october–november the 2015 leatherboard · 10/10/2015 · • sugar cost four cents a pound. •...
TRANSCRIPT
the monthly newsletter for rivercourt residences
104 Years Ago In AmericaThe year is 1911. One hundred and four years ago. What a difference a century makes! Here are some of the U.S. statistics for the Year 1911: • The average life expectancy in the U.S. was 47 years. • Only 14 percent of the homes in the U.S. had a bathtub. • Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone. • A three-minute call from Denver to New York City cost $11. • There were only 8,000 cars in the U.S., and only 144 miles of
paved roads. • The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph. • Alabama, Mississippi, Iowa, and Tennessee were each more heavily popu-
lated than California. • With a mere 1.4 million people, California was only the twenty-first most
populous state in the Union. • The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower.• The average wage in the U.S. was 22 cents per hour. • The average U.S. worker made between $200 and $400 per year. • More than 95 percent of all births in the U.S. took place at home. • Ninety percent of all U.S. doctors had no college education. Instead, they
attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press and by the government as “substandard.”
• Sugar cost four cents a pound. • Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen. • Coffee was fifteen cents a pound. • Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used borax or egg
yolks for shampoo. • The American flag had 45 stars. • Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Hawaii, and Alaska hadn’t been admitted
to the Union yet. • The population of Las Vegas, Nevada, was only 30.• Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and ice tea had not been invented yet.
ContactsSharon Amadon ext. 242Executive [email protected]
Rya Bennett ext. 234Resident Care [email protected]
Kim Landi ext. 227Reflections Program Director [email protected]
Karen McKenzie ext. 222Director of [email protected]
Trisha McCaig ext 223Office [email protected]
Cheryl Young ext. 240Activity & Volunteer [email protected]
8 West Main StreetGroton, MA 01450www.rivercourtresidences.comp: 978-448-4122 f: 978-448-4133
October–November 2015The
Leatherboard
continued back page
The Enchanted Farm in Groton came and filled the Reflections Courtyard with an array of animals to hold and enjoy and provide some great “Kodak” moments
Reflections’ Happenings
Reflections In, Out, and AboutEnjoying a cookout both inside and out.
Monthly bowling trip to Harvard Lanes and Peggy won!
Mr. Wilson’s Birthday Party
The Clean Plate winners at Barber’s Crossing “lunch out,” Peggy and Bill
RiverCourt’s annual Lobsterfest was another huge success. Over 150 crustaceans were sacrificed for the occasion and about the same number of guests were served in every available room on the second floor. We’ll let the pictures speak for the themselves.
Sharon’s StoriesOh, how we feel the crisp air of fall. We long to soak in the warmth of the sun on our faces, and snuggle under our covers as we transition to the cool nights. How our mouths water as we smell the sweet aroma of homemade apple pies. The roadside farms are bursting with vibrant colors from deep maroon shaded mums to bright orange pumpkins. Least we not forget such beau-tiful decorations with pale straw colored corn stalks and oddly shaped gourds.In the beginning of the fall season, when the leaves begin to change their colors, it appears to bring on a renewed sense of one self. You see more smiles, hear more laughter, and the overall tones in the air are calm-ing. It’s almost therapeutic!If only it were fall year round. It would be a clue to help us remember to be happy with ourselves, to be courte-ous to others, and to enjoy not just the big moments but all the small ones in between, all year through.We sometimes become so focused on the negatives, we forget to stop and take in all the beauty of our surround-ings that help us to embrace the positives around us. So stop and take a moment to give a compli-ment to the person sitting beside you. Always smile, it speaks volumes. Breathe in, imagine that crisp air, and exhale. Never allow yourself to lose that renewed sense of one self.
Exploring the AreaGroton Historical Society & Museum172 Main St. 978-448-0092Kimball Farms400 Littleton Rd.,Westford 978-486-3891Gibbet Hill Barn, Trails, and Restaurant61 Lowell Rd.Fitchburg Art Museum,free passes available at front desk978-345-4207 Carter Myseum of Groton HistoryLone Lane 617-823-5757 The Natural Market148 Main St. 978-448-5075Bliss Bakery134 Main St. 978-855-7562The Herb Lyceum (New American)368 Main St. 978-448-6499Filhos Cucina (Italian)235 Main St. 978-448-5664Main St. Café(Friday Night Entertainment )159 Main St. 978-448-9634
Two events outside brought a group to the Groton Fire Station for a 9/11 Memorial
and First Responders’ Recognition lunch and another to Fruitland’s Museum for a special
“Senior” day that RiverCourt was proud to sponsor.
Staff Profile: Tom KinneyTom Kinney joined the Riv-erCourt team as maintenance technician in early July and has quickly become “the go-to guy” to get a wide range of tasks completed in record time. Born October 7, 1976, Tom grew up in Lowell, with a brother and sister. He moved to Groton, six months ago and had been working in con-
struction and maintenance. He was happy to see the advertisement for our open position as he knew it could bring together all his interests and talents in one place. Indeed it has been a good fit for all. Tom really enjoys getting to know the residents, hearing the stories and histories and backgrounds. Tom is married with a nineteen year old son, Brandon who is a house framer. His wife, Star, works in sales and is presently attending school to earn her master’s degree. Although he was a singer at one time in a band as well as a drummer, Tom admits a “heavy metal” voice would not be good to share with our population. Tom is an avid outdoors man, very much into fishing and hunt-ing, and collects hunting knives. He loves to ice fish in season and goes regularly with a group who call them-selves the “ice holes.” Asked where he favors to fish he shares he recently discovered the Nashua River, but will go “anywhere there is Bass.”
There was a whole lot of Monkey business going on when Doug came for a visit recently with Norman and Pearl! Two capuchin mon-keys have been making visits like this for thirteen years now.
Dorothy was born June 4, 1922 in Springfield MA. Her parents Olga and Albert raised their three chil-dren there, where Dottie would meet her high school sweetheart. She became a war time bride, mar-rying Joseph William Heenehan on an eight day leave while Joseph served as a Navy officer in 1943.
Dottie joined Joseph as much as pos-sible and often worked in the cashier section of the boat he was assigned to, and Dottie would return to Springfield when Joseph’s duties took him away from the U.S. territories. Their first child, Sandy Ellen, was born on Memorial Day 1945. Dottie and Joseph lived in Springfield for some years and moved to Arlington, MA, welcoming two more girls, Susan Eleanor and Sharon Elizabeth. during the same time Joseph returned to school and earned his master’s degree from Simmons. He worked as a juve-nile officer in the court system. As Dottie shares, the judge “thought he was the bees knees,” and had a real compassion and gift working with that population.Dottie was widowed at the age of thirty-two while car-rying their youngest child, who would never met his
dad. In 1954, Joseph died in accident as he returned home from a “Navy night.” Leaving Dottie with three girls and shortly after a son, who was named after his father. From Arlington, Dottie and her kids moved to Natick where her children grew up. About thirty years later, a friend introduced Dottie to Stan, a “gentleman” who worked for Raytheon. Dottie remembers they did not hit it off right away. Stan was quiet, prim, and proper. Love would win over, and Dottie and Stan married in 1984. They moved to Plymouth, where they spent six months of the year, the other six they lived in Largo, FL. They were together sixteen years before Stan’s health declined. Stan passed away in 2000, and Dottie moved to the Pepperell area to be near family. She had her own apartment for some time, and then lived with her son. Eventually yearning for more socialization and activities to share with her peers, Dottie’s family found RiverCourt and she has been a member of our community since May, 2015.If only space allowed to include some of Dottie’s “corker” stories she would love to share. Do ask her about what her mom did on her honeymoon.
Resident Profile: Dorothy Eleanor Jefferson
Jessie MacArthurImelda Kelley Madeline TestaGene McLaud
Happy Birthday
We have packed a lot into the last few months. Con-certs, cookouts, magic shows and art presentations just to name a few.
Assisted & Independent Living
October and NovemberSpecial Events and Entertainment at
RiverCourtVeteran’s Breakfast ..............................................................................Thu, Oct 1 and Nov 5Ladies Lunch Out ....................................................................................................Fri, Oct 2 OnSite Dentist ........................................................................................................ Tue, Oct 6Jazzy Pianist, Ethan Stone ...................................................................Wed, Oct 7, 2:30 pmSilent Movie Night with Richard .........................................................Thu, Oct 8, 6:45 pmA Closer look at Germany with Ron F. .............................................Tue, Oct 13, 10:30 amResident Council Meeting ................................................................. Wed Oct 14, 2:00 pmOctoberfest with Polka Band ..................................................... Sat, Oct 17, 2:00–3:00 pmMemorial Service ................................................................................Wed, Oct 21, 6:30 pmPumpkinfest ..................................................................... Thu, Oct 22, starting at 4:00 pmMen’s Lunch Out ...................................................................................................Fri, Oct 23The Traveling Boutique ........................................................... Mon, Oct 26, 1:00–4:00 pmOctober Birthday Party with Joe Foster ............................................Tue, Oct 27, 2:30 pmClassical Pianist, Adam Bergeron .................................................... Mon, Nov 2, 2:30 pmCountry Singer/Guitarist, Tim Barrett ............................................ Tue, Nov 10, 2:30 pmVeterans Day Ceremony ....................................................................Wed, Nov 11, 2:00 pmVeterans Slideshow with Ron F. ....................................................... Tue, Nov 17, 10:30 amWine and Cheese Tasting .................................................................Wed, Nov 18, 4:30 pmMarti Sawyer Sings ............................................................................. Thu, Nov 19, 3:30 pmArt Matters Presentation ................................................................. Tue, Nov 24, 10:30 pmNovember Birthday Party with Heather Marie .............................. Tue, Nov 24, 2:30 pm
Our New Wellness NursesWe are lucky to have gained two wonderful nurses on our staff! Danielle Melvin, LPN and Melissa Rust, LPN, joined the staff at RiverCourt in August as per diem Wellness Nurses. You may see them assisting with a Friday Wellness Clinic or visiting residents that are feeling “under the weather” on occasion. While working per diem at RiverCourt, Danielle also works per diem at Notre Dame, a long-term care center in Worcester, MA. She has been working as a nurse since 2005 and has an impressive background in nursing. With four children and two nursing jobs, Danielle is an experienced (and busy) caregiver. Melissa currently works part-time at the Inn at Fairview, an assisted living facility in Hudson, NH. Melissa has been working as a nurse since 2012 and loves working in the assisted living environment. She worked as a private aide within RiverCourt prior to becoming a nurse, so she may be a familiar presence to some of our long-time residents.Danielle and Melissa bring lots of energy and a love of nursing to their new roles. We are extremely lucky to have them here!
In the spirit of Wellness through good socialization, good music and good beer,
we thoroughly enjoyed each other and the weather
on the patio one recent Friday afternoon
The Wellness Clinic is held every Friday at 1:00 p.m. in the second floor Living Room
Danielle Melvin
Melissa Rust
Welcome New ResidentsMarilyn Matson–Apt. 103
Kathleen Horgan–Apt. 212Ross and Lee Milley–Apt. 176
Welcome New EmployeesDanielle Melvin, wellness nurseMelissa Rust, wellness nurseRyiann Vandal, resident assistantIsabel Venti, serverKatelyn Battle, resident assistantJasmin Mendez, resident assistantBrooklyn Cruz, resident assistantCharlie Hollins, activity assistant
• Two out of every 10 U.S. adults could not read or write. • Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available
over the counter at the local corner drugstores. Back then the pharmacist said, “Heroin clears the com-plexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guard-ian of health.”
Muriel Dineen Cosgrove recently celebrated her 104th birthday with us here at Riv-erCourt and can relate to all these facts. Born and raised in Malden, she was about to start off at Boston Univer-sity when the stock market crashed. Jobs were scarce.Muriel graduated in 1933 and was fortunate to get a teach-ing job in Malden majoring in Latin, for mostly sixth and ninth grade classes. Her first year salary was $900.00. She also work Saturdays at Filene’s Basement for $2.50 per day.
Muriel shared how the Depression affected the commu-nity with high unemployment and factories closings, “I remember people took very low paying jobs, just to have any money at all. There was also this government exam that everyone wanted to take, I remember people lining up to take it. I also remember everyone got married in 1938. I was too busy studying Latin. What affected me most about the depression was to be prepared for the challenge of whatever comes. I also learned to keep my head up and have faith that things will turn out for the best.”Muriel married Thomas F. Cosgrove in 1941 and joined him in Newport News Virginia, the embarking location for troops to France and Germany. Daughter Christine was born in Virginia during the war. Later, the family of then three came back to Malden where son Thomas was born. Muriel returned to teaching after her kids were in college. She and Thomas taught in the Malden School District. After Thomas died Muriel enjoyed traveling, one of her first trips being to Europe with Christine. Determined to stay in Malden until she was 100, she moved to RiverCourt in 2011 to be closer to her fam-ily. Still sharp as a tack you can often find her working on word puzzles, crosswords, and answering trivia questions.
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Jeff
Scott
Muriel Cosgrove
AugustJeffrey Yates
Since Jeff has been working with us he has
shown himself to be a great team player. He is always available
to help out when needed. When we lost an employee he stepped up and worked
four double shifts. Since Jeff has taken over the daytime dishwasher job, it is amazing to see how much work he is able to complete during his shift.
SeptemberScott Taylor
Scott has been a fixture at RiverCourt since the doors first opened! He is an exceptional resident assistant, and consistently goes “above and beyond” in his
job. The men of RiverCourt often spend extra time with Scott at the men’s luncheons, which they seem to thoroughly enjoy! In addition, many of the residents have benefited
from Scott’s knowledge of computers, as he teaches a small class in the 2nd floor living room on a regular basis. Thank you, Scott, for showing such dedication to RiverCourt, and for always
having a smile on your face while you do it!
Employees of the Month