Novella
Essie Summers Retirement Village • Winter edition 2018
Game time The Killer Bees took out the rhythmic dancing competition at our Commonwealth Games
Meet Pauline
Midwinter solstice
Shortland Street appearance
Greetings from Rosemary... Hello and welcome to the winter edition of Essie’s Novella.
Commonwealth Games, we celebrated Mother’s Day and commemorated Anzac Day.
What a wonderful time of the year winter is – frosty mornings and clear blue skies. There is nothing quite like being snug and warm when it’s chilly outside.
Our recent survey results are in and I am pleased to say that the results were positive. However, we are committed to continue to improve where we can to make life at Essie Summers for our residents, relatives and staff, spectacular.
Our residents are busy preparing for spring by planting an array of bulbs in various locations. Chris, our marvellous maintenance man, has built a lovely planter box for the resthome residents. Meanwhile the hospital residents have individual pots for their window sills. We can’t wait to see the plants come to life. We have been very busy over the past few months with a slew of activities and events. Among them was our very successful
Please pop in for a chat if you are visiting the village. Kind regards,
Rosemary Deane Village Manager
Diabetes Presentation We were pleased to have Lynne Taylor from the Christchurch Diabetes Society at the village to speak about the different types of diabetes, prevention and healthy living. The presentation took place on 26 July and was followed by a delicious afternoon tea. Susie
Rosemary Deane Village Manager Ph: 03 337 2702 Call Rosemary for general enquiries, or information about resthome, hospital and dementia care.
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Susie Cowles Sales Advisor Ph: 03 337 6500 Talk to Susie for information about townhouses or serviced apartments.
Comm monwea altth Game es Our village took part in a spectacular sport-fest. The atmosphere was buzzing and special guest Chief Executive Gordon MacLeod opened the games. Teams from all areas competed in horse racing, egg-onspoon races, nerf-gun shooting, floor darts and many more. Many residents became incredibly competitive as they encouraged their team members. Rivalries were the most apparent during the rhythmic dancing competition. It was a tight competition but victory was awarded to the Killer Bees. The afternoon ended with the hilarious Human Hippo event where staff tried to get the most balls in their containers. This time, the special care unit took the crown. The Games were a riot and one that we will not forget. Above: The Team Care’s members were among the most enthusiastic at the village. Right: Senior Carers Clarissa Alojado and Patty Khunkaew.
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It’s got to be
good enough for Mum In May 2018 Kevin Hickman announced he was standing down from the board of Ryman, ending 34 years of service at the company. There is no doubt that Ryman Healthcare would not be the company it is today without Kevin, and everyone at Ryman wishes him all the best with his retirement. The Ryman story began back in 1983, when Kevin was a former policeman turned private detective. He was asked to investigate a resthome fire in Christchurch, and he did not like what he saw. “The fire was in an old villa and there were four people to a room all with shared toilets,’’ Kevin recalls. “To me it was crazy, the standards were so poor. But that’s how resthomes were in those days.’’ Kevin would never dream of putting his mother into a place like that if she needed to go into care. “I thought, what would I want for Mum?” And so, Ryman’s philosophy that care has to be “good enough for Mum” was born. Kevin teamed up with John Ryder, an accountant, and together they made a dynamic pair. Ryman – a combination of Ryder and Hickman – Healthcare was registered and they bought their first property to convert into a resthome in 1984.
“I thought, what would I want for Mum?” As well as providing care that was better than anywhere else, the company had to be sustainable, with its systems constantly refined and improved upon. The size of the villages and the facilities offered may have changed over the past 30 years, but Ryman’s core philosophy remains the same. Care is still at the heart of what we do. And it’s got to be good enough for Mum. Or Dad!
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Italian meatballs Meatballs 500g Mince beef 1 Onion diced 2 tbsp Fresh thyme 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1 Egg 1/2 cup Breadcrumbs Salt & Pepper
A note from Ryman chef,
Sugo sauce 1/2 Onion, diced 1tbsp Garlic 1 tbsp Basil, chopped 1/4 cup Red wine
400g Tinned crushed tomatoes 1 Bay leaf 500ml Beef stock
Method • Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. • Combine all the meatball ingredients with the beef mince and mix well, then roll them into golf ball size portions. • Fry all the meat balls in a semi deep fry pan to seal the meat, and place them onto a baking tray. • Use the same deep fry pan to sauté the onion, garlic, basil and bay leaf, then deglaze with red wine and add the crushed tomatoes and beef stock. • Once the sauce starts bubbling, pour over the meatball tray. • Cover with baking paper and foil and cook for 2 hours. • Serve hot on a bed of mashed potatoes. • Serves 4-5.
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Lawrence Slow cooked Italian meatballs are a resident favourite at our Weary Dunlop Retirement Village. It’s a hearty dish that blends well with our new Harvest menus, and residents love the texture and flavour. Furthermore, it’s a healthy option and is easy to prepare. You simply combine the ingredients and let the oven do the cooking – leaving more time to spend with your loved ones. Weary Dunlop chef Lawrence with resident Enid McCauley
Resident Profile
Meet Pauline
1950 to 1971 Sister Pauline taught history at Villa Maria College and she was the Principal for 17 of those years. In 1973 Sister Pauline joined the staff at Aranui High School and stayed until 1977. A year later, she joined the National Radio and was part of a panel that discussed topical issues from a Christian point of view. Sister Pauline stayed on until 1990. She was also involved in various community services and liked that she could give something back to society. Sister Pauline is also a published author with several non-fiction books to her name. She has also donated a few to Essie Summer’s library. In 1990, Sister Pauline was awarded the Queen’s honour of CBE and a DCNZM was awarded in 2000.
I was involved in various community services and liked the fact that I could give back to society. Sister Pauline O’Regan was born on 28 June 1922 in Reefton on the West Coast of New Zealand. She was the youngest of four children, with two older brothers and a sister. In 1942, Sister Pauline entered the Christchurch Sisters of Mercy. History was always a favourite subject and interest for Sister Pauline and she taught it for most of her teaching life. From
Sister Pauline moved into Essie Summers in 2017, after consulting with Father Kevin Burns, whom she has known for a long time. Two other members of her community; Sister Helen and Sister Marie, have followed her and are very happy here. Sister Pauline likes the village very much, especially it’s very warm atmosphere, good spirit and lovely staff.
Mother’s Day For Mother’s Day this year, we took turns to celebrate Mothers in each area of the village. The special care unit, hospital and resthome residents held fantastic high teas with their family members, while the serviced apartment residents had a themed Happy Hour.
In the care centre the ladies were treated to a lovely hand massage, manicure and a movie night. We hope that everyone felt special on the day. Pictured: Senior Carer Patty Khunkaew with residents Wilhemina De Jong and Sister Pauline O’Regan.
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Midwinter solstice
Easter celebration
We celebrated the winter solstice with spiced Christmas wine and tarts, followed by turkey with sage and onion stuffing, gourmet potatoes and winter vegetables. This was followed by a delicious dessert. What a fantastic meal with great company!
At Essie Summers, it has now become tradition to invite dancers to the village during Easter. This year, the Sharon Howells School of Ballet performed, and everyone loved seeing the young dancers.
Pictured: Residents Max Friedberg, Thomas Henley and John Streeten.
Pictured: The ballerinas twirled and danced to the delight of residents and staff.
Staff Profile
Introducing Karlo
Hello, my name is Karlo Sandino Tiu-Rosales and I am from the Philippines. My family came to New Zealand for my cousin’s wedding in 2015 and I decided to see more of the country afterwards. As a foreign-trained nurse I applied at several resthomes including Essie Summers. I was lucky enough to be hired on the spot by village manager Rosemary.
I believe I can make a difference in our residents’ lives.
I started out as a senior caregiver and since 2017 I’ve been the resthome activities coordinator. I enjoy the new job as I believe
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I can make a difference in our residents’ lives. The moment I see residents smiling and laughing I know I have done something right – and that is what we aim to do here! When I am not working I love to read, especially books by Ray Bradbury, Henry James and Khaled Hosseini. If I’m not reading, I’m either gardening or doing interior design. I also have an interest in photography and I love to travel.
Shortland Street After months of anticipation, our Shortland Street competition winners; Karen Jenkins and Nicole Williams, finally got their casting call. At the studio they were greeted by Selwyn who took them on a studio tour and introduced them to any crew that they came across. They got to see all the famous locations, costumes and props.
Upcoming events August
September
01-31
02
Wellness Month
Father’s Day
September
October
04
01-31
Rebecca Nelson Concert
Oktoberfest celebrations
Karen played an unwell patient in the ED while Nicole was her concerned relative. We’re sure that they will win the golden globe for best extras! The highlight of the day? Meeting the stars! Above: Shortland Street actors (L to R) Luke Patrick, Ria Vandervis, Sam Bunkall and Sally Martin with Chef Karen, Village Manager Rosemary and Receptionist Nicole. Inset: Nicole and Karen on the set of Shortland Street. 222 Colombo Street, Christchurch
www.essiesummers.co.nz