Lifestyle Wellness

A GARDEN OF POSSIBILITY Creating meaningful and therapeutic connections to nature

By Felicia L. Niven here’s something about gardening that nurtures your very T showing off the beautiful landscaping and realized that it was a

soul. Perhaps it’s the feel of the earth running through your rare moment to find our residents out there,” she said, “perhaps

fingers, the subtle scent of life waiting to blossom, or the deep connection to nature as you engage in cultivating your own because of mobility challenges or cognitive impairment.” However, she had spent enough time with seniors, including

special space. Now imagine that you bring to this activity a her beloved Irish grandmother, to know that they would truly

lifetime of memories — growing vegetables to sustain your benefit from that kind of interaction with nature. “I wanted to

family during the Great Depression for example — and you can understand what is so extraordinary about the gardening bring nature indoors in an interactive and purposeful way,” she said.

programs at Seashore Gardens Living Center (SGLC) in That was the inspiration for Eldergrow, which she founded

Galloway, N.J. These programs are able to touch the residents in ways that are truly powerful. in 2015 as a project for her Healthcare Executive MBA. She received immediate validation, with accolades ranging from the

Horticultural therapy has long been used in senior communities 1st place audience award and 2nd place judges award at the

for its ability to provide mental and physical stimulation, and opportunities for socialization; and at 17th Annual Harriet Stephenson Business Competition. Now in 21 states and almost 200 communities

SGLC, there is ample opportunity to explore on the continental U.S., Eldergrow is a

this interest. Residents can benefit from the kaleidoscope of changing colors and scents proven program providing residents with meaningful and therapeutic connections

in the Alzheimer’s Sensory Trail & Garden to nature. In 2018, it impacted 11,851

and reap countless health-related rewards residents in senior living communities,

from the interactive programs from the Rutgers Master Gardeners and Eldergrow.

with 90% of them fully or partially meeting their therapeutic goals.

SGLC offers two Eldergrow programs

The Rutgers Master Gardener Program Master Gardener Patty Dorr-Lewin receives that feature mobile, indoor gardens. The first is the original, the therapeutic

a special greeting each time she visits SGLC. “The residents see my red shirt and ponytail and they start singing, ‘You are my Eldergrow educator Mikkele Lawless introduces the garden to Comfort Care residents. horticultural program that will be offered to Comfort Care residents with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. The second

sunshine,’” said Patty. “That’s how we open each session.” Patty started at SGLC in 2013 as a master gardener educator. “I’ve been gardening all of my life and I love it. I also adore working with seniors. When I first visited Seashore Gardens, I fell in love with the place and the opportunity to volunteer.” She visits monthly from March to November, working with residents in 45-minute sessions. “We gather around a table to encourage interaction,” she said. “We start seeds, plant herbs, create terrariums. We work in standing gardens. We do a planter for the nurses’ station. We emphasize the senses — the softness of lamb’s ears or the spikiness of other plants, for example. We taste herbs or vegetables.” The very act of gardening elicits the memories, she noted. “The residents will reminisce about summer days when they would spend hours searching along the creek for watercress,” said Patty. “They will tell me how they would walk in their bare feet, and how they had to go early, or the heat would be unbearable. I look forward to hearing their stories and creating something meaningful together with them each session.”

Eldergrow Orla Concannon experienced a pivotal moment when she was touring a family around a senior living community. “I was will be a farm-to-fork culinary herb garden for residents

of Assisted Living. It will come with recipes and activities. Stockton University students, a.k.a. The Seashore Gardeners,

have been trained in the program and are volunteering to help

SGLC Activities staff. “It’s far more than a garden club; it’s a wellness program,”

noted Orla. “We’re igniting the senses, engaging motor skills,

stimulating cognitive exploration. Classes are a range of

traditional gardening, garden art, and garden harvest. The program really builds self-esteem. Many of these residents

used to be working professionals; now they have time on their

hands. We’re helping to fill that void and give them something meaningful that they can nurture.”

Eldergrow is the only program of its kind tailored for

residents and SGLC is the only facility in south Jersey to offer it. The Master Gardeners program is made possible via

Rutgers University. “We’re always looking for the innovative programs that enrich quality of life for our residents,” said Executive Director Alysia Price. “We’re excited to be able to offer these, and more.” n

ANNUAL FEEDING FRENZY

Prepare for one of the most anticipated events of the year: Atlantic City Restaurant Week

By Elaine Rose ime to hit the gym. Not to instill panic: we know beach season is still a few months away. But one of South Jersey’s largest — and arguably the most popular — eating frenzies is about to take place, so you’ll probably want to burn off some of the calories in advance. The 12th Annual Atlantic City Restaurant Week takes place March 8-13, with about 80 establishments participating. And many of the offerings are irresistible. As in past years, eateries across Atlantic County will present three-course meals. For the price of $15.20 for lunch or $35.20 for dinner, patrons can choose from offerings of an appetizer, an entree, and dessert from a special menu. Taxes, tip, and beverages are not included. And considering that most high-end restaurants in the resort’s gaming halls are participating, there are some amazing bargains to be had. While most establishments are in Atlantic City, several in the surrounding area are included in the event. Participants range from the recently opened Setaara Afghan French Cuisine to Dock’s Oyster House, which has been serving up fresh seafood in Atlantic City since 1897. You can dine at an eatery named after a Food Network chef, such as Gordon Ramsay or Guy Fieri, or one run by recent immigrants — with lots of choices in between. T

The Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority started Restaurant Week in 2009, said Larry Sieg, director of communications and marketing for the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, which absorbed the ACCVA about nine years ago. “With the emerging dining scene in Atlantic City, we saw this as an opportunity to showcase restaurants to visitors and the community,” Sieg said. The event has been a huge hit with locals, visitors, and restaurateurs alike, Sieg said. Restaurant owners are happy to offer some of their signature dishes — often at a fraction of the normal price — in the hope that it will generate repeat business. “It’s a good opportunity for visitors and the local community to go to a restaurant that may typically be outside (the range of) their budget,” Sieg said. To whet your appetite, here are some of the dinner offerings already posted on the Restaurant Week website: • Pan-seared Scottish salmon, accompanied by spaghetti squash, wild mushrooms, scallions and caper brown butter sauce at Dolce Mare at Ocean Resort • Twin petite filet mignons wrapped in bacon with bearnaise sauce, mashed potatoes, and grilled asparagus at Gallagher Steakhouse at Resorts • Veal scallopine with prosciutto, fried eggplant, baby spinach, and mixed mushrooms at Il Verdi at Tropicana • Mussels, chopped clams, and fish in seafood broth with fresh tomato and basil served over linguini at Phillip’s Seafood House on The Playground Pier • Two chicken breasts topped with lump crab in a sweet cream butter sauce at Back Bay Ale House in Gardner’s Basin • Vegetarian dumplings topped with kidney beans and tomato or special kofta sauce at Setaara In other words, if you can’t find something you like on these menus, you’re a real picky eater. Most of the restaurants are willing to accommodate special dietary restrictions, and a few offer vegetarian or vegan choices, said Doreen Prinzo, marketing partnership manager for the CRDA. Restaurant Week has become immensely popular over the last dozen years, Sieg said. The CRDA does a survey at the end of each yearly event and found that about 90% of visitors say they will come back the next year. “We get a lot of play on social media that week,” Sieg said, “as diners post photographs of their meals on sites such as Twitter and Instagram. The restaurants apparently appreciate the boost in visitors, as they sign up to participate in Restaurant Week year after year. It is also good PR for Atlantic City, as it attracts visitors to the resort during what is usually a slow time of the year.” The CRDA survey also found that about 20-25% of respondents book a room while they’re in town to eat. Inside Knife & Fork Inn during Atlantic City Restaurant Week

From the Knife & Fork Inn: Harvest Green Salad, Cider Glazed Bone-in Pork Chop and Brownie Bottom Peanut Butter Pie

Broadway Signature Beef Burger from Broadway Burger Bar is on their lunch and dinner menu.

“While they’re here, they’re shopping, they’re visiting a casino, they’re taking in a show,” said Sieg. There has to be a catch, you say. Well, there is one. You’d better make your reservations early, especially if you want to choose the day and time of your repast. Several of the restaurants — especially the normally pricey ones based in casinos — are often completely booked before Restaurant Week begins, revealed Sieg. So, you have no time to lose. Log on to acrestaurantweek.com and check out all the scrumptious dishes that will be served up the second week in March. Most of them allow you to link to Open Table to make an online reservation. One final suggestion: you should probably review these menus after eating. If you flip through this website on an empty stomach, you’re likely to drool all over your smartphone or tablet. And who knows what damage that might cause.

So, make your choices and your reservations — and then head to the gym to preemptively work off the calories. Your waistline will thank you. n