If you spend much time at Calvin you probably recognize the face of volunteer Vivian Thatcher. Vivian wears many hats at Cal-vin. She is often in the Coffee Shop working as a host to Cal-vin’s residents, employees and guests. Monthly she volunteers for our mending group which gives time mending resident clothing hems, seams, buttons and minor repairs. She also works in our Card Shop/Flea Market which is an on-going sale that consists of greeting cards, basic toiletry items, donated items such as household goods, book and puzzles. On top of all that, she is the current president of our Calvin women’s Auxiliary. The Auxiliary serves the residents

what challenges the weather may bring. When the big snow events occur, I am always mindful of our many dedicated staff persons at Calvin Community who make extra efforts to be at work so they can serve our residents who are relying on them.

Our many residents, enjoying the comfort inside our walls, look forward to meals, services, care, and activities every day of the year no matter how strong the wind blows, or how deep the snow drifts become. It is not uncommon that some of our staff will work extra shifts, or spend the night, just to be sure that all of our residents’ needs are met. It is this exemplary type of ef-fort, demonstrated by our staff persons on the most challenging

days, that makes Calvin Commu-nity a very special place, deserving to be called “home.”

The next time a big snow storm hits, please join me in saying “thank you” to our many staff persons who are at work on that day. There is no truer state-ment than “there is never a snow day at Calvin Community!”

Mark Teigland, President/CEO

Calvin ConnectionFall 2016 A quarterly publication for friends of Calvin Community

Never Mind the Winter’s Cold, Snow, Sleet or Wind!

Mark Teigland, President/CEO

Even though we have all enjoyed a beautiful fall season, there is one thing we can be sure of in Iowa – with winter we will have our share of cold, difficult and snowy weather. My wife is a dedicated school teacher who is currently in the midst of her 38th year in the classroom. Her dedication to serving her students is akin to the dedication shown by our many Calvin Community employ-ees who serve our residents. One notable difference in the work settings, however, is that when winter’s worst hits, my wife may hear the “no school today” announcement. In Cal-vin’s world, though, it is always business as usual, in spite of

continued on page 2

Volunteer Spotlight:Vivian Thatcher

Vivian Thatcher

“There is never a snow day

at Calvin Community!”

Be sure to visit our website. www.calvincommunity.org

We’re also on Facebook!

Calvin is well known for its deli-cious food. We thought it was time to meet the faces behind the food. There are six cooks at Calvin who have different specialty areas here at Calvin.

Janice Dempsey has been here two years and is in charge of breakfast. Max Harris has worked at Calvin for three years and is in charge of the noon meal. Support-

ing both of those meals is Donna Jacobson who has been working in the kitchen for a year. Jacob Formaro (four years) & John Fe-gan (two years) work together to bring our delicious evening meals together. Last, but not least is Nicole Arpy (five years) who is a certified pastry chef and in charge of the baking.

They all work together to keep the

kitchen running smooth which is necessary when they serve an av-erage of 13,125 meals per month. On top of cooking the regular staples at Calvin they also bring their ideas and influence to our menu. Some of their creations include Max’s Tailgate Sandwich, Pastachenna (Jacob), Rhubarb Cake (Nicole) and Chicken Pep-peroni (John).

All of this is done under the steady leadership of Pam Car-berry, Director of Food Services, Mike Runyan-Renze, Assistant Director, and Jane Hemminger, Dietician.

We think this great group of people do a wonderful job and we always look forward to the next meal at Calvin.

The Calvin Cooks

Volunteer Spotlight: Vivian Thatcher (Continued from page 1)

through volunteering, promoting public relations, assisting with special purchases and projects and by financial contributions to the Good Samaritan Fund.

Vivian first volunteered at Cal-vin’s Auxiliary as a representa-tive from Westminster Church seven years ago. She has lived

Nicole Arpy, Jacob Formaro and John Fegan

in Des Moines since 1969, but is originally from Sturgis, South Dakota. She retired from Mercy in 2000 where she worked as a Laboratory Medical Technolo-gist. She and her husband raised 4 children together and she now has 10 grandchildren. Besides vol-unteering at Calvin she also does

pet therapy with her dog Benny at Ramsey Village. Her other hob-bies include gardening and she belongs to Widowed People of Central Iowa.

When asked what she likes about volunteering at Calvin she quick-ly replied, “The people, it’s such a cheery place to be.”

Donna Jacobson, Max Harris and Janice Dempsey

Like us on FacebookCalvin Community is now on Facebook and we invite you all to like our page. We’ll be posting about things happening at Cal-vin as well as sharing upcoming events and photos. Please check in and tag us in your posts.

When posting, please remember to respect our residents’ privacy and post photos and names of your family and friends with their permission. Thank you and we look forward to connecting with you!

www.facebook.com/calvincommunity

Resident Spotlight: Gerry & Mary Rickert

Mary and Gerry Rickert

Gerry Rickert celebrated his 100th birthday in July, and his one request when he leaves this earth is that someone from Calvin Community continues to read the poetry he has written to his darling wife Mary each year on their anni-versary. In his words, his love for his wife and the life they’ve had together are on full display.

I love you very much, my dear For reasons not obscure. You’re sweet, you’re kind, you’re lovable You’re Gerry’s perfect cure.

You’ve been a super mother dear, You’ve been a super wife. The joys we’ve shared, the things we’ve done Have been my paradise.

The collection he’s written has been a labor of love for 71 years. This stanza was composed New Year’s Eve, 1945, while he was a pilot in World War II.

I’ll try to hurry home, my dear With Uncle Sam’s good grace. My heart is like a homing dove And you are its home base.

Gerry wants their tradition to continue to remind Mary of his love, their family and their wonderful life.

We have accomplished much, my dear Our lives no more a dream. There’s Jane, and Grant, and Mary Beth Accomplishments supreme

The couple has lived at Calvin Community for seven years, but their history with Calvin goes all the way back to Calvin’s beginnings. Gerry helped procure the property Calvin was built upon and was on the board when Calvin was founded on Sept. 25, 1965. He volunteered his time to make a wonderful community where he and Mary now live.

We live at Calvin Manor, dear I’ll include them in my poem. We’re treated very well, my dear They make us feel at home.

Gerry and Mary’s love is special and admired by many. “When they would sit down to din-ner, they’d say their prayers and then clink their glasses and give each other a wink. And when they’d sit on the patio they were almost always holding hands,” recalls Ann Scallon, Director of Activities.

We enjoy Calvin’s patio The squirrels, rabbits, butterflies, Trees, shrubs, flowers, green grass And jet streams in the skies.

“The continuum of care at Calvin means that no matter the condition of their health they can be together,” said George McKeever, Admissions Director, “I’ve certainly enjoyed seeing Mary play the piano and Gerry sitting by her, sug-gesting another song or taking a request from those who stopped to listen.”

You play a mean piano, dear I love your melody. My life has been rewarded By your perfect harmony.

It is apparent, when you read Gerry’s poems to Mary, that the couple has had a wonderful, full life, one he wouldn’t trade for the world.

I’ve had a lot of good days, dear They’ve added to my life. But the best day by a long shot Was the day I met my wife.

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DES MOINES, IAPERMIT No. 707

4210 Hickman RoadDes Moines, IA 50310-3395

Ann’s Activity Calendar

Join UsWe have many wonderful programs coming up!

T u e s d a y , N o v e m b e r 1 : Nintendo Wii Bowling, 10:00 AM in the Main Lounge

W e d n e s d a y , N o v e m b e r 9 : Fami ly & Communi ty Education, 10:00 AM in the Main Lounge

Wednesday, November 16: Meals From the Heartland Service Project, 10:00 AM in the Rec Room

Sunday, November 20: Big Band Music by “The Band”, 2:00 PM in the Main Lounge

Wednesday, December 7: West Des Moines Community Band, 6:45 PM in the Main Lounge

Monday, December 12 : Urbandale Swing Band, 7:00 PM in the Main Lounge

Visit calvincommunity.org for the full calendar

of events.

Christmas Open House!

Sunday, December 4:

2-3:30 PM in the Main Lounge

Refreshments will be served

Family & friends encouraged to attend.