the monthly newsletter for rivercourt residences

The Saint of February as told by the man himself

Let me introduce myself. My name is Valentine. I lived in Rome during the third century. That was long, long ago! At that time, an emperor named Claudius ruled Rome. I didn’t like Emperor Claudius, and I wasn’t the only one! A lot of people shared my feelings. Claudius wanted to have a big army. He expected men to volunteer to join. Many men just did not want to fight in wars. They did not want

to leave their wives and families. As you might have guessed, not many men signed up. This made Claudius furious. So what happened? He had a crazy idea. He thought that if men were not married, they would not mind joining the army. So Claudius decided not to allow any more marriages. Young people thought his new law was cruel. I thought it was preposterous! I certainly wasn’t going to support that law! Did I mention that I was a priest? One of my favorite activities was to marry cou-ples. Even after Emperor Claudius passed his law, I kept on performing marriage ceremonies—secretly, of course. It was really quite exciting. Imagine a small candlelit room with only the bride and groom and myself. We would whisper the words of the ceremony, listening all the while for the steps of soldiers. One night, we did hear footsteps. It was scary! Thank goodness the couple I was marrying escaped in time. I was caught. (Not quite as light on my feet as I used to be, I guess.) I was thrown in jail and told that my punishment was death. I tried to stay cheerful. And do you know what? Wonderful things happened. Many young people came to the jail to visit me. They threw flowers and notes up to my window. They wanted me to know that they, too, believed in love. One of these young people was the daughter of the prison guard. Her father allowed her to visit me in the cell. Sometimes we would sit and talk for hours. She helped me to keep my spirits up. She agreed that I did the right thing by ignoring the

ContactsSharon Amadon ext. 242Executive Directorsamadon@rivercourtresidences.com

Rya Bennett ext. 234Resident Care Directorrbennett@rivercourtresidences.com

Kim Landi ext. 227Reflections Program Director klandi@rivercourtresidences.com

Karen McKenzie ext. 222Director of Marketingkmckenzie@rivercourtresidences.com

Trisha McCaig ext 223Office Managertmccaig@rivercourtresidences.com

Cheryl Young ext. 240Activity & Volunteer Directorcyoung@rivercourtresidences.com

8 West Main StreetGroton, MA 01450www.rivercourtresidences.comp: 978-448-4122 f: 978-448-4133

February/March 2016The

Leatherboard

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The Music and Memory program started in December with the Groton School students visiting three afternoons per week. We had various activities the residents could work on as a way to get to know each other. For the remainder of the Music and Memory program the students will be working with their residents to create a totally customized playlist of songs for their own per-sonalized music library. They have their own iPods and headphones along with splitters so the students can listen with them

Reflections’ Happenings

Reflections In, Out, and About

The residents enjoy the back patio on an unexpected mild sunny December day!

Check out the shades!

Our holiday “Green Craft,” working with

recycled Christmas cards fronts and cereal boxes,

the residents created beautiful door hangers

for their apartments.

Bill won, it was a tight game. Scores were all within a few points of each other

Lois was the clean plate club winner.

Ho Ho HoThe living room was filled to overflow-ing as we gathered to sing holiday songs with Emma. We enjoyed cookies deco-rated by a resident team of elves and were delighted by a surprise visit from Santa. Funny how everyone still loves to have their picture taken with him!

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

This group of artists is decorating freshly baked confections. Everyone found their creative side and we managed to decorate dozens of cookies for our holiday party the next day. Thank you ladies!

What’s a party without goodies to eat?

Staff Profile: Lauren McCraig, Lead ConciergeLauren Marie McCaig was born July 13, 1986 in Boston, joining the family of Trish, Joe, and big brother Joey, where they lived in Arlington. Lauren was an admitted tomboy during high school and would reg-ularly change her study hall time to be able to go to the gym and work-out room. She would take the bus to Gold’s Gym, regularly after school at Arlington High for more time running and doing the muscle conditioning circuit. At her graduation Lauren was presented with several awards for health and fitness, representing the best in her class. Lauren continues to run many miles every day, this now, at her own home on a treadmill. Lauren and her just-turned nine-year-old daughter, Gianna, recently moved into their new “digs” in Lunenburg. Both Gianna and Lauren love to spend time together drawing and sketching, mostly animals with elephants as a favorite. A goal of Lauren’s would be to spend time as a Global Aware volunteer in Thailand living with, feeding, and caring for elephants in captivity. This would be right in line with her high school dream to become a zoologist and world traveler. In the meantime Lauren and Gianna look forward to an

“adventure” in the Dominican Republic this spring and some treasured, long summer weekends at Hampton Beach enjoy-ing boogie-boarding and continuing to attempt to conquer surfing.

Here’s a sampling of the variety of music we shared over the past weeks. From classical pianist, Archie Richards, to country singer, Lyle Pierce, harpist, Rebecca Swett, A Goodlie Companye madrigal choir, tap dancing/singer/guitarist, Ted Powers, to Broadway and Standards favorites played by pia-nist Lis Leal. And let’s not forget the holiday classics sang by a Cub Scouts troop from Groton. We had it covered! •

Singer, Marti Sawyer brought us to the end of 2015 and ready

to celebrate the New Year with a song list filled with joy, appreciation, memories, and anticipation for a happy and

healthy 2016.

To sum up a residents’ life in a few hundred words is nearly impossible. Dr. Wayne Porter’s story is no exception. Wayne, as he prefers to be called has the stories, vivid recol-lections, and experiences that could fill up pages. Wayne was born in Low-ell, Maine, June 12, 1923. (Penobcsot County, pop-ulation 358, as of 2010

census) The son of John and Laura Porter, he was in the middle of eight children, including two brothers and five sisters. Many life events are etched in memory in detail, includ-ing a hunting accident, witnessed at four years of age that would influence Wayne throughout his life. Passa-dumkeag, the Escutasis, Pistol and the Saponac Lakes, Nicatous Camp, and trapping porcupines are but a few of the places his stories come from.Attending Lee Academy, a private high school in Lee, Maine, Wayne played baseball, ran track, and cross country, finishing third in a state meet. He attended Castine Normal School—later known as the Maine Maritime Academy—and entered the Army Air Corps in late 1942 where he was stationed in Grotaglie, Italy, joining the 449th Bomber Group. Wayne returned to the states after three years of service attaining corpo-ral’s rank. Wayne attended the University of Maine, graduating in 1948 and got his first “big opening” into teaching. This

was in a school of twenty-six children in eight grade levels in the township of Saponac, Maine. There he met Theora Bartley, a teacher herself, through a friend and fellow educator. They married June 25, 1949, and both taught in Ashland, Maine, for five years, “until the family came along.” Today, son Kevin lives in Pepperell and daughter Terry lives in Douglas, MA.Wayne’s teaching career moved him and his family to Auburn, ME, Gloversville ,NY, Saugus, MA, and Bloomfield, CT. He received his certificate of advanced studies in education, from Boston University and while serving as high school principal in Connecticut and achieved his doctorate in education from the University of Massachusetts during his tenure as superintendent of schools in East Longmeadow, MA. Wayne retired and returned to Maine after Theora passed away in 1969. An interest in genealogy and local history, as well as his education background, and per-sonal experiences, would lend themselves to a project taken on with Georgia Turner Stacy, a local genealogist to write, The History of Lowell Maine, that was pub-lished in 1993 in Brewer, Maine. Wayne met his second wife Shirley Piper, a former classmate, while retired in Maine and enjoyed years together before her passing. He left the Orono, Maine area returning to East Longmeadow to live at Bluebird Estates, an independent living community. In the fall of 2015, Wayne moved once more to be closer to his family, including a growing number of grandchildren and great grand-ones. We welcome you now to Rivercourt Dr. Wayne!

Resident Profile: Wayne S. Porter

Happy BirthdayPat Whittemore

Pat McLaud

Tom Gianacakes

Kathleen Horgan

Peter Laggis

We took a break from the winter weather to experience

a “Taste of the Tropics Day” recently. A special menu was prepared for the

lunch and dinner meals, including coconut shrimp, mahi-mahi, and pineapple upside

down cake. In the afternoon we were treated to a Hula show with Sarah demonstrating the

many moods, styles, and dress of different culture Hula dances. Kudos to Barbara and Pearl for volunteering to learn to dance to

the song, “Lovely Hula Hands.” They were quick learners and did an

excellent job!

Assisted & Independent Living

UpcomingSpecial Events and Entertainment at

RiverCourtSpanish Guitarist, George Parker ........................................................ Tue, Feb 2, 2:30 pmVeteran’s Breakfast at the Senior Center ............................................. Thu, Feb 4, 9:30 amAmerican Legion Meeting at RiverCourt .......................................... Thu, Feb 4, 7:30 pmHonky Tonk Pianist, Ethan Stone ..................................................... Mon, Feb 8, 3:30 pmA Closer Look at China with Ron Falong ..........................................Tue, Feb 9, 10:30 am“Swingin’ Love Songs of the 40s & 50s”

with Brian Kane, saxophonist ....................................................... Thu, Feb 11, 2:30 pmSinger, Guitarist, Andy Ross .............................................................. Sun, Feb 14, 2:00 pmBirthday Party with Ted Powers .........................................................Tue, Feb 16, 2:30 amIndian Hill Bach Lunch Concert ..................................................... Thu, Feb 18, 11:45 amSilent Movie Night with Richard Hughes ........................................Thu, Feb 18, 6:45 pmArt Matters presents “Northern Renaissance” ...............................Tue, Feb 23, 10:30 amHarpist, Rebecca Swett ......................................................................Wed, Feb 24, 2:30 pmVeteran’s Breakfast at the Senior Center ...........................................Thu, Mar 3, 9:30 amA Closer Look at Ireland with Ron Falong ..................................... Tue, Mar 8, 10:30 amIrish Singer, Guitarist, Brian Corcoran ............................................. Tue, Mar 8, 2:30 pm“Jumpin’ Juba”, New Orleans Boogie Woogie,

Guitar and Vocals Duo, Steve and Bruce ....................................Thu, Mar 10, 2:30 pmSinger, Guitarist, Andy Ross .............................................................Sun, Mar 13, 2:00 pmBirthday Party with Heather Marie ................................................. Tue, Mar 15, 2:30 pmIndian Hill Bach Lunch Concert .....................................................Thu, Mar 17, 11:45 am“All Things Green” Party ................................................................ Thu, March 17, 3:30 pm

Ann CallahanBarbara Boisseau

Happy Birthday

Flu Season Is Upon Us!For those recovering from influenza and similar respiratory infections, even colds, the recovery can be slow and prolonged. This is often the nature of recuperating from any condition that has caused fever or extended ill-ness. When symptoms last for a week or more causing decreased appetite as well as decreased mobility the time it takes to return to normal can be much longer than usual (www.mayo-clinic.org).With this being said, there are several things that we can do to prevent the spread of colds and influenza but the single most effective way to prevent the spread of communicable illness is by washing your hands. Because we cannot see germs with the naked eye it is important to wash your hands often. Proper hand wash-ing consists of first wetting your hands with warm water, applying soap, and rubbing hands together for at least 20 seconds making sure you are cleaning between the fingers and also under fingernails were germs are likely to gather. Rinse well and completely dry hands using a paper towel.It is important to wash your hands:• Before, during, and after you prepare food.• Before you eat.•After using the bathroom.•After handling animals or animal waste.• When your hands are dirty.• More often when someone in your home is

ill.

Other things that we can do to prevent spread-ing illness include covering your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing using a tis-sue. It is important to dispose of these tissues right away so that germs are not spread to sur-faces and picked up by someone else. If you do not have a tissue close by you can also sneeze or cough into the bend of your elbow, if your hands are what catches your cough or sneeze you should wash them immediately. Also, if you are ill it is wise to avoid close con-tact with others so as to prevent the spread of illness. And last it is important that you receive a flu vaccine. Check with your primary care provider to see if you have received this vac-cine and to discuss if you should be getting it annually (www.jointcommission.org).

The Wellness Clinic is held every Friday at 1:00 p.m. in the Living Room on the second floor.

–Nicole Young R.N., CDP

There has been a lot of creating going on here at RiverCourt. From cookie making for afternoon snacks, thanks to Margery and others, to cupcake baking, a la Barbara, to decorate for our monthly birthday party, to a clay sculpting workshop with Jean McCrosky instructing.

Welcome New ResidentsPeter Laggis–Apt. 7B

Weegie Dodd–Apt. 5AChet Gapinski–Apt. 237

Sara Bosley–Apt. 201

Welcome New EmployeesBrian Levensailor–dishwasherGiovanni Paglierani–serverDenise Higginson–Refections porterSandra LeBlanc–business manager

Donna

Linda

JanuaryDonna Carroll

Donna’s outgoing and bubbly personality,

her non-stop energy and her consistent willingness to

help out wherever she can sets her apart. Donna goes above and beyond in

her role as RA and her efforts sometimes can go unnoticed, working the overnight shift. She

is “the elf” that decorates the staff lounge, keeps the recycle table full, and organized, spends her own time to

shop for the Town Meeting raffle items, all done behind the scene. The little favors she does for so many are just one way her

generous heart is so appreciated here.

FebruaryLinda Veillette

Linda goes beyond the requirements of her job and makes sure everyone is happy with their orders. She also does extra things in the kitchen like stocking the fridge, doing her best

to help anyone who needs it when she isn’t busy. She even helps put away dishes and pans at the end of lunch. She always goes above and beyond to help others.

Employees of the Month

Emperor and going ahead with the secret mar-riages. On the day I was to die, I left my friend a little note thanking her for her friendship and loyalty. I signed it, “Love from your Valentine.” I believe that note started the custom of exchanging love messages on Valentine’s Day. It was written on the day I died, February 14, 269 A.D. Now, every year on this day, people remember. But most importantly, they think about love and friendship. And when they think of Emperor Claudius, they remember how he tried to stand in the way of love, and they laugh—because they know that love can’t be beaten!

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