the monthly newsletter for rivercourt residences

New Year’s Resolutions and Wellness

Life is full of traditions. Many are handed down through the years, and some are newly created between family and friends. Either way, traditions are part of the colorful fabric that intertwines our lives and holds us together, transcending time and distance. One com-mon tradition this time of year is making New Year’s resolutions, which usually include stopping bad habits or starting good habits.

Research shows adults over the age of 65 can greatly benefit from making healthy resolutions—especially those that help prevent illness and injury. Here are five New Year’s resolutions that will keep you feeling good.

Participate in cognitive health activities.Mental health is an important aspect of health that we tend to overlook as we so often focus on the benefits of staying physically fit. Keep your mind engaged and stimulated through social interaction, book clubs, or by playing brain games, cards, or trivia.

Exercise or start a new physical activity.Exercise doesn’t have to be exhausting, and it certainly doesn’t have to feel like work. Yoga, tai chi, Zumba, and morning exercise classes with the activity staff are a few that not only will help to increase your physical health, but also provides an opportunity to meet other residents living in the community and social interaction.

Eat more fresh foods.Processed foods are easy to throw together for a meal, but they come with a host of health issues and concerns, and frankly, they’re not worth the hassle. Make a promise to eat fresher, healthy fruits and vegetables and you’ll see a noticeable difference in the way you look and feel.

ContactsSusan Whitty-Kennedy ext. 242 Executive Director skennedy@rivercourtresidences.com

Sharon Amadon ext. 234 Resident Care Director samadon@rivercourtresidences.com

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

Karen McKenzie ext. 222 Director of Marketing kmckenzie@rivercourtresidences.com

Trisha McCaig ext 223 Office Manager tmccaig@rivercourtresidences.com

Cheryl Young ext. 240 Activity & Volunteer Director cyoung@rivercourtresidences.com

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

January 2015The

Leatherboard

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The smell of pine was all thru the room when working on these beau-tiful centerpieces.

Reflections Our new therapy dog in training, Summit, visits Ethel and Peggy

Peggy, Rita, and Bill prepare homemade peanut butter and banana canine

treats for our therapy dogs for the holidays

Thanksgiving dinner

Using recycled Christmas cards the residents enjoyed making door hang-ers for the holidays.Indian Hill Music School shares the gift of music. December’s concert fea-tured music of The Great American Composers! We pack a lunch and away we go to Lit-tleton. Family members joined us and their loved ones at our reserved tables. Fun was had by all.

In, Out and About

Our most recent Wine Tasting was a huge success and residents look forward to experiencing the next one in February. Chef Rick made up a beautiful platter of artisan cheese and crackers as well as Godiva sea salt choco-late caramels which made the taste of everything come to life paired with each other. Many thanks to Michelle from the Jack O’Lantern for a most informa-tive and enjoyable time.

Susan’s CornerMy thoughts at the end of 2014 are simple, “Thank You.” It has been a year of Change for many of us. We have lost residents that we truly loved; some of you have moved from one area of the building to another and some of you have seen a change in “yourself.” How we deal with all these changes affects our daily lives. For me, I have been blessed to be able to share a part of my life with some amazing people. To learn from all of you has been a joy in my life. No matter where I go in life I will always remember the special relation-ship that I have with you; sharing a cup of coffee in the morning, our talks in the Dining Room, Resident Council meetings and simply just visiting. I wish you all a very happy and healthy 2015 and may all your dreams come true.

Exploring the AreaGroton Historical Society & Museum 172 Main St. 978-448-0092Kimball Farms 400 Littleton Rd., Westford 978-486-3891Gibbet Hill Barn, Trails, and Restaurant 61 Lowell Rd.Townsend Military Band Concerts Town Common–Thursday eveningsFitchburg Art Museum, free passes available at front desk 978-345-4207 Carter Myseum of Groton History Lone Lane 617-823-5757 The Natural Market 148 Main St. 978-448-5075Bliss Bakery 134 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 tree is decorated with sea and land horses and jingle bell wreaths made by

members of the Christmas crafting group.

Staff Profile: Kevin Bienvenue

Kevin was born and brought up in Westfield MA. “Bienv-enue” means welcome in French and Kevin’s Dad wished to teach his children the language, but Kevin’s Mom was not happy with the idea or interested herself. It seems she did not want her children to speak another language and perhaps learn the “wrong” words and not know what they were saying. Kevin entered the military in 1982 and served three active and three reserve years in the Army studying radar systems. After the military Kevin worked for Smith and Wesson, the gun manufacturer for twelve years and was at that job where he lost significant hearing. Upon the need to reduce the work force, Kevin was laid off with an opportunity to attend school for HVAC (Heating, Venti-lation, and Air Conditioning) certification. Upon moving to NH in 2000, Kevin would gain much experience in the field, working several years designing and building

“chillers” and then managing maintenance at Colony Mill Marketplace in Keene for years after that.Kevin was recruited and joined the RiverCourt team in August 2014 to take on the new position of building sys-tems engineer. Many important changes have happened with the heating and cooling systems since. Prior to this, our buildings’ HVAC systems were over-seen and maintained by a sub-contractor. To say the least, some issues of safety and upkeep were not fully met with this relationship. Thanks to Kevin’s work, we now benefit from improved air quality throughout the house and a consistent, safe system able to deliver both cooling and heating at the same time. New thermostat “quick guides” enable residents to manage their own settings at a glance in their apartments. Kevin puts in busy days all week, but looks forward to down times when he enjoys golfing, fishing or camping with his five kids (ages 14–24) at their favorite camp-ground while conquering a Mt. Monadnock climb.

Our first ZUMBA class was very well attended! The music and energy that Sharon brings to the class made it almost impossible not to join in. What a great way to exercise. We will be doing it twice a month from now on.

Our Annual Holiday Craft Fair gave residents, staff and many friends and neighbors a head start for some holiday gift buy-ing. Residents made ceramic items during several classes and sold them with all proceeds to go to the V.F.W. A raffle was offered for a beautiful afghan made by Laurie Morency with proceeds to support the Reflec-tions Activity Fund. Joe Roche accepts the winning ticket for his niece Ann McGovern.We were blessed with many wonderful local groups com-ing to sing for us during the holidays. Weeblos from Gro-ton, Girl Scouts from Ashby,

“The Neighborhood Singers” from Pepperell and Townsend and The Goodlie Companye with members from Shirley to Arlington and guitar students from next door’s class at the Clover Farm store.

Imagine growing up in Medford MA with a very large, very Irish family in the early 1900s having talented musicians, danc-ers, singers, poets in your household with other relatives coming by regularly filling your home with music and dance all the time. Kitty Clair did just

that and her memories of those times as well as those of her children, grand kids and great grand kids doing much the same are just as vivid today. Kitty was right in the middle of eight children born to Nora and Martin Clair in 1918, both from County Clair Ireland. She graduated from Medford High School, a city that was “grand for music” as the class musician in 1937. Her mother played the concertina, a popu-lar player in Ireland, and Kitty would go to her aunt’s house to play the piano until her family acquired one and she began lessons at age eleven. She was awarded a scholarship to the New England Conservatory of Music upon graduation, but the family was not in a position to meet the extra funding needed to attend, hence Kitty continued on her own to prac-tice and play all around with musicians including “the Debs’s of Rhythm” who were heard every Sunday on WMEX radio. They also played at many college dances and it was at one of those that she was introduced to a sax player named Eddy. She and Eddy would marry in 1940, and raise their four daughters in Lexington. Her girls are talented in their own areas of voice, dancing, composing, and athletics. Kitty would continue playing the piano herself in many different venues and as part of the Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eirann was inducted into the Irish Music Hall of Fame at Boston College in her mid fifties. Her portrait still stands in the Burnes Library on campus.

A highlight of Kitty’s life has been to have traveled to Ireland three times, her first visit in 1968, with her sis-ter Theresa and cousin Winnie. “It was a prize time of my entire life”. A three week trip, they would stay with relatives and join in with the constant music, danc-ing, laughter, “that was just a part of our everyday life”. She would return in 1976 and again in 2002 with her daughter, Susan and granddaughter, Karen after Eddy passed away. She speaks of “the lightheartedness, the dancing, the food, the music” with a tear in her eye recalling some of her favorite memories. Kitty would live with her daughter, Susan in Boxbor-ough, in her own in-law apartment for many years with the company of a cat named Whiskers who would cuddle up to her as she played the piano, as if to voice her delight. Whiskers moved to RiverCourt with Kitty several months ago and the two remain great company for each other. Kitty enjoys the many music programs offered at RiverCourt and delights in reminiscing with musicians she once played with. She has rich stories to stories to share about so much; Ireland, her family, her music, her heritage. If you get a chance, do ask her about the “Jew harp” or Trumpa as it may also be called. She has two tucked away in a box in her apartment and would gladly share the history of it or attempt to hum a few notes with it.

Resident Profile: Catherine “Kitty” Clair D’Entremont

January Birthdays Robert Hamel January 6 Barbara Boisseau January 7 George Hecht January 9 Patricia Saisi January 10 Rita Devrieze January 25 Dick Morgan January 26 Joyce Olsen January 29

It is memory that enables a person to gather roses in January.

–Anonymous

Holiday Brunch December 14The house was decorated beautifully to welcome over 200 guests and residents for our Holiday Brunch. Owner David Ham-ilton and his wife Pat joined us for the second seating. Families were seated in all our dining rooms enjoying the spread of food from fruits and salads to sea-food Newburg and beef tenderloin with pastries and desserts. A job well done by Executive Chef Rick Kendall and the entire kitchen/ dining room team!

Residents and Families Christmas Party December 17The music of The Comeback Kids announced the arrival of Santa as resi-dents and families were waiting to greet him. Santa and his favorite Elf, Ellen deliv-ered gifts to all. Frances and Bill danced to a favorite Holiday song and some young family members got their first glimpse of the jolly man dressed in red.

Assisted & Independent

Living

January Special Events and Entertainment

at RiverCourt

Manicures/Pedicure ................................... 2nd & 4th Tue, 9:30–3:30

Massage Therapy ..........................................................Mon, 9:30–3:30

Resident Council ........................................................ Wed, Jan 7, 2:00

Lyle Pierce, Singer ..........................................................Tue Jan 6, 2:30

Ceramics with Diane ...................................... Wed, Jan 7 & 21, 10:30

Zumba class with Sharon ...................................Thu, Jan 8 & 22, 1:30

Men’s Lunch ................................................................. Fri, Jan 9, Noon

Veteran’s Breakfast ....................................................Mon, Jan 12, 9:45

Howie Newman, Singer .............................................Tue, Jan 13, 2:30

Zen Tangle Art Class .....................................Wed, Jan 14 & 28, 10:30

Bach’s Lunch ............................................................. Thu, Jan 15, 11:45

Hula Dancer ............................................................... Thu, Jan 15, 3:15

Luau Dinner ............................................................... Thu, Jan 15, 5:30

Lady’s Lunch .............................................................. Fri, Jan 16, Noon

ART Matters ............................................................. Tue, Jan 20, 10:30

Birthday Party .............................................................Tue, Jan 27, 2:30

Marti Sawyer, Singer ................................................. Thu, Jan 29, 2:30

ZentangleComing in January—a new art class, taught by Jean Theurkauf, certified Zentangle teacher.Zentangles are miniature pieces of unplanned, abstract, black and white art created through a very specific method from an ensem-ble of simple, structured patterns called tangles on a square paper tile. Zentangles are not only exquisitely beautiful, they are fun and relaxing to create.The process of creating a Zentangle is a form of “artistic medi-tation” as one becomes completely engrossed in making each pattern, deliberately focusing on “one stroke at a time. The creativ-ity options and pattern combinations are boundless. And anyone can do it!The Zentangle method “increases focus and creativity, provides artistic satisfaction along with an increased sense of personal well being. The Zentangle method is enjoyed all over this world across a wide range of skills, interests and ages.”Our first class will be January 14 at 10:30 a.m. in our Activity Room. Please plan on joining this new, exciting group.

A Zentangle example

Stenciled Christmas Gift Wrap Workshop

Above: Ethel D., Katherine G., Kitty D.,Below: Judy M., Maddie I.

Christmas Card Writing (L–R) Maddie I., Frances G., and

Ginny M.

Welcome New ResidentBarbara Boisseau

Make your apartment safer.According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in three adults over the age of 65 falls each year. Many of these falls are preventable, especially if home safety tips are implemented. Tips like moving cords out of walk-ways, having good lighting near beds and taping down edges of carpet and rugs, as well as picking up bathroom mats and rugs can help tremendously to decrease the number and severity of falls.

Schedule regular checkups.Unfortunately, with age come an increased risk of illness and other complications such as high blood pressure, osteoporosis and other medical conditions. Making sure that you schedule a regular annual checkup can help in early detection and prevention. Not only will these New Year’s resolutions improve your mental and physical health, they’ll provide social opportunities and benefit your life in multiple ways. What are some of your goals and resolutions for the upcoming year?

RiverCourt is committed to assisting you in living a happy and healthy life as well as assisting in maintaining dignity and as much independence as possible. With this being said we are happy to announce the grand opening of your new Wellness Center this January 2015 which is located on the first floor just before the fitness center.The Wellness Center is a place that you can come with your health related questions or concerns. Questions about medications, managing pain, not feeling well, trouble sleeping, bowel concerns, etc. The Wellness Cen-ter will be open every Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can make an appointment to see the Wellness Nurse at the Concierge desk. We will also continue to have weekly wellness clinic for blood pressures and weights that will remain in the foyer outside the Independent Dining Room.So start brainstorming your New Years resolutions and come see me so we can make a successful plan to meet them. Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2015!

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Elaine Haran, Lead Concierge

Indeed Elaine qualifies for the honor of employee of

the month. She is our go-to per-son. She is always at the ready with an

answer, a direction, a kind word, a listen-ing ear, a lunch ticket, a housekeeping need

and assorted questions from residents, staff, and families alike, whether in person or on the phone with

a smile and a thank you. “She has all the qualities for the nomination and she does them all well.”

Employee of the Month