A publication of Presbyterian Villages of Michigan
Issue 24.1 | Winter 2024
GRACEFUL LIVING THRIVE + SHINE + FLOURISH
Inside:
Your guide to enjoying Michigan’s Winter Wonderland, Activities, Arts, and Entertainment
GRACEFUL LIVING
Shining a Light on Michigan
THRIVE + SHINE + FLOURISH
Welcome to the Winter 2024 issue of Graceful Living! This season, we’re highlighting ways you can enjoy Michigan’s magical winter season—from stunning outdoor activities to enjoying Michigan-inspired entertainment from the comfort of your cozy home.
Issue 24.1 | Winter 2024 PVM Executive Team
Winter can be seen as a season of hibernation and rest as we prepare for the growth and changes that come with Spring. We at Presbyterian Villages of Michigan are preparing for Spring’s growth and change a bit differently: We’ve moved our home office! Don’t worry, we haven’t gone far—we moved just down the street, and are now located in the same building as the Michigan Chapter of the National Alzheimer’s Association. We’re excited about deepening our collaboration with this excellent organization in bringing awareness to innovations around this disease. We hope you enjoy our second issue and we welcome your feedback! Send any story ideas, questions, or suggestions to us at gracefulliving@pvm.org.
Villages 1 PACE Southeast Michigan 2 PACE Central Michigan 3 PACE Northeast Michigan 4
Detroit • Delta Manor • Hartford Village • The Thome Rivertown Neighborhood • The Village of Bethany Manor • The Village of Brush Park Manor Paradise Valley • The Village of Harmony Manor • The Village of Oakman Manor • The Village of St. Martha’s • The Village of University Meadows • The Village of Woodbridge Manor Alpena • Alpena Pines Battle Creek • The Village of Mill Creek
Bruce Blalock Senior Vice President of Finance and Obligated Group Operations Brian Carnaghi Senior Vice President of Facilities Advancement and Business Development Jessica Gross Administrator of The Village of Rosebush Manor Kahlia Harper Executive Director of McFarlan Villages LaDonna Holley Senior Vice President
Mark Kronner Chief Technology Officer David Miller Executive Director of The Village of East Harbor Paul Miller President of the PVM Foundation Roger Myers President and CEO Katrina Summersett Director of Risk Management & Quality and Corporate Compliance Officer Ian Wiesner Vice President of Facilities Development Barbara Woodward-Boonstra Executive Director of Perry Farm Village
Note our new address! Presbyterian Villages of Michigan 25200 Telegraph Road, Suite 400 Southfield, MI 48033-7496 (248) 281-2020 | pvm.org
Kalamazoo Bay City • The Village of Sage Grove • The Village of Hampton Meadows Onaway Chesterfield • Lynn Street Manor • The Village of East Harbor Pontiac Clinton Township • The Village of • The Village of Peace Manor Oakland Woods Flint Redford • McFarlan Villages • The Village of Redford Fort Gratiot Township Rosebush • The Village of Lake Huron • The Village of Woods Rosebush Manor Harbor Springs Warren • The Village of Hillside • The Village of Warren Glenn • Perry Farm Village Westland Holly • The Village of • The Village of Our Saviour’s Manor Holly Woodlands • The Village of Westland Jackson • The Village of Spring Meadows
Some villages and programs are in collaboration with other organizations In collaboration with Henry Ford Health In collaboration with Michigan Masonic Home 4 In collaboration with the Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency, coming in 2024/2025 1 2 3
Contents
Your Community, Your Way These three Villages offer a suite of lifestyle services and community activities just steps from your front door.
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Come Stay and Play with Us! 6 Take our senior community for a test drive.
Easy Livin’ 2 Volunteering can keep you vibrant, plus Michiganinspired books, movies, podcasts, and TV shows.
Ask the Experts 10 Guidance on how to rightsize your home, as well as your mindset
Mind + Body 4 Tips on yoga apps, ideas to stay connected in winter, and a healthy twist on meatloaf.
PVM News 12 We’ve moved! Plus, Roger received the LeadingAge Award of Honor
Only in Michigan 8 Enjoy everything our Water Winter Wonderland has to offer!
Your Giving Matters 13 The PVM Foundation’s annual gala in October was full of Lights! Camera! Action! and we raised nearly $340k! Winter 2024 | 1
Easy Livin’
Stay Vibrant and Volunteer! Helping others can keep you healthy
The holiday season inspired many of us to volunteer and give back, but staying active with local organizations all year round can have a powerful impact on both you and your community. An independent study in 2019 found that participating in volunteer programs over a few years had a positive impact on the volunteer’s physical and mental health. 84% of participants reported improved or stable health, and 78% of volunteers who reported symptoms of depression said they felt less depressed two years later. Volunteering also helps you stay connected to younger generations, learn new skills, make friends, and give your day-to-day life a sense of purpose—which can be especially important once you’ve retired. Here are a few organizations that would appreciate your valuable time.
Presbyterian Villages of Michigan Volunteering at one of PVM’s senior communities is a great way to build relationships, enhance the quality of life of our residents, and give you a taste of what it’s like to be part of the PVM family. You can help us with special events, resident outings or programs, or help us with our gardening or transportation services. Learn more and fill out an application at pvm.org/volunteer
2 | Graceful Living
AmeriCorps Seniors This federal organization offers three different volunteer programs for folks 55+. You can mentor kids with special needs as a Foster Grandparent, find a community-based volunteer opportunity through RSVP, or connect and grow relationships with other seniors as a Senior Companion. Learn more at americorps.gov
VolunteerMatch There’s really something for everyone when it comes to volunteer opportunities— and VolunteerMatch is a great place to find the right fit for you. Explore the thousands of Michigan non-profits with volunteer opportunities listed on their website; there’s certain to be an organization in need of your experience. Learn more at volunteermatch.org
michigan in the Limelight Enjoy these podcasts, movies, and TV shows set in our backyard.
Podcasts Sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, A Healthier Michigan explores wellness, fitness, mental health, food, and nutrition. Join the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for their monthly Wildtalk Podcast and learn everything there is to know about our local flora and fauna.
What We’re Reading Looking for your next good read? We’ve chosen a few interesting books set in and around Michigan. Have a favorite book that you’d love to share? Let us know! Send the title, author, and why you like it to gracefulliving@pvm.org
Movies Jerry & Marge Go Large is a comedy based on the true story of a couple from Evart, MI, who learn how to game the lottery system and infuse their small town with wealth and a revitalized spirit. Starring Bryan Cranston and Annette Bening. Available for streaming on Paramount+. Set at Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel Somewhere in Time takes you on a romantic, fantastical journey through time. This 1980 classic stars Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour, and Christopher Plummer. Available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
TV Shows Sweet and witty, Joe Pera Talks With You follows a fictional version of the comedian as he lives his life teaching choir in Marquette, MI. Available for streaming on Max. Based on the bestselling book, the limited series Station Eleven is a somewhat inspirational exploration of how humanity and civilization can rebuild themselves after a global pandemic. Available for streaming on Max.
Stealing Buddha’s Dinner Bich Minh Nguyen
The Women of Copper Country Mary Doria Russell
Ursula, Under Ingrid Hill
This memoir delves into the author’s experiences migrating from Vietnam to Grand Rapids, MI, in the 1970s. As she seeks to understand how she fits into her new community, she explores an array of cultural touchstones that seem to her to be uniquely American.
It’s 1913 and 25-year-old Annie Clements is poised to stand up for the struggling mining families in Calumet, MI. This historical novel tells the story of a woman who led a legendary labor strike which ultimately transformed both her community and her life.
What begins as a tragedy involving a little girl falling down a well in the UP spins out into a gorgeously woven tale that travels through time and space as we meet Ursula’s ancestors, from ancient China to present-day Michigan.
Winter 2024 | 3
Mind + Body
Find Your Own Ohm Create your own yoga studio at home
Stay fit and stay warm with an easy-to-use yoga app! A few of our favorites are The Underbelly for body-positive video on demand, Down Dog for a customized routine each day, and Yoga-Go for chair yoga.
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Let’s Get Digital
Fun ways to stay connected during these chilly days Winter’s cold, dark days can make us feel a bit isolated, but it’s easier than ever to keep up with friends and family from the comfort of your home. Here are a few suggested activities that you can do, virtually, with anyone—both near and far! Cook Together Learn a new recipe and have some fun by arranging a virtual cooking lesson with one— or more!—of your friends. One of you will share their favorite recipe ingredients in advance, you’ll arrange a video chat, and then meet up to learn how to make the recipe! You’ll not only learn new recipes and ways of cooking, you’ll spend quality time catching up and chatting. Get Crafty Do you enjoy sewing, knitting, or crocheting? Find others who do, too, and then get competitive! Who can create the most clothes, scarves, hats, or blankets for community members in need? A charitable crafting competition is a fun way to stay connected while also giving back. Look Forward Sometimes, planning an event or a getaway feels even more fun than actually doing it! Reach out to loved ones who are far away and start to plan a fun event or trip together for the Spring or Summer. Depending on how exotic you get, you can work together to plan the trip, schedule sightseeing, and even learn a new language. Share Your Wealth You know more than you probably give yourself credit for, and sharing your knowledge by tutoring or mentoring kids is a wonderful way to keep your mind active while also building new relationships. You can volunteer through organizations like AmeriCorps Seniors, or apply for an online tutoring job on services such as tutor.com. This comfort food fave is given a healthy twist by using ground turkey and quick-cooking oats.
Mom’s Turkey Meatloaf • ¾ cup quickcooking oats • ½ cup nonfat milk • 1 medium onion, peeled • 2 pounds ground turkey breast 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. 2. In a small bowl, stir together the oats and the milk; soak as you prep the other ingredients, or at least 3 minutes. 3. Thinly slice one-quarter of the onion into rings and set aside; finely chop the remaining onion. 4. In a large bowl, combine the turkey, oatmeal mixture, chopped onion, bell pepper, eggs, Worcestershire, ketchup, salt, and a few
• ½ cup seeded and chopped red bell pepper (½ medium pepper) • 2 large eggs, beaten • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
grinds of pepper; mix until just combined. 5. Transfer the mixture to a 9×13 baking dish and shape it into a loaf about 5 inches wide and 2 inches high. 6. Pour the tomato sauce over the meatloaf and sprinkle with the sliced onions. 7. Bake for about an hour, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.
• ¼ cup ketchup • ½ teaspoon salt • Freshly ground black pepper • One 8-oz can of tomato sauce
8. Remove from the oven and let it rest for about 15 minutes before slicing. Source: The Food You Crave: Luscious Recipes for a Healthy Life by Ellie Krieger We’d love to feature your favorite recipe! Share it with us via email at gracefulliving@pvm.org.
Featured Villages
Your Community, Your Way Find fun activities, new friends, and helpful services right at your doorstep Michigan winters can often be quite stunning to look at, but that doesn’t mean they’re that enjoyable to be outside in! One of the many benefits of a few of our communities is that they are truly villages unto themselves and offer an array of activities, opportunities to socialize, and supportive services—all without leaving your backyard.
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Come Stay and Play with Us! Did you know that we offer short-term residence service and care at the Villages of East Harbor, Lake Huron Woods, and Westland? Join us for a few days—or a few weeks!—and see how much fun it is to live in one of our warm and welcoming communities. During your stay, you’ll have access to all of our services and amenities, such as chef-inspired meals each day, housekeeping and laundry services, community events and activities, transportation services, and more.
Learn more about how living at the Villages of East Harbor, Lake Huron Woods, or Westland could make your next Michigan winter much more enjoyable.
Our Stay and Play service is also a great option for family members who are caring full-time for a loved one and need support while they are on vacation, traveling for business, or having an unexpected emergency. Consider booking a short-term stay at one of our Life Plan Communities and you’ll see what the fun is all about!
Scan to learn more
Located in the heart of vibrant Chesterfield, The Village of East Harbor can help you stay connected to your community while supporting you during the cooler winter months. Amenities include: • A beautiful, non-denominational chapel with regular services • Life-plan community • A selection of dining options, from Cameron Cafe’s grab-and-go to Marguerite’s chef-inspired restaurant • An on-site health and fitness center designed specifically for those 55+
Tucked away on 64 acres of gorgeous wooded countryside, The Village of Lake Huron Woods can truly make your Winter a Wonderland. Community amenities include: David Miller, Executive Director
• Independent Living midrise and ranch apartments
33875 Kiely Drive Chesterfield, MI 48047
• Cozy library, game, activity, dining, and lounge rooms
Call: (586) 725-6030 Fax: (586) 716-7170 villageofeastharbor.org
• Regular transportation services to the Chesterfield community and beyond
• An on-site barber and beauty shop • Resident-run store to quickly grab your favorite snacks and treats • Outdoor patio and park-like seating to enjoy on sunny, crisp days
Jennifer Loshaw, Administrator 5221 Lakeshore Road Ft. Gratiot Township, MI 48059 Call: (810) 385-9516 Fax: (810) 216-6365 pvm.org/locations/lake-huron-woods
Expanding in 2024! Watch the groundbreaking ceremony.
Expanding in 2024! Wellness is front and center at The Village of Westland! Stay fit and active during the dark winter days at this vibrant community. Amenities include: • Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care residences licensed as Adult Foster Care • An extensive on-site wellness program and fitness center • Regularly scheduled entertainment outings and activities • Chef-inspired meals served in a cozy dining room • On-site social worker to assist with expanding care services as needed
Roger Bushell, Executive Director 32001 Cherry Hill Road Westland, MI 48186 Call: (734) 728-5222 Fax: (734) 762-8925
Volunteer Village Pen Pals Many residents of The Village of Lake Huron Woods stay connected with their community by participating in the pen pal program. Volunteers exchange letters with 4th graders at the local elementary school, which helps the kids practice their writing and communication skills. It also helps our residents keep up to date with what’s new and exciting for a younger generation.
pvm.org/locations/westland
Winter 2024 | 7
Only in Michigan
It’s a Water Winter Wonderland! Some of our favorite ways to enjoy Michigan’s season of wonder Winters in our state can be truly magical, especially if you know how to celebrate and enjoy our icy wonderland! Get into cross-country skiing or snowshoeing at some of our area’s impressive, groomed trails. The Vasa Pathway near Traverse City is a well-loved spot, or you can trek to the UP and take advantage of the extensive Noquemanon Trail Network near Marquette. And, while you’re up there, don’t miss checking out the frozen waterfalls at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore! For those interested in something more low-key, ice fishing abounds in our state! Did you know that we’re always within 6 miles of a body of water in Michigan? With thousands of inland lakes to choose from, you’re sure to find just the right spot to catch any of our 150+ species of native freshwater fish. Permits are necessary, but you can enjoy free ice fishing on February 17th and 18th, 2024.
Upcoming Michigan Events: February 17th
Through March 3rd
April 13th & 14th
Seven Lakes State Park Ice Fishing Derby Holly, MI
Campus Martius Ice Rink Downtown Detroit
Michigan Alpaca Fest Allegan, MI
February 22 – 25
March 26th – 31st
April 25th – 28th
62nd Annual Ann Arbor Film Festival Ann Arbor, MI
Shepherd Maple Syrup Festival Shepherd, MI
nd
th
New Baltimore Lions 2024 Winterfest New Baltimore, MI
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Pine Baron Pathway Enjoy brisk snowshoeing or cross-country skiing through 6.25 miles of gorgeous, dense forest.
ouse St. Joseph Lighth
Bald Mountain Recreation Area Enjoy ice fishing on one of the many inland lakes located in this rugged state park.
Grand Rapids
Yankee Springs Recreation Area Try a new adventure with fat tire biking in the snow on these well-groomed trails.
Winter 2024 | 9
Ask the Experts Janelle Azar is the founder and owner of A Meaningful Space, a professional organizing company based in Shelby Township that serves the Metro Detroit area. Her mission is to help her clients achieve a functional and organized home so they have the freedom to focus on what makes their lives truly meaningful. Learn more by visiting ameaningfulspace.com Is it time for you to right-size? Here’s some guidance on how you can prepare now for a deep Spring cleaning.
When a client is interested in right-sizing, what’s the first thing that you advise them to do? Why is that?
It’s essential that we know their new home’s layout, floor plan, and storage options, as this will help dictate how much they can move with them. Next, we want to understand their priorities: What aspects of their lifestyle are important to them as they move forward? I want to help them make space for new freedoms while preserving the hobbies, activities, and experiences that are valuable to them.
What are some of the pitfalls that your clients sometimes experience, and how can they be avoided?
The most common pitfalls when downsizing include: 1. Lack of A Support System: Ask friends, family, or a professional organizer to help you, as this will keep you from feeling overwhelmed. 2. Sentimentality: It can be hard to let go of items, even if they may no longer be useful or relevant. One solution is to write down memories about and take photos of these items, then save them in a scrapbook. 3. Unrealistic Timelines: Remember that it took you years to acquire all of these items, so give yourself the time and space to go through them. Break it into smaller projects, and plan to do 2-3 passes through your home before you get to your ideal number of possessions. 10 | Graceful Living
4. Procrastination: Clutter is often the result of delayed decisions over a long period of time, but be patient with yourself. This is where a solid plan and a support system can change the game. 5. Inability to Make Decisions: It can sometimes be difficult to determine what to keep, so I encourage my clients to ask themselves the following questions about an item: • Will I use it? • Do I love it? • How many of these do I need? • Have I used this in the last 6-12 months? • Will this item serve a purpose in my new space? Get more detailed guidance and tips from Janelle on our blog: pvm.org/pvm-blog.
Upcoming Event: Downsizing and Organizing March 20th, 2024 Want more helpful tips from our expert, Janelle Azar? Join us for an online event! Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm Place: Online via Zoom For more information and to RSVP, please contact Stacey Olson at solson@pvm.org or (248) 281-2020, ext. 18177.
The Fine Art of Realignment “With aging, you earn the right to be loyal to yourself.” – Frances McDormand, Actor and Producer
The world as we knew it as children and young adults has continued to change and transform, and that can sometimes leave us feeling like we’re disconnected or out of touch. We also live in a society that is obsessed with youthfulness, so embracing and adapting to the changes we experience as we age can sometimes feel scary or uncomfortable. Discussions of “aging gracefully” often focus on physical appearance, and less on how we think of ourselves or how connected we feel to our community. Are there tasks or chores that you’ve done for decades that you’re just ready to let go of? Make a list of But the process of readjusting and realigning our everything you don’t feel like you can do anymore, sense of self as we move through life’s various stages is an important aspect of remaining vibrant. After all, physically, as well as things you feel aren’t important to you anymore. Who knows? This just might be the who wants to feel stuck, stagnant, or stale? last winter you shovel snow! As you go through the process of right-sizing your material possessions, consider what habits, ideas, and However you choose to realign yourself, making space for your continued growth is the best way to be concepts of yourself you might be ready to shed, too. loyal to yourself, stay connected to your community, An honest assessment of what you want to do and and, ultimately, age gracefully. what you can do can be quite freeing.
Embrace the Possibilities with a Career at PVM!
If you have a passion for building relationships, forming connections and engaging worthwhile work with seniors and their families, PVM is the place for you! www.pvmcareers.org
Michigan by the Numbers We’re an Ice Fishing Haven ¹ Michigan has 10,899 inland lakes
¹ Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources
We Love to Get Wild ¹
We Make Snow an Adventure ¹
More than 60% of us view or photograph our wildlife
Michigan has over 6,200 miles of groomed snowmobile trails
Winter 2024 | 11
From the Desk of Roger L. Myers
An Opportunity for Renewal and Recommitment Happy 2024! With the New Year already well under way, I’m happy to share some exciting updates from PVM. Renewal, recommitment, realignment, and right-sizing aren’t just ideas we’re encouraging you to explore this year; we also recently experienced this process at the PVM home office in Southfield. As a result, we decided to optimize our home office operations and relocate our offices to a more suitable place that fosters enhanced collaboration, maximizes efficiency, and ensures we continue to carefully steward the resources which have been entrusted to us. Another benefit of our move is that we’re now in the same location as the Michigan Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and other valuable community partners. We’re looking forward to deepening these working relationships, as well as hosting community activities and events in the new building’s beautiful year-round central atrium. 2023 marked the return of PVM’s in-person fundraising gala. Thank you to all who supported the event with their time, talent, and treasures. You helped raise $338,000, a record breaking amount! You are making programs at the Villages possible. We are grateful for you. As we look ahead into 2024, we will be completing comprehensive renovations at Court Street Villages (Flint) in partnership with the McFarlan Charitable Corporation, continuing with two major expansions that are being implemented at our Lake Huron
In the News
Roger Myers Receives 2023 LeadingAge Award of Honor On November 6th, our president and CEO was celebrated for his decades of transformative leadership and exceptional contributions to the aging services field in Michigan and nationally. 12 | Graceful Living
Woods campus (just north of Port Huron) in partnership with the Port Huron Housing Commission and The Village of Westland campus (in the City of Westland), commencing construction of the Dr. Violet T. Lewis Village (a new community in Detroit) in partnership with Wallick Communities, and planning for a major expansion at Oakland Woods (Pontiac). PVM will also be working with its partner, the Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency (NEMCSA), in establishing PACE Northeast Michigan that will serve frail seniors across the northeastern region of the state’s lower peninsula. PACE Southeast Michigan (a partnership with Henry Ford Health) will continue growing to serve more participants, as will PACE Central Michigan (a partnership with the Michigan Masonic Home). Over the past year, our team, valued collaborators, investors, donors, seniors, and families throughout Michigan have joined together to create some of the most vibrant and engaging senior living communities and aging programs in the country—at least, that’s how I think of them! I’m so inspired by the tremendous dedication that I see in every board and staff meeting, resident program, and volunteer event. You make PVM’s communities and programs special, and I look forward to all that 2024 will bring with a strong sense of renewal and recommitment to our nearly 80-year-old Mission. That special anniversary will be celebrated in 2025! With continued appreciation and warmest gratitude,
Roger L. Myers, President & CEO
2023 PVM GALA
LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACT
IO N !
A big thank you to everyone who was able to join us for the 2023 PVM Gala on October 27th, 2023. You helped raise $338,000, the most ever for this event! Your presence and contributions truly lit up the gala. Your support provides for resident emergency needs, innovative services and wellness programs for residents, and helps ensure that an older adult has a safe, affordable, and dignified place to call home. Thank you for enhancing the lives of older adults in our community. We appreciate you!
Winter 2024 | 13
25200 Telegraph Road, Suite 400 Southfield, MI 48033-7496
Did you know? Michigan has several types of birds that stick around during our winter months! Fill up those birdfeeders, put out the suet cakes, and then watch for American goldfinches, dark-eyed juncos, and woodpeckers to visit your backyard.
Presbyterian Villages of Michigan 25200 Telegraph Road, Suite 400 Southfield, MI 48033-7496 (248) 281-2020 pvm.org Presbyterian Villages of Michigan provides equal housing opportunity to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, familial status, or national origin.
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