535 E. North St., Suite E

Bradley, IL 60915

815-935-1992

www.gardant.com

At A Glance

Pumpkin Mug Cake Recipe

Cambridge Fall Festival

Managed by

NOVEMBER 2019

From the Desk of the CEO

Rod Burkett

I recently attended a national assisted living industry

conference, and the opening keynote speech was entitled,

“Superhero Leadership – How Everyday People Can Have an

Extraordinary Impact”. The speech was excellent, and it

reinforced something for me that I know happens every day. It’s the fact that

we have superheroes among us, performing their amazing feats of courage in

our assisted living communities every day. You may not notice their

superhero capes at first, but look closely and they are definitely there.

Our nurses, nurse aides, culinary staff, housekeepers, maintenance staff,

activities staff and administrative team are performing great feats of love,

compassion and connection on a daily basis! They carry out challenging and

detailed tasks and services daily, and sometimes this may stretch them to their

limits… but their focus is always on helping someone else. That is the short

definition of HERO.

The dictionary definition of hero is: a person noted for courageous acts or

nobility of character; or a person who, in the opinion of others, has special

achievements, abilities or personal qualities and is regarded as a role model or

ideal. This description fits the hundreds of staff members that engage with our

residents and families on a daily basis. Our company’s purpose is to invite

these people to join a daily mission of doing something extraordinary

together.

The speaker also incorporated into his presentation the stars we see in the

nighttime sky. He stated that the stars we see don’t get thank you notes for

doing what they do… they just keep shining. For many years, our company

has honored our heroes as “shining stars”. These human shining stars also

aren’t giving of themselves for the recognition or notoriety… they do it for

the benefit of others. We are forever grateful that they connect our mission

with their passion for caring on a daily basis, and that they keep on shining!

Cambridge House of O’Fallon

844 Cambridge Blvd., O’Fallon IL 62269

(618)624-9900 / www.gardant.com/cambridgehouseofallon

CAMBRIDGE CALLER

IN THE NEWS Counting Our Blessings

Rick Banas

This year, we celebrate Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, Nov. 28.

It is a time to express our gratitude and give thanks for our many blessings.

Did you know that . . .

The first Thanksgiving was a Harvest Festival that reportedly lasted for three days.

The woman behind “Mary Had a Little Lamb” apparently is responsible for Thanksgiving Day being

recognized as a national holiday. Poet Sarah Joseph Hale wrote letter after letter to President Abraham

Lincoln until he declared in 1863 that the fourth Thursday in November would be “a day of Thanksgiving

and praise”.

The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parades featured singers, celebrities, puppets riding on floats, and

animals from the Central Park Zoo. The first giant helium balloon did not appear until 1927.

Only male turkeys gobble.

The traditional cornucopia was a curved goat’s horn filled with fruits and grain.

Black Friday is not only a busy day for shoppers. It is reportedly the busiest day of the year for plumbers.

There are two towns in the United States named Turkey - Turkey, Texas and Turkey, North Carolina.

There also is a Turkey Creek, Arizona and a Turkey Creek, Louisiana. Turkey, Texas, which is located 100

miles southeast of Amarillo, is the home of the Bob Willis Museum.

Pumpkin pie is not the most popular Thanksgiving dessert. The American Pie Council says more

individuals in the United States prefer apple pie.

The first broadcast of a Thanksgiving Day football game took place in 1934. The game pitted my

hometown Chicago Bears against the Detroit Lions. The game was played at a stadium located on the

campus of the University of Detroit, my college alma mater. The Bears won 19 to 16.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving 2019, we express our thanks to all of the residents of the senior living, assisted

living and memory care communities that Gardant manages for placing your trust in us. We also express our

thanks to all of the staff members who are dedicated to providing residents with the Love, Compassion and

Dignity they deserve in addition to the help and assistance they need.

Be sure to take time on Thanksgiving Day and throughout the year to count your blessings and give thanks.

PAGE 2

WELLNESS Diabetes Awareness Month

Stephen Harris

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the

United States. One in 10 Americans have diabetes — that’s more

than 30 million people. Another 84 million adults in the U.S. are at

high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. To raise awareness about

diabetes and healthy living, Gardant Management is proudly

participating in American Diabetes Month.

Depending on your age, weight, and other factors, you may be at

higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The good news is you can

prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. All you have to do is decide...

Decide to stay at a healthy weight. Decide to eat well. Decide to be

active. If you’re at-risk, paying attention to living a healthy lifestyle

or getting early treatment can, for some, actually return blood sugar

levels to a normal range. So, take a breath—and then take action!

To help prevent type 2 diabetes:

Watch your weight

Eat healthy – Choose items from our Eat Smart Live Strong

menu.

Participate in our exercise program

Your risk for diabetes is greater if you have one or more of the

following:

Are 45 or older

Are Black, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Asian American,

or Pacific Islander

Have a parent, brother or sister with diabetes

Are overweight

Are physically inactive

Have high blood pressure or take medicine for high blood

pressure

Have low HDL cholesterol and/or high triglycerides

Had diabetes during pregnancy

Have been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

For more information, ask your nurse about diabetes.

Recipe Corner

Pumpkin Mug Cake

1 egg

1/4 cup dark brown sugar

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup canned pumpkin puree

1 tbsp white sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

Pinch of salt

Directions Crack egg into a microwave-

safe, large mug. Whisk in

brown sugar, flour, pumpkin

puree, white sugar, vanilla

extract, cinnamon, ginger,

nutmeg and salt. Whisk until

well blended.

Cook in microwave on high

until puffed and golden, about

1 minute 15 seconds.

Top with whipped cream for

presentation.

PAGE 3

LIFESTYLE

NOTICE

2020 Income and Insurance Documents

Please submit copies of all 2020 income award letters and insurance

premium notices to the business office and/or Move in Coordinator

no later than December 15, 2019. Social Security award letters will

be arriving in the mail over the next month. Please contact your

pension, annuity, and supplemental insurance company to request

copies of 2020 notices if not received by the deadline.

Please contact the Business Office Manager, Move in Coordinator,

or Administrator if you have any questions or concerns.

Birthdays & New Arrivals

Resident Birthdays:

Mary V. 11/7

Robert (Mac) M. 11/13

Jackie G. 11/13

Doyle W. 11/16

Jackie B. 11/21

La Verne F. 11/23

Sharon P. 11/24

Peggy C. 11/24

Shirley A. 11/28

Dottie S. 11/28

Shirley A. D. 11/28

Betty R. 11/29

Welcome Home

New Residents:

Daniel Simunich

Lauretta Tornatore

Eugene Layeski

A Note from the Administrator

Scott Douglas

We are all patiently awaiting the work to be done on the parking lot.

They will be stripping and laying new pavement sometime this fall

but we don’t have an exact day yet.

We are also getting new pipes in the attic for the fire sprinkler

system very soon. This means we will be seeing lots of workmen

around the building and those of you who live on the third floor

may hear noises coming from above.

We will send notices to all residents as soon as we know when these

projects have a definite date.

Thank you all for your patients.

We would like to thank Sandy Hangsleben for

being our Secret Shopper for October. Sandy

chose housekeeper, Cathy Kerns as the Golden

Ticket recipient for all the kind, caring and

considerate work she does for the residents.

Congratulations Cathy!

PAGE 4

WHAT’S HAPPENING Horoscope

Aquarius (1/20-2/18)

You have an increased need for

change and excitement.

Pisces (2/19-3/20)

Extra charisma and sexual magnetism

make this a good time for your love

life and social life.

Aries (3/21-4/19)

Initiate the final stages of long-term

goals to achieve them!

Taurus (4/20-5/20)

Choose your battles carefully. A

compromise may be best.

Gemini (5/21-6/20)

Step back from uncertain situations

and take the time to think.

Cancer (6/21-7/22)

An inner calm and balance will add

harmony to your relationships.

Leo (7/23-8/22)

A buildup of tension may lead you to

assert yourself.

Virgo (8/23-9/22)

Watch your tendency towards laziness

Libra (9/23-10/21)

Use your self-confidence and positive

attitude to make a good impression.

Scorpio (10/22-11/21)

Channel aggression into passion.

Sagittarius (11/22-12/21)

Use your birthday as a time for a fresh

start. Harvest that energy.

Capricorn (12/22-1/19)

Your competitive, yet cooperative

attitude make this a good time to start

new projects.

Cambridge Fall Fest Welcomes Neighborhood Friends

Cambridge House of Swansea

Cambridge House of Swansea is nestled among acres of

neighborhoods and subdivisions that have blossomed within the past

10 years. There is a natural, friendly neighborhood feeling and

comradery that permeates our tiny section of the world. Each year

when fall arrives, the parking lot at Cambridge is swarmed by kids,

young people, adult and older adults looking for good ole fashion

fun... chili, funnel cakes, balloon animals and live music! It’s the

Cambridge Annual Fall Fest! For two hours, this tiny lot brings

together the people-next-door for good ole fashion harmonious

fellowship. In a world that can be full of chaos and turmoil, it is

refreshing and wholesome.

PAGE 5

PAGE 6

Happening in the House Activities for November

Door Decorating Contest: All November long

Get out the leaves, nuts and turkeys Make a display on your door and be judged. You can go traditional,

elegant or quirky. Just have fun! We will be going around to judge the Fall Decorated doors on November 27th

with the winner to be announced on November 29th at the Start Off the Holidays party with Dave Sheppard.

Prizes are gift cards from Walmart.

Stay Active All Year with the YMCA: Friday, November 1st at 2:00p.m.

Come down and discover if you qualify to attend the Water Walking or the Aqua Tone Classes at the YMCA,

for FREE. We will be discussing the Silver Sneakers program that many of the insurances companies pay for

to keep their clients healthy. Is your insurance one of them?

Looking Glass Playhouse Presents ”Rumors”: Wednesday, November 6th at 6:30p.m.

Join us for a wonderful comedy about the mishaps at a dinner party. The LGPH players always give us a great

time.

Trip to the Butterfly House: Thursday, November 7th at 9:30a.m.

We will be going to the Butterfly House at Faust Park in Chesterfield. Admissions for Seniors 65 and older is

$5.00 we will have lunch at a restaurant to be named later. (I’m still looking)

Veteran's Day Parade : Monday, November 11th at 12:30p.m.

We will drive in the Veteran's Day Parade, you do not have to be a Veteran to ride along just a proud

American.

Pre-Holiday Planning Party : Tuesday, November 12th at 3:30

I have had a lot of residents who have said they want to do Secret Santa this year and many would like to have

a Cookie Exchange. If you would like to get in on these and other Holiday activities please show up to this

party where we will get the Holidays off to a great start.

SUDOKU PUZZLE

PAGE 7

SUDOKU ANSWERS

PAGE 8