heim family & friends - co.berks.pa.us 2017.pdfheim family & friends ... enjoy in the...

Berks Heim Nursing and Rehabilitation

Resident and Employee Newsletter March 2017

Heim Family & Friends

COMING SOON—MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Thursday March 9 –7:00 P.M.– Bingo– Bernville Scouts (A/C)

Friday March 17 - 2:30 P.M. St. Patrick’s Day Social (A/C)

Tuesday March 27 - 7:00 P.M. Bingo– Spring Township (A/C)

Thursday March 29- 2:30 P.M. Happy Hour w/ Steve Barth (A/C)

A RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS

February 17th was Random Acts of Kind-

ness Day. This is a day set aside for doing

something kind for one another, “just be-

cause.” Something as simple as smiling at

someone, giving a compliment, or taking a

friend to lunch.

Students, ages 13-18, of River Rock Acad-

emy decided they were going to have a

Random Acts of Kindness week, to allow

them enough time to show all the kindness

they wanted to share. Berks Heim and our

residents were fortunate to be chosen as

recipients of their kindness when Student

Council Members stopped in to deliver

birdhouses they made for our residents to

enjoy in the courtyards of our campus.

After all, Spring is only a few weeks

away! They are now planning to return

soon to visit with residents and help out in

other ways doing volunteer service.

We look forward to seeing them again and

thank them for their show of kindness!


VALENTINE CRAFTS

Residents, along with Ac-

tivity staff and family

members, enjoy an after-

noon making assorted

crafts to celebrate Valen-

tine’s Day. For some, the

items were a decoration

for their rooms, for others

a gift for someone special.

NEW ACTIVITY FOR RESIDENTS: PROGRESSIVE BINGO

For many of our residents, bingo is a popular pas-

time. Now there is a new bingo game with a bit of a

twist for residents to participate in known as progres-

sive bingo. In this version of the game, someone

from the Activity staff pulls a number every day.

Residents check their card to see if they have the

number and mark their cards accordingly. The game

keeps going until someone wins bingo or the month

ends. Each month a new game begins and new num-

bers are drawn. There is only one winner each

month. Once there is a winner in the month, a new

game starts the following month. Congratulations to

Marguerite Przydzia, B-2, is the first winner of this

new game for the month of February.


SHOWING TEAM SPIRIT !

Residents and staff proudly wore their

team jerseys on NFL Team Jersey Day,

which was held on the Friday before the

Super Bowl. While not everyone agreed

on a favorite team, what they did agree

on is a love of football and the anticipa-

tion of the Super Bowl. This year’s

game between the Falcons and the Patri-

ots was an exciting one with the largest

comeback in Super Bowl history, forc-

ing overtime. This was the first extra

period in Super Bowl History! Congrat-

ulations to Patriot’s fans and to every-

one else, better luck to your favorite

team for next year!


Happy April

Birthdays Paul Dietrich .................... B-1……...….April 1

Mary Ann Frick ................ EC………….April 1

Rosario Ciatto……………EC......…......April 2

Sidney Spillerman ........... B-3……..…..April 3

Geraldine Leiby ............... A-3….…..….April 5

Barry Waren…………….. B-3..…..... ...April 5

James Denatale .............. B-1………….April 6

Laura Connor…………….B-3….….…. April 8

Joseph Ostrowski………..B-3…..……..April 8

Joan Siegfried……………A-1……..…..April 9

Mary Smith……………….A-1…….…...April 9

Lorraine Smith ................. B-1……..…April 10

Jean Heberling ................ B-3………..April 11

Lillian Kennedy…………B-1……......April 11

Dennis Lafaver…………..A-1…….….April 12

Linda Clay………………. A-1………..April 13

Lillian Benzel…………….A-3.………..April 14

Margaret White...………..EC..…….....April 14

Jean Cronrath…………...B-3………...April 15

Evelyn Davidheiser ......... A-3…..…....April 16

Margaret Assemes .......... B-1….…….April 18

Helen Reagan ................. B-3………..April 19

Evelyn Murphy…………...EC………. April 22

Helen Weinhold ............... A-1……..…April 23

Dorothy Peplau ............... B-1………..April 24

Palma Borgatta ............... EC………...April 24

Shirley Kolb ..................... EC………...April 25

Angela Skyllas ................. EC……….. April 25

Phyllis Krick………………B-1..……....April 26

Frances Jamison……....A-2............April 27

Mary Pulice………………B-3.….…....April 28

Florence Manwiller………A-1….…….April 28

Joyce Wise……………….B-2………..April 29

Felicia Celiberti…………..A-1………..April 30

*Bold denotes Centenarians

WELCOME TO OUR

ADMISSIONS IN

FEBRUARY

A-1 Carsonia Court Dennis Lafaver

Josephine Screspesi

Charles Portner

A-2 Pretzel City Rehabilitation and Post Acute Unit

Grace Althouse

Julia Carbaugh

Mary Krupiak

Fay Brinker

Eleonora Spangler

Margaret Bauder

Barbara Leitheiser

B-2 Reading Station Stella Albrecht

B-3 Pagoda View Josephine Ostrowski

Glenn Davidson

Lucille Bryanan

Dorothy Golden

Betty Haldeman

Essick Commons Dorothy Heckman

Carrol Deeter


Chaplain’s Good News for MARCH!

by Chaplain Clark Bossler

A MONTH OF EXPECTATION

March is a month of EXPECTATION in many ways. We anticipate warmer and longer days, since

daylight savings time begins on March 12th this year. And of course, March 20th is the first day of

Spring. Spiritually March is a month to prepare our hearts and minds. Shrove Tuesday, commonly

known as Pancake Day or for those of us who are Pennsylvania Dutch, Fashnacht Day, is Febru-

ary28th. Our family learned how to make Fashnachts from Nana. It is a long process of using yeast

and waiting for the dough to get just right before you cook them in hot oil. It is a long process, but it

is worth the work. They are so tasty with butter and Turkey Syrup smothered over each half of the

donut. So Shrove Tuesday is a kind of celebration before the fast, because Wednesday March 1st is

Ash Wednesday. This starts the season of Lent.

Lent takes place in the 40 days leading up to Easter. It is treated as a time for fasting and reflection.

It symbolizes the days which led up to Jesus’ Crucifixion and Resurrection and causes us to remem-

ber Jesus’ 40 days of temptation in the wilderness without food being tempted by the devil. You tra-

ditionally give up something for Lent to fast and pray. Children give up things like chocolate,

sweets, television, and toys while adults give up things like alcohol, coffee, or smoking.

Ash Wednesday is considered a day to cleanse the soul before Lent begins. Ashes using the mark of

a cross are placed on the foreheads of churchgoers to symbolize REPENTANCE FOR SIN. It is also

to be a reminder that death comes to everyone. We are so grateful for the Grace of God in our lives.

During the season of Lent, remember that our sins can be forgiven on a daily basis every time we

pray and ask Jesus to forgive us. “ If we confess our sins, He is Faithful and Just to Forgive us our

sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” I Jn. 1:9 This Forgiveness is made possible by Jesus’

death, burial, and resurrection. His death on the Cross in our place. As a result of that, the relation-

ship we established with Jesus brought about an amazing transformation in our lives! Titus 3:3-7

says, “At one time we were too foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions

and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the

KINDNESS and LOVE OF GOD OUR SAVIOR APPEARED, HE SAVES US, not because of

righteous things we have done, but because of HIS MERCY. HE SAVES US through the washing

rebirth and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom HE POURED OUT ON US GENEROUSLY through

JESUS CHRIST OUR SAVIOR, so that being JUSTIFIED BY HIS GRACE, we MIGHT BE-

COME HEIRS having the HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE!”

So may this season of Lent be a TIME OF REFLECTION thanking GOD THAT

JESUS IS IN YOUR LIFE and YOU HAVE THE HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE IN

YOUR HEART!


NEWS FROM THE VSB… (Berks Heim Volunteer Service Board)

Meet newly appointed Volunteer Service Board member, Doris Evans.

I’ve recently joined the Berks Heim Volunteer Service Board as

the representative of the Berks County Pomona Grange. There

are 11 individual granges in the county and collectively they are

known as Pomona Grange. Beside helping with various Heim

events as requested, we regularly transport the residents to the

Sunday church services on a Sunday afternoon. I am a resi-

dent of Bernville and spent my working years primarily at Berks

Heim serving as the Director of Volunteers and Clerical Ser-

vices (25) years. So I know and respect the importance of vol-

unteers, especially in a nursing home facility. Besides the

grange involvement I also work with Berks County Farm Wom-

en, an organization who also volunteer regularly at the Heim

and I am also a Meals On Wheels volunteer. Since I retired 6

years ago (where did the time go?) I have had an additional 6 grandchildren, having a total of 11. I especial-

ly enjoy spending time with grandchildren, family, and friends. My spare time is spent playing piano, hand

bell choir, and substitute organist at my church (St. Thomas Church in Bernville). I look forward to becoming

more involved in helping with activities at Berks Heim on a regular basis.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT ST. PATRICK’S DAY

Every year on March 17, the Irish and Irish-at-heart across the globe observe St. Patrick’s Day. While most people

know that St. Patrick’s Day originally began as a religious holiday to honor Saint Patrick, many don’t realize that Saint

Patrick was actually born in Britain, not Ireland. He was captured from his home and sold into slavery in Ireland, to

herd and tend sheep. He went on to become a priest, returned to Ireland, and is credited with bringing Christianity to

Ireland.

Another surprising fact is that the first St. Patrick’s Day Parade was actually held in the USA, not Ireland. One of the

most notable parades is held every year in New York City. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade in the city was on March

17, 1762, fourteen days before the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence. This parade consisted of

Irish military members who were stationed in New York. The parade and accompanying music helped the soldiers cel-

ebrate with their Irish roots, as well as reconnect with fellow Irishmen serving in the English army. To this day, the

parade is an annual event, but still doesn’t allow automobiles or floats!

A well-known tradition in our country is dyeing the Chicago River green. Interestingly, this began in 1962 when city

workers started using dyes to trace illegal sewage discharges and realized that the green dye would be a unique way to

celebrate March 17th. The first year, they released enough dye (100 pounds) into the river to keep it green for a week.

Today, with an eye towards environmental caution, the city uses natural veggie dye, and just enough to turn the river

green for several hours.

One more interesting fact is that in Ireland it’s a huge faux pax to call the holiday St. Patty’s Day. The correct names

are St. Patrick’s Day or St. Paddy’s Day because the Irish nickname for Patrick is “Paddy”, not “Patty”.

Welcome New Employees

Bethy Louis…………….…….Nursing

Magdalina Butler .................. Nursing

Marie Barolette………….. ….Nursing

Barbara Mock……………… ..Nursing

Desirae McCloskey………….Laundry


10 YEARS

Gautam Shab………….…………...Nursing

Eugenia Henao…….………………Nursing

5 YEARS

Tracy Beebe….……………………..Nursing

Amanda Franks……………………Nursing

EMPLOYEE ANNIVERSARIES

IN FEBRUARY

EMPLOYEE’S SPOTLIGHT

What was your favorite vacation?

Lorraine Long (Dietary) - Disney World. I went with family and friends. We got lost on the Washington D.C. Beltway and made a

U-turn where we weren’t supposed to!

Linda Bloom (Clerical) - Coming back to Pa. when we lived in Wisconsin. We came to visit family and stayed for a week. It turned

out to be the only time my son and daughter would see their grandparents.

Ann Lenick (Activities) - Going to Cape Cod. I loved the scenery and food. The people were so friendly! Also learned the history of

JFK. I enjoyed going swimming but the water was so cold, it knocked the wind out of me.

Brandon Hanley (EVS) - The Bahamas. I enjoyed the food and the water but it was my first and probably last time flying! I don’t

like heights.

Joseph Albright (Dietary) - When my wife and I Honeymooned in New York City. We went to a restaurant called 5 Napkin Burg-

er (similar to 5 Guys but fine dining) and then saw Wicked on Broadway.

Patti Margrave (Social Services) - My 3 week vacation to California. We stopped and stayed with friends in Arizona, visited the

Grand Canyon, toured national sites, and went to a rodeo. My favorite part of the trip was meeting all the people along the way.

Andrea Riegel (Dietary) - Spending three weeks in Australia as a student ambassador representing the U.S. I stayed in homes with

other students and found they were very similar to the U.S. I visited in the winter when temperatures were in the 50s and 60s and

traveled from Sydney to Cannes. I would like to go back again!

Bobbi Jo Kramlich (Administration) - Punta Cana, with my husband on our honeymoon. We went scuba diving, snorkeling, and

horseback riding. We saw how sugarcane and cocoa were processed.

Patricia Moyer (RN-B-1) A trip to Jamaica. I visited the Bob Marley Museum. The glistening waters were beautiful, it’s one of

only 4 places in the world where if you swirl your hand in the water , it appears lit up green.

Meagan Bright (CNA B-1) - Going to Myrtle Beach with my two children. We went to “Broadway On The Beach” where one of the

features is the Upside Down House, the interior is upside down.

Berks Heim Family & Friends

Administrator ................................................ Terence Brennan

Director of Nursing ................................... Cheryl Munro, RN

Asst. Director of Nursing………………...Maxine Heller, R.N.

Asst. Director of Nursing………...….... Amy McKnight, R.N.

Heim Family & Friends is published monthly by the

Berks Heim Clerical Department,

P.O. Box 1495, Reading, PA 19603

Phone: 610-376-4841

Editor: Ann Gilmer, Dir. Vol. & Clerical Services

Photographers/Reporters Linda Bloom / Carol Gemmiti

Printed by the Berks County Services Center Print Shop

Food Safety Tips

Young children, pregnant women, older adults, and

anyone with a weakened immune system are more

prone to food poisoning. There are several things

you can do to help you avoid becoming ill from

food contamination.

Clean your hands and cooking areas often. Sepa-

rate foods to avoid contamination. Always cook

foods to proper temperatures and refrigerator any

unused or leftover foods promptly. Always refriger-

ate your perishables within 2 hours of purchase, one

hour if the temperature is over 90 degrees. Poultry,

fish and ground meats should be cooked or frozen

within 2 days of purchase. Beef, veal, lamb, and

pork should be cooked or frozen within 3-5 days. If

you freeze meat or poultry in the original packaging,

it’s best to also wrap it in foil or plastic wrap to

avoid leaking and maintain quality. It is best to de-

frost meat in the refrigerator or in a pan of ice.

All raw beef, pork, veal and lamb should be

cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 145

degrees. Ground meats should be cooked to at least

160 degrees while poultry should be cooked to an

internal temperature of at least 165 degrees.

SAFETY/SECURITY CORNER

WITH TIPS FROM DAN WADE

DIRECTOR OF SAFETY AND SECURITY

DON’T

FORGET!

Be sure to turn your clocks AHEAD

one hour on Saturday March 11th

before you go to bed. Daylight Sav-

ings Time begins on Sunday March

12th.

SORRY, WE MISSED THESE NEW

EMPLOYEES IN JANUARY!

We wish you a belated, but sincere

welcome!!

Martina Figueroa…………………….….Nursing

Chenise Morel……………...…………...Nursing

Barry Saylor………………… .Plant Operations

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