THE SUNSHINE NEWS The Official Newsletter of the Somerville Home

Transcription

1 THE SUNSHINE NEWS The Official Newsletter of the Somerville Home Fall/Winter Edition 2014 Vol. XVII, Issue I, No. 60 Welcome to the Sunshine News Fall/Winter Edition! Somerville Home 117 Summer Street, Somerville, MA (617) FAX (617) Administration Kelley Sferrazza Administrator Doreen Swadel Director of Human Resources and Resident Activities Allen Winkley Business Manager Clare Kelleher Resident Care Manager Alison Kanter, LCSW Social Services Carolyn McCaigue Dining Services Manager Residents enjoyed good cheer, good company and good od food all season long!

2 ACTIVITIES Since last we wrote, we sure have been busy! On July 19th we paid a visit to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library. After viewing an introductory film we saw various exhibits from the 1960 Democratic Convention, the televised debates with Vice-President Richard Nixon, and the White House years starting with the famous inaugural address delivered on a freezing Washington D.C. afternoon. On our way back home we shared stories and our memories of the Kennedy years. In August we journeyed up to the Concord Museum and learned the extensive history of Concord, Mass. We covered everything from the opening shots of the American Revolution to the rich literary traditions of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. We stopped for lunch at Walden Pond, then put on our walking shoes and visited the site of the cabin where Thoreau lived and wrote his famous works, Walden and An Essay on Civil Disobedience. Fall is one of the great things about New England. While the days grow shorter, the trees are a blaze of colors, and the air bears a refreshing coolness. We paid a visit to Brooksby Farm in Danvers, where we got to pick some apples, visit the farm store and enjoy a picnic lunch outdoors. On another day we partook of frozen yogurt treats at the Orange Leaf in Davis Square. In October we were graced with a visit from the Moonlighters, a group of swinging, singing seniors from the Council on Aging. We listened to and sang along with a lot of our old favorite songs of the past. We are already looking forward to an encore! On Halloween our multi-purpose room was magically transformed into a scene from Alice in Wonderland where we took part in the Mad Hatter s Tea Party. The table was festively adorned with tea cups, teapots and clocks. Residents and staff attended in costume and shared tea, tarts and sandwiches. Activities Director Doreen and Dining Services Manager Carolyn really outdid themselves in planning and preparing this special event. On November 14th we headed to the Museum of Fine Arts. We got to view the John Singer Sargent watercolor exhibit as well as artifacts from ancient Egypt. After a brief rest, we headed out again that evening to Somerville High School s annual pre-thanksgiving dinner sponsored by the Somerville Kiwanis Club. We enjoyed the excellent meal prepared by the culinary arts students, some singing by the Kiwanis and -- the highlight of the evening -- the famous cash envelopes.

3 I m late! I m late! I m late!. Mad Hatter s Tea Party Which way?? The Hatter s Party Guests The Queen of Heart s Tarts, Guardsmen Cakes and other treats Cheshire Clock

4 We didn t win any money but a great time was had by all. On December 3rd some residents celebrated Hanukkah with lunch at the S & S Restaurant, an Inman Square landmark. Remember the Enchanted Village when it was a fixture in the downtown Boston Jordan Marsh store? Well, nowadays the village is re-created at the Jordan s Furniture store in Avon, Mass. We were transported back in time to Christmas in a by-gone era. We saw an old post office and ice cream store, and every so often snow would fall to the notes of Bing Crosby s White Christmas. After our trip back in time we had a train to catch, so we hopped on the 4D Polar Express ride. With Tom Hanks as our conductor we were off to the North Pole to visit Santa Claus. Various musical interludes brightened other afternoons. The Hancock Church of Lexington Bell Ringers taught us the history of some of the songs in their program of holiday music. Bet you didn t know that Jingle Bells was written in Medford, Mass! Residents joined in singing songs including Deck the Halls and Up on the House Top. We welcomed Girl Scout troop #1318 for an afternoon of Christmas Carols. Our neighbors from the Greek Church on Central Street and the Lowell Street Singers brought more music to our ears. Stuff happens: When we arrived at the Stone Zoo for their holiday light program, there was no power! But we did encounter plenty of creative light displays along the route home! We were delighted when Santa took time out of his hectic schedule to stop by one evening for a chat with residents. HOW does he manage to visit so many folks before his big night, and then deliver toys and goodies to everyone on Christmas Eve? Due to inclement weather, we combined our annual Trustees Party with the Holiday Open House to create one big ol celebration on December 19th. Residents received all kinds of gifts from Santa. They dined on tasty treats and rejoiced in the company of friends and family. The festivities continued on through to New Year s Eve where we enjoyed an afternoon of toasting to past memories and looking forward to all the New Year has to offer. In January we were fortunate to have our first In-House Ceramics Class with Eileen. The residents thoroughly enjoyed looking through all the pieces and then personally picking a piece that spoke to them. We spent the next couple hours painting and sharing stories. Some of the pieces selected by residents included a Christmas Tree & Stand, Valentine bowls, whimsical bunnies, cats and cupcake trinket boxes. It was a nice way to spend a wintery morning!!

5 HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS Bobby the Elf (off the shelf!) "Stockings were hung. Holiday Sing- (and laugh-) along! Proud of her handmade Altar Cloth! Trimming the Tree with holiday light

6 Brooksby Outing Ceramics Class Concord Museum / Walden Pond Outing

7 From the desk of the Administrator Happy New Year! 2014 is off to an exciting start I am pleased to report some good news. In 2013, we were the recipients of the Lean Multi Family Grant. My Facilities Manager and I worked closely with their Engineer who walked through the entire facility conducting an energy survey. The Home received all work completed at zero cost via Motti Electric. See the estimated savings below; Per Engineers calculations the work will result in the following: TOTAL PROJECT ENERGY SAVINGS = TOTAL PROJECT DOLLAR SAVINGS = kwh/y $9,680 $/y TOTAL PROJECT COST = $46,346 TOTAL PROJECT PAYBACK = 4.8 y In addition to the Lean Grant, the Board of Directors authorized the replacement of one of the oil boilers to an energy efficient, gas boiler. Currently we are in the process of renovating of the first floor floors, and all common bathrooms throughout the Home. We hope to have some pictures for the next newsletters! However, that is not the only change we have had here at the Home. I would like to take a moment to inform families that Janete Cardoso; Bookkeeper is no longer with the Home. We thank her for her dedication over the past five years and wish her luck pursuing her education. Please see Allen or me with any financial questions. My focus in 2014 is pursuing grants to renovate the home and increasing our fundraising and marketing efforts to help us offset the rising costs. I am very pleased to report that the Somerville Home, Inc. (A non-profit, independent residential community) is honored to have been selected by the Somerville Chamber of Commerce for the 2014 Taste of Somerville event to be held in June 4, 2014 in Davis Square marks the 16th year that the Somerville Chamber of Commerce has hosted the event. Tickets will grant one access to a foodie s heaven; where they will be able to sample dozens of local restaurants including some of their signature entrees, desserts, beer and wine! This is a community event where the proceeds raised are donated to a local nonprofit organization. Stay tuned to the Home's website/facebook page for more details of the event! If you are interested in helping out with the event; please contact me directly at ksferrazza@somervillehome.org. Sincerely, Kelley Sferrazza, Administrator Or