I

Editorial ....................2Cory Jacobs, Vice-President of Development

Around the Block .....2A series featuring our amazing residents

Letters of Appreciation.............9Notes of thanks

Elizabeth Church Campus, Binghamton, NY(607) 722-3463Independent living, adult care, assisted living, skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation Hilltop Campus, Johnson City, NY(607) 798-7818Independent living, adult care, assisted living, skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation Tunkhannock Campus, Tunkhannock, PA(570) 836-2983Personal care Wesley Village Campus, Pittston, PA(570) 655-2891Independent living, personal care, skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation

July/August 2013UNITED METHODIST HOMES

Continued on page 4

ContentsHomes Benefits from

Foundation PartnershipHome for Homeless Women

helps residents at two UMH campuses

“The best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men/Gang aft agley…” – “To a Mouse,” by Robert Burns (1759-1796)

f you don’t recall that quote from high school English, it translates to the rough concept that no matter how well you plan, sometimes things don’t work out.

In 1893, a group of wealthy society ladies in Wilkes-Barre knew that not everyone was as fortunate as they were, and that a segment of the older female population in the area – even those who thought they had planned ahead for their later years – had no means of support or shelter. Some were Civil War widows, others had never married or had no children or other family to help them. With this in mind, the ladies founded an organization called the Home for Homeless Women, which offered a place of residence and a means of care and support. The Home operated until the flood of 1972 rendered its Carey Avenue property uninhabitable. While the residents were safely transferred to a location in Hazelton, the Home for Homeless Women Board realized it was time for a change. For the first time, they invited men onto the board, seeking assistance from well-known local businessmen as well as a consulting firm. Four years later, construction began on Heritage House – a new name and location to fulfill the home’s original mission.

But by 1983, Heritage House was spending more money than it had and was in danger of failure. Because of Heritage House’s value to the community, the Wilkes-Barre General Health Corporation (which later became Wyoming Valley Healthcare System)assumed Heritage’s assets and liabilities and provided a foundation grant so the Home for Homeless Women could

A NEWSLETTER FOR STAFF, RESIDENTS & FRIENDS OF UNITED METHODIST HOMES

continue operating. This arrangement lasted until 2009, when Wilkes-Barre General, which owned Heritage House, was purchased by the for-profit Community Health Systems. Due to the provisions in the Home for Homeless Women’s original incorporation charter, its funds could not be used to benefit a for-profit company, so the Home for Homeless Women Foundation began looking for an appropriate not-for-profit long-term care provider in the community that could benefit from the Foundation’s benevolent care dollars. Said Foundation Treasurer Bill Starr, “We were obligated to use the endowment dollars the way the original program promised, so we began searching for a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing care for seniors.”

After considering half a dozen options, United Methodist Homes was selected as the exclusive beneficiary of the Foundation’s resident support funds. Independent and personal care residents at the Homes’ Tunkhannock and Wesley Village Campuses who have legitimately exhausted their resources are eligible for support from the Home for Homeless Women. Once accepted into the program, recipients are supported for the rest of their lives, unless they progress to skilled nursing. (Because Medicare and Medicaid dollars are available at the skilled level, the Foundation does not subsidize this level of care.) Since 2010, United Methodist Homes has received nearly a quarter of a million dollars in funds from the Foundation. Said United Methodist

Don’t miss the annualWesley Village Car Show!Sunday, September 8Car registration 9 AM to noon, church service at 10 AM, car show noon to 3 PM. View antique and classic cars, trucks and motorcycles – the show averages 160 vehicles!

Craft and food vendors, including ice cream, hot dogs, burgers and more!

SEASONS ~ JULY/AUGUST 2013

PAGE 2

Around

Block

Bob Taylor Brooks Estates, Wesley Village CampusBob Taylor had the quintessential small-city American childhood in Forty-Fort, Pennsylvania: Born in 1925 and the youngest of three boys, he remembers playing touch football in the street, counting cars on Wyoming Avenue (only one car went by about every 20 minutes or so, though!), and 11-cent cowboy movies or serials at the Saturday picture show.

After graduating high school in 1943, Taylor enlisted in the Army Corps of Engineers. By the time he was in active service, the Japanese occupation of the Philippines had ended – his first

assignment was operating a floating power plant that powered the city of Manila. Upon his return home, Taylor took extension courses in economics and building construction via Bucknell University and Penn State’s extension programs and, with his brothers, joined his father’s contracting business in 1946. George R. Taylor and Sons Contracting built schools, including Elk Lake, Towanda and Montrose, plus churches like Church of Christ Uniting. The firm also held a contract with Nesbitt Memorial Hospital in Kingston (now Behavioral Health Services of Wyoming Valley) from 1946 through 1973, and completed all of the facility’s expansion and renovation projects. Says Taylor, “The general contractor/subcontractor format didn’t really come about until the early 1980s – we did everything on each job except plumbing, heating and electrical.”

At the same time he began his professional life, Taylor met the love of his life: Elen Jane Goss, who was just 14 when they met while rollerskating. “I was 21 at the time, but I was lucky – my future father-in-law trusted me implicitly, and once Jane and I started dating I didn’t miss spending an evening with her.” The couple dated for four years and married on Jane’s birthday the year she graduated

The

A series featuring our amazing residents

Our “Around the Block” series profiles United Methodist Homes residents who explain what their lives have been like, what their big adventures have been, how they’ve made a difference, and how they want to be remembered.

from high school. The first of their eight (yes, eight!) daughters was born on Taylor’s birthday in 1951. The couple didn’t plan such a large family – “it just kind of happened,” says Taylor – but it was a great experience. “I wouldn’t part with a minute of it,” he says. “I was pretty lucky!” While growing up, the girls performed as the Singing Taylor Sisters and were booked throughout the area – Taylor drove them to gigs in a station wagon with a third-row seat.

The family lived in Forty-Fort, and Taylor was elected to the Borough Council, serving for 12 years, 10 of them as president. He’s proud that during his

Continued on page 5

I’ve been with the United Methodist Homes since January. One of my favorite aspects of this job is meeting with our residents. I love hearing their

stories about growing up, raising families and enjoying retirement. It’s also satisfying to hear how much they enjoy living at the Homes, and how it truly is home to them, with all the safety and security associated with being at home.

What sets us apart from many other long-term care organizations is that we do not turn our residents out if they have exhausted their resources, as long as they have been responsible with their finances. Through a benevolent care program called

the Resident Support Fund, the Homes covers the remaining balance of what the resident cannot pay each month.

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting with residents who are currently benefitting from this program, and the relief is evident in their eyes. Just imagine what it would be like if you were out of money and facing the prospect of being forced to move out, leaving friends, unsure of where you’d be living next. Helping our residents avoid this scenario is the life-changing impact of the Resident Support Fund. You may not know it, but you probably share a meal, activity or worship service with someone who is able to stay at the Homes only through the generosity of the Resident Support Fund.

This fund requires charitable support from those blessed with good health

and financial resources. The Resident Support Fund has been financed in the past by generous donors, the majority of whom were residents themselves. We would not be able to provide this support without private donations from the Homes’ residents and friends. It is your generosity that keeps our benevolent care program alive.

Every gift counts, so please consider making a donation to the United Methodist Homes Foundation to benefit the Resident Support Fund. You can make a donation now via cash or check, or make a bequest or planned gift that benefits the fund. Thank you for your support of United Methodist Homes!

Jacobs can be reached at (607) 775-6400, ext. 281 or cjacobs@umhwc.org.

EditorialCory Jacobs, Vice-President of Development

Bob and Jane Taylor on their wedding day in 1950.

SEASONS ~ JULY/AUGUST 2013

Shannon Cashman

Shannon Cashman has joined United Methodist Homes as a Social Worker at Elizabeth Church Manor. She comes to the Homes from United Health Services in Binghamton, where she was a financial coordinator in the New Horizons

addiction recovery program.

Cashman earned her bachelor’s degree in human development from Binghamton University.

Vicki Ollerenshaw, MSW

Vicki Ollerenshaw, MSW, has been named Director of Social Work at United Methodist Homes’ Elizabeth Church Campus. She has been with the Homes as a social worker since 2011.

Ollerenshaw earned her bachelor’s degree from Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and her master’s degree in social work from Marywood’s School

of Social Work. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers.

PAGE 3

Staff Announcements

L

Construction and Renovation Begins on New York Campuses ong-anticipated renovation and construction work began at United Methodist Homes’ New York campuses in August. Projects include mechanical and cosmetic upgrades such as elevator refurbishment, bathroom and kitchen renovations in resident units, window replacement, paint/carpet/wallpaper replacement, lighting upgrades, common area renovations and more. Work is expected to wrap up in late 2014.

The overall goal is for the physical appearance and functionality of the Homes’ campuses to match the care for which the organization is known. The focus of the work is to make available space match resident needs. For example, although communal gathering areas are available in the James G. Johnston Memorial Nursing Home, residents tend to congregate around the nurses’ station on each unit. Rather than try to change where and how residents gather, resident rooms across from each nurses’ station will be changed into communal space where residents want it. Those resident rooms will be relocated to underutilized common areas at the ends of the hallways.

Some of the scheduled work will impact residents and/or staff in their daily activities; other changes (such as roof and boiler replacement) will happen largely behind the scenes. Said Vice-President of Building Management Chet Lowrie, “These are all positive changes and we want residents, staff and family members to understand the benefits. We know that some of the work will be an inconvenience – our goal is to communicate in advance with those who will be affected so they can plan accordingly.” Resident impact teams have been organized on both campuses to anticipate inconveniences and ensure that residents and staff are supported through any potential disruptions.

Watch for information about the work in Seasons, on our Facebook page, and in the blog on the Homes’ newly-redesigned website. Projects are also planned for the Pennsylvania campuses, with work set to begin late in 2013 or early 2014.

Whipple Art Show Opens at County BuildingA photo and information in Seasons about Elizabeth Church Manor resident Ted Whipple’s 100th birthday and a painting he donated to the campus sparked a call to the Homes from Broome County Arts Council Executive Director Sharon Ball: “A representative from the Broome County Legislature had called, asking if the Arts Council could mount a show by a local artist showcasing local subjects. I had just read about Ted in Seasons and thought it would be a perfect fit,” she said.

It all came together in just a few weeks, with original Whipple pieces loaned by the Homes and several private collectors in the area. On August 5, Legislature members hosted a news conference in their conference room, where the paintings will be on display for four months. Three television stations (Fox 40, NewsChannel 34 and YNN) and a Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin reporter and photographer were in attendance, along with a crew from WSKG’s “Artist Café” show. (Later in the day, the WSKG crew visited Elizabeth Church Manor to interview Whipple. “Artist Café” airs at 5:30 PM on Sundays – watch the United Methodist Homes Facebook page for a heads up about when the Whipple episode will debut). Whipple, accompanied by his son Bob, was the guest of honor at the event, and took questions from reporters after the formal presentations. Afterward, Terre Dennis, regional director for U.S. Representative Richard Hanna, presented Ted with an American flag and a personal letter from the Congressman.

Congratulations on the honor, Ted!

Elizabeth Church Manor resident Ted Whipple (seated) shares a pre-news conference laugh with (from left) Broome County Arts Council Executive Director Sharon Ball, Elizabeth Church Campus Administrator Vicky Morabito and United Methodist Homes President and CEO Brian Picchini.

SEASONS ~ JULY/AUGUST 2013

PAGE 4

In an effort to foster competition and fun between the units at the James G. Johnston Memorial Nursing Home, campus administrators developed a Hilltop version of the popular television show “The Amazing Race.” The team-building program began in April and each unit will continue to accumulate points via various competitions through the end of September. The winning unit – staff and residents – will be treated to a steak and seafood dinner! The unit leading in points each week gets temporary custody of a trophy garden gnome statue.

All the competitions within the program require participation from unit staff, regardless of title or responsibilities, and residents. Teams include Unit One’s One-derful Wizards, Unit Two’s Two Awesome and the STAR Unit’s Five STAR Quality.

Several of the competitions reward teams for putting resident care and safety at the forefront, including extra points for no resident falls and the percentage of residents who walked on the unit each day. Said Administrator Jerry Halbert, “This program has allowed us to reward staff for providing the kind of care that relates to improving our quality measures scores, and it’s proven effective.”

The following is a sampling of Amazing Race activities: College week (points for wearing/displaying college sports stuff during the week, basketball shooting competition to earn extra points), game week (the Price is Right 1950 and Family Feud), a scavenger hunt, crazy hat day, flag day (decorate your unit and wear red, white and blue), pink flamingo week (dress down in pink, participate in a lawn flamingo painting contest), carnival week (midway games, carnival food), “remember when” week (residents and staff asked to bring in old photos), a cookie-baking contest, and end-of-summer beach week (sand sculpture contest and more) and many other events.

James G. Johnston Memorial Nursing Home resident Dorothy Coon and the roaming gnome, aka Executive Assistant Sue Vroman.

at James G. Johnston Memorial Nursing Home

Grab your spoons!In July, the Tunkhannock Campus once again welcomed the Sadie Green Sales Jug Band of Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, for a performance. Musicians Timothy Walker and David Driskell played washtubs, washboards, plastic whistles and jugs, and Driskell even performed on two clarinets simultaneously. Residents got in on the act, adding the sound of spoons to the show. Resident Jeanne Courville is shown playing her spoons for all she’s worth!

Homes Benefits from Foundation Partnership Continued from page 1

Homes Vice-President of Development Cory Jacobs, “United Methodist Homes is honored to have been selected as the exclusive beneficiary of the Home for Homeless Women Foundation. We look forward to partnering with the Foundation to ensure financial support for our Pennsylvania residents.”

Tunkhannock and Wesley Village leaders are grateful for the opportunities the relationship with the Foundation provides for Homes residents. Said Wesley Village Administrator Danielle Janeski, “The generous support we receive from the Home for Homeless Women Foundation is truly a blessing and has allowed numerous residents to remain in our home after their assets have been depleted. I would like to personally thank Bill Starr and the Foundation’s board for choosing United Methodist Homes as the recipient of these funds.”

Look out, Humpty Dumpty!A number of eggs had a great fall at the Hilltop Campus on July 26. Between the egg-drop contest (residents and staff partnered to make egg craft that would safely land an egg from the second-floor skybridge to the driveway below), egg races and egg tosses (residents used hard-boiled eggs, staff used raw), and a pre-show egg decorating contest, there wasn’t a safe place to be an egg at Hilltop! James G. Johnston Memorial Nursing Home resident Mary Lou Maxian (seated) and Food Service Manager Kristen Avery teamed up for the egg race. For more photos from the day, visit the “Egg-tastic Events” album on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UnitedMH.

SEASONS ~ JULY/AUGUST 2013

PAGE 5

Around the Block Continued from page 2

tenure, the council was able to reduce the tax burden while still providing the same services. “We did it by paying attention, doing it right, and bidding out every job.” In 1973, the Taylors bought the 50-year-old Kehoe Mansion in Harding – the 10-bedroom mansion enabled the family to spread out.

In addition to his contracting work, Taylor had several other business ventures. In 1966, he designed, built and operated the nine-hole Muhlenberg Golf Course near Hunlock Creek on what had been Jane’s grandparents’ farm. Taylor closed the construction firm in 1979, but found that retirement wasn’t his strong suit. In 1981, he tested the water quality of a spring on the mansion property and, finding it pure, decided to bottle it for sale. The Taylor Springs Water company started using bottling equipment purchased from regional dairies going out of business. Jane became the company bookkeeper. A decade later, Taylor incorporated the business, giving a controlling interest to Jane and six percent to each daughter. “Corporations are required to have two business meetings annually, and I knew that would get everyone home at least twice a year!” says Taylor with a smile.

Jane died in 1997. Taylor sold the water company soon after, followed by the mansion in 2008, moving full-time to the family’s summer cottage. When a long-time friend moved to Brooks Estates, Taylor went to visit, and after seeing the unit thought to himself, “What am I doing where I am, when I could live here?” He moved to Brooks soon after, and is currently in his second year on the Wesley Village Local Development Committee, a subcommittee of the United Methodist Homes’ Board. He also delivers for Meals on Wheels. He delights in his eight attentive daughters, his 18 grandchildren and 11 (almost 12) great-grandchildren.

His advice for living? “Be happy. You’re gonna get ups, you’re gonna get downs. It can’t be all ups, ’cause that scale has to balance.”

To make a suggestion for the Around the Block series, contact Sarah Soden, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, at (607) 775-6400, ext. 288. Residents are welcome to suggest themselves!

Ferguson Named Volunteer of the Year Wesley Village resident Charlie Ferguson was honored with the Distinguished Service Award for Volunteer of the Year by LeadingAge PA. This award recognizes an individual who has enhanced the quality of life of seniors through volunteer work for the benefit of the residents, member organization and/or greater community.

Ferguson was nominated for the honor by Wesley Village Activity and Volunteer Director Tami Chesniak. “Charlie volunteers in the gift shop, delivers mail, and runs games in the evening for independent and personal care residents. His real passion is the campus library – he fundraises to continually enhance the large-print book collection. He is an extraordinary volunteer who has given the campus more than 1,300 hoursannually for the past nine years – this was an honor he richly deserved,” said Chesniak.

Ferguson’s friend Bonnie Roe accepted the award on his behalf at LeadingAge PA’s conference on June 19 in Hershey. Congratulations, Charlie!

Resident Charlie Ferguson shows off his award in the Wesley

Village library.

Spring Fling a crowd-pleaser

In June, St. Louise residents, staff, resident family members and friends

enjoyed their annual Spring Fling event. This year’s bash was sports-

themed, and guests came decked out in their favorite team attire. After

the meal, the St. Louise dining room dance floor was open for business to the music of Joe Stanky and the

Cadets. Dietary Aide Jillian Percival is shown cutting a rug at the party

with resident Art Dewing.

Register for Walk to End Alzheimer’sOnline registration is open for the Southern Tier Walk to End Alzheimer’s, and United Methodist Homes is once again the presenting sponsor! The walk is scheduled for Saturday, September 21, at Otsiningo Park in Binghamton.

Said United Methodist Homes team captain and Hilltop Activity Director Faye Clark, “In our work, we see first-hand the devastating effects Alzheimer’s disease and dementia can have on individuals and families. That’s why we feel so strongly about the fundraising we do year-round, and our team participation in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s each September. We encourage you to join us and/or support our team with a donation!”

To register for the walk and create a personal walk page, visit the United Methodist Homes team page at http://act.alz.org/goto/UMH. See you in September!

SEASONS ~ JULY/AUGUST 2013

PAGE 6

Ala kazam! at Wesley VillageOn July 8, Wesley Village residents and staff enjoyed a performance by Damian the Magician. Special thanks to the Friends of the United Methodist Homes of Pennsylvania for sponsoring the performance – Board member/Friends member Jan McCabe and Friends president Jeanne Gordon also attended the show. One of Damian’s crowd-favorite tricks was connecting the rings of two residents and one employee, and then making the employee’s ring appear in a little box inside two other boxes. He also made a bird cage disappear while people were touching it! Said Activity Director Tami Chesniak, “He was fabulous and the residents and staff were amazed!” Damian (right) is shown holding the connected rings while posing with Myers Manor resident Nancy Calderone (one of the rings is hers). For more information about Damian, visit www.damianthemagician.com.

Shorts

Half a dozen Tunkhannock Campus residents enjoyed Independence Day fireworks at the Tunkhannock High School football field on July 3. The group settled in at dusk and snacked on s’mores during the show! Thanks to Activity Director Terry White, Activity Assistant Dana Clark and her husband David, and Reverend Betty Reilly for accompanying the residents.

Special thanks to the Friends of the United Methodist Homes of Pennsylvania for sponsoring the July 13 appearance of the Crystal Band of Scranton at Wesley Village. The show was a hit!

Congratulations to the Sunshine Olympians at the Hilltop Campus! The groups captured first and third place in golf, second and third place in bowling and third place in volleyball. Events took place this summer at long-term care organizations in Broome County, with about 10 organizations participating. In mid-July, the Hilltop Campus hosted the cookie bake-off and trivia segments of the event. Special thanks to Apple Hills baker Jill Green, pianist Rick Pedro, Detective Debbie Phelps and Nestle Toll House Café owner Sharon Skonieczki for serving as judges. (For more photos from this event, visit the “Sunshine Olympics: Cookie and Trivia Contests” album on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UnitedMH.) In August, residents rounded out their Sunshine Olympics events with horseshoes and frisbee.

Using donated yarn, St. Louise Manor resident Toni DeRigo made crocheted purses and afghans, and donated her proceeds to the Alzheimer’s Association – she’s raised $155 to date! There are still a few left – get yours for just $5! Contact Karen Mayer at St. Louise at (607) 724-4000 to purchase.

Tiaras at the ready!Three of the Wyoming County Fair Queens visited the Tunkhannock Campus early this summer. Each gave a presentation about the fair and explained their roles at the event, including making appearances and presenting awards. Said Activity Leader Dana Clark, “They were very gracious and took time with each resident and answered their questions.” Junior Fair Queen Hannah Ross (far left) glances at the camera as resident Doris Harter checks out Ross’ tiara and resident Leila Rice (center), Alternate Fair Queen Breana Wilde (partially obscured) and Alternate Junior Fair Queen Kira Deremer (right) look on.

A century on the move!Anderson Personal Care Facility resident and retired teacher Rose

Martorelli turned 100 on June 21, and celebrated by keeping herself on

the move during the campus’ almost-daily exercise program! (Dietary Aide Becky Crisci and resident Mary Claire Gibbons are behind Martorelli.) She’s

an exercise regular, enjoys participating in word game activities and faithfully

visits her little sister Magdalene Angelella at the Partridge-Tippett

Nursing Facility. Happy Birthday, Rose!

Party on!SUN Unit resident Evaline Multer enjoyed her 100th birthday on June 12 by celebrating with fellow residents and staff, with Eastside resident Phyllis Bartlett entertaining with patriotic songs on the piano. Multer was the guest of honor at a second bash hosted by her family that weekend, and her milestone was announced the morning of her birthday live on NBC’s Today show. Happy Birthday, Evaline!

Birthday Gals!

SEASONS ~ JULY/AUGUST 2013

PAGE 7

Letters of Appreciation

To the Hilltop Campus from residentsThank you to Activity Director Faye Clark and her activity staff for the wonderful pizza party you treated us to. Many of us have remarked what a great time we had. You certainly worked fast to keep us filled up! We would also like to thank the volunteers and other staff who helped. It was great.

To the Tunkhannock CampusThank you for the wonderful and loving care my mother received during her short time on campus. As soon as she arrived, the entire staff welcomed her and made her feel totally at home – and she must have been, because her blood pressure dropped 60 points from when it was read at my house! Your facility is well-maintained and I can’t say enough about your staff, who showed true love and caring for all residents. Unfortunately, just two days after arriving Mom developed congestive heart failure and was hospitalized. After a second admission, she opted for comfort care measures. She returned home to the Manor and the care and love the staff provided was tremendous. Staff from Hospice of the Sacred Heart came in to provide care, and the two staffs worked seamlessly together. Mom died just eight days later, and we only wish she’d had more time to enjoy all aspects of life at the Manor. Please extend our sincere thanks to each and every employee. Regardless of job title, all serve the residents in the most professional, dignified and loving manner. We can’t thank you enough for loving and caring for Mom.

Watch your back!June 25 in Binghamton was a humid day in the low 90s, making the water game fun on the St. Louise patio a perfect call! More than a dozen residents gathered to take turns trying out the rocket-shaped water blasters and the pump-action water gun, aiming at targets such as beach balls, water bottles and empty milk jugs. After everyone got comfortable with the equipment, suddenly the targets alone weren’t so appealing…and the game was on! Here, Josephine Walling (left) and Anne Boyer (center) try to deflect the blame for Priscilla DeNyse (back to camera)’s wet sweater!

Getting themselves into a pickleOn July 10, the James G. Johnston Memorial Nursing Home baking group took advantage of cucumber season to make pickles! Residents took turns cutting the cucumbers with a mandoline slicer and crushing garlic cloves using a large flat knife and (wait for it) a small hammer. Everyone helped layer the ingredients in two gallon-sized jars, which were then sprinkled with salt, sugar and pickling spices and then filled with boiled apple cider vinegar and left to stand for 24 hours. During the process, residents sampled the raw veggies (including the onions!) and even tested out cucumbers as a refreshing eye treatment! Special thanks to Plant Operations Assistant Director Wade Kilmer for the use of his no-fail pickle recipe. Resident Jane Nedopytalski is shown hard at work slicing with help from Activity Director Faye Clark. For the recipe and more photos from the event, visit the “Pickle-Making at Hilltop” album on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UnitedMH.

Learn about the Basics of Alzheimer’s 2-3 PM, September 5 in the Hilltop Auditorium

Presented by Alzheimer’s Association Central New York Chapter Associate Program Director Jessie Cornell, MSW, the program will

explain the difference between normal aging and dementia, how the brain works, the definition of dementia and its stages, the importance

of clinical trials, plus an overview of the Alzheimer’s Association’s programs and services. Pre-registration is not required.

For more information, call 607-785-7852 x119.

Revamped Website Debuts in Early August

In early August, United Methodist Homes launched a revamped version of its website. Planning for the redesign began in January; the site’s concept and text were developed throughout the spring, with photography completed by Dawn Gibson Photography of Buffalo at all four campuses over two days in May (no stock art here!).

New features on the site include a blog showcasing all the things that make United Methodist Homes a great place to live and work, resident testimonials from every level of care in every facility and staff testimonials from each campus. A special alert bar can be activated on the main page as needed during weather emergencies or to make families and staff aware of other urgent news. The site still offers a full range of information about United Methodist Homes locations, programs and services, as well as additional guidance about planning ahead for senior living and helpful long-term care definitions.

Thanks to the staff at Crowley Webb, United Methodist Homes’ Buffalo, NY-based advertising agency, especially Account Executive Mary Cooke for overseeing the web development process and Designer Jon Gerlach for his hard work programming the site.

Nonprofit OrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 197Binghamton, NY

is published for the staff, residents, family members, friends and campus neighbors of United Methodist Homes. Please direct all inquiries about Seasons to Sarah Soden, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, at 10 Acre Place, Binghamton, NY 13904. If you no longer wish to receive this publication, please call Sarah at (607) 775-6400, ext. 288. If you are receiving duplicate copies of the newsletter, please let us know so we can amend the mailing list.

Visit our website at www.unitedmethodisthomes.org to view contact information for each campus, as well as monthly activity calendars, news releases, or to view back issues of the newsletter electronically.

Visit our Facebook Page for updates, event info and photos. Go to www.facebook.com/UnitedMH.

Corporate Office10 Acre PlaceBinghamton, NY 13904

UNITED METHODIST HOMES

Interact with us on

It’s a Lazy day for a picnic

A dozen Tunkhannock Campus residents enjoyed a picnic at Lazy Brook Park in Tunkhannock on June 22. The Lenox Band was there to entertain just for the residents, playing familiar tunes for about an hour. After the show, the band members joined the residents for fresh-sliced watermelon. Residents Bob Fitch (left) and Geraldine Mattocks are shown enjoying each other’s company at the picnic.

Indoor Barbecue and GolfThe high heat and humidity on July 19 forced the planned James G. Johnston Memorial Nursing Home picnic inside, but everyone still had a great time! Residents had a choice of chicken spiedies or hot dogs, along with potato salad, baked beans, corn on the cob and watermelon. Residents Mary Lou Maxian and Alice Murphy are shown enjoying the meal, which received rave reviews. Special thanks to Activity Director Faye Clark for braving the heat to man the grill outside! Before lunch, residents took turns on indoor putting carpets – here, Hilltop resident George Sweet is chipping a little long. Watch out, because there are some secret scratch golfers in-house! Visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UnitedMH for more photos from this event – look for the BBQ and Golf album!