LifeTimes is published biannually by

Woodbrook Assisted Living Residence

to carry news from our busy world to yours.

Woodbrook Assisted Living Residence, Inc.1250 Maple Avenue

Elmira, New York 14904Phone: 607-734-7741

Fax: 607-734-5636E-mail: lsweeney@woodbrookhome.com

Website: www.woodbrookhome.com

Spring/Summer 2019 Vol. 24, No. 1

Mission StatementWoodbrook strives to create a safe, beautiful, and loving home for our

residents, one in which they are celebrated and encouraged to thrive

in a healthy environment with dignity, respect, and joy.

Adopted by the Board of Directors December 11, 2013

WOODBROOK Chemung County’s premier assisted living residence

WOODBROOK

Where Past and Future Meet

Betty Bonsignore is dressed as a lucky leprechaun, and joining her, all smiles, is her grandson Nicholas.

The Danaher twins, seated with crowns on, Joseph and William, celebrated their 90th birthdays at Woodbrook with family.

Charlie Kline (l), and Phog Allen (r), with Laurie Sweeney in the center, enjoyed fish dinners at the Hibernians. These men worked with Laurie’s father, Jut Sweeney, in corrections at the Elmira Reformatory, and are now Woodbrook residents.

Georgina Acosta (r) and her daughter-in-law Bonnie enjoyed family socializing and excellent cuisine at a Food and Wine Pairing event.

Joe Grabowski and Joanne Sindelar share laughs after hugs from the Easter bunny.

Parfaits anyone? Justin Spicher, cook (l), and Aamir Shaikh, Dietary Director (r), are happy after preparing an elegant dinner for residents.

Want more Woodbrook news and photos?

Farewell and thank you to Fred Maloney who retired from Woodbrook’s Executive Team as

Finance Director in April, after almost six years of service. “I’m looking forward to the next chapter in my life,” he said. “I will miss Woodbrook, especially the interaction with a great staff and wonderful residents.” Welcome to Marshelle Elliott as Woodbrook’s new Finance Director. “I’m learning a lot, enjoying the residents, and there’s never a dull moment,” she said. “All the staff has been very welcoming and supportive.” Farewell to past Board President Michael Hart, who is stepping down after two three-year terms. “I am fortunate to have been given the opportunity to serve on the Board of Woodbrook for the past six years and am grateful for the experiences provided to me from the residents, staff and other members of the board,” he said. “Even though I must say goodbye for now, I know that Woodbrook will be in very good hands and I look forward to serving again in the future.” Farewell also to Richard Poes, who is stepping down from serving on the Board of Directors for two three-year terms. “It has been a labor of love serving on the Board of Woodbrook for the past six years,” he said. “I have been able to utilize all the knowledge I had gained during my career to help Woodbrook continue to be the premier assisted living facility in the region. I plan on being part of the Woodbrook family in the future as I continue to enjoy my retirement.”

Welcome spring 2019! It’s another new beginning, and here at Woodbrook, we celebrate the

seasons, holidays and life events together, building a bond that makes us a family. As the quote says, our wish is for our residents to experience “eternal youth” and we do that by promoting nutrition, exercise, fellowship and a variety of social happenings throughout the day. Our residents continue to enjoy our own special top-notch concierge level of hospitality. Systems are in place to assure the residents can live their lives as independently as they want, while at the same time providing the homestead for outstanding care and quality of life. Now that warmer weather is here, more activities will move outside, either on our grounds or on field trips. Our groundskeeper Paul DiPietro is doing an amazing job with the landscaping, preparing the flower beds and walking trails, and getting the pavilion ready for picnics. Our facility is constantly being upgraded, long before repairs are needed. This summer, our entire roof will be replaced and a new Woodbrook sign is being installed. We have an incredible, welcoming community in place for those who live here, and our welcome mat is rolled out for those looking for a place to call home. If you know of potential residents looking for outstanding assisted living, please refer them to me. I’ll take calls with questions and would love to give you a personal tour!

“The idea is to die young as late as possible.” — Ashley Montagu

Transitions

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Salutations

Laurie Sweeney, RN, MSN Executive Director

Fred Maloney

Richard Poes

“Youth is not a time of life. it is a state of mind. Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years; people grow old only by deserting their ideals. Years wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. Worry, doubt, self-distrust, fear, and despair…these are the long, long years that bow the head and turn the growing spirit back to dust. Whether 70 or 16, there is in every being’s heart the love of wonder, the sweet amazement of the stars and the saltine things and thoughts, the undaunted challenge of events, the unfailing child-like appetite for what is next, and the joy of the game of life. You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your despair.”

— Samuel Ullman

Michael Hart

Marshelle Elliott

About Woodbrook Assisted Living

Woodbrook is the Southern Tier’s premier assisted living community for seniors who want an independent lifestyle but who may still need assistance for their

individual needs. We have a variety of suites and room configurations available, including doubles. They can be furnished with the residents’ own personal belongings, or we can furnish it for them at no additional expense. Call us for a tour!

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Generations

Employees Recognized for Service Milestones

On March 20, Woodbrook proudly recognized staff for years of service and perfect attendance with a

catered luncheon, a brief ceremony, gift cards, photos and door prizes. Pat Quillinan, Resident Care Aide, was recognized for an amazing 30 years of service. “I enjoy my work, and I love my residents,” she said. “Woodbrook is a great environment, and that’s why I stay.”

When the Clock Strikes 4:00, the Banter Begins

Six days a week before dinnertime, friends gather for the “Little Sipper” Happy Hour. The regular crowd of 15-20 residents sort themselves into two groups: boys at one table; girls at the other. These vibrant seniors who have rich lifetimes and

plenty of stories to share, fueled by a little liquid libation, join to connect. “The companionship here is wonderful,” said Phog Allen. “The whole atmosphere fits me to a ‘T’.” Typically in this age group, women outnumber the men, and this is true here, too. What’s emerged at Woodbrook recently is that a core group of men have formed a tight bond who gather to have a drink and talk. What do they talk about? Everything. “Number one, we insult each other,” said Bob Ashendorf, with a big smile. “Number two, we talk about sports. And number three, a lot of these guys talk about the prison.” He’s referring to several who worked locally in corrections. At the more crowded women’s table, the chatter includes lots of laughter and an occasional friendly barb tossed to the men. “Spousal deafness” increases during Happy Hour, joke the wives. Men are in the minority, and the women understand their male bonding time is important to them. “I like our afternoon BS sessions,” said Bob Ashendorf. “Here, I’m able to be close to my wife, yet still hang out with the guys in the afternoon.” Stories are exchanged. If people laugh at those stories, it’s a win for the storyteller. Common threads are sought and deeply discussed, commentaries are made on the current state of things, lives and neighborhoods are reminisced. “Phog was telling me, this is the only place where he gets a chance to tell things the way he thinks they ought to have been in the past,” said Dick Sowers with a smile. “In my assessment, if we can’t be at home, you’ll never find a better place than this,” said Charlie Kline. “The staff are all great.” Instead of the isolation that many men — and women — experience aging in place, these fortunate Woodbrook residents are forming new bonds of friendship and camaraderie each day. It gives them something to look forward to. It’s a human experience that builds relationships.

One YearGlennessa Dennery

Jordan KennedyMathew Lovejoy

Patricia McQuaidHannah Wagner

Five YearsMary Card

Scott CartwrightChaquita GreenFred Maloney

Ten YearsCourtney Burns

Sylvia ForceDebbie HanerLizzie SandersDonna Silvia

Fifteen YearsBonnie Hart

Denise Moonschein

Thirty YearsPatricia Quillinan

Perfect AttendanceScott Cartwright

Jack CoxallLinda Pierce

Patty QuillinanGenny RathbunLynette RobertsMelissa Sempler

Jennier Stadelmaier-LynchAmanda Zoricak

Congratulations to Pat Quillinan (center), who was recently honored for 30 years of service as a residential care aide at Woodbrook. She was also honored for perfect attendance the previous calendar year. On the left is Judy Kennedy, HR Director, and on the right is Laurie Sweeney, Executive Director.

Enjoying Happy Hour and male bonding are (l-r): Joe Danaher, Tom Eagan, Bob Ashendorf (standing), Charlie Kline, Dick Sowers (standing) and Phog Allen.

Woodbrook is the Southern Tier’s most affordable assisted living community for

independent seniors who may still need assistance for their individual needs.

1250 Maple AvenueElmira, New York 14904

Presorted StandardU.S. Postage

PAIDElmira, NY

Permit No. 77

Executive Staff Laurie Sweeney, RN, MSN Executive DirectorJudy A. Kennedy, BA Human Resources DirectorBonnie Hart Administrative AssistantMarshelle Elliott Finance DirectorRuth McDonough, RN, BS Case ManagerDenise Moonschein, BS Activities DirectorMichael VanWert Buildings and Grounds DirectorAamir Shaikh Dietary DirectorLori J. Jamelski, LPN RCA Director/Case Manager

2019 Board of DirectorsMichael Hart, PresidentMichael Collins, Vice PresidentTammy Davis, TreasurerScott Heffner, SecretaryArthur AmbroseTerri ComfortAngela McInernyAnn MortimerJoshua C. Navone, Esq.Richard PoesJohn Wahl

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Volunteers Recognized with a Luncheon

Dozens of Woodbrook’s treasured volunteers were recognized at a luncheon ceremony on April 25 in the Activities Room. An outstanding gourmet

lunch was prepared by the culinary staff, and served by the executive team, who also handed out gift cards of appreciation. This year’s theme was a quote from Pablo Picasso: “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” “Our volunteers here at Woodbrook Assisted Living give away to us their love, kindness, caring and fellowship,” said Laurie Sweeney. “These gifts enrich our residents and staff, and enhance our relationships. They truly see life as a generosity contest and are in service to others.”

At the recent Volunteer Recognition Luncheon, these four were among those honored. They are the First Friday Communion volunteers (l-r) Virginia Woodhouse, Rosalie Cracji, Mary Helen Rominger and Livia Trexler.