Monthly Newsletter of Eugene’s Premier Retirement Community January 2017

Eugene Hotel View

Meet Your Neighbors Getting to know Loni Meeker...p. 2

January Events Activities and calendar for January...pp. 3-6

Book GroupResidents will discuss The Cellist of Sarajevo

Clothing ExchangeIt’s time to clean outyour closet!...p. 8

The most popular new year’s resolutions show that the same goals crop up year after

year, probably because they’re so hard to achieve. While it is difficult to stick to resolutions, a well-conceived plan will contribute to success. Here’s a list of the most popular resolutions people share:

• Lose Weight/Become Fit • Drink Less Alcohol• Get a Better Education• Get a Better Job• Manage Debt • Manage Stress/Enjoy Life More• Quit Smoking Now• Save Money• Take a Trip• Volunteer to Help Others

More than 66 percent of adult Americans are considered overweight or obese by recent studies, so it is not surprising to find that weight loss is one of the most popular new year’s resolutions. Regular exercise has been associated with weight loss and numerous health benefits. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances

The Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions

mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better. Pamela Peeke, M.D., M.P.H., assistant clinical professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and author of Fight Fat After Forty, offers the following tips for losing weight. (A complete list of her suggestions can be found at the University of Maryland Medical School website: http://www.umm.edu/features/keepmoving.htm)

• Find the right kind of exercise for you. Choose activities that you enjoy and that fit your personality.

• Make the time to exercise. Pick a time of the day when you’ll always have time to exercise and stick to it. Don’t make excuses not to exercise. Instead, try setting a schedule for the week that indicates which days you’ll exercise.

• Get up and move! Incorporate exercise during the day. If you sit most of the day, get out of your chair at least once an hour and walk around.

• Find an exercise buddy. Get a friend involved and be each other’s motivator, or join a group. The advantage to this approach is that you know other people are counting on you and you don’t want to let them down.

• Check with a doctor before beginning an exercise program. This is especially important as you get older or if you have a history of health problems.

• Start slowly. This will help you achieve the most benefits with the least risk, especially if you have not been physically active for some time.

• Make exercise fun. If you buy home equipment, put it in front of the television. That way, you won’t get bored when you’re exercising.

• Set weekly goals with enticing rewards. Establishing attainable short-term goals gives you something to work toward and a feeling of accomplishment when you reach them. Take time to celebrate your achievement.

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NEIGHBORMeet your

Continued on page 7...

Loni Meeker

Born in Long Beach, California, Loni enjoyed being near the ocean where she could walk to the beach from her house. When her parents divorced, two year old Loni stayed with her mom and brother who was thirteen months older. As a child Loni was extremely shy and very introverted. At age three she started singing and performed at pre-school pageants. Her father had a wonderful baritone voice. Her mother was a model, actress and singer with a beautiful contralto voice who sang professionally in her twenties. Both her parents were always singing, and Loni inherited their singing talents. At age fifteen Loni went to live with her father in Los Alamitos, California, in Orange County. With a natural talent for acting as well as singing, she was in stage plays and musicals at Western High School. She was very happy there, and was voted the most popular girl in high school. When Loni was at Cypress College she received training as an actress and singer in the theater arts department for three years. In 1972, she graduated with a B.A. degree from Cal State University Long Beach, with a major in literature and a minor in theater arts. She was chosen as the winner of the American College

Theater Festival Award for the best actress in musicals of all colleges in California. Betty White handed her this prestigious award. An article in the L.A. Times predicted she would be the next Carol Burnett. Loni’s dad wanted her to be an airline stewardess rather than an actress as he thought acting was a foolish and frivolous endeavor. She was employed as a telephone operator for six months and then advanced to second level management within a couple of years. At the same time, she started auditioning and procured a theater agent and commercial agent. After getting a small part on the soap opera, General Hospital, she obtained her SAG (Screen Actors Guild) card. Soon Loni’s big moment arrived. Auditioning like crazy, she secured a position for several years on Commercial Unlimited, a cable show spoofing TV commercials. In another cable TV show, People, Places and Things she interviewed people about such issues as abortion and feminism. It was a wonderful show. She was also an actress for a national commercial for Pearls of Majorca and was in a number of training films for employees for banks such as United Bank and Bank of America. She acted in industrial, managerial type of films that are enactments, such as a loan manager during loan proceedings. In addition, she had acting and singing roles in community theater and musicals. After quitting the phone company, Loni earned a masters degree in marriage family therapy at CAL Family Institute. She became a therapist, sang at a local restaurant and tavern, and continued auditioning. After completing a doctorate in psychology at Southern California University of Professional Studies, she became a professional therapist and a performer in shows,

on and off. Self-made and self-sustaining, she raised herself and paid for her education. Performing for five years with the Big Band Commotion, which played ‘30s and ‘40s music, kept Loni’s singing career going. Touring all over California they performed for birthdays, Bar Mitzvahs and New Year’s which was a big affair. In her late thirties Loni auditioned and that same day won the opportunity to sing the national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner” at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Singing to an audience of 50,000 people in the stadium was the most petrifying moment of her life. The Dodgers were playing the Padres, and she had the privilege of meeting the team members. With a balance of the performing arts and being a therapist, Loni finally made her father proud. An avid runner, she jogged five to six miles a day until age 50. Unfortunately, an injury while running and subsequent bad operations forced Loni to retire early on social security disability in her fifties. After retiring she was able to perform in a few plays. At the Long Beach Studio Theater she acted roles in a wheel chair and with a cane. Loni accomplished a number of things on her bucket list. For example, she went sky diving in Perris, California several times with a professional sky diver strapped to her back. At age fourteen she started body surfing and surf boarding, stopping when she was about twenty. Her surfing spots were at Huntington Beach Pier and Dana Point. A good body surfer, she once surfed in 20-30 ft. waves. Loni’s travels included trips to Mexico, Paris, Switzerland and London where she fell in love on a

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Special EventsBy Karen Butcher, Activities Director

Activities &

Monthly Preview A light breakfast will be served in the lounge at 10 a.m. before the monthly preview on Tuesday, January 3. Get updates on activities and special events for the month of January.

Cooking Demonstration with CarolJoin Carol in the resident kitchen at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 6, for a Chinese cooking demonstration followed by lunch in honor of the Chinese New Year. Together we will make Chinese egg rolls using fresh vegetables and/or chicken. Enjoy delicious egg flower soup and sip on freshly brewed tea. This is a tasty way to celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Rooster.

Creative Writing & Personal NarrativeDo you like to tell stories? A new group devoted to creative writing will be meeting on Saturdays in the lounge at 11 a.m., January 7, 14, and 21. Led by Sallie, our new front desk receptionist, we will explore a variety of storytelling styles and writing craft techniques. Subject matter is flexible; whether you prefer to write about events from your own life or from your imagination, all are welcome. Come prepared for fun writing activities and imaginative word play.

Music: In AccordThis choir consists of community members with a variety of musical experience and backgrounds. They will be in the lounge on Sunday, January 8, at 2 p.m. to sing a selection of socially relevant, meaningful and inspiring songs. Come share the joy and the spirited repertoire performed by this choir.

Mall Walking at Valley River MallWith the weather being unpredictable, it can be difficult to get outside to walk for exercise. The bus will go to the Valley River Mall at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 10 and 31. Use this time to walk at your own pace inside the dry and comfortable mall. This is an excellent time to perhaps fulfill a new year’s resolution to get more exercise and become fit. Seating is located throughout the mall for you to stop and rest. We will be home in plenty of time for lunch. Walker accessible.

Presentation: Cuba, a Country in TransitionEugene residents Julie Jessal and Mike Wolf recently completed a self-supported bicycle trip across Cuba. On Wednesday, January 11, at 1 p.m. in the lounge, they will discuss Cuba’s political and economic past and the present conditions in the country. They will share the hopes and dreams of everyday Cubans they met along the way. Join us for this interesting presentation and discussion.

Make Your Own Lip Balm!This will be a first for many of you! Join Alisha in the resident kitchen on Thursday, January 12, at 2 p.m. to make your own tube of lip balm. All supplies will be provided to create a creamy, wonderful smelling tube of lip balm. There will be several choices of “flavors.” This is a simple recipe and not much work, making the final product something you will be amazed you created!

Music: Busy BruceBruce McLennan is a jazz musician who performs throughout the Eugene/Springfield area. His main musical love is old jazz songs performed by Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Tony Bennett, to name a few. Bruce sings and plays guitar accompanied by his own recorded background arrangements. Come to the lounge on Friday, January 13, starting at 6:30 p.m. to hear updated versions of favorite jazz standards.

Korean Dancers and MusicThe Korean Central Church from Springfield will give a music and dance performance in the lounge on Sunday, January 15, at 2:30 p.m. Traditional Korean dances will be performed, complete with colorful masks and beautiful costumes. We’ll also view a children’s fan dance and listen to Korean folk songs. This is sure to be an afternoon to remember.

Theater Readings with Anne CooperThe play’s the thing! On Monday, January 16, at 3 p.m. in the lounge, we will get together to read and perform familiar plays. First we will do simple warm ups to help us focus and get comfortable. Next we will take simple dialogues and scenes from well-known plays, taking turns reading aloud. No memorization is required. Never fear, there will be no pressure to “perform.” Just bring your imagination and have fun becoming someone else. You’re welcome to participate or just watch and listen.

Resident Appreciation LuncheonWe love our residents and will show our appreciation by preparing and serving you lunch this month. Come to the lounge at 12 noon on Tuesday, January 17, for music and lunch made for you by the Eugene Hotel staff.

Year of the Rooster

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Tea and PoetryEnjoy tea and a pastry at the monthly poetry get-together at 2 p.m. on Thursday, January 19, in the lounge.

Beading with LarenaCome to the resident kitchen on Friday, January 20, at 2:30 p.m. for beading. Larena has a large new inventory of beads for your choosing. This class is free for residents and offers beads, advice and all the help you need to create a beautiful necklace or pair of earrings.

Qigong Introduction ClassQigong is the skill of attracting vital energy and self-healing. It combines movement, meditation and visualizations, which are employed to enhance the mind/body connection and assist healing. Join instructor Roberta Roth in the lounge on Monday, January 23, at 2 p.m. for a short discussion and a presentation about Qigong. Roberta previously taught at the hotel and we are pleased to welcome her back. This low impact exercise class will start in February.

China Travelogue: People, Tea and ChangesJoin Judi in the lounge on January 27, at 2 p.m. for her presentation about the amazing trip to China she and her daughter McKenzie experienced in November. Although Judi and McKenzie saw many familiar tourist attractions, McKenzie also photographed other, often missed, details. Learn more about China at this unique and well-rounded travelogue. Residents will also have an opportunity to sample a variety of unusual Chinese teas. Following the travelogue, from 4:30-6:00 p.m., there will be a Chinese theme dinner in the dining room, including some recipes from the trip.

Romeo and Juliet at the Wildish Theater in SpringfieldThe bus will leave at 1 p.m. on Sunday, January 29, for the 2 pm showing of Romeo and Juliet at the Wildish Theater in Springfield. Artistic Director and founder Judith Roberts has assembled actors from seasoned veterans of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival to superb local talent to bring Shakespeare to life. This presentation features all the vital production elements including stunning sets, colorful costumes, live music and professional lights and sound. Tickets are $5/person. Walker accessible.

Creative ColoringDid you know that coloring for adults works your brain? It engages both sides of your brain in that it’s both creative and tactical. In addition, it’s relaxing and helps reduce stress. On Monday, January 30, at 1 p.m. we will be in the resident kitchen coloring away. All paper, pencils, pens and water paints will be provided. Work on Valentine’s Day cards or choose a project from the wide assortment of books available.

Music in the Lounge by Acoustic SunsetSpecial guests Bob and Janet Dillon of the music group Acoustic Sunset will be in the lounge on Monday, January 30, at 6:30 p.m. This duo performs extensively throughout Oregon and their mission is “to bring smiles to the faces of those they are serving.” Bob is a classical finger style guitarist and accompanies Janet who sings the melodies to a wide variety of pop, classical and country songs. Please give this dynamic duo a warm welcome.

Current Events with Downtown Projects ManagerNan Laurence, the downtown projects manager, will be in the lounge on Tuesday, January 31, at 1 p.m. Join

in on the conversation while she discusses downtown issues such as the 5th Street expansion, Park Blocks and open space improvements and the improved space for the farmers market. She will be providing up to date information on these upcoming and ongoing projects.

TRIPS:Thrift Store ShoppingOn Tuesday, January 10, the bus will leave at 1 p.m. for thrift store shopping around Eugene and Springfield. We will go to Hearts for Hospice, St. Vincent de Paul and the Assistance League of Eugene. Join us as we hit all the best thrift stores to find some great bargains for the new year.

Lunch at Mill Creek Station/Willamette Heritage Invitational ExhibitGuest curators from heritage and cultural organizations have been invited to design sections of the exhibit titled “Nature and Community” at the Willamette Heritage Center in Salem. Participants include the Bush House, Gordon House, Deepwood, Oregon Forest History Museum and Willamette University/OSU Peck Herbarium, along with many other county museums. Together they explore the wide array of natural resources in the Mid-Willamette Valley and the complex interactions between the natural environment and our communities. The bus will leave at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 24. We will first enjoy lunch at Mill Creek Station. They offer fresh deli sandwiches and hot soups. A self-guided tour through the exhibit will follow. There is also a wonderful gift shop for you to enjoy before we leave for home. Cost for the tour is $5/person. Walker accessible.

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Meet Your NeighborContinued from page 2...

Welcome to the Eugene Hotel!

Welcome new residentsLarry KegleyLyn Fischrup

Judith Knudtson

roof-top. She would like to tour and travel the rest of the world. For about thirty years Loni enjoyed visiting her father once a year in McKenzie Bridge, Oregon because of its beauty. Hating the city, Loni’s father, who retired from Ford Motors, had moved there with his wife. It was a gorgeous area; however, when Loni lived in McKenzie Bridge after inheriting her father’s house, she found the locale too secluded and isolated. Joining our retirement community in February 2016, Loni writes poetry and reads at the hotel’s tea and poetry gatherings. Several months ago residents were treated to her concert of songs from the thirties and forties. Chronic pain prevents her from performing frequently, but she is looking for acting roles. Her goal is to sing at the Jazz Station on open mike night, when performers hand their music to the piano player to accompany them. At age twenty-one Loni, painted like a snake, was a big hit at a Halloween party. This Halloween, borrowing a black and gold gown from the lower level costume collection and a mask from a friend, she dressed as the embodiment of “namaste” which means the spirit in me acknowledges the spirit in you. At four parties in four days she “danced away!” Loni loves performing, singing at the drop of a hat, entertaining people and being at the Eugene Hotel.

Rita warmly welcomes Santa

Joyful Alice!

A delicious dinner of chicken Marsala and lasagna was prepared by Mookie and his kitchen elves, followed by a wonderful dessert. We enthusiastically welcomed back our special musical guests, Jon and Nancy Crider, who entertained with a selection of holiday songs that residents enjoyed singing along with. Some residents also danced to the music. The evening was complete when Santa stopped by, warming the room with his jolly laugh and wishes for a happy holiday and good new year.

Residents enjoyed a wonderful holiday party!

Breakfast Brigade at The KozyBy Jo Fanning

222 East BroadwayEugene, OR 97401

541 343-8574

EUGENEHOTELRetirement Community

Judi Jackson, General Manager Visit us on Facebook or www.eugenehotel.com • E-mail at eugenehotel@qwestoffice.net

Holiday Bazaar

Continue to clean out your closet and dresser drawers and bring your clean clothing and accessories to Karen B’s office. The clothing exchange will take place on Friday, February 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the lounge. This is the time to update your wardrobe with “new to you” items!

Clothing Exchange During the December ice storm, the Breakfast Brigade braved the chilling temperatures for a morning trip to The Kozy located on Coburg Road in Eugene. It was a beautiful ride; the incrusted ice on tree branches sparkled brightly in the sunshine. We arrived at the restaurant and were promptly seated at a large table to accommodate our group. Piping hot, freshly brewed coffee was poured for us to enjoy while we looked over the expansive menu. After the attentive wait staff took our orders, we enjoyed conversing together, sharing funny little stories about our week. Our food arrived in good time. The omelet I had chosen was perfect; fluffy and full of fresh vegetables and melted cheese, the fried potatoes were deliciously well browned. The portions were so large that I ended up bringing half back home to enjoy as a lunch later in the day! I thoroughly enjoyed going out for the morning and I’m looking forward to where the next Breakfast Brigade will take us.