Community Matters The Glen at Aberdeen Heights
December 2018
Attendees from Kirkwood include, from left, Joan Murphy, Martha Kaelble and Faye Prince, who are joined by representatives from 50 Trees.
50 Trees recognition
Resident Mary Riegal, Nightmare Shop owners John Erhard and Greg Stelzer and ... guess who?—with many of the popular selling items from The Nightmare Shop.
Special thanks to resident Joan Murphy for getting us in touch with the 50 Trees organization. 50 Trees is a street tree planting program started in 2010 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the annual Greentree Festival in historic Kirkwood. By rekindling the mission of the first festival held in 1961, this program helps replenish the population of trees that grace the city’s historic streets and avenues. The Glen received a great presentation from Kathy Paulson and Bill Ruppert about this tree planting initiative. Did you know that Kirkwood is referred to as “Tree City USA” from The Arbor Day Foundation? The city has held this title for more than 28 years.
Spooky Small Business Day Our Small Business Day in October was a real nail biter! The Glen’s chef Greg Stelzer and his friend and business partner, John Erhard, presented us with The Nightmare Shop LLC. The Nightmare Shop is an online retailer that has been in the works for two years but opened to the public earlier this summer. The longtime friends met in high school playing football. They not only shared a love for football, but all things horror and science fiction. The pair decided to operate an online retail business in their hometown of St. Louis. Their inventory consists of science fiction and classic horror movie memorabilia, replications, vinyl records, collectibles, comic books, masks and costumes. The two partners discussed how they got started in the business, what inspired them, what it is like to travel to trade shows, order and price retail items, and what was popular and in high demand this Halloween season. They have worked with members of Hollywood, local actors and studios, students and more. From Frankenstein to Al Capone, they have helped transform many into timeless characters with great costumes. They also have a comic book in the works called “Beast.” SPOOKY, continued on page 2
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SPOOKY, continued from page 1
Greg’s wife made Jack-O-Lantern pumpkin pie cookies for residents, and residents were given official nightmare shop stickers. Greg thanked his wife and pointed out that she bakes scary cookies and treats for many of his trade shows. Resident Bob Sextro even suggested they take their business on the TV show “Shark Tank.” Interestingly enough, one of Nightmare Shop’s bestselling items is a 5-foot shark mask. They could dress the part! We are proud of Greg and John and thank them for bringing the Nightmare Shop LLC to Aberdeen Heights’ The Glen for Small Business Day.
Drive and dine In October, residents enjoyed Rigazzi’s Italian Restaurant on the Hill. The lunch followed a driving excursion of the ever-changing and revitalized area in St. Louis referred to as “The Grove.” Resident Don Otto worked there as a young boy at his father’s café, “Bill’s Grill.” Some of you might remember this establishment. There were a few located in The St. Louis area!
John and Mary Ellen Vogel, Don Otto, Rita Napoli, Rita Seiler, Stephanie Ameis, lifestyles assistant, and Stephanie Nobles, transportation, enjoyed lunch at Rigazzi’s.
The Aberdeen bus drove by the former location. Mr. Otto’s family also founded the small town of Otto, Mo. It is fun to get to know interesting facts about our friends.
If you would like to take a driving excursion in your old neck of the woods, or eat at a favorite restaurant, talk to someone in lifestyles. Let’s go!
Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Aberdeen Heights by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at: PresbyterianManors.org. Lily Landy, health care administrator To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Bethany Holohan, life enrichment director, bholohan@pmma.org. Telephone: 314-909-6010 Address: 505 Couch Ave., Kirkwood, MO 63122 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
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Assisted living resident Eleanor Long with Tom Mitchell and Lifestyles Assistant Stephanie Ameis enjoy Klondike Bars and learning about Alaska.
We love to celebrate special days From National Cheeseburger Day to Rootbeer Float Day to Talk Like a Pirate Day, everything has a special day. In The Glen, we like to celebrate everything. In October, among other things, this included National Alaska Day. On October 18, residents in both assisted living and skilled care
Community Matters December 2018
watched travelogues by Martha Kaelble and Tom Mitchell and were served Klondike Ice Cream Bars, complete with the Alaska flag. Thanks to our travelogue volunteers for more wonderful travelogues. If you have travelogues or old slides and are willing to share, please contact the lifestyles department. Like us on Facebook
Resident in Focus: Mary Fugate The Glen will have a monthly Resident in Focus showcasing a different resident each month. For October, we featured Mary Fugate. Mary opened our eyes to the old mining town of Jerome, Ariz. Many of you have probably been to this once thriving mining town, turned ghost town, turned tourist attraction.
the town. Residents watched a documentary on Jerome. We heard reflections of her childhood and about the changing landscape of this old mining town. Mary said when she was a kid “it seemed like Jerome was the neatest place in the whole world, that no other town existed!” Mary is joined here by daughter Kathy Yonker and son-inlaw John Yonker.
Mary spent her childhood in this quaint town. Her grandfather, Tim, Thanks, Mary! This was so was the mayor and helped establish interesting and fun.
October birthday party Our October birthday party was fun! We had music by Charlie, cake and ice cream. Family and friends recognized resident birthdays by bringing in special cakes as well.
Residents Betty Schmidt and Barb Jordan attend the October birthday party. As with tradition, our birthday cakes feature the month’s flower and gemstone. Can you guess what they are for October? (Answer: opal or tourmaline and marigold)
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Virginia Binzel had a little birthday celebration with Glen Life Enrichment Director Bethany Holohan and Aberdeen Social Services Director Katie Bouvatte (pictured). The three have become friends over the last couple of years and marked the sweet occasion with these special mile-high frosted cupcakes.
Resident Barbara Jordan had a special birthday and had many friends and family in town to help her celebrate her 90th birthday. She had a pizza party, a party at a local restaurant, and a cake and punch reception to name just a few of the happenings that marked her special birthday. Pictured here are Barb’s daughters Geri McCauley and Marty Zimmerman, friend Linda and fellow resident Anna Plein. Her son, Paul Jordan, is pictured with the balloon. He flew in from New Jersey and surprised her. The Glen at Aberdeen Heights
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Halloween excitement
Allison in lifestyles led some spooky bake club creations. Here she is with resident Joy Wiele with “Frightening Finger Cookies.”
After the vote, resident Dotty Mill read to the children a heartwarming story about acceptance called “The Ugly Pumpkin.” Fourth graders from Robinson Elementary came and judged our pumpkin decorating contest. This was so much fun. Forty-five students and two teachers voted. Winners: Most Scary: Amanda Knowles in housekeeping Most Original: Paula Zuniga in marketing Most Funny: Dawn Gonzalez Rubio, director of nursing
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Community Matters December 2018
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Right: Staff costumes Staff had a great time dressing up for Halloween! From left, Michelle Santel (marketing), Bethany Holohan (lifestyles), Carole Colich, (human resources) Stephanie Ameis (lifestyles) and Sharon May (human resources). Below: Halloween parade Children dressed in costumes came to The Glen on Halloween. Children from Robinson Elementary paraded by The Glen and the first grade and kindergarten classes came inside The Glen to show off to those residents who could not come outside. Resident Connie Josse was surrounded by Halloween spirit on this Halloween afternoon!
Can you guess who this is? This is Joe and Rita Seiler at a Halloween party way back when, or should we say, “four score and seven years ago.� Like us on Facebook
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‘Sit and Knit’ For any of you who have enjoyed knitting, want to learn a new skill, or just want to sit in the fireplace room and chat, come join us for “Sit and Knit with Cindy.” Cindy Mitchell, a resident of our independent community, has been leading “Sit and Knit with Cindy” in The Glen for several months, and we would love to see it grow! The group meets twice a month at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays. Follow the calendar for more information and specific dates. The residents and Cindy have started on a new project, baby sacks. They will be knitting baby sacks to donate to a local charity for newborns. If you would like to learn more talk with Cindy or Bethany Holohan.
When she sees “Sit and Knit with Cindy” on the calendar, resident Betty Spence sets the alarm. She does not want to miss this program. A long-time knitter, Betty looks forward to participating. Betty is pictured at left with knitting leader and volunteer Cindy Mitchell, and fellow resident Marian Thomas. We can’t wait to see your cute baby sleeping sacks.
Meet our new chaplain!
Resident Richard Burr, surrounded by family and friends, attended the 5th Annual Rick Burr Memorial Fund Golf Tournament at Paradise Valley Golf Club on October 20. As you can see, he proudly displays a recent issue of Community Matters. The tournament was established following his son Rick’s death in 2014 following a battle with cancer. Richard delivered a wonderful welcome speech for the tournament. The proceeds go to support the education fund for Richard’s 10-year-old grandson, Grayson.
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Community Matters December 2018
The Glen is delighted to have Chaplain Julie Berger with us! Julie started at the beginning of October and does weekly worship services in The Glen. Julie has been a wonderful addition to our team, and can be seen visiting with families, residents and staff and attending programs about and for our residents. Welcome, Julie! Follow the Activity Calendar to see her worship schedule.
Resident Marian Thomas and Chaplain Julie Berger get acquainted before assisted living worship service. Like us on Facebook
‘Grandpa’s beer’ travels to Brooklyn Thanks to one of our family happy hours, a local non-alcoholic beer made an appearance at a wedding in Brooklyn, New York, this fall. Don Lavin’s grandson, Mike, first tasted Well Being “Hell Raiser” Amber Beer when he visited his grandfather last summer. It was not available anywhere in Brooklyn, so Mike asked his mom back in St. Louis to pack some of “Grandpa’s beers,” so he could enjoy
it at his wedding reception, and it was the perfect compelement to the events of the day. It is nice to have a reminder that we are never too old to influence our younger generation! In addition to regular beer and wine, we serve this popular non-alcoholic beer and non-alcoholic white and red wine spritzers at all of our happy hours. Mike and his bride. Thanks to Grandpa Lavin, the groom could have the beer of his choice at his reception.
Adventures abroad Glen residents Mary Ellen and Eugene Brucker recently had a visit from daughter Katherine (pictured at left) who was visiting from her home in The Ivory Coast, where she serves as the head of the U.S. Embassy in the city of Abidjan. While visiting, Katherine gave a presentation on her role at the embassy. She wore a dress made of traditional fabric from The Ivory Coast, highlighted some of the country’s biggest exports, and spoke of local customs, culture, cuisine, and economic initiatives and development. During the presentation, residents drank pineapple juice and ate chocolates and cashews, which are all abundant in the country. The Ivory Coast is ranked as one of the top exporters of cashews and cacao.
‘Oklahoma’
Oktoberfest celebration
Lifestyles Assistant Stephanie Ameis, left, along with daughter and dad, Katherine and Ed Brucker. The Aberdeen community celebrated Oktoberfest on a beautiful fall afternoon. Our independent living community put on a great event and all residents were invited to come. Residents feasted on potato pancakes, strudel, sausages, heard German music and more. Like us on Facebook
Resident Anna Louise Fisher and her nephew, Michael Murphy, who was visiting from Texas, attended a production of “Oklahoma” at Kirkwood Stages in September. The two dined at one of her favorite restaurants after the show, Ami’s in Rock Hill. It was a fun and late night. The Glen at Aberdeen Heights
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Save the dates January events The Glen Christmas Party Dec. 4, 6 to 7:30: We will have the strolling Christmas Carolers, Music with Charlie, AcoustiK Element and Piano by Ellen. Hors d’oeuvres, spirits and, most of all, joy will be served! The St. Louis Childbloom Guitar Studio, led by Kirk Hanser, will perform classical guitar recitals Dec. 11 and 18. Mr. Hanser is regarded as one of the finest classical guitarists in the region and we are pleased to have his studio performing for us. Students from UMSL’s Music Outreach Program, led by cello instructor and founding member of The Ariana String Quartet, Kurt Baldwin, will be joining us again in December. These students and their impressive talents joined us in November bringing their beautiful music. Several violinists and cellists will be performing throughout the month of December. • Lucille Rapp Dance Performance in assisted living dining room, 3 p.m., Dec. 9 • St. Louis Strutters in assisted living dining room, 2:30 p.m., Dec. 10 • Aberdeen Choir, Dec. 13, 3 p.m., assisted living dining room • Christmas Caroling Girl Scouts from Troop 441, Friday, Dec. 14 • Christmas Caroling from Robinson School, Dec. 17 • Christmas Caroling from Kirkwood United Methodist Church, Dec. 19
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Community Matters December 2018
Stay tuned for the January calendar! All of our guest speakers volunteer their time and we would like to give them a big audience and show our appreciation. They want our residents to get an “inside scoop” of what is going on in our community on a local and global scale. If you have a speaker in mind or a subject you are interested in, please contact Bethany in lifestyles. • January 21, 1 p.m.-Donald Danforth Plant Science Center,
“Answers to the world’s biggest challenges are dawning right here right now.” • January 23- The Larks, an all-female 20-member acapella group will perform at 10:30 in assisted living. We thank them for volunteering their time! • January 28- William Shearburn, owner of Shearburn Art Gallery • Date TBD-Rick Fields, director of The City Museum Breast Cancer Awareness Month Director of Nursing Dawn GonzalezRubio planned and organized events in The Glen in October to recognize National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Games were held, and buttons, pins and information were passed out to staff to recognize this important issue. Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death among women in the U.S. From left, Tiffany Hardieway, Brittany Brown, Elvisa Zeric, Carmen BrooksAlexander and Dawn Gonzalez-Rubio.
Employee Appreciation Barbecue On a beautiful Friday in October, we had an Employee Appreciation Barbecue for a successful state survey. From left, Keri Sanders, Mina Hodzic, Amy Messner, Latonya Gill, Yvette Kennedy, Tiffany Hardieway, Brittany Brown, Elvisa Zeric, Carmen BrooksAlexander and Dawn Gonzalez-Rubio, director of nursing. Like us on Facebook