trans formational gift in memory of Angela Marie Roefaro—a profoundly generous gift, which helped Syracuse Home become McHarrie Life, a highly regarded, complete health care continuum for seniors.

In a most intriguing way, these three women, Maryann Roefaro, Laurie Mezzalingua and Angela Marie Roefaro, created a legacy for the benefit of residents cared for with in the McHarrie Life community for generations to come.

A Remarkable Professional and Personal Journey

i

i

Maryann Roefaro has been the CEO of HematologyOncology Associates of CNY since 2002.

She is the author of Building the Team from the Inside-Out, A Human’s Purpose by Millie the Dog and Snippets from the Inside-Out by Millie the Dog

i

i

She has more than 30 years of healthcare experience in senior leadership positions.

She is a board certified fellow in the American College of Medical Practice Executives and maintains an active role in leadership development through various speaking engage ments and internet radio shows.

i

She received her MS Degree from Upstate Medical University, her BS from Albany College of Pharmacy, and her Doctor of Divinity from the American Institute of Holistic Theology.

i

i

She is a co-founder and Board President of the Board of Directors of CancerConnects, Inc.

She is a board member of Breast Care Partners. LLC and Wisdom Thinkers, Inc.

i She is a board member of both Excellus BC/BS Central New York Board and the governing board, Lifetime Care.

i She is the co-chair of the Community Oncology Alliance’s Cancer Administrator’s Network and is advisory board member of the Integrative Oncology Network.

i She is also on the Political Action and Governmental Affairs Committee for the Community Oncology Alliance.

i In addition, Maryann is a Reiki Master, a Certified Heart Centered Hypnotherapist, and a Senior Chi Running Instructor.

Maryann is married with two adult daughters, one grandchild, and Millie, her dog.

In agreeing to be featured in this article, it was Maryann’s wish to pay tribute to Laurie Mezzalingua, who fought a deter mined battle with cancer.

HOW TO PLAY Sudoku

Sudoku is a puzzle based on a simple set of rules:

4

Every square must contain a single number 4 Only use the numbers 1 through 9

4

4

Each 3 x 3 box can only contain each number from 1 through 9 once.

Each vertical column can only contain each number from 1 through 9 once 4

Each horizontal row can only contain each number from 1 through 9 once 4

Once the puzzle is solved, this means every row, column, and 3 x 3 box will contain every number from 1 through 9 exactly once.

Interesting Facts about Sudoku

1 Sudoku is a logic game and involves absolutely no math or language skills.

2 Sudoku wasn’t invented in Japan. American Inventor Howard Garns created it as “Number Place” in 1979. The game didn’t take off until 2004, when Wayne Gould convinced The Times in London to publish it.

3 When Sudoku became a world hit in 2005, it is estimated that it was the biggest phenomenon since the Rubik’s Cube in the 1980s.

4 There is a worldwide Sudoku Championship every year. The first World Sudoku Championship took place in Lucca, Italy in 2006.

5 Playing Sudoku is beneficial to your health. It helps boost your concentration and focus, alleviates depression, and may stave off dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Source: www.creatclassicsudoko.com

How Old are

Toys date back to prehistoric times. They are discovered at sites of ancient civilizations throughout the world and include dolls, spinning tops, kites, balls, marbles, and yo-yos. Early toys were made of rocks, sticks, and clay.

Two of the oldest toys unearthed were a toy baby rattle in Turkey and a doll’s head in Pantelleria—an island off the coast of Italy. Both toys are an estimated 4,000 years old.

Toys have certainly come a long way from their primitive beginnings.

Throughout the past century, millions of children (and adults!) have enjoyed endless hours of fun playing with the classics.

DO YOU REMEMBER….

Debuted in 1972. 8 million were sold by 1979

Lincoln Logs—Debuted in 1916. Over 100 million sets were sold worldwide

Legos—Debuted in 1949. 600,000 Lego sets are sold every day

Debuted in 1952. One million were sold in its first

Mr. Potato Head

Toys?

Etch-A-Sketch

Debuted in 1960. 600,000 were sold in the first year

Easy Bake Oven

Debuted in 1963. 500,000 were sold in the first year

Hula Hoop—Debuted in 1958. 25 million were sold in the first four months

FUN Q&A ABOUT TOYS

What was the best-selling board game in the 1930s?

Monopoly was an instant success in 1935 and remains one of the best-selling board games in America today.

What doll, created in 1959, was named after the inventor’s daughter?

The Barbie doll, invented by Ruth Handler, was named after her daughter, and The Ken Doll, was named after her son. Barbie was first introduced at the 1959 American Toy Fair in New York City.

What toy, first introduced at the Nuremberg Toy Show in 1979, sold over 100 million units by 1982?

Erno Rubik, a Hungarian inventor, sculptor, and professor of architecture, first envisioned the Rubik’s Cube in 1974. It was featured at the Nuremberg Toy Show in 1979 and captured the imagination of toy enthusiasts worldwide. By 1982, over 100 million cubes were sold.

How many feet of wire does it take to make one Slinky?

It takes a whopping 80 feet of wire to make one Slinky. Invented by Richard and Betty James in 1945, over a quarter of a billion Slinkys were sold worldwide by 2000.

Play-Doh was originally invented for what purpose?

Although it achieved fame as a popular children’s toy, Noah McVicker originally invented Play-Doh in 1965 to use as a wallpaper cleaner.

Sure, online shopping is easy and accessible, but did you know that more than 50 percent of consumers prefer a real shopping experience?

The reason why is simple. Consumers want to see, feel, touch, and try new items. They want to support local businesses, ask the store clerk questions, and return home the same day with their purchases.

America’s first indoor mall, the Southdale Center in Edina, Minnesota, opened its doors in 1956. It not only had shops, but fountains, art installations, a bird sanctuary, and a sprawling courtyard, all within a single indoor complex. The mall was trendy and received rave reviews.

Do you remember Central New York’s first indoor malls?

They included Fairmount Fair Mall (1966), Shoppingtown Mall (1973), Fayetteville Mall (1974), Tri-County Mall (1974), and Penn Can Mall (1976). In the 1980s, Camillus Mall (1980) and Great Northern Mall (1988) came along, and Carousel Center opened in 1990.

People no longer had to venture downtown to shop. Instead, the new suburban malls provided a one-stop shop closer to home. Fairmount Fair Mall even had an Acme grocery store in its early years. “I loved the convenience of it. I could get my hair done, go to Murphy’s Five and Dime Store, and pick up groceries all in one place,” says a local Fairmount resident, Barbara Mosher.

The malls were conveniently located, had ample parking, and included many retail stores. The malls were small enough to navigate without having to walk “miles” between anchor stores.

During the 1980s, the malls were thriving. The large anchor stores attracted thousands of shoppers each year. Sears, Dey Brothers, Kay-Bee Toy & Hobby, Spencer’s Gifts, Kinney Shoes,

Chess King, Orange Julius, Waldenbooks, Hickory Farms, record stores, and video arcades were all the rage. For those who grew up in the 70s and 80s, many fond childhood memories were made at the mall, especially at the food court—a popular hangout for teenagers.

So, what led to the decline of our beloved suburban malls? Despite their early success, most of them only lasted 20 years. The arrival of new malls near older malls caused anchor stores to relocate to the new ones. Eventually, by 1990, Carousel Center, one of the largest malls in the northeast, opened its doors in Syracuse and it was the beginning of the end for our suburban malls.

Fortunately, a few of our local defunct malls such as Fairmount Fair and Fayetteville survived and are successful strip malls today.

For those who love online shopping, the top reasons include: Convenience

codes

selection

reviews No crowds or long lines It feels like Christmas when the package arrives!

Would you like to volunteer to help with shopping trips and other activities? Call Jessica Lynch, volunteer coordinator, at 315-303-1134.

One of our most popular resident outings is shopping!

Our residents enjoy purchasing gifts for their families and browsing the store aisles for a good sale!

RetirementRethinking

Retirement

You worked hard and saved your money, and now you are retired. Unfortunately, after a few weeks of free time, you may find yourself bored and unsure of how to occupy your days. Although you may not miss your job, you may miss the social part of your workday—conversing with your coworkers, celebrating milestone events, and meeting new people. This is not how you imagined your golden years, so what can you do to make your retirement happier and more fulfilling?

Volunteer—check the community calendars of your local newspaper, library, church bulletin, or visit www.volunteermatch.org to find current listings.

Join a Gym for Free—SilverSneakers is a health and fitness program designed for adults 65+ that’s included with many Medicare plans. SilverSneakers members can go to thousands of gyms, community centers, and other participating fitness locations nationwide. They can also access live online fitness classes and an on-demand video library of prerecorded workouts. Visit www. silversneakers.com to check your eligibility for a free membership.

Make New Friends—contact your local senior center to learn more about their volunteer opportunities, health and educa tional programs, and day trips. A complete list of Onondaga County Senior Centers is available at www.ongov.net/aging.

Seek a Part-time Job—You can make some extra money and fill your days with a job that is enjoyable and fun. Visit www.indeed.com to see the latest job postings available in your community.

Start a Small Business—It’s a great way to challenge yourself and create a dream business on your own terms and schedule.

Learn Something New—Visit www. seniorplanet.org by AARP to take free classes and access resources.

Set a Schedule—This is perfect for those who love to plan their month ahead. Designate days for events, travel, lunch dates, trips to the store, etc.

Learn a New Hobbie—Visit Home Depot, Lowes, JoAnn Fabric, Michaels, OCM BOCES, Liverpool Art Center, and The Painting Café to learn more about in-person and online art and hobby classes they have to offer.

The Most Popular Website to Make New Friends—Meetup is a social networking site that connects you to groups related to your personal interests. Meetup Group Leaders use it to organize in-person meetings in your community. Common locations for Meetup groups include cafes, parks, libraries, restau rants, community centers, and churches. Meetup is an excellent resource for meeting new people, getting involved in your community, and pursuing an interest you enjoy. Best yet, it’s completely free to sign up for an account. Visit www.meetup.com to learn more!