Summer 2019 Events

JULY

3 - Indoor Yard Sale 2:30 - RDR 4 - Independence Day Party 2:30 - RDR 7 - Francis Thomas Music 2:30 - RDR 9 - Electric Violinist Albert Mulad 10:30 - RDR 17 - “Under the Sea” Ice Cream Social 2:30 - RDR 22 - Unitex Summer Concert 2:30 - RDR 24 - Casino Day 2:30 - RDR

AUGUST 9 - Unitex Summer Concert 2:30 - RDR 19 - Cup Cake Day 2:30 - RDR 21 - Resident/Staff/ Family Talent Show 2:30 - RDR

SEPTEMBER

6 - Suffolk County Golden Games 8 - Grandparent’s Day/ Petting Zoo/Carnival

Contact us: St. Johnland Nursing Center 395 Sunken Meadow Road Kings Park, NY 11754 631-269-5800 www.stjohnland.org

Graduation at St. Johnland

St. Johnland Nursing Center celebrated Graduation Day complete with traditional music, caps and gowns, and diplomas. Residents voted on topics they wanted to learn about and the Recreation Therapy staff put together a simple outline for each course taught. Courses this year included Old Time TV Shows, Famous Landmarks, History of Trivia, The Renaissance, Holiday Traditions, Famous People, Black History and Famous Comedians. Many residents participated in the nine month Adult Education program and 27

graduated. During the graduation ceremonies, Salutatorian, Trudy Margolin and Valedictorian, Eileen Aboody inspired the audience with their thoughtful speeches, reminding us all how exciting it can be to learn something new.

New Director of Development

The St. Johnland Family is happy to welcome Kathy Lough as the new Director of Development for The Society of St. Johnland. She brings many years of nonprofit fundraising experience to the position with a strong emphasis on Event Planning, Major Gift Cultivation and Grant Writing. Additionally, she is skilled at building donor relationships to secure program and capital support as well as brand development. Most recently she was the Director of Advancement at St. Kevin Catholic Academy in Flushing but throughout her career has worked for large and small nonprofits located primarily on Long Island and Queens which included positions at Northshore Health System Foundation in Great Neck and St. Mary’s Hospital for Children in Bayside. Kathy is extremely excited to be part of the Administration Staff and is eager to do whatever she can to help raise funds and create awareness for the cause!

Summer Barbeques It’s summer barbeque time again! Every Friday St. Johnland residents will have an opportunity to enjoy the sunshine and BBQ food. The residents are invited to the courtyard and served a delicious meal prepared by our chefs. In June, there was a beach theme, and residents were treated to hot dogs and sauerkraut. The July theme is patriotic, and hamburgers will be sizzling on the grill. August will feature a Hawaiian theme and BBQ chicken. There is always a cool and refreshing dessert that is served. There is nothing better than listening to great music in a festive atmosphere, and smelling delicious food cooking on the grill! It is easy to see why so many residents look forward to Fridays when summer rolls around.

Volunteer Recognition Lunch A wonderful volunteer appreciation event recently took place in the St. Johnland Chapel. Staff created a Garden Party themed luncheon complete with Hydrangea centerpieces and other festive décor to match. Proudly, we celebrated the St. Johnland volunteers who are dedicated and committed to enriching the lives of our residents. So many volunteers come together and graciously share their time and talents, providing beautiful music, leading weekly worship services, engaging residents with therapy pets, organizing games for the residents, raising funds for special programs and more. Carolyn O’Brien, Director of Recreation Therapy & Volunteers, offered her praise to all St. Johnland’s extraordinary volunteers. Among the volunteers, five of them are resident volunteers who go above and beyond every day: Beatrice Vetter for her assistance as co-leader of Adult Education and Religious programs; Cathy Cutting and Sue Spiko for their leadership of the Resident Council; Helen Clemente for helping to sell raffles; and Mary Hahn for helping with Bingo. Special thanks to Chef Frank for the delicious meal, along with Elaina Hamill and her staff for helping to make the event possible.

Carolyn thanked and praised them all, and ended with one of her favorite quotes, “To the world you may be one person, but to one person, you may be the world.” For more information on being a volunteer at St. Johnland, call Carolyn O’Brien at 631-663-2465 (cobrien@stjohnland.org).

Residents Enjoy The Arts On Thursday, June 20th, residents from St. Johnland had an enjoyable day out as they took a trip to the Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington to see “In A New Light” a show about American Impressionism. The residents were able to create their own impressionist paintings on a digital screen. They also selected their favorite painting in the exhibition and had their photograph taken in front of it. The residents thoroughly enjoyed their day of arts and culture!

Senior Prom

St. Johnland Honors Centenarians

As part of National Skilled Nursing Care Week, St. Johnland Nursing Center honored eight residents who are 100+ years old! Two residents are 102, three are 101 and the three “youngsters” are 100. These eight women have been treated to this unusual recognition and two special proclamations – one from Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and one from the Suffolk County Legislature presented by Legislator Robert Trotta.

“Family support is a strong determining factor in longevity. Individuals feel loved and valued when families get involved in the programs that we offer”, said Carolyn O’Brien, Director of Recreational Therapy. St. Johnland celebrates National Skilled Nursing Care Week to commend both the residents of the nursing center and the skilled caregivers whose focus is to provide enhanced quality of life for all in their care. St. Johnland’s mission has been in place for 153 years.

Congratulations and best wishes to the centenarians!

St. Johnland residents held their “Mid Summer Eve” senior prom in June. The Recreation Staff transformed the Resident Dining Room into an Enchanted Garden with fantastic decorations! A thrilling

array of Rock and Roll Music was provided by Anthony Raffa, a talented guitarist who has performed with Kenny Loggins, John Denver, Olivia Newton John, and more. To their surprise Sue Sipko was crowned Prom Queen, and Tom Moehringer was crowned as the King of the Prom. All the residents had a delightful time dancing with the staff and celebrating with sparkling cider, and festive snacks.