A Message From Your Executive Director
Dear Residents and Families,
You will see several new faces around the community and in the dining room as we have welcomed some new residents in May and will continue to do so in June. A warm welcome from fellow residents goes a long way in making new people feel at home – thank you for your help.
During May we managed through a COVID outbreak in our Memory Care neighborhood. The latest strain seems to spread very quickly. The very good news is that all residents who got the virus remained relatively healthy. The number of positive cases is dwindling by the day so hopefully there is light at the end of the tunnel. We will continue testing regularly until cases have cleared. Thank you for your support during a challenging month.
Since he joined The Village in the fall of 2021, chef Peter has had a huge impact on our culinary services, including the level of service offered and the amazing food that he cooks with his team. We have been so lucky to have him here. Unfortunately, his time in Vermont is coming to an end. Peter has decided to move south to work in the Florida Keys to train under a well-respected chef and to soak up the sunshine. We are so grateful for his service to The Village and our residents and we will miss him. I am working through a transition plan and have a strong candidate for the position. Stay tuned for more information as that process evolves. Thank you, Pete!
On a personal note, since my last newsletter I became a grandmother. My grandson, Wyatt Pond, was born on May 10th and immediately became the love of my life. Thank you to all of the residents and staff who have asked about him, who have asked to see photos, and who have showered my family with gifts and love. He’s the best baby ever so don’t be surprised if I start showing photos out of the blue!
Happy Summer and happy Father’s Day!
Be well,
Nikki
Community Connection
May Events:
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy is Honored at Spaulding Auditorium, Dartmouth College
On May 23, 2022, Martin Luther King III, the eldest living child of civil rights pioneers Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, delivered a moving and inspiring address at Dartmouth College. It was the 60th anniversary of his father’s historic address at Dartmouth Hall to an overflow crowd. Dr. Martin Luther King’s 1962 speech, “Towards Freedom,” was given at Dartmouth College.
The Jewish Broadway at Lebanon’s First Congregational Church
Residents were treated to a “prequel” to “Broadway Violin,” one of our favorite concerts of 2021. Tim Schwarz, violin, and Daniel Weiser, piano/Artistic Director, delivered all new wonderful versions of legendary Broadway songs by Jewish composers from the Golden Years during this toe-tapping event (1920s-1940s). It was a fantastic afternoon with terrific music and good times.
Senior Exercise Class w/ Russell (Monday & Wednesday)
We started our first class two weeks ago and more people are coming. They were so excited to have this opportunity to move! Soon we will offer three classes per week and classes will start later in the afternoon.
June Events:
Trip to a Top Pottery Studio (Once a Month)
Last week, the residents and I had a great time at Tip Top Pottery Studio. Each person painted their own mug, which will be burned to give it a lustrous finish. I can’t imagine not participating in such a fantastic program. It’s a lot of joy to work at Tip Top Pottery.
20th Anniversary of the Revolution Block Party
During the summer, businesses in the White River Junction town hold special events once a month to boost business. This is held the First Friday of each month. The apparel store Revolution celebrated its 20th anniversary in the WRJ Community on June 3rd. There was live music and dancing, as well as cuisine and a party atmosphere to rival any other.
Up & Coming Events:
Billings Farm and Museum / Woodstock, Vermont – June 9th
It’s not hyperbole to say that Vermont dairy farming can be traced back to this working farm in the Woodstock hamlet, which produced the Jersey cows that launched the industry in the nineteenth century. It is now a magnificent National Park Service-protected living history museum with interactive displays where visitors can learn about farm life in the 1800s and today.
Quechee Hot Air Balloon Festival – June 17th (Cost: $15.00 per person)
The 2022 Annual Quechee Hot Air Balloon, Craft, and Music Festival, New England’s oldest hot air balloon festival, will once again take to the skies over Quechee and the Upper Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire. Up to 20 hot air balloons, five planned flights, and additional tethered rides will be available throughout the day at this exciting event. There will be live music, activities, and entertainment for all ages, as well as over 50 craft artisans and commercial retailers. There will also be festival food with healthy local options, a beer and wine garden, and other surprises on-site!
June 19th / Father’s Day Outing / Fore – U Golf Center
Father’s Day is coming up! Life Enrichment will host a wonderful afternoon with the (focus) males of The Village at West Lebanon’s Fore – U Golf Center. Golf, batting cages, and free ice cream will be available to those who attend. We couldn’t have a Father’s Day without giving each guy a token of our gratitude.
The MET OPERA Presents – Porgy and Bess, La Bohème, Tosca
MUSICALS – The Music Man (1962), Dear Evan Hansen, Funny Girl (1968) & Westside Story
Resident Spotlight
Nancy Shuell: ‘A triple threat’ – Volunteerism, Skiing with an inclination towards Mid-Century Furnishings via Art Gallery
In October of 2021, Nancy Shuell moved into the Village at White River Junction and rapidly found many delightful friends within the very interesting group of residents. Nancy was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. Family and friends meant a lot to her and they still do. Her father was one of the most significant individuals in her life, He was traveling when her mother told him Nancy was elected president of her high school student body her senior year. He sent Nancy a note she cherished for many years. It said, “do not get a swelled head, I will get on you”! Nancy earned a bachelor’s degree in art history from Smith College. Later she married and became the wife of a ski lodge owner which would become a part of the legacy that would be passed down through the generations.
Nancy also told of a disaster that nearly destroyed her and her husband’s business. They decided to rebuild after their ski lodge was destroyed by fire. Despite the devastation, Nancy and her husband became increasingly committed to rebuilding the ski lodge over time. Because of this challenge, she developed an interest in mid-century furniture design and applied what she had learned and her passion for the arts at the ski lodge. She was fascinated by the many outstanding scholars who designed furniture during this time period, including Vladimir Kagan, Paul McCobb, George Nakashima, and many others, all of whom deserve special mention. Actually, Vladimir Kagan pays her a visit to her residence.
Nancy was highly involved in community volunteerism. She became a trustee of the Vermont branch of the Nature Conservancy, as well as a trustee for the Stratton Mountain School. Stratton Mountain School is a coeducational day and boarding school focused on college preparation and competitive winter sports. Over one hundred Stratton Mountain School graduates had been nominated to national teams, with over forty-five making it to the Olympic Games. Nancy Shuell also became the President of the Stratton Mountain Arts Festival. Ironic or not, Nancy unequivocally and irrevocably was a triple threat. She is something of an anomaly. She saw the potential in others and decided to support, encourage, and nurture various charitable organizations and people.
Memory Care Minute
The month of May has been a bit different on Memory Care, considering we have been working with COVID for most of the month. May started out with some nice weather, and we have enjoyed spending time outside on Gates Garden. We started our garden thanks to all of the residents who love to garden. We enjoyed going on our scenic drives and early in the month went on several outings, including a trip to the garden store to choose flowers that were then planted. We enjoyed lunch at Ziggy’s Pizza in West Lebanon as well as a trip to see the alpacas in Quechee. We also had fun playing a round of miniature golf at ForeU. We have started a new activity called “Balloon Slap” where we use fly swatters (clean) to hit balloons to each other. This is great for upper body strength. We are looking to introduce a couple of new activities and some different outings in June.
Staff Spotlight
As you probably know, Samantha was promoted to Business Office Manager in April. Since that time Sam has been working tirelessly to help recruit and train new staff, which is an unending task these days! Sam has held several roles at The Village, starting in 2019 as the concierge. She subsequently was Director of Life Enrichment and then Health Services Unit Coordinator. She is pursuing a degree in healthcare administration in her free time. When she is not working, Samantha enjoys hiking with her dog, Mali, who she rescued from Turkey. Please help me in welcoming Sam to her new role at The Village!
COVID-19 In Our Community
We are committed to keeping you informed of how COVID-19 is impacting The Village at White River Junction. We continue our robust commitment to following the guidelines from both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health authorities by:
- Based on our current Phase and the positivity rate in our county, the following protocols for visitation are in place:
- We will gather name and contact info for contact tracing for every visit.
- Visits may occur between 8am and 8pm.
- Currently we do not allow guests to eat in the dining rooms.
- Core principles of COVID-19 infection prevention will be enforced. These include:
- Screening before each visit
- Hand hygiene
- Mask use for all visitors and staff; It is currently recommended that fully vaccinated visitors keep their mask on when in a private area, even with a fully vaccinated resident.
- Requiring all staff to wear surgical or procedural masks and adhere to screening processes
- Maintaining the frequency and rigor of cleaning and sanitizing all surfaces
- Reviewing our emergency preparedness and response program
- Coordinating best practices across our large partner network
- Group activities are held
Helpful Links
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html
- www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/index.html
LCS COVID-19 website
Local health department website
From the Governor
