Belmont Village at West University W. Holcombe Blvd. · Houston, TX 77025 · Phone 713-592-9200 · Fax 713-592-0274 Belmont Village at West University December 2013 Our Team Rachelle

2929 W. Holcombe Blvd. • Houston, TX 77025 • Phone 713-592-9200 • Fax 713-592-0274

Belmont Village at West University

December 2013

Our TeamRachelle Park

Senior Executive Director(713) 592-9200 x102

[email protected] Goodrich

Dir. of Resident Care Services(713) 592-9200 x109

[email protected] Cooper

Community Relations(713) 592-9200 x133

[email protected] Wilkins

Community Relations(713) 592-9200 x107

[email protected] Butz

Director of Activities & MemoryPrograms

(713) 592-9200 [email protected]

Beth WalshActivities Program Coordinator


Leah MontgomeryHuman Resources Generalist


Robert StevensBuilding Engineer


Dorian ClarkChef Manager


A Word FromRachelle ...

Decorate Those Doors!!!Each year we have a Resident

Door Decorating Contest. Overthe last few years, we haven’t seenthe really elaborate decorationsthat we have seen in the past. So, Iam challenging all residents tobring out the holiday cheer! Youare welcome to get help from yourfamily members or the staff. Let’sbe creative and share the holidayspirit throughout the building.The winners will be announced atthe Resident Holiday Party onThursday, Dec. 19.

I also wanted to mention that Iknow December is always full ofmerriment and our residents liketo share this merriment with thestaff. The best way to do this is todonate to our Employee HolidayFund. Employees are not allowedto accept individual gifts orgratuity from residents or theirfamilies, so the best way for youto show your appreciation is todonate to the Holiday Fund. Youcan bring your donation to the3rd floor Administration Officesand make your checks payable toBelmont Village.

I hope you all have a wonderfulholiday season!

Happy Holidays - Rachelle Park

Rachelle Park, Senior ExecutiveDirector, and Beverly Wuntch enjoythe holidays.

RESIDENT BIRTHDAYPARTY

If you have a Decemberbirthday, please join us on

Friday, Dec. 27, at 11:45 a.m. inJosephine’s Kitchen for a

special meal.

Resident Birthdays12/1 Esther Cavaleri12/9 Glenna Scamell12/13 Marie Romain12/18 Harry Arnold12/20 Joan Baker12/21 Sam Melnick12/21 Gloria Quian12/25 Gail Kawahata12/29 Thomas Davison12/29 Eva Kendall12/31 Charlotte Albano

Employee Birthdays12/1 Dorian Clark12/9 Damond Ross12/12 Alyssa Price12/20 Ann Mwaura12/22 Edith Adams12/24 Janet Perrodin12/28 Kimberly Sandifer

New Resident TeaJoin us on Tuesday, Dec. 3,

at 3 p.m. in the Great Room forthe New Resident Tea. This will be

your opportunity to meet andgreet the new residents.

Welcome, New Residents!Gladys Shipman #141June Newell #126Effie Jean Bay #327

December Employee ofthe Month

Antonio Williams has beenselected as Belmont Village - WestUniversity’s December Employeeof the Month. Congratulations!

Famous Faces Bornin December

Dec. 2, 1948: Cathy Lee CrosbyDec. 3, 1948: Ozzy OsbourneDec. 11, 1954: Jermaine

JacksonDec. 12, 1923: Bob BarkerDec. 13, 1989: Taylor SwiftDec. 16, 1963: Benjamin BrattDec. 18, 1947: Steven SpielbergDec. 21, 1957: Ray RomanoDec. 24, 1973: Stephenie MeyerDec. 25, 1949: Sissy Spacek

Happy HolidaysFriends and family often gather

for celebrations during theholiday season. Relax, have funand enjoy your time together!

Employees and friendsof Belmont Village - WestUniversity and thecorporate offices ofBelmont Village jointogether for the 2013Alzheimer’s Walk.

Belmont Village Participates in2013 Alzheimer’s Walk

Employees, family and friends of BelmontVillage - West University participated in the2013 Alzheimer’s Walk on Oct. 26 indowntown Houston. This national event raisesawareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care,support and research. Belmont Village was alsorecognized for its financial contributions andplaced 5th in corporate donations. This was anopportunity to come together and support animportant cause.

The Origin of HanukkahAn eight-day Jewish

celebration, Hanukkah occurs inlate November or December,beginning on the 25th day ofKislev on the Hebrew calendar.The holiday focuses on themiraculous oil that the Jews usedto light the menorah in the newlyreclaimed Jerusalem Temple.Although there was only enoughoil to last one night, the menorahcandles burned for eight nights.Families celebrate Hanukkah bypreparing traditional foods andlighting the menorah, adding onecandle on each night.

Word of the Month:Traditions

When we flip to the last monthin the calendar, we know that ourtraditions of family get-togethers,festive food and memorablecelebrations are in store. But alongwith the holidays comes a newyear filled with new opportunities.As you sit bundled under ablanket, think back on thetraditions you hold dear and howthey have enriched your life. Thenlook ahead on the year to comeand plan some new traditionsto begin.

The Origin of ChristmasObserved on Dec. 25,

Christmas celebrates the birth ofJesus Christ, the central figure inChristianity. According toChristian tradition, the infantJesus was born to the Virgin Mary,placed in a manger, and visited byshepherds and wise men. Nativityscenes depicting these figures in astable setting are popular holidaydecorations. Other commonChristmas symbols, such asevergreen trees and Yule logs,originate from ancientcelebrations of the winter solstice.Those who celebrate Christmasoften exchange gifts with lovedones, and children look forwardto receiving gifts from SantaClaus.

Give Gifts to Lasta Lifetime

Sometimes the best gifts arefree. If you’d like to do somethingspecial for a loved one thisholiday season, consider sharingyour experiences. Have youperfected the greatest chocolatechip cookie recipe? Write it on apretty note card and pass it along.Do you have a trick for tying theperfect tie every time? Showsomeone! Do you know the secretto a rewarding marriage? Revealyour wisdom to youngerlovebirds. Gifts of good sense costnothing and last a lifetime.

Pearl Harbor Fosters‘The GreatestGeneration’

Dec. 7 is Pearl HarborRemembrance Day, marking thefateful day in 1941 “which willlive in infamy,” according toPresident Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The Japanese attack on thenaval base in Hawaii was ahorrific day, but it spawned alevel of courage, patriotism,selflessness and dedication thatstill inspires today. Millions ofmen and women went off toserve the injured nation, whilethe people left behind rolled uptheir sleeves and went to work—some outside the home for thefirst time in their lives. Othersraised families, tended farmsand kept the home fires burning.

The collective efforts, bothmilitary and civilian, that tookplace following the attack onPearl Harbor propelled theUnited States into superpowerstatus. The men and women inthis chapter of U.S. history wereaptly described by Tom Brokawas “the greatest generation” inhis book of the same name.

TransportationSchedule

Mondays, Tuesdaysand Wednesdays:

Doctors’ AppointmentsThursdays:

Morning: COF OutingAfternoon: Errands

Fridays:Outings

Saturdays:Neighborhood Outing

and ErrandsSundays:

Church Transportationand Errands

Location KeyB- Bistro (1st Floor)

CFL- Center for Learning(3rd Floor)

G- Gym (2nd Floor)GR- Great Room

(1st Floor)JK- Josephine’s Kitchen

(1st Floor)L- Lounge (2nd Floor)

P- Patio (by diningroom)

PG- Putting GreenTH- Town Hall

(2nd Floor)SP- Swimming Pool

(Outside of JK)

Sunday Monday Tuesday1

Church Transportation9:30 Wh/Yoga (TH)10:00 Coffee Club (B)1:00 Church Service (TH)1:30 Scenic Drive3:00 Music: Ivory Touch (GR)7:00 Movie: Double Indemnity(TH)

2

9:30 Dancercise (TH)10:00 Memory Games (B)1:30 Boot Camp (TH)2:00 Number Puzzles (TH)3:00 Music- MA Willis (GR)4:00 This Week in History (TH)7:30 Bingo Games (TH)

3

9:30 Tai Chi (TH)10:00 Rummikub (B)11:00 Trivia Group (GR)1:30 Boot Camp (TH)2:00 Crosswords (TH)3:00 New Resident Tea (GR)3:00 Music- Faith G (GR)7:00 Piano Man (GR)

8

Church Transportation9:30 Wh/Yoga (TH)10:00 Coffee Club (B)1:00 Church Service (TH)1:30 Scenic Drive3:00 Music: Hobson Smith7:00 Movie: Mona Lisa Smile(TH)

9


10

9:30 Tai Chi (TH)10:00 Rummikub (B)11:00 Literary Circle (B)1:30 Boot Camp (TH)2:00 Crosswords (TH)3:00 Music: Cindy St. Cyr (GR)6:30 Seniors Sing Along (GR)7:00 Chess & Checkers (B)

15

Church Transportation9:30 Wh/Yoga (TH)10:00 Coffee Club (B)1:00 Church Service (TH)1:30 Scenic Drive3:00 Music: Ivory Touch (GR)7:00 Movie: What About Bob?(TH)

16


17

9:30 Tai Chi (TH)10:00 Rummikub (B)11:00 Trivia Group (GR)1:30 Boot Camp (TH)2:00 Crosswords (TH)3:30 Judaic Program (TH)6:00 Cub Scout Carolers (GR)7:00 Piano Man (GR)

22

Church Transportation9:30 Wh/Yoga (TH)10:00 Coffee Club (B)1:00 Church Service (TH)1:30 Scenic Drive3:00 Music: Maurice (GR)7:00 Movie: Christmas Vacation(TH)

23

9:30 Dancercise (TH)10:00 Memory Games (B)1:30 Boot Camp (TH)2:00 Number Puzzles (TH)3:00 Christmas Musical- AnEvening W/ The BV Stars (GR)4:00 This Week in History (TH)7:30 Bingo Games (TH)

Christmas Eve 24

9:30 Tai Chi (TH)10:00 Rummikub (B)1:30 Boot Camp (TH)2:00 Crosswords (TH)3:00 Harp Music- Kirby (GR)7:00 Chess & Checkers (B)

29

Church Transportation9:30 Wh/ Yoga (TH)10:00 Coffee Club (B)1:00 Church Service (TH)1:30 Scenic Drive7:00 Movie: It’s a WonderfulLife (TH)

30

9:30 Dancercise (TH)10:00 Memory Games (B)1:30 Boot Camp (TH)2:00 Number Puzzles (TH)4:00 This Week in History (TH)7:30 Bingo Games (TH)

New Year’s Eve 31

9:30 Tai Chi (TH)10:00 Rummikub (B)12:00 New Year’s Party &Musical Entertainment (GR)1:30 Boot Camp (TH)2:00 Crosswords (TH)7:00 Chess & Checkers (B)

December 2013Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

4

9:30 Dancercise (TH)10:00 Board Games (B)1:00 Watercolor Class (TH)2:00 Brain Charades (B)2:30 Music W/ Ruben (GR)3:30 Movie Matinee (TH)6:30 Bible Study (TH)7:00 Poker Tournament (2nd L)

59:30 Wh/Yoga (TH)10:00 Mexican Train (B)11:00 Debate Club (CFL)1:30 Boot Camp (TH)2:00 Think Tank (TH)3:00 Wine and Cheese (GR)3:00 Music: Harry Sheppard7:00 Movie: Silver LiningsPlaybook (TH)

69:30 Tai Chi (TH)10:00 Bistro Games (B)10:00 Houston SymphonyString Quartet (GR)11:00 Saltgrass Lunch Outing1:00 Bridge Games (2nd L)2:00 Puzzles (B)2:00 Scrabble (2nd L)4:30 Shabbat Services (TH)7:30 Card Games (TH)

7

9-2 Men’s Day @ The Salon9:30 Dancercise (TH)10:00 Bistro Games (B)1:00 Bingo (TH)2:00 Shopping: Target7:00 Poker (TH)

11

9:30 Dancercise (TH)10:00 Board Games (B)11:00 “Let’s Talk (CFL)1:00 Watercolor Class (TH)2:30 Piano W/ Bob (GR)3:30 Movie Matinee (TH)6:30 Bible Study (TH)7:00 Poker Tournament (2nd L)

12

9:30 Wh/Yoga (TH)10:00 Mexican Train (B)11:00 Computer Club (CFL)1:30 Boot Camp (TH)2:00 Think Tank (TH)3:00 Wine and Cheese (GR)3:00 Music: Harry Sheppard7:00 Movie: Sunset Boulevard

13

9:30 Tai Chi (TH)10:00 Bistro Games (B)11:00 Escalante’s Lunch Outing1:00 Bridge Games (2nd L)2:00 Puzzles (B)2:30 Scrabble (2nd L)4:30 Shabbat Services (TH)7:30 Card Games (TH)

14

9:30 Dancercise (TH)10:00 Yahtzee (B)11:00 Poetry Club (CFL)1:00 Bingo (TH)2:00 Shopping: Walgreen’s3:00 Violin Performance (GR)7:00 Poker (TH)

189:30 Dancercise (TH)10:00 Drum Circle (TH)10:00 Board Games (B)11:00 Laughter Club (TH)1:00 Watercolor Class (TH)1:00 Puppy Therapy (GR)2:00 Health Education (TH)3:30 Movie Matinee (TH)6:30 Bible Study (TH)7:00 Poker Tournament (2nd L)

199:30 Wh/Yoga (TH)10:00 Mexican Train (B)11:00 Debate Club (CFL)1:30 Boot Camp (TH)2:00 Think Tank (TH)3:00 Wine & Cheese; Music4:00 Holiday Party & GiftExchange (GR)7:00 Movie: Home Alone (TH)

20

9:30 Tai Chi (TH)10:30 Museum Outing1:00 Bridge Games (2nd L)2:00 Puzzles (B)2:30 Scrabble (2nd L)4:30 Shabbat Services (TH)7:00 Card Games (TH)

21

9:30 Dancercise (TH)10:00 Bistro Games (B)10:30 Pawsitive Pals (GR)1:00 Bingo (TH)2:00 Shopping: Walmart7:00 Poker (TH)

Christmas 25

9:30 Dancercise (TH)10:00 Board Games (B)1:00 Watercolor Class (TH)3:30 Movie Matinee (TH)6:30 Bible Study (TH)7:00 Poker Tournament (2nd L)

26

9:30 Wh/Yoga (TH)10:00 Mexican Train (B)1:30 Boot Camp (TH)2:00 Think Tank (TH)3:00 Wine and Cheese (TH)3:00 Music: Leah Stonum (GR)7:00 Movie: Scrooged (TH)

27

9:30 Tai Chi (TH)10:00 Card Games (B)11:45 Resident B-day Lunch1:00 Bridge Games (2nd L)2:00 Puzzles (B)2:30 Scrabble (2nd L)4:30 Shabbat Services (TH)7:30 Card Games (TH)

28

9:30 Dancercise (TH)10:00 Bistro Games (B)11:00 Food Facts (CFL)1:00 Bingo (TH)2:00 Shopping: $.99 Store7:00 Poker (TH)

Beat the Winter BluesThe winter blues have a way

of getting us down, but thatdoesn’t mean we have to staythere. The next time you’refeeling in a funk, try one of thesemethods to boost your mood:

Pull out the photo album. AU.K. study found that looking atpersonal photos lifted people’sspirits by 11 percent. Pickpictures with fond memories,such as those from a funvacation or family gathering.

Spread the warmth. There’s areason we turn to steamingmugs of hot tea or cocoa forcomfort—a Yale study showsthat warm liquids can make usfeel happier. Taking a warm bathor shower will have the sameeffect.

Lighten up. Sunlight is anatural mood booster, andstudies show that increased lightexposure contributes tohappiness and better sleep.Open your shades and have ameal by the window to soak upas much daylight as you can.

Put on a happy face. A simplesmile is sometimes all it takes toraise your spirits. According toexperts, our emotions respondto our physical actions, soappearing happy will make usfeel happy, too. A cheerfuldemeanor will also invite othersto strike up a conversation withyou—another instant moodbooster.

Phyllis, Norman, Howard,Nancy Graves, JoAnn,Bob and Marvindiscussing diabetes.

Registered Dietitian Nancy GravesVisits Belmont Village -

West UniversityRegistered Dietitian Nancy Graves, Ed.D.,

R.D., CHE, has been providing health anddietary guidelines for Belmont Village residentsfor the past 15 years. Nancy visited BelmontVillage on Oct. 30 and provided presentationson healthy eating and managing a diabetic diet,and she also met with some Belmont Villageemployees. Her presentations were informativeand well attended.

Circle of FriendsIn November, the COF studied

the early days of the U.S. Whatwere the indigenous peoples andthe European settlers like? Whatwere the food, artwork andmythology during this time like?These are just a few of the manyquestions that were answered inour groups this month. We arealso excited to announce a newmember of our team: ActivityAssistant Mary comes to us with astrong background in art andactivities and already has ourresidents sculpting with clay!

NeighborhoodWhile our Neighborhood

eagerly awaits the opening of thenew addition, residents learnedabout the history of NativeAmericans and Thanksgiving andshared stories of how thisuniquely American holiday wascelebrated in their own homes.Soon, there will be a new outdoorcourtyard, where residents will beable to grab some fresh areaamidst beautiful plants andflowers. We’ll have access toplanters as well, so part of ourprogramming will includegardening!

Ruth, Carolyn, LaNece, Winona,Beth, Larry, Norma, JoAnn andMonica celebrating Halloween!

Carolyn and Ruth on Halloween.

LaNece, Larry and Winona havingfun on Halloween together.

Dontya, Carla, Linda, Cynthia,Bobbie, Sheila and Baracka enjoyingthe Belmont Village EmployeeHalloween Party.

Sheila, Musician Harry Sheppard andMonica enjoying Halloween.

Sheila, Stephanie, Deandrea,Cynthia, Linda and Dontya strikea pose.

Kodi, Elizabeth, Cynthia and Lindahaving fun carving pumpkins.

From the Desk ofCarolyn Meigs,

Room 388I can’t resist some of the

quotes from This Week inHistory class, and othersfrequently join me. For example,Charles Lamb said, “the greatestpleasure I know is to do a goodaction by stealth, and to have itfound out by accident.”

I’m sure this has happened toyou. You have done someparticularly nice or helpful thingfor someone and been verycareful to have it be a secret.Then, all of a sudden, yourbehavior comes to light. Youreceive all kinds of praise forwhat you have done. (Thatpraise does wonders for yourspirit.)

This all even happenswhether or not you’re trying tokeep your actions a secret butyou are careful not be be makinga particular point. The fact thatyou are pleasant and thoughtfulfor someone else is always worthattention.

Of course, the opposite is alsotrue in reverse. When you dosomething mean or spiteful, youdon’t want it known. Then,when it is found out, think ofthe blame and bad feelings youget. It’s easier to forget aboutdoing the mean and spiteful,and to do the pleasant andfriendly instead. It’s yourreputation that’s at stake.

The Belmont Scene

Residents in “This Week in History.”

Evelyn and Nathan Finkelsteincelebrate their 69th weddinganniversary at a party in their honorat Belmont Village - West University. Belmont Village Halloween Party.

JoAnn, Jane and Helene having fun.

Belmont Village - West Universityemployees, friends and family at theAlzheimer’s Walk.

Belmont residents enjoying music.

2929 W. Holcombe Blvd.Houston, TX 77025

ALF Lic. 030197www.belmontvillage.com

Documents

Belmont Village at West University W. Holcombe Blvd. · Houston, TX 77025 · Phone 713-592-9200 · Fax 713-592-0274 Belmont Village at West University December 2013 Our Team Rachelle