Contents fyou’veusedtheinternettoresearch something,thishasprobablyhappenedtoyou:Youenteratermintoyourbrowserbox–let’ssay“bats”–andhitsearch.Insteadoftheresultsyouexpected–forLouisvilleSluggersandotherbaseballbats–yougetlinkstolotsofsitesfortheflyingmammal.Soyourealizeyouneedtobemorespecific–“baseballbat.”Youmayevenneedtorefinethesecondarysearchfurther.

OnaSaturdayafternoon,whenyou’reonaleisurelyhuntforbaseballbats,noneofthismaybeabigdeal.Butwhatifyou’redoingaserioussearchforinformationaboutseniorlivingorlong-termcare?Thenitreallydoesmatter.Alot.

It’seasytoembarkonwhatseemslikeasimplesearch,foranytopic,andwindupdownarabbitholeofonlineinformation–ormisinformation.Yoursearchcanbecomplicatedifyou’reunfamiliarwithtermscommoninthefield,aren’tsureifthesiteyou’vereachedislegitimate,orquestionwhethertheinformationpresentedisaccurate.Withthisinmind,UnitedMethodistHomesispleasedtorecommendthefollowingwebsitesforgreatinformationaboutseniors,seniorliving,financesandmore.

Senior Living DefinitionsDepartment of Health and Human Serviceshttp://aspe.hhs.gov/daltcp/diction.shtml

Thefederalgovernment’sDepartmentofHealthandHumanServicesoffersacomprehensivealphabeticalglossaryofterms.Alistofacronymsisalsoavailable.

United Methodist Homeswww.unitedmethodisthomes.org

Itmayseemcliché,butwe’regoingtosuggestourselves.Onourmainpage,youcanclickon“Long-TermCareDefinitions”intheleft-handmenu.There

aredefinitionsforeachlevelofseniorcareprovidedinplainEnglish.

Locating Senior Living Providers and ServicesLeadingAgewww.leadingage.org

LeadingAge(formerlyAAHSA,theAmericanAssociationofHomesandServicesfortheAging)makesiteasytosearchformemberproviders.Onthemainpage,clickon“Tools”then“FindaMember”inthedrop-downlist.YoucansearchbyZIPcode,state,organizationnameorthelevelofcareyouneed.

State-Level Organizations

LeadingAgehasstate-levelorganizations.InUnitedMethodistHomes’servicearea,visitwww.leadingageny.orgorwww.leadingagepa.org.Ifyouliveelsewhere,findyourstate’sLeadingAgeaffiliateatwww.leadingage.org/StateSearch.aspx.

Action for Older Personswww.actionforolderpersons.org

ActionforOlderPersonssponsorsandorganizescommunityeducationprograms,workshops,computerclasses,andseminarsforthepublicandprofessionalsontopicssuchasadvanceplanning,long-termcare,healthinsuranceissues,retirementandfinancialplanning,

IEditorial.....................2Pastor Lori Robinson, Tunkhannock Campus Chaplain

Around.the.Block......2A series featuring our amazing residents

Letters.of.Appreciation.............7Notes of thanks

Elizabeth Church Campus, Binghamton, NY(607) 722-3463Independent living, adult care, assisted living, skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation Hilltop Campus, Johnson City, NY(607) 798-7818Independent living, adult care, assisted living, skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation Tunkhannock Campus, Tunkhannock, PA(570) 836-2983Personal care Wesley Village Campus, Pittston, PA(570) 655-2891Independent living, personal care, skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation

A newSLetter for StAff, reSiDentS & frienDS of UniteD MethoDiSt hoMeS

April 2012

United Methodist hoMes

Continued on page 4

Interact with us on

it’s a Jungle out there: Finding Reliable Senior Sites

SeeadditionalphotosfromeventsfeaturedinSeasons,getalertsaboutupcomingevents

andmuchmore!Visitwww.facebook.com,createanaccountifyoudon’talreadyhaveone,andinteractwithUnitedMethodistHomes!Accessourpagedirectlyat

www.facebook.com/UnitedMH.

seasons ~ april 2012

page 2

Inchapter12oftheBookofRomans,wearetoldto“Bedevotedtooneanotherinlove.

Honoroneanotheraboveyourselves,”and“SharewiththeLord’speoplewhoareinneed.”ThesewordsarevitaltowhoweareasGod’speopleandcentraltowhoIamasaUnitedMethodistHomeschaplain.

ItissoimportanttoshareChrist’slovewiththoseGodplacesinourmidst.AttheTunkhannockCampus,thismeansprovidingSundayworshipservices,Wednesdayvesperservices,Biblestudytwiceweekly,andofferingMassandRosaryforourCatholicresidents.WealsocometogetherforBibletriviaandBiblicalwordgames,whichoftensparksfaithdiscussionsandsharingofstoriesfrompersonaljourneysoffaith.Imake

one-on-onevisitstoresidents,andleadsing-alongstwiceamonth–whatfunwehaveraisingajoyfulnoiseuntotheLord!ThesearejustafewofthespiritualactivitiesIcoordinate,helpingourresidentsmaintaintheblessedtiethatnurturesusandkeepsuseverhopefulinChrist’slove.

IbelieveIamblessedtobeachaplaininthisorganization.Pastoralcareisanecessarypartoftheservicesourresidentsreceive–mymissionistohelpthemfeelascomfortableaspossibleandgivethemasenseofchurchconnection.Mostofourresidentswereraisedinanerawhenchurchmembershipandinvolvementwereanintegralpartofdailyhomeandcommunitylife,andmaintainingthisconnectionforthemintheirlateryearsiscomfortingandcrucial.Fromlaughing,cryingandprayingtogether,tosinginghymnsandofferingsoothingscripture

atsomeone’sbedsideasheorshenearsdeath,Icanseeandfeelthepositive,hopefultransformationchaplainsofferasweturnshadowedmomentstowardtheilluminationofGod’swarminglight.

TheservicesUnitedMethodistHomeschaplainsprovideareonlypossiblebecauseofthegenerosityofdonorswhofinanciallysupportourpastoralcareprogram.Iamgratefultothosedonorswhoenablechaplainslikemyselftomakeadifferenceinthelivesofourresidents.Ifyouareable,pleaseconsideragifttothisworthyprogram.Godblessyou.

Robinson has been the Tunkhannock Campus chaplain since June 2009. She is a United Methodist minister in the Susquehanna Conference, serving the Eatonville and Evans Falls, PA, United Methodist Churches. She is currently pursuing her degree in theology at the Wesley Theological Seminary.

Around

Block

John Coleman, Myers Manor, Wesley Village CampusBornin1921,JohnColemanwastheyoungestoffivechildren.HeenlistedintheAirForcein1940,startingincryptographyandmovingintotheflightprogram.Hisgraduationandcommissioningasalieutenantbroughthimnotjustasetofpilot’swings,butalsohisfuturewife:“MysisterwrotetosayshewascomingtomyceremonyinTexas,andaskedifshecouldbringherfriendJane.Janelovedangels,andonceshesawmypilot’swings,thedealwassealed!”Thecouplevisitedeachotheronleaveand

courtedbymail;theymarriedinIndianainSeptember1943,sixdaysbeforeColemanleftforactiveduty.

Asacommandpilot,ColemanwasassignedaC-47Skytrain,hisfavoriteplanetofly,evenafterachanceattheyokeofaB-17FlyingFortress.Heandhisthree-mancrewweredeployedtoNadzab,NewGuinea,thelargestAlliedairbaseinthePacific.ColemanrecallsthattheapproachtoHawaii“gotinterestinginahurry”whentheradiomanforgottoactivatetheaircraft’sIFF(identificationfriendorfoe)beacon.“Andallofasudden,threeP-40Warhawkspulledup,andstayedwithusuntilwelandedatHickhamField!”Duringtheir21monthsinNadzab,ColemanandhisC-47crewmovedtroops,ammunition,foodandevenmules.

ColemanexplainsthatthemainenemyinNewGuineawastheweather,whichdownedalmostasmanyplanesascombat:“Ononedayalone,welost37Alliedplanestoviolentstorms.”ColemanandhiscrewhadtheirclosestcallinSeptember1944,returningfromamissiontoanewairbaseinthenorth.

The

A series featuring our amazing residents

Our “Around the Block” series profiles United Methodist Homes residents who explain what their lives have been like, what their big adventures have been, how they’ve made a difference, and how they want to be remembered.

Withtheirusualreturnpathsockedinbyathunderstorm,Colemanclimbedtotheplane’smaximumaltitudeof18,000feettogetabovetheweather.Iceformedonthewindshieldandinthecarburetors,whichwouldeventuallycutfueltotheengines.Astheplanelostpower,Colemanhadthecrewdonparachutesandopentherearcargodoor,withinstructionstobailoutwhentheyheardanenginequit.

Miraculously,anopeningappearedin

Continued on page 5

EditoriAL Pastor.Lori.robinson,..tunkhannock.Campus.Chaplain

Pilot John Coleman (center) with his crew, immediately after landing in Hawaii in September 1943. All are still wearing their “Mae West” personal floatation devices following the 15-hour flight across the Pacific. Google “Mae West floatation device” to find out why they’re called that!

seasons ~ april 2012

page 3

Staff.Announcements

donna.Freeman,.rN

DonnaFreeman,RN,hasjoinedUnitedMethodist

HomesastheUnitOneManagerattheJamesG.JohnstonMemorialNursingHomeontheHilltopCampus.Shehas30years’experienceinthenursingfield.

Freemanearnedherassociate’sdegreeinnursingfromBroomeCommunityCollegeinBinghamton,NewYork.Shehasworkedinlong-termcare,acutecare,outpatientcareandhomecare.

Marcia.richards,.rN

MarciaRichards,RN,hasjoinedUnitedMethodistHomesastheAssistantDirectorofNursingattheJames

G.JohnstonMemorialNursingHomeontheHilltopCampus.Shehasnearly20years’experienceinnursinginacutecare,long-termcareandnursingmanagement.

Richardsearnedherassociate’sdegreeinnursingfromBroomeCommunityCollegeinBinghamton,NewYork.Sheearnedherbachelorofscienceinnursingandhermaster’sdegreeinnursingadministrationonlinefromKaplanUniversity.

SheisamemberoftheAmericanNursingAssociationandtheAssociationofPerioperativeRegisteredNurses.

tina.torto,.rN

TinaTorto,RN,hasjoinedUnitedMethodistHomesastheUnitTwoManageratthe

JamesG.JohnstonMemorialNursingHomeontheHilltopCampus.Shehasmorethanadecadeofnursingexperienceinresidentialcareandlong-termcare.

Sheearnedassociate’sdegreesinmedicalassistingandnursingfromBroomeCommunityCollegeinBinghamton,NewYork.SheiscertifiedasaCPRinstructor.

Grand Care Teacher Wins National Award randCareChildren’sCenterLeadTeacherLauraJensenistherecipientofaTerriLynneLokoff/Children’sTylenol NationalChildCareTeacherAward,presentedbytheTerriLynneLokoffChildCareFoundation.The50state-levelwinnerswererecognizedataneventinPhiladelphiaduringMonthoftheYoungChildinApril.Theseawardshavebeenpresentedsince1994withagoalofraisingthestatusofchildcareteachersandacknowledgingtheneedforqualitychildcareandearlyeducation.

Eachawardrecipientdesignedaclassroomenhancementprojectforthechildrenheorsheteaches,illustratingtheeducational,socialandemotionalbenefitsoftheproject.Acommitteeofearlychildhoodeducatorsandspecialistsreviewedtheapplications.Awardrecipientsreceive$1,000–$500fortheteacher’spersonaluseand$500toimplementtheproject.

Jensen,LeadTeacherinGrandCare’stoddleroneclassroomforchildren14-24months,createdamusicandmovementprojectdesignedtostrengthenmotorandsocial/emotionaldevelopmentintoddlers.Theadditionofsignlanguagetosongsandinclusionofa“see-through”tunnelintheclassroomobstaclecourseaddstosensoryactivitiesthatbuildcritical-thinkingandreasoningskills.Jensenusedthe$500granttopurchaseaspecialacrylicwallframe,atwo-sidedhangingphotogalleryandphotocubeblocksforthechildren’sartworkandotherstimulatingimages.

Jensenholdsanassociate’sdegreeinliberalartsfromPalmBeachJuniorCollegeinLakeWorth,Florida,andhasworkedinearlychildhoodeducationformorethan25years.ShehasbeenwiththeHomessince2007.

TheTerriLynneLokoffChildCareFoundationwasfoundedin1987byFredandKayLokoffinmemoryoftheirdaughter,Terri,achildcareteacher.Thegoalofthefoundationistoimprovethequalityofchildcareforallchildren,supportandelevatethestatusofchildcareteachers,raiseawarenessabouttheneedforaffordablechildcareandpartnerwithbusinessesandgovernmenttomakechildcareapriority.

Toddler One Lead Teacher Laura Jensen working on a sensory activity with children in her classroom.

G

seasons ~ april 2012

page 4

eldermistreatmentandcrimeprevention,computertrainingandmore.

Current topicsThe New York Times’ New Old Age Bloghttp://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/

Thisblogfeaturesregularpostsbyaprimaryauthor,withguestpostsbyothers.Topicsexploredincludeseniorissuesinthenews,questionsraisedbyreaders,long-termcareontheinternationalstage,andconcernscommontoseniorsthemselvesortheirlovedones.Commentsfromreadersallovertheworldaddtotheconversationandprovidefoodforthought.

financial informationEconomic Security Databasewww.basiceconomicsecurity.org

Ifyou’replanningtoretiretoHawaiiandyouliveinNewYorknow,doyouhaveanyideahowmuchmoneyyou’llneed?Thistoolcanprovideyouwithballparkinformationonthecostoflivinginvariouslocales.

Long-Term Care Cost Calculator http://assets.aarp.org/external_sites/caregiving/options/your_options_calculator.html

Choosethelevelofcareyoumightneed(homehealth,assistedlivingorskillednursing)andyourstateofresidence,andthetoolcalculatesyourexpectedcosts.Armingyourselfwiththisinformationaheadoftime(evenwithanestimate)givesyouatargetplanninggoal.

Long-Term Care Insurance www.nyltcb.com

Ifyou’reinthesweetspotforpurchasinglong-termcareinsurance–yourlatefortiesthroughearlyfifties–thiswebsiteprovidessomeguidanceaboutwhereandhowtopurchaseit.

Government SitesSocial Security Administrationwww.ssa.gov

QuestionsaboutSocialSecurity,orneedforms,information,replacementscards

orotherassistance?Startwiththeadministration’swebsite.

Medicarewww.medicare.gov

Administeredatthefederallevel,MedicarePartAcoversinpatienthospitalcareandskillednursingcare;PartBcoversoutpatientmedicalcare,durablemedicalequipment,andtherapyservicesprovidedintheskillednursingenvironment.Thewebsiteoffersinformationaboutcurrentcosts,healthanddrugplans,onlineapplications,replacementcardsandmore.

Medicaidwww.medicaid.gov

Administeredatthestatelevel,Medicaidreferstocoverageofnursinghomecareforlow-incomeseniors.Thesiteoffersinformationabouteligibilityandenrollment,Medicaidnews,andotherrelevantlinks.

County Offices for the Aging/Area Agencies on Aging

Countyofficesfortheagingorareaagenciesonaging(designationvariesbystate)canofferhelpfulconnectionstolocalservicesandproviders.InUnitedMethodistHomes’serviceareas,visit:Broome County:www.gobroomecounty.com/seniorLuzerne and Wyoming Counties:www.aginglw.org

General information for SeniorsAmerican Association of Retired Persons (AARP)www.aarp.org

Foundedin1958,AARPhasbeenarecognizedhouseholdnamefordecades.Thenot-for-profit,non-partisanorganization’sgoalistoimprovequalityoflifeforAmericans50andolder.WhilemanypeopleassociateAARPonlywithdiscountsforservicesandpurchases,AARP’swebsiteofferslinkstoseniornewsandinformationonhealth,money,relationships,homeandgarden,food,travelandentertainment,technologyandphilanthropy.

It’s a Jungle Out There: Finding Reliable Senior Sites Continued from page 1

Further TipsUseful details to know when searching online

CookiesIf you feel like the internet is getting smarter, that’s because it is. If you’ve searched for something on a Monday and discovered sponsored ads for the same product in your search engine results page on Tuesday, it’s not a coincidence. Your browser program is learning about you, and by remembering what you searched for, presents information and advertising it thinks you’ll find relevant or interesting. This happens when “cookies” (because they leave crumbs of information behind) in your browser program recall previous data and searches. If this makes you uncomfortable, you can disable cookies by going to “options” under the “Tools” tab in your browser.

Types of Search ResultsThere are two kinds of results that pop up after you input a search term and hit “enter.” Paid results appear at the far right in a narrow column and/or in a shaded box at the top of the page. These results are sponsored by companies or organizations, and appear when the search terms you’ve entered meet certain criteria. This is above-board – many retailers, colleges, not-for-profit organizations, entertainment venues and other companies use this approach to put their website in front of “the right eyeballs.” What’s known as “organic” search results – which appear in the center of the page under the shaded sponsored-results box – pop up because of the search terms you entered and the popularity of corresponding relevant pages.

FacebookIf there’s an organization you’re considering for yourself or a loved one, or if a loved one is already a resident somewhere, check to see if the organization has a Facebook Page. If so, and you’re on Facebook yourself, become a fan of the page to get news, updates and information. United Methodist Homes’ Facebook Page is available at www.facebook.com/UnitedMH.

Beware Junk SitesSometimes a website looks great on the results page, but when you click through to it, it’s just a junk list of links to websites trying to sell you something or even install viruses on your computer. If your computer’s antivirus program rates the safety of search engine results (usually with a green check-mark for good or a red X for dangerous), keep that recommendation in mind before “clicking through” to a page. Once you’re on a page, if it seems poorly-designed, has lots of misspellings, or asks for lots of personal information to continue, back out of the page. Don’t hand out your personal contact info to clearinghouse sites.

seasons ~ april 2012

page 5

thecloudsandColemancaughtaglimpseofthejunglefloor.Hedroppedtheplanetwomiles,hopingtoland.Improbablyandatthelastminute,Colemansawarunwaycutintoamountainside.“Iusedallpowerandeveryinchofthatlandingstriptosettheplanedown.AssoonasIcuttheengines,nativespouredoutofthejungleandsurroundedtheaircraft,andallIcouldseewasmyselfinapotofboilingwater.Wedidn’tknowwhatwasgoingtohappen.”Thenthecrowdpartedandoutwalkedayoungwhiteman,adoctorfromNewZealand.“I’mnotsurewhowashappier–himorus.WelearnedlaterthatwewerethefirstWesternershe’dseeninsixmonths.”Theairstriphadbeendugoutbythenatives–thedoctorexplainedtheAustraliangovernmentthoughttheareamighthavestrategicmilitaryimportance–buthadneverbeenused.SaysColeman,“Thenativeswerethrilledwhenthedoctorexplainedthatbecausetheybuilttherunway,theysaved‘thegreatwhitebirdmen.’”Thetribefedthecrewandshelteredthemovernight;afterabrisktradingsessionthenextmorning(dogtagsandcapsforaxesandheaddresses),thecrewtookoffandmadeitbacktobase.

Afterhisdischargein1945,ColemantookajobatFirstEasternBank,becomingabranchofficeadministratorover25branchesinnortheasternPennsylvania.HejoinedtheArmyNationalGuard,andwasactivatedduringtheKoreanWar,spendingayearincentralKoreaflyinglightaircraftonreconnaissanceandsurveillancemissions.WithhisWorldWarIIandKoreaservicecombined,Colemanflew292combatmissions;heretiredfromtheNationalGuardafter22years.Althoughwarmoviesoftenportraypilotsastheheroes,Colemanexplains,“Wedidn’tfeelspecial–wehadajobtodoandwedidit.”

ColemanandhiswifewelcomedsonJohnin1957.Colemanworkedhiswayuptoavice-presidency,andretiredfromthebankafter38years.Janepassedawayin2004,andColemanmovedtoWesleyVillagein2009.“ItwasthebestmoveIevermade,”hesays.Colemanworksinthegiftshoptwodaysaweek,playsbridgeandisanavidreader,favoringLouisL’Amourwesterns.Hehastwograndsonsandagranddaughter.

To read about a crash landing in the New Guinea jungle during World War II, check out the book LostinShangri-La by Mitchell Zuckoff. To make a suggestion for the Around the Block series, contact Sarah Soden, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, at (607) 775-6400, ext. 288. Residents are welcome to suggest themselves!

Around the Block .Continued from page 2“i’ll be all in clover/and when they look you over…”

The Easter bonnet parade is a Wesley Village tradition…residents spend time decorating their own hats and then showing them off on parade day! Nearly three dozen residents sashayed through the building to “Easter Parade” and “Here Comes Peter Cottontail.” To make all that hat-decorating worthwhile, residents were invited to a special Easter bonnet tea on March 30. Thank you to the staff from all departments and the resident family members who assisted with both events! Partridge-Tippett Nursing Facility resident Margaret Davies catches a treat on the fly during the Easter parade from Easter bunny Mary Ann Battista, Activity Aide.

Bingo.is.Spelled.B-U-N-N-Y!

Just in time for Easter, Partridge-Tippett Nursing Facility residents were treated to an Easter bingo event by students from Pittston Area High School honor society. The students even brought along Easter-themed prizes! Shown together before the event are (from left) resident Jennie Osmanski, seniors Brian Delaney, Samantha Horchos, Charles Bressler, Anthony Schwab, Mike Stankoski, junior Olivia Lanza and resident Yolanda Tancredi.

Spring Sugar rushEight James G. Johnston Memorial Nursing Home residents helped make more

than 150 coconut eggs and peanut butter eggs for Easter. Proceeds from the sale (a total of $200!) benefited the Resident Council. The eggs were so popular –

last year they sold out in under 10 minutes – that sales were done in advance and limited to four eggs per person! Residents Clara Sarday (left) and Kathryn

Hemstreet hold a tray of eggs ready to be dipped in chocolate.

seasons ~ april 2012

page 6

Good.Corporate.CitizensOn March 15, Corporate Office staff extended good corporate citizenship in their neighborhood by doing a roadside garbage cleanup on Acre Place and on Barlow Road, the office’s main cross street. Thirteen staff members picked up more than 50 pounds of trash in 45 minutes. Development Director Bonnie Slocum (front) and Resident Accounts Representative Karen Charlier (rear) are shown hard at work. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Healthy and Great-Tasting!It can taste good and be good for you, too! Members of the Hilltop Campus community gathered on March 20 to share a healthy potluck lunch. Said Wellness Director Vinni Wingell, “Our goal was to demonstrate that something healthy can actually taste good.” Staff brought in a wide variety of main dishes, salads, sides and desserts, all with a healthy twist. Wingell is shown serving pumpkin ricotta stuffed shells to Hilltop Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Marsha Barker (left) and Technical Support Specialist David Lake. Recipes are available on the Homes’ Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UnitedMH in the photo album called “Healthy Potluck at Hilltop.”

incubate,.Candle,.Hatch!Cornell Cooperative Extension representatives (and mother and daughter!) Ann Supa, Nutrition Educator, and Courtney Harrington, 4-H and Environmental Science Educator, visited Hilltop on March 27 to candle the two dozen eggs residents have been watching in two separate incubators. Hilltop activity staff purchased the eggs from a farm in Whitney Point and borrowed the incubators from Cooperative Extension. The candling process reveals which eggs contain viable birds – 15 out of the 24 eggs looked as though they would hatch, but just two actually did at the end of the three-week incubation period. The eggs were from hens of varying breeds – residents were most interested in the green eggs of the araucana chicken, also known as the Easter egg chicken for the multicolored eggs it lays. Residents and staff were able to guess which egg would hatch when. Supa (standing) shows Hilltop resident Madeline Isham an egg being candled with a flashlight. Harrington is visible over Supa’s shoulder.

Hilltop Auditorium, 4-8 PM, Tuesday, May 8

Open to residents and resident family members, $5 per manicure.

Please purchase your manicure in advance – no sales made after May 7, and no walk-ins.

For more information, contact Sue Vroman at svroman@umhwc.org or (607) 798-1002, ext. 211

Proceeds benefit the 2012 Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

Mother’s Day Manicures

by BoCeS Cosmetology Students

When Hilltop residents went for their regular lunch out in March, they dined at Original Italian Pizza on Upper Front Street in Binghamton. Hilltop resident Marilyn Wood, one of the diners, was caught totally off guard when she noticed the restaurant was decorated with “Happy Birthday” signs. Surprise! Her grandson Tim Thorick and his wife own the restaurant! And after everyone enjoyed lunch, the Thoricks supplied a birthday cake for the whole group. Wood (left) and Thorick are shown together at the restaurant. Stop by for your own slice of pizza – the restaurant will be changing its name to TLC Pizza in the near future!

A Birthday Surprise!

seasons ~ april 2012

Letters.of.Appreciation

to.the.Elizabeth.Church.Campus.from.the.family.of.Ellen.Morehouse(name used at the family’s request)

ThankyoutothestaffofElizabethChurchManor’sNursingUnitTwofromourwholefamily.Forthenineyearsshewasaresident,youcaredforourmother–andalltheotherresidents–withgentleness,kindnessandcompassion.Yourcheerfulpersonalities,smilesandjoyfulhellosweregreatlyappreciated.Iespeciallylikethatresidentsarepeopletoyou,andnotnumbers.You’dneverknowitwasanursinghome–itwaslikeafamily.IfIwassickandcouldn’tvisit,staffmemberswouldspendtimewithmymom.It’sclearthatyouallloveyourjobs,andyoualldeservearaise!Thesympathycardyousent,andthepersonalmessagesinside,meantsomuch.I’msuremymomislookingdownfromheavenknowingthatallthetimeshewasatElizabethChurchManorshewasinthecompanyofangels.Youhaveourloveandappreciation,andwillalwaysbeinourthoughts.

to.the.Hilltop.CampusIwouldliketothankMarciaandherstaffforthewonderfulcareyouprovidedtomymotherandtomyfamilyaswell.Everypersonweencounteredontheunitwascompassionate,kind,professionalandsupportive.Ican’tbegintoexpresstoyouhowcomfortedwewereknowingMomwaswelltakencareof.

to.the.Hilltop.Campus.Activity.department.from.residents

•Thankyouforprovidingsuchwonderfulprogramsforus.Itcertainlymakesiteasier,especiallyatthistimeofyear,sinceIcan’tbehome.

•ThankyoutoFaye,JessicaandChrisforallyoudo.•ThankyousomuchforallyoudoforusatHilltop.Icertainly

appreciateit!•ThankyoutoActivityDirectorFayeClarkandtheactivities

stafffortheLet’sMakeaDealgameday.Iwaspleasedtowinthequilt,whichI’veputatthefootofmybedandhavebeenenjoyingverymuch.

•ThankyoutoMistyandTarahforthespecialtimewithmylovedoneonValentine’sDay.

esleyVillageActivityDirectorTamiChesniakisinfirst grade–again.AsastudentinMisericordiaUniversity’selementaryeducationprogram,sheiscurrentlycompletingherstudentteachinginRoseanneZaffuto’sfirst-gradeclassroomatthePittstonAreaPrimaryCenter.

StudentsfromthePrimaryCenterarenostrangerstoWesleyVillage–classesvisitmonthlytoperformashowforresidentsfromthroughoutthecampus.Thistime,though,Chesniakwasontheotherside–helpingwiththeshowratherthanwatchingit.Shesaid,“Icouldnotbelievethetremendousamountofworkittakestoputtogetherashowlikethis.”

ChesniakandZaffuto’sclasspresentedtheprograminconjunctionwiththesecond-gradeclasstaughtbyZaffuto’ssonPaul.Preparation–learninglinesandsongs,makingcostumesandprops–tookamonth.Thefinalproduction,called“What’sSpecialAboutJanuary?”wasahitwiththeaudience.Tocontinuetheintergenerationalconnectionandthankthestudentsforbringingtheirshowtocampus,residentswrotenotesofthanksonlargepostersthatwillbedisplayedintheschool.

SaidChesniak,“WesleyVillageresidentsaresofortunatetohavethesespecialprogramswithPrimaryCenterstudentseverymonth.Theybringatremendousamountofjoytoourresidents.”

Wesley Village Activity Director Tami Chesniak (standing left rear) with Roseanne Zaffuto (standing right rear) and her first-graders.

page 7

WBack.to.School

You Can’t Duck the Excitement!ElizabethChurchManorresidentshaveafront-rowseatforaspecialspringevent!AfemalemallardduckbuilthernestinthecourtyardgardenjustoutsidetheNursingOnediningroom,andshe’seasilyvisiblefromthewindows.(Smartduck–thecampusislowonpredators!)Whenshegetsup,11eggsarevisibleinthenest.InhonorofElizabethChurchManor,residentshavedubbedtheduck“Lizzie.”StaytunedfornewsonLizzie’sforthcomingflock!

NonprofitOrganizationU.S.Postage

PAIDPermitNo.197Binghamton,NY

ispublishedmonthlyforthestaff,residents,familymembers,friendsandcampusneighborsofUnitedMethodistHomes.PleasedirectallinquiriesaboutSeasonstoSarahSoden,DirectorofMarketingandPublicRelations,at10AcrePlace,Binghamton,NY13904.Ifyounolongerwishtoreceivethispublication,pleasecallSarahat(607)775-6400,ext.288.Ifyouarereceivingduplicatecopiesofthenewsletter,pleaseletusknowsowecanamendthemailinglist.

Visitourwebsiteatwww.unitedmethodisthomes.orgtoviewcontactinformationforeachcampus,aswellasmonthlyactivitycalendars,newsreleases,ortoviewbackissuesofthenewsletterelectronically.

VisitourFacebookPageforupdates,eventinfoandphotos.Gotowww.facebook.com/UnitedMH.

Corporate Office10 Acre PlaceBinghamton, NY 13904

United Methodist hoMes

Interact with us on

712 Hours of Knitting=178 Baby Hats=Love

what else do they do? Hilltop’sSaturdaymorningstitchinggroupmemberskeeptheircrochethooksandknittingneedlesbusyonlotsofprojects.In2011,AnnIrwintalliedmorethanthreedozenlaprobesforJamesG.JohnstonMemorialNursingHomeresidents,andothergroupmembers–DorisBennett,JaneCoulter,AnneKotrch,HelenMartinandHedyStrauss–mademittenandscarfsetsandhatsfortheChildren’sHomeinBinghamtonandhelmetlinersfortheUSarmedforces.Thegroupworksprimarilywithdonatedyarn.LorraineGrantjoinsthegrouptoworkonherquiltingprojects.

With time on her hands and a full basket of knitting needles, Hilltop resident Viola Allen wanted to do something for others. She asked Hilltop Chaplains Lea Harding and Diane Prentice for ideas, and they suggested knitting baby hats for Wilson Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Prentice verified that the hospital had a need for the hats, and Allen began stitching. To date, she has presented the hospital with 178 of the miniature hats (which look like elbow covers for the average adult!). Prentice, who delivers the hats to the hospital, has a special connection to the NICU – her son was a preemie. “I wish he’d had a hat!” she said. On March 24, Wilson NICU Clinical Nurse Debbie Ronback, RN, visited Hilltop’s Saturday morning stitching group to meet Allen and Prentice and accept a delivery of hats. She explained the NICU’s services to the group, and listened as group members reminisced about their own deliveries and hospital stays with their babies. Ronback, who worked at Hilltop in the 1980s, said that the hats are truly a gift of love: “Parents just cherish these hats – they’re baby’s first.” Allen (far right) shows her latest batch of hats to Prentice (far left) and Ronback (center).