SECURITY/SAFETY CORNER WITH TIPS FROM

DAVE RUTH

DIRECTOR OF SECURITY

Berks Heim Family & Friends

Administrator .................................................... Terence Brennan

Director of Nursing ......................................... Doris Logan, RN

Asst. Director of Nursing …….…………….Elizabeth Ernst, RN

Asst. Director of Nursing….…………....Stephanie Santiago, RN

Heim Family & Friends is published monthly by the

Berks Heim Clerical Department,

P.O. Box 1495, Reading, PA 19603 Phone: 610-376-4841

Editor: Ann Gilmer, Dir. Vol. & Clerical Services

Co-reporters/Photographers:

Carol Gemmiti

_____________

SAFE DRIVING TIPS

That time of year is once again upon us – snow,

ice, freezing rain all coming to create some winter

woes ! Safe driving is imperative and here are some

safety recommendations:

Let us start with the tools we use. Tires (whether

snow or year round) need to have a good tread, be

properly inflated, balanced and aligned. Tires need

to be rotated according to your owner manual’s

maintenance schedule.

Check fluid levels. Oil should be changed every

3,000 to 5,000 miles. Your radiator should be

checked to be sure levels are full. Wiper blades

should be fresh and operating properly. Think of

using a de-ice windshield washer fluid. Keep a good

ice scraper and snow brush in the vehicle. Check

your heating system and possibly put in new filters.

When inclement weather is expected, make sure you

allow extra time to properly and completely clean

your vehicle before driving. Check that lights are

working including turn signals and break lights.

Remember in slippery weather it isn’t important how

fast you can go but how well you can stop.

Be the hare, not the rabbit. Slow and steady wins the

race. Keep good spacing between you and vehicles in

front of you. This allows you time to react without

losing control of your vehicle. Know what streets

and routes get first treatment by snow plows and may

have been pretreated.

Add in extra driving time as you will probably not be

able to travel at normal speeds.

Dave Ruth

Director of Security

SMILE FILE

Don and “Opie” Wolf, A-2, “dressed up’’ for the hol-

idays. Their daughter gave the fashion accessories to

her parents to wear during the holiday season. I don’t

think she had to twist their arms... and they look so

cute!

COMING IN FEBRUARY…

American Health Care Apparel “Clothing Store”

Thursday February 21st & Friday February 22nd

From 10 to 3

In the Auditorium & Chapel

Berks Heim Resident and Employee Newsletter JANUARY 2019

Heim Family & Friends

UPCOMING EVENTS

January 8 - 7:00 St. Ignatius Bingo (A/C)

January 19 - 2:30 Bowling - (A/C)

January 22 - 2:30 Auction - (A/C)

January 25 - 2:30 - Pizza Party W/ music by Steven Barth (A/C)

Santa’s Corner is a day for shopping, but it is also a day of

merriment, mingling, and this year, there was live music as

well. Students from Tulpehocken High School’s Honor Socie-

ty and from Berks Career & Technology Center have been

volunteering for Santa's Corner for several years. They really

enjoy being with the seniors and are very helpful with trans-

porting residents, helping them choose gifts, wrapping gifts,

serving snacks, posing with them in photos with Santa. What

residents and the students enjoyed the most was sitting and

chatting with each other.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We are all looking forward to the New Year but before we say our final goodbye to 2018,

let’s look at the holidays in review starting with Santa’s Corner below and on page 2.

Page 2 Heim Family & Friends

SANTA’S CORNER ( continued from page 1)

Welcome New Employees

Mylta Keyes ............................ Nursing

Tatiana Bonaparte .................. Nursing

Ashley Mercado-Cantres ........ Nursing

Page 7 Heim Family & Friends

40 YEARS

Brenda Hoffa……………………...EVS

30 YEARS Floyd Gilpin………………......Laundry

15 YEARS

Mary Hernandez………….…..Nursing

5 YEARS

Anna Rivera…………………...Nursing

Larissa Fernandez……….…...Nursing

EMPLOYEE ANNIVERSARIES

Congratulations to the Red Hat Club members

who recently celebrated the club’s 20th year at

Berks Heim. We also want to congratulate the

dedicated volunteers who transport club members,

come up with the ideas and work tirelessly to

make the club a fun pastime for resident members

and thanks to Patti Clauser, Activity Therapist,

who plans and oversees the meetings.

RED HAT CLUB CELEBRATES 20TH BIRTHDAY

Page 6 Heim Family & Friends

NEWS FROM THE VSB…

(Berks Heim Volunteer Service Board)

Festivities filled the

holidays with fun ,

music, and laughter; shared with families, friends and co-workers.

‘TIS THE SEASON …. fa la la la la

Music filled the air during afternoons

and evenings as many groups visited

Berks Heim to sing Christmas carols.

Classmates, Church groups, co-

workers, VSB members, and families

went to the units and sang holiday

favorites to our residents for their

enjoyment.

Page 3 Heim Family & Friends

UGLY SWEATER CONTEST

BERKS COUNTY 4-H GARDEN CLUB VISITS RESIDENTS

When the 4-H Club came to visit residents over the holidays, they came bearing gifts they put together as a group project. First, they decorated

pots and then they planted the pots with a variety of succulents. In addition, they also brought poinsettias and gave them to nursing staff on the

units they visited.

Our annual Ugly Sweater Contest

brought out a lot of creativity in our

staff and residents. Pictured, in the

two photos above; staff members en-

joy showing off their one of a kind

designs. Pictured, left; residents posi-

tion themselves for the judges as they

choose their favorite sweaters. Pic-

tured, right; are the first place winners

of the contest.

AND THE WINNERS ARE….

IN THE RESIDENT

CATEGORY:

Sara Reeser, B-3

IN THE STAFF CATEGORY:

Carol Gemmiti, Clerical

Page 4

Happy February

Birthdays

Betty Adams ....................... B1 ......... February 1

Evelyn Stark ....................... A2 ......... February 3

Elsie Craig.......................... A1 ......... February 5

Georgia Smith .................... B1 ......... February 6

Margaret Kramer ................ EC ........ February 6

Margaret Moffitt ................ B1 ....... February 7

Minnie Fiorini ...................... A3 ......... February 8

Sara Reeser ....................... B3 ......... February 8

Betty Hornberger ................ A2 ......... February 8

May Houtz ......................... A2 ..... February 10

Helen Seifrit ....................... A2 ....... February 10

Richard Busch .................... EC ...... February 11

Carrol Deeter ..................... EC ...... February 11

Raymond Tessier ............... A2 ....... February 12

Robert Morrison ................. A2 ....... February 13

Irene Knabb ....................... B1 ....... February 14

Ida Rader ........................... A3 ....... February 14

Walter Milen ....................... B1 ....... February 14

Nancy Hills ......................... A2 ....... February 15

Jean Sando ........................ B3 ....... February 15

Jean Buckley ...................... B1 ....... February 17

Betty J Bowers ................... B1 ....... February 17

John Kissinger .................... A1 ...... February 18

Doris Labe .......................... A3 ...... February 18

James Bertolet ................... B1 ...... February 18

Gloria Faust ........................ A2 ...... February 19

Dorothy Barbieri ................. EC ..... February 20

Jennie Moll ......................... B2 ...... February 20

Sandra Dragan ................... A1 ...... February 20

Helen Mengel ..................... A3 ...... February 21

Lucille Ertel ......................... A3 ...... February 21

Joan Biehl ........................... B2 ...... February 22

Claudette Pannabecker ...... B2 ...... February 22

Josephine Cavanna ............ B2 ...... February 23

Florence Boyer ................... A3 ...... February 23

Patricia Spangler ................ B2 ...... February 23

Felicia Borges ..................... A3 ...... February 25

Betty Borda ......................... B1 ...... February 26

Elsie Cooper ....................... B2 ...... February 27

Fredonia Copeland ............. EC ..... February 29

* Bold denotes Centenarian

WELCOME TO OUR ADMISSIONS IN DECEMBER

B-1 Market Square

Walter Mien

B-2 Reading Station

Irvin Ketner

Bernardo Penturelli

B-3 Pagoda View

Donna Hoover

Essick Commons

Margaret Humphreys

A-1 Carsonia Court

Jo Ann Burns

Dorothy Bonetti

A-2 Pretzel City

Betty Berger

Mary Kissinger

Raymond Tessier

Patricia Bressler

Ronald Gregory

Mary Mascheri

Ronald Bean

Heim Family & Page 5 Heim Family & Friends

Happy New Year!!!

January is here and it’s a New Year. 2019 is here and all things begin anew, for me and you. There is no time to waste, we must hurry and make haste. We must look unto the Author and the Finisher of our faith; for guidance and direction for the New Year’s days. Don’t hesitate and don’t be late, because we have a very important date. We have a very important date with the One who gave us life and will lead, guide, and direct our path if only we would let Him. Let us awake each day with anticipation as to what He might say. First we may want to pray and to thank Him for another day. Then we may want to look in His book of books. Open anywhere and read His wise sayings. It is in the Proverbs we will find the wisdom of the Ancient of Days through His servant King Solomon. It is in the Psalms we will find the prayers of the saints of the past such as King Da-vid. Don’t be fooled into thinking it was only for them back in those days. Do believe that it will help us today, as well as tomorrow, and beyond, until the end of time. The best is yet to come by learning how He would have us to live our lives. And who would know better than the One who created all things? Give Him a chance and you just may see, He wants only the best for you and me. Be blessed today and every day by Giving the God of heaven and earth and all that is in them a chance to show Himself mighty in your particular need(s). He will amaze and show you how much He loves you and I. He will make Himself known to you if you will take even a few minutes to search His book of books. He will give you peace in your soul and joy in your heart. Don’t look at all that is around you, but look to Him the Author and the Finisher of our faith. May God bless us all!!!

Chaplain’s Good News for JANUARY!

by Chaplain Kerry Hicks

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS, I MEAN, MY BIRTHDAY !

When Blanche Brady was asked what she would like for

a birthday gift, it didn’t take her long to decide. Blanche

said, “Santa”. Blanche and all the people who were

nearby giggled. Asking for slippers or a blouse would

have been easier to shop for, but Santa was her choice!!

So how do you say “no” to someone who celebrated her

104th birthday on December 31st? You don’t!! The

holiday spirit was throughout Berks Heim, surely there

was enough magic in the air to make this happen.

Thanks to the magic of the holidays, Blanche’s room-

mate, Betty, a few employees, and a special volunteer,

Blanche’s wish came true. She was visited by Santa and

chatted with him for awhile the day after she made her

request. HAPPY 104TH BIRTHDAY, BLANCHE!