A Message From Your Executive Director
Greetings Residents, Staff, and Friends of the Village!
It is hard to believe that we are already two months into 2024. Time sure is flying and there is a lot of activity and transition happening at the community. We are grateful for your patience and understanding as we rebuild our team and services. I am very proud to share that our Leadership Team is full again. We have added five new directors since I started last August. These individuals bring a variety of backgrounds and talents to the community that will help to take us to a new level of service and hospitality. We hope that you will be able to join us at our Family Night event on March 12th from 4-6pm in Teddy’s Pub where you can mix and mingle with the team and ask questions.
We are also excited to get back on track with regular newsletters as we have a lot to share with you. We hope that you enjoy this edition. Please feel free to reach out to me via email at whittenjolynn@thevillageatwrj.com if you have ideas and requests for future newsletters. We would love to get your input and feedback.
I’d like to take a moment to focus on our Personal Service Provider (PSP) Policy. It is included in the Residency Agreement upon move-in, but we understand that you see a great deal of paperwork at that time and may need a refresher. The PSP Policy comes into play if a resident or family member contracts with a third party to provide a companion or caregiver, often called a private duty caregiver. This can be an individual or through a nursing agency. The PSP Policy exists to protect you from the potential liabilities that exist when hiring someone, especially for health care services.
If you currently have a private, third-party companion or caregiver relationship, please contact me via phone or my email above. We are auditing this process and creating a new list of Village PSPs. We can then work with you to ensure that you have a signed, completed PSP Policy in place and have met all of the requirements. These requirements include references, TB testing, criminal background checks, and other training that will protect our residents, families, and community as a whole. Please contact me as soon as possible if you have a PSP working for you at this time. We appreciate your attention to this important matter.
I hope that you enjoy the contents of this newsletter that our team has thoughtfully compiled. And I look forward to seeing you all very soon around the Village!
Community Updates & Activities
March Events 2024
Resident Spotlight
Dr. Judith Hargis, “Judy” was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to Howard and Naomi (Rybolt) Worster. Howard was a pharmaceutical engineer and Naomi a homemaker. Judy has three siblings, one brother and two sisters: Virginia (Ginny), Lynda (Lynn) and brother David. She lived her early years in Cincinnati and was reared a Presbyterian. Judy excelled in school attending an accelerated college prep high school and was always two grades ahead of her class and she graduated with honors at age 16. She enrolled at Center College in Danville, Kentucky the next fall. In her two years at Center, she witnessed a lot of cultural racism and bigotry.
Judy was reared in a family whose values aligned with the burgeoning national movement for Civil Rights and Legal Equality of black citizens of those times. Her experience with the culture at Center College awakened her lifelong, passionate support for the racial justice and equality movement. Coupled with her disillusion with Center College racist culture, her family had coincidentally moved to New Jersey where her father had been promoted to a new job with Johnson and Johnson, the pharmaceutical giant.
Judy left Center and moved to New Jersey with her family. Once there, she applied for a transfer to Douglas College the women’ college collocated with Rutgers University at Brunswick, New Jersey. Judy graduated earning a BA degree with honors in history from Douglas College.
While at Douglas she met her future husband, Ian Stewart. Judy and Ian were married and moved to Poughkeepsie, New York where she became a social worker. Her first child Andrew was born there shortly before she and Ian moved to Cornell University in Ithaca., New York.
The next 25 years in Ithaca saw Judy’s family grew with the birth of her daughter Sarah. She enrolled at Cornell in the PhD program with the School of Industrial and Labor Relations. Her program advisor was Alfred E. Kahn. Judy after completing a Master and PhD in Industrial and Labor Relations, while rearing the two children. Judy and Ian were divorced but Judy continued to work for a private consulting company and taught college classes in Women’s Studies as an Adjunct Professor at Cornell. She eventually was hired to help run the Equal Opportunity Program in the Cornell University Human Resources Office. She then was offered a similar position at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. At Georgetown University HR, Judy became a vital force becoming the go-to resource in re-engineering business processes in University Human Recourses as well as in the University Hospital.
Judy developed a deep friendship with Father Francis Schemel (SJ) while acting as Vice President of University Human Resources. Fr Schemel mentored her through a rigorous study of the writing, teachings, and meditations of Saint Ignatius de Loyola, founder of the Jesuit Order. She earned a silver medal for the countless hours of reading, writing and deep discussions with Fr. Schemel about Ignatius de Loyola.
While flourishing in her job Judy discovered her soulmate and future husband, Tom, through a pre-computerized dating service. They were married in 1998 in Woodbridge VA. The background music at the reception was, “I Feel Good” by James Brown. They each have two children from previous marriages: Andrew, Sarah, John, and Lee. They also have five grandchildren and one great grandson. They moved to Texas in 2002 working for a large military sub-contractor (SAIC) Tom and Judy retired in 2004.
Judy and Tom traveled extensively to Panama, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, and Honduras. Six years ago she and Tom ventured on a one-month trip around the western US, visiting US parks. Starting in Colorado, then New Mexico, California, Oregon, Washington Idaho Montana Utah Wyoming and ending their 3200 mile journey back in Colorado.
Judy enjoys meditation, Science of Mind, Unity School of Christianity, eastern religions and philosophy especially Eckhart Tolle’s writings.
Judith enjoys the outdoors, gardening, walking, just enjoying all of the fresh air and sunshine this area affords. She loves the Sunday New York Times, The Smithsonian, and enjoys social and political discussions. Her favorite private location away from home are the lakes, ocean, and woods. Judy’s preferred topics of conversation are history, politics, social issues, family remembrances and photos, psychology, and spirituality.
Most recognized, Judith has a marvelous sense of humor, and her friends say she’s always so much fun to be around, but also is a deep thinker. She once had a T-shirt “INTP’s eschew obfuscation.”
Staff Spotlight
This month, our staff spotlight shines on Jeremy Perkins from our Culinary Team! Here are a few things that Jeremy’s director and co-workers shared about him:
- Jeremy is a team player- always willing to do the right thing.
- He has a great heart.
- He’s extremely talented with his presentation skills. On all of his dishes, he’s an artist. He can make anything look amazing.
Jeremy started at the Village in 2021 and he has been in the food industry for over 25 years. Jeremy has done everything from catering to high-end food, and all volumes of food as well. He loves to learn anything he can from other chefs who might have different backgrounds and talents. He’s a joy to have in our community and loves to talk about all his experiences. We are proud to have him as a part of our Village team.
Please join us in congratulating Jeremy!
Memory Care Minute
With the holidays over, our residents on Memory Care found themselves joining together in merriment through song, community, and best of all, food! Residents were visited by Jim Hollis last month to grace us with his lovely vocals and upbeat attitude, spent lots of time with community visits from our pet volunteers, and baked delicious treats, bringing some warmth back during this cold month.
In February, we continued to expand our programming. We had special Valentine’s Day programming, made valentines, and a special sweet treat, and enjoyed each other’s company with a themed social that day. Residents have more opportunities to enjoy cross-over programming with Assisted Living also, continuing their involvement in group bingo, joining for Chair Yoga with Kathryn Mills, and Art Therapy with Kerry Harding, and much more!
We would also like to extend a warm welcome to our new residents. Welcome Christine, Larry, Joan, Bonnie, Carol, and Carolee! We are so happy to have you here with us.
Thank you—
Elli Lonzson
Director of Memory Care
Maintenance & Housekeeping Update
We are happy to announce that we have three new housekeepers who have joined our team. They are Hayley DeCoff, Grace Ward, and Charlie Rose. They will all have a valuable role in the success of serving our residents with keeping their apartments and laundry cleaned. They will also be serving the community by keeping the common areas cleaned for residents, their families, and visitors to enjoy. All three bring very special talents to our team. The housekeeping team has been working on ideas to improve our processes to streamline the cleaning and laundry duties.
Many of you may have already met our maintenance and transportation team. We are privileged to have had Debra Sargent join us as bus driver and maintenance assistant. Debra brings many years of transportation experience and a great personality for residents to enjoy when they take a ride with her in our brand-new Village Bus. We look forward to spring weather when we will be able to load up the bus and go for fun and exciting tours around the Upper Valley.
Doug Fillian
Director of Plant Operations
Powerback Rehabilitation Joins The Village
I am happy to announce that Powerback Rehab now has a therapy suite at the Village at White River Junction.
Powerback therapy staff deliver a comprehensive rehabilitation program that includes outpatient physical, occupational, and speech therapy, with the convenience of being located on-site, right within the community.
Powerback Rehabilitation is pleased to partner with the Village at White River Junction to enrich the lives of the residents in the community. If you should find yourself or a loved one in need of therapy services, please call us at 802-478-1002 or request that your center staff send us a referral.
I look forward to meeting you!
Karen Newpower
Director of Rehabilitation
What Not to Bring to The Village
WHAT NOT TO BRING TO MEMORY CARE
- Toxic Plants: A full list can be found here. Any plant sent to the 2nd floor must be safe to be ingested.
- Any household chemicals or cleaners.
- Batteries.
- Electric heaters of any kind, including blankets and heating pads.
- Anything with an exposed heating element, i.e., curling irons, straighteners, or other heat-producing appliances.
- Flammable items including candles, lighters, and matches.
- Sharp objects such as scissors, tweezers, nail clippers, and letter openers.
- Alcohol. Please see the Director of Health Services for additional guidance.
- Over-the-counter medications and vitamins.
- Extension cords.
- Electric kitchenware such as coffee pots, toasters, and microwaves.
- Cash and credit cards, as well as other valuables, such as jewelry or other items of sentimental value.
*Any potentially harmful care products, such as hairspray or shampoo, must be able to fit in their toiletry cabinet.
WHAT NOT TO BRING TO ASSISTED LIVING
- Household chemicals and cleaners should be placed in a locked cabinet.
- Electric heaters of any kind, including blankets and heating pads.
- Flammable items, including candles, lighters, and matches.
- Extension cords.
- Over-the-counter medications and vitamins- please see the Director of Health Services for guidance.
- All small electric appliances need to be reviewed by the Director of Plant Operations prior to use.
- Please limit and secure cash and credit cards, as well as other valuables, such as jewelry or other items of sentimental value.
