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BETHANY NEWSLETTER July 2020

The Main office will be closed on Wednesday, July 1 for Canada Day!

Just a friendly reminder that the vestibule at the 110 La Ronge

entrance is a walk through only.

It is not to be used as a waiting area. Residents waiting for family need

to wait inside the lobby, or else outside.

Please remember that only one person is allowed in the vestibule

at a time. All others must wait until the vestibule is empty.

Please also wait until you return home to read your mail, rather than

keep folks waiting to walk through.

More crossword puzzles and colouring pages inside!

Ode to Bethany Manor (during COVID-19)

Not a creature is stirring in Bethany house, not even a beloved spouse.

Who knew lock-down would happen here, it's meant to avoid fear.

If you have a meal pass, the meal is brought to your door first class.

Staff is busy keeping everything clean, it's as clean as it has ever been.

Residents must refrain from gathering to talk, so they just continue to walk.

Family members come to the window to wave a hand,

hoping that grandma will understand. In the privacy of our suite,

we pray that COVID-19 will retreat. We don't have church now,

but we still can be humble and bow. When this pandemic is over and done,

we will rejoice with everyone!

*Leonard Boldt, 2020

Increased Customer Service Window Hours!

Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 10:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

(excluding lunch & coffee breaks)

I lift up my eyes to the hills.

From where does my help come?

My help comes from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 121: 1-2

Jerry Letkeman Executive Director Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him. Lamentations 3: 22-24 During this pandemic we continue to be benefitted by the feedback, suggestions and thoughtful critique provided by our residents. Resident volunteers are providing ongoing support for MCC blanket making and for the work of the Mennonite Historical Society of Saskatchewan (MHSS). Floor reps have been working with staff to make doorway and other activities go more smoothly. One of the biggest issues during this pandemic is how to balance community safety with the mental, psychological and spiritual health of individuals. We have been in contact with other organizations to glean from each other’s successes and shortfalls. We have connected with public health officials to ask questions of clarification regarding our personal care and assisted living residents for whom we are legally and contractually obligated to provide care. We need to hear their perspective and they need to under-stand some of the specific scenarios that we’ve encountered. Family members of residents have also played an important part in providing a voice to give focus to issues that they see happening and how it affects their loved ones. Some of our approaches and signage have not been met with complete favour but please recognize that the challenging balance between clear communication, community safety and mental health is an aspect of practically every meeting we’ve had in response to this pandemic. The graciousness of our residents is much appreciated especially when some regulations appear to be illogical or inconsistent. Let me give you an example

and share our perspective. Residents who line up to purchase items in the Nook are asked to sit 6 feet apart. Just on the other side of the wall is the billiards room where we have recently permitted a very limited number of participants but not spectators. Some are wondering why they can’t sit 6 feet apart to watch billiards when people are permitted to sit 6 feet apart to be in the line for the Nook. How is it less safe to be in the billiards room 6 feet apart then in the Nook lineup 6 feet apart? Part of developing or interpreting regulations is to be guided by overriding principles. These overriding principles help us to focus on the big picture rather than get caught in the weeds. In the above example the guiding principles for us were reducing contact in general and also determining the priorities. The Nook provides food, something that is essential. Playing billiards is not essential. Therefore let’s reduce potential contact in the billiards room by not permitting spectators but let’s continue to have people lining up for groceries because, even though the contact is there, people need to eat. The regulation still isn’t perfect but at least you understand our thinking. For me this pandemic has been full of working out these regulations in collaboration with staff and also with the feedback of residents. It has gone very well, all things considered. So I say again, thanks residents for your cooperation even when you may not completely agree with our perspective. I have been asked my opinion of residents returning to their home churches. My response has been that I recommend that they don’t go at this point due to the increased contacts that are represented. However independent residents are free to make their own decisions and I advise that careful attention to sanitizing be exercised if they choose to go. In some cases residents are key volunteers and that will affect their decision. Blessings on your July!

From the Fund Development Desk A Different Kind of Summer Like many of you, I got the last of my plants potted last month and summer is moving forward despite our new social distancing lifestyles. But it will be a different kind of summer. And truthfully, a different kind of year. While we appreciate the easing of social restrictions at home and in our community, it’s clear that this ‘new normal’ has set in for a spell. An article in the summer 2020 issue of The Walrus suggests experts are foreseeing a cycle of increasing restrictions and relative easing, like waves on the ocean for the next 12-24 months. With that in mind, my planning for our fall fundraising activities will need to look very different as well. True to our Saskatchewan nature however, I know we will find ways to celebrate safely and give generously in the latter half of 2020. Stay tuned! Saving Money while Giving Generously – as stock markets and RRIFs begin to recoup their losses from March, I wanted to remind our donors of a great deal that allows donors to give and save more. Namely, a gift of stocks or mutual funds can create win-win scenarios for donors and the charities they support. By transferring shares/funds directly to your charity of choice, you can receive the market value and not be taxed on the capital gains. This tax exemption was created by the federal government to incentivize larger charitable gifts and provide a tangible benefit to donors. Please talk to your financial advisor to see if these are helpful for you. If this is part of your charitable plan, we can accept these gifts via CanadaHelps or Abundance Canada. Feel free to email me if you have any questions about this amazing giving method – james@b55.ca We deeply appreciate our donors and are particularly thankful for the thoughtful donations arriving over the past few months. With gratitude, James Perkins, Fund Development Coordinator 306-371-9922 / james@b55.ca

A Note from James:

Planned Giving – Preparing for Tax Time The Canadian Association of Gift Planners reports 31% of Canadians are considering leaving gifts to charity in their will, but for a number of reasons, fail to finalize it. This indecision leaves those charities you are closest to without your last (and often your most poignant) gift you will make and your families unsure what causes are closest to you. One rather omitted piece of preparing for one’s “final tax return” struck me last week, as I serve as co-executer of my step-father’s estate: For background, my step-father worked industriously as a farmer his entire life by St. Gregor, Saskatchewan. In his retirement years, he and my mother enjoyed 18 good years in Victoria with mild weather, breakfasts with family & friends, and long walks along the inner harbor. They were frugal and watched their finances closely. One note relevant to this story is that they did not plan for the tax bill upon the passing of the 2nd spouse. As co-executors, my brother and I are managing the estate. It was recently approved for probate and we suddenly realized that with the June 1st tax filing deadline, we did not have charitable gifts necessary to off-set a significant tax bill. By law, the estate cannot make charitable gifts that can be used against the final tax filing of the individual unless specified in one’s will. We will manage this, but I’m saddened that the charities my parents supported in their life-times did not see a gift that would honour their legacies (and ease this tax bill at the same time). With gratitude, James Perkins Fund Development Coordinator 306-371-9922, james@b55.ca

DOWN:

Wild Flowers Crossword Puzzle

* puzzle outline found on page 7

*answers found upside down on page 8

ACROSS:

Personal Response System (PRS)

A personal response system offers residents access to help 24 hours a day, 365 days a year when they can’t reach their phone. It is recommended for people who are:

At risk of falls Have a chronic condition Have mobility problems Have visual impairments

Are recovering from a hospital stay

If you need help, you simply push your help button and you will be connected to a response centre who will quickly access your personal profile and assess the situation. Usually your #1 contact person is a family member, then possibly an able bodied neighbour who would come to your help and determine if you need further medical assistance. If you are a person’s first responder, please DO NOT attempt to lift the individual if they have fallen. This could lead to further injury to them or yourself. If you currently have this service, it is recommended that you review who is your first responder and that they are still ready, willing and able to help you when needed. For Independent Living residents, if you would like more information on this service, please contact Angela Schmiemann in the Quality of Life office at 306-242-9246. For Assisted Living and Personal Care residents, please contact Marianne Hamm at 306-242-1028.

Maple Leaf Sugar Cookies

Ingredients: 3/4 cup butter, softened 1 cup sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder Salt to taste

In large bowl, beat butter until light and fluffy; beat in sugar. Beat in egg and vanilla. In separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt; stir into butter mixture in 3 additions.

Divide dough in half; shape into discs. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate for 1 hour. (make ahead: refrigerate for up to 24 hours.) Between waxed paper or on a floured surface, roll out dough, 1 disc at a time, to 1/4-inch (5mm) thickness. With 3-inch (8 cm) maple leaf cookie cutter, cut out shapes, rerolling scraps. With spatula, place cookies, 1 inch (2.5cm) apart, on parch-ment paper-lined or greased rimless baking sheets. Bake in centre of 375°F (190°C) oven until light golden on bottoms and edges. Let cool on racks.

Icing: In bowl, beat meringue powder with water. Beat in icing sugar in 3 additions until stiff—about 4 minutes. Divide into 2 batches; tint 1 batch red with food colouring. Divide these two batches into 2 more batches. Thin 1 batch of red and 1 batch of white with 2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon (10-15ml) of water to make spreadable consistency; cover remaining thick batches with damp towel and set aside. Spread half of the cookies with thinned white icing and half with thinned red icing. Let dry, for about 30 minutes.

Spoon reserved white icing into piping bag fitted with small (no. 3) plain tip. Pip neatly around edges of cookies and write “Canada” in centre on each. Repeat with reserved red icing and white cookies. Let dry, about 30 minutes. (make ahead: layer between waxed paper in airtight container and store at room temper-ature for up to 5 days or freeze up to 2 weeks.

Just a friendly reminder that Bethany is a SMOKE FREE facility. NO SMOKING

is allowed in personal suites, hallways, stairwells, common areas, or within 20

feet of any buildings outside or on decks or balconies.

Icing: 2 tablespoons meringue powder 1/4 water 2 1/3 cups icing sugar red food colouring

Duck Alert!

Sadly for us but good for our ‘newest residents’, The Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Saskatche-wan advised that our family of ducks had to go to a larger body of water for better survival. So, they gently captured the mother duck and her nine little ones and safely relocated them to water near the city. However, we can expect to see Momma Duck back next year to repeat the process as she has found a safe sanctuary to nest. We certainly enjoyed them while they were here!

Help Us Save Paper!

As mentioned in previous newsletters, you have been receiving all kinds of information from the main office mostly in the form of paper notes. Printing all these pieces of communication takes time and resources and the delivery adds to this resulting in delays of getting information out to you the residents. With this in mind, we are asking for residents that are already using the internet and have email addresses to share them with the office in order that we are able to get information to you more quickly and efficiently.

Your email addresses, as per Bethany Manor privacy policy, will be kept confidential i.e. we will not sell or give out the mailing list. The addresses will be used for Bethany related purposes which will include but is not limited to emergency updates, general info, updates and requests from all departments.

Residents that do not use the internet or prefer not to have information sent to them via email will still receive all relevant information via the usual method.

And again I stress, sharing your email address with the Bethany office is strictly voluntary.

If you are willing to share your address, please write it on a note with your name and suite # and drop it off at the main office, or you can email: Jennifer Saunders E: jennifers@b55.ca

Looking for Volunteers!!

We are looking for individuals to help sanitize elevator buttons, hand rails, door handles and shopping carts around Bethany.

If you want a bit of exercise, and wish to contribute to keeping the virus out of your home, please contact Angela Schmiemann at 306-220-8763 for details.

Make someone smile!

We hope that Bethany residents would think of our Villa Personal Care and Place Assisted Living residents at this time as their isolation continues. Cards of encouragement and well wishes would be welcome for these residents. Cards for the Villa Personal Care and Place Assisted Living residents can be dropped off at the main office.

Spiritual Care News & Notes

July—August 2020

A cheerful disposition is good for your health;

gloom and doom leave you bone-tired. Proverbs 17:22 (the Message)

VACATION:

Lois will be on vacation for the month of July.

No big trips for me this year. I will be re-acquainting myself with my home,

looking for wildflowers on my walks, and exploring the books on my shelf.

See you in August!

LIBRARY CART While I am on vacation in July there is a group who will bring the Library Cart

around to the Manor/Tower on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The Place continues with Tuesday/Thursday delivery. WATCH FOR SIGNS ON YOUR FLOOR’S BULLETIN BOARD. For specific

pickup/delivery of books and puzzles please contact Henriette L.

We had hoped…

After Jesus died, two disciples were walking towards Emmaus and they said….. “We had hoped Jesus was the one to redeem Israel.” (Luke 24:21) Imagine their disappointment. We too, can say, “We had hoped quarantine would be over by now.” “We had hoped we could sing.” “We had hoped to worship together..." It is not in our nature to dash the hopes of a group of people so what is holding us back from worshipping together in the Fellow-ship Centre? First let's ask: Who comes to worship at Bethany? The majority are those who no longer go to their own churches due to, what I call, the 'cants'. Can't walk well, can't be far from the bathroom, can't see well, can't hear well, can't drive..." We are what the government calls a "vulnerable population." All the advice from people in the medical field, the government and church leaders caution us: This is not a time to "jump into the deep end" but to move slowly with caution.

(continued)

Let us continue to pray for the welfare of the city, especially in the difficulty of these days

Lois Siemens, Spiritual Care Coordinator

As one pastor said, "Having patience is hard. We want things to be rectified quickly. But construc-

tive waiting, lamenting that things are not as they should be, grieving over those suffering and dying

around us and engaging in joyful service to others can help us endure this crisis in redemptive ways."

Now imagine Sunday morning and we are open. We will walk in and take our seat. In actuality, going

to worship will be very different. Attendance will be taken, different doors for entry and exit, along

with many other guidelines that will take time to set up. The 3 page guideline for reopening worship

for churches is very detailed. Item one on the list discourages getting together: "Delivering services

virtually or through remote delivery such as drive-in service is recommended." Further down it says,

"Attendees who are medically vulnerable are strongly encouraged to delay their return to services

and continue to participate in services online, where possible." That sounds like us.

Mennonite Church Canada has been involved in an ecumenical discussion about the challenge of

resuming worship. It is a 36 page document which we cannot reproduce here but is available on

CommonWord Resource Centre titled: Resuming Care-filled Worship and Sacramental Life

During a Pandemic. (I can make it available to those who want it)

" A care-filled response to this challenge is much more than unlocking the church doors and inviting

all to come, sit, sing, and greet one another as had been our custom. We know the dangers posed

and the risks taken if we were to do that. We care enough not to let that happen."

And the one thing that many of us use to cope when we are stressed, afraid, anxious, or hurt is

making music. And the disconcerting fact is that the Coronavirus is spread through moist breath.

Studies have shown that forceful, sustained breathing poses

a greater danger of spreading the virus than speaking at a low volume. (p19)

So now what? Where is our hope?

Many professional musicians around the world are working on the challenge of how to sing together

safely. Friends, we WILL open at a future time. Now we exercise patience as we wait for that

unknown time. Will it be when we can meet the guidelines? Will it be when there is a vaccine

readily available? There are still a lot of questions.

I wonder about looking to our childhood. Remember when we were told to go out and play and we

found a stick or a ball or got on our bike and spent hours playing with very little. We have music on

TV, radio, in our hearts, on Youtube... We can hum, use our bodies for rhythm, write out the words

of hymns that are helpful, play instruments without singing, wear a mask and sing in the doorway...

Talk to people about the things that are helpful for you and exchange ideas. We will open when it is

safe to do so and we have the means to take care of all the details. We can't control what is going

on, but we can control how we react to it. It is easy to see all that is wrong. I remember a part in

Corrie Ten Boom's "The Hiding Place" where she stands in the middle of the horror of Auschwitz and

chooses to see the beauty of the blue sky. What do you choose to see and how can we help each

other build hope through these challenging times?

https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-

guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/re-open-saskatchewan-plan/guidelines/places-of-

worship-guidelines https://www.mennonitechurch.ca/outbreakresources

A two year old is kind of like a blender,

only without a top!

*Jerry Seinfeld

July Birthdays!

2020

Protect Yourself from the Sun!

Outdoor visiting is more common these days. When we stay in the sun too long or get too hot, sunstroke can happen. Some tips: have a bottle of water with you,

wear a hat, apply sunscreen.