I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E 3 Music & Enrichment

4 Employee Spotlights

5 Reminiscing

6 Special Events

7 Resident Center Happenings

8 CHR 2nd & 3rd floor

Happenings

9 Places to Go

12 Wellness

13 Volunteers

14 Foundation

15 Memorials

17 Regularly Scheduled Programs

18 Spiritual Wellness

& Support Groups

19 Movie Listings

Newsletter Staff Co-Editors Nancy Hanford

Bruce Greenman

Alesha Williams

Layout/Design Nancy Hanford

Feature Writers Bruce Greenman

Publicity Tammy Terwilliger 2700 Burcham Dr. ~ East Lansing, MI 48823 ~ (517) 351-8377

Volume 11 11th Edition November 2018

Burcham Beacon

Just as in history, the lighthouse gave a guiding light to conduct mariners to their destination, so will the Burcham Beacon act as a guide to Aging with Grace.

Trick or Treat

Parade

G hosts, goblins, monsters and more

came walking through the door at our

Annual Trick or Treat Parade on Monday,

October 29. Everyone had a frightfully

good time as the children showed off their

creative costumes and were treated to

games, photos and candy galore. A special

‘Thank You’ to everyone who brought in a

little one to enjoy the festivities and to

those who donated the more than 170

pounds of candy for our event.

Additional photos on page 10

Halloween

Social

T he Annual Halloween Social on

Wednesday, October 31, was a

‘Bring Your Own Broom’ event.

Everyone was encouraged to hang

around for a spell and enjoy some

brew and enchanting entertainment.

The Clarksons provided hauntingly

good tunes and it was hard to resist

the creative culinary delights.

Additional photos on page 11

April 2016 Page 2 November 2018 Page 2

From the Desk of the Executive Director . . . by Pam Ditri

F or any organization, their employees typically are the backbone of

The organization. Burcham Hills’ employees are certainly our

backbone for the care and services they provide each and every day.

Burcham Hills has been working closely on our Employee Engagement Survey with our management company,

Life Care Services, and a third-party vendor, Holleran. We conducted our Employee Engagement Survey in Au-

gust 2018. Life Care Services recommends conducting an engagement survey every

two years for both employees and residents (on opposite years). We believe it is

critical that we are listening to our employees and residents. We were pleased with

the participation rate of 85.6% from Burcham’s 400+ employees. This exceeded

Holleran’s average response rate. Burcham Hills’ employees want to be heard.

We have summarized the outcomes from our 2018 Employee Engagement Survey

below.

The department leadership teams will be working together with employees over the

coming months to discuss the areas identified as improvement opportunities and

develop interventions to address them.

We appreciate our employees. By the number of comments, e-mails, calls and

notes I have the privilege to receive, these are an indicator that you, as residents

and loved ones, feel the same. Thank you for your continued support of the won-

derful employees of Burcham Hills.

Burcham Hills Leadership Team

Pam Ditri, NHA

Executive Director 827-1042

Nancy Hanford Communications / Exec. Asst.

827-1043

Cindy Popovitch

Director of Organizational Dev. 827-2954

Jim Kaczmarczyk

Director of Finance/Controller 351-4662

Pegi Chatti, RN, NHA CHR Administrator

827-1037

Barbara Smith, NHA

Director of Post-Acute Network 349-4803

Marcy Harris, LPN Director of Resident Center

827-0361

Mark Sarvis Director of Building & Grounds

351-3642

Jennifer Sokol Director of Hospitality

827-1025

Jessi Kvatek, RN CHR Director of Nursing

827-1038

Bill Cosby Director of Sales

487-0832

Abdullah Masood Director of Operations

827-0692

Lesa Smith, MPA, CFRE Foundation Director

827-2924

Jonathan Wilson Business Development Director

827-1059

We received high marks in

these response areas:

Response areas indicating

improvement opportunities:

I feel I personally make a

difference here.

I believe Burcham Hills is living up

to its mission and goals.

I know what is expected of me. At work my opinions count.

I have respect for my supervisor. Burcham hills cares for its

employees.

I often leave work feeling good

about the work I did.

The workload of my team is

distributed fairly.

I believe our employees provide

residents with the best

possible care.

Communication is good at

Burcham Hills, both on my team

and with other teams.

One Book One Community:

An Evening with

Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor

Viewing of previously recorded presentation.

Tuesday, November 13

3:00 pm / Ada Whitehouse Room

*All programing complies with the Fair Housing Act (FHA). Some

programs may require support staff, which will need to be ar-ranged with the Personal Wellness and/or Recreation departments prior to the event.

BH Burcham Hills

RC Resident Center

CHR Center for Health & Rehabilitation

AWR Ada Whitehouse Room (1st RC)

AS Ada Studio (1st RC)

PDR Private Dining Room (2nd RC)

WC Wellness Center (2nd RC)

LS Leisure Studio (1st CHR)

SVDR Scenic View Dining Room (2nd RC)

SP Stansell Patio (1st CHR)

GLLR Great Lakes Living Room (3rd RC)

Lo

ca

tion

Ke

y

BURCHAM BEACON Page 3 Music & Enrichment

Wine & Cheese Socials w/ Piano Performance by Lucille Olson

4:00 pm / 2RC Lobby Wednesdays, November 14 & 28

Neighborhood Meetings

5RC: Friday, November 16 3:30 pm / PDR *Wine & Cheese will be served

2RC: Monday, November 19 3:00 pm / PDR

4RC: Thursday, November 29 1:30 pm / 4RC Lobby

Open forum for questions, suggestions and concerns.

“Big House” Book Club * Tuesday, November 20

1:30 pm / PDR “The Great Alone” by Kristin Hannah *This is a discussion group and it is highly encouraged to read

the book and make notes of areas you wish to review.

If you would like a book or more information, please

contact Margaret R. 333-1856 or Mary R. 351-7099.

Bring your book to return and pick up a copy of your next

book.

Additional November Holidays

3 Book Lover’s Day 13 Caregiver Appreciation Day 19 World Peace Day

Men’s Event Movie Showing: “This is the Army” Sunday, November 11 2:30 pm/ 3CHR Come check out the new horse race game and try your luck at winning!

Artist Studio Friday, November 23 /4:00 pm / AWR See flyers for more details.

Art Appreciation* with Ethel Anthony Alexander Chen Wednesday, November 14 4:00 pm / PDR

Music Opportunities

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia

Saturday, November 3

3:00 pm / AWR

MSU Music Series*

Friday, November 9

7:00 pm / AWR

Young at Heart Singers

Monday, November 19

1:30 pm / AWR

Lansing Matinee Musicale

Wednesday, November 28

2:00 pm / AWR

Thursday Night Special

with Jay Hill

Thursday, November 29

7:00 pm / AWR

MSU Music Series*

Friday, November 29

7:00 pm / AWR

Gadget Workshop Monday, November 5 Noon - 2:00 pm / 2RC Lobby East Lansing Public Library will host a drop-by table in the lobby with a variety of new technological de-vices to try. See flyer for more details.

Ballroom Dancing Class Every Monday Evening in November 7:00 pm / 4RC Lobby

This 6-week program will be an instructional movement class using ballroom dancing. See flyer for details.

April 2016 Page 2 Page 4 Employee Spotlights November 2018

Employee Spotlight ~ Brandy Brown

Brandy Brown reports hearing many good things over the years about working for Bur-

cham Hills and knew joining the Hospitality Services team as a Lead Dining Room At-

tendant in June was the right choice. She grew up in Lansing and attended Lansing Catholic

High School. She played softball from the time she was 4 years old all the way through 8th

grade. She laughs saying, “I should’ve stuck with softball!” after she quit and tried out for soccer. Upon gradu-

ating from high school, she started on a musical path in college, as she also is a singer.

Brandy met her husband, David, while working together at a foster care home. She has two stepsons, Michael

(23) and Austin (21). When her first daughter was born, she had a way of baby talking and didn’t cry indicat-

ing to Brandy that she needed a unique name. Her love for music helped guide the decision to name her now

12-year-old daughter, Harmony. She also has a 3-year-old daughter, Melody. Brandy considers herself a calm

easy-going person but has a momma bear in her when needed. The family also consists of a pit bull mix, Steel,

who is not as tough as his name when it comes to thunder! They enjoy outings to movies, shopping and festi-

vals together. The kids have six cousins in Grand Rapids where they visit at least once a month for a play date.

Baseball and softball are her favorite sports but when it comes to MSU, she is all in and says football is fun

too. She loves Italian food and was not happy when her favorite restaurant Guerrazzi’s in Lansing closed. She

enjoys cooking when she can, but it doesn’t happen often. Her friends and family always request her veggie

pizza and homemade tortillas.

She says her lead role is very satisfying as she can help in all the dining rooms. She is also able to get to know

the staff and residents better during her supervisor shifts. She really enjoys the camaraderie between depart-

ments stating the nursing staff are very helpful, which is very much appreciated. Brandy we are glad you

joined the team at Burcham Hills!

Employee Spotlight ~ Michelle Traill-Crosser

Michelle Traill-Crosser was born in Lansing and has spent her life in the Lansing area.

She grew up in Grand Ledge and now lives in Delta Township with her husband, Kev-

in, her 90-year-old father-in-law and her chocolate lab puppy, Scout. She has three children

who are in various stages of finishing college and

becoming adults. Michelle graduated from Michigan State University and started her marketing career in hotel

sales. She spent several years as a financial planner but left the workforce after her second son was born to

stay home and be a mom.

During her time at home, she was an active volunteer. When her children were older, she returned to the work-

force as the Volunteer Coordinator at St. Gerard Catholic Church. Most recently, she was one of the owners

of the local Caring Transitions franchise. She was able to combine her marketing background with her volun-

teer spirit and her desire to help others.

When she and her partners decided to sell Caring Transitions, she looked to area senior communities for em-

ployment. Fortunately, Burcham Hills was looking for a Residency Counselor at the time. She had experience

moving her Caring Transitions clients into Burcham, so it was a perfect fit. Michelle said that she never con-

sidered working for another community because she did not want to work for a competitor of Burcham Hills.

The professionalism and level of care for the residents are beyond compare.

Having been at Burcham Hills for just over four months, Michelle has not created a lot of memories, but many

wonderful daily experiences. Morning “hellos” from all the staff members may seem like a small thing but is

priceless when settling into a new job. She is enjoying getting to know everyone, not only in the Marketing

office, but also the staff of the Resident Center, Hospitality Services, Recreation and many others. She is look-

ing forward to many more years at Burcham Hills. (Maybe until she reserves an apartment at Stonebriar at

Burcham Hills.) We are happy you joined the Burcham Hills Team Michelle!

BURCHAM BEACON Page 5 Reminiscing

Ethics—A Lost Principle?

S tyle and/or class are that something special not everyone can attain. Although the two words have

somewhat different definitions; they are so closely related it is usually impossible to separate them.

If you are one of those blessed with class/style, then you will certainly have an advantage over most of the

rest. A person with style has a singular distinction and a unique flair that marks everything he/she does.

Their work, appearance and whole presence reflects a positive being. Those qualities result in confidence

and presto...success!

Style has no fixed formula and no definable shape. It is as elusive as a moonbeam. It is an

important essence of the character, but with no recognizable features of its own. Damon Runyan called it

“moxie” (a word from the past).

Take two people of equal ability. Why is one far more successful? Style. It may be as simple as a firm handshake. Or

merely a simple thing like body carriage! For example, put the same suit on both and one looks like a million bucks while

the other looks like it was something they had slept in all night.

Entertainers with style are most commonly recognizable because they are constantly in the public eye. But still, only a small

percentage of them really stand out as class individuals. Most are talented, so what was it that put a man like Bing Crosby in

a class all by himself for over 40 years? Bing was by no means an electric personality. He was short, balding at an early age

and his first marriage was a failure. But he sure had charisma and an easy way that endeared him to millions.

Frank Sinatra was recognized to be the greatest as a song stylist. His temperament and questionable personal associations

left much to be desired. Nevertheless, he had a style and class that got better with age, even though his voice had deteriorat-

ed. What is it about people like that?

From the sports world, I always remember two individuals whose personalities were anything but pleasant…Ted Williams in

baseball and John McEnroe in tennis. Williams was always antagonizing the press, who in turn castigated him to what was

otherwise an adoring public. McEnroe had a terrible temper on court, but his talent was unquestioned. They remain, to me,

completely unexplainable in that they had no class at all.

Top grade entertainers must have talent, yet, very often the best of talents never attain greatness. That is something we can

relate to in every day life, for we all have had at least one acquaintance that had the talent, but for some intangible reason

never quite made it.

Sometimes it takes failure to help develop style because adversity can toughen the spirit and sharpen the purpose and direc-

tion. Everyone experiences failure somewhere along the way. Those who handle it with grace will learn and sometimes

move on to great success – and they are the ones with style.

The examples I am giving in this article are all old timers, well-known to the residents of Burcham. Any younger readers

can stop here because you probably never heard of them.

Judy Garland. Remember that very special singer whose magic remained long after the talent was gone. Then there was her

sidekick Mickey Rooney, who had class and style. Try and explain John Wayne’s tremendous box office appeal, certainly it

wasn’t talent. You think good looks are important? Try this on that theory – Jimmy Durante. The list of famed examples is

that of which legends are made.

There are also organizations with style, and they are usually the ones who set the pace. Class businesses do not sway with

the moods and tides of others in their area. They follow the course they set for themselves.

Burcham Hills Retirement Community has set standards and stuck to them. As a result, they have attained a class and style

envied by others in the same business.

We residents of Burcham may be elderly, but that doesn’t mean we have to retire from life as we once knew it. We can re-

main active in the community by always dressing appropriately, taking part in the various activities and

volunteering to be on committees. Do that and we will remain as stylish and classy as anyone would

ever hope to be.

Page 2 Page 6 Special Events November 2018

Holiday Save the Dates

English Inn Outing—Tuesday, December 4, 10:45 am

Holiday Trunk Show—Monday, December 10, 12:00-5:00 pm - AWR Vendors offer products perfect for gifts and make holiday shopping a snap!

Arts Chorale Concert at River Terrace Church—Tuesday, December 11, 7:00 pm

Gingerbread Decorating Event—Wednesday, December 12, 1:30 pm

Christmas Concert with Eastminster Church—Friday, December 14, 7:00 pm - AWR

Resident Center Christmas Party—Tuesday, December 18, 6:30 pm

Center for Health & Rehabilitation Holiday Light Tour—Tuesday, December 18, 6:30 pm

Resident Center Holiday Light Tour—Thursday, December 20, 6:30 pm

Center for Health & Rehabilitation Christmas Party—Thursday, December 20, 6:30 pm

New Year’s Eve Social—Monday, December 31, 7:00-8:30 pm - AWR

Gift Wrapping—To Be Determined Families are invited to attend!

Thursday, November 15 / 2:30 pm / AWR

Enjoy refreshments made by residents throughout

our community, with entertainment by

“The Generations.”

Veteran’s Day Celebration

Monday, November 12

2:00 — 3:30 pm

Ada Whitehouse Room Join us in celebrating our veterans and their spouses

with the annual flag and pinning ceremony.

Following the ceremony,

a performance with Jay Hill.

Holiday Decorating

Parties

Come join your friends and neighbors in

decking the halls of Burcham Hills.

Friday, November 30

1:30 pm - in each neighborhood

Cookies and hot cocoa

will be served.

Thursday, November 8 Doors open at 1:30 pm

Performance begins at 2:00 pm

*Due to the nature of this performance, we request that all audience members be seated

before the performance begins.*

AN AFTERNOON WITH HENRY & FRIENDS P l a i n f o l k .

S t r a i g h t t a l k .

M a n y l a u g h s .

Page 7 RC Happenings BURCHAM BEACON Page 7

4th Floor Neighborhood

Travels Through Time Every Wednesday @ 9:15 am

4th floor Lounge

Birthday Party Tuesday, November 13, 1:30 pm

4th floor Lounge Join your neighbors as they celebrate their special day!

Geographic Explorer Films Every Friday @ 6:30 pm

4th floor Lounge All residents, families & staff are encouraged to attend.

Groups You Don’t Want to Miss!

Quilting for a Cause Every Wednesday @ 10:00 am

(Moved to the Cozy Corner on 2 CHR) See page 13 for a special upcoming project idea.

TED Talks

Mondays and Fridays @ 10:15 am

4th floor lounge Short talks are offered on various topics from science to en-

vironmentally friendly art and community enriching projects.

The chilly weather

couldn’t stop us from going

out for cider and doughnuts!

75th Anniversary Celebration

Mr. & Mrs. Alvin “Al” and Leona Rippen celebrated their 75th

Wedding Anniversary on Saturday, October 20, with a special

luncheon in the Burcham Hills Scenic View Dining Room.

Many residents gathered and sang the anniversary song. A resi-

dent made a special crown for them to commemorate their 75

years together. Mr. Rippen will be 101-years-old on November

6, and Mrs. Rippen turned 96-years-old on September 25.

Congratulations and many more!

Alzheimer’s Postal Stamps Available The U.S. Postal Service® is proud to issue this postal stamp that helps raise funds to fight

Alzheimer’s disease. To assist in this fundraising effort, Burcham Hills has purchased a

small supply of the stamps and they will be available for sale beginning November 1 at the

RC reception desk. Because this is a fundraiser, the stamps cost $.65 each rather than the

normal $.50 cost of a postage stamp (soon to rise in January 2019). If you have any ques-

tions, please see the receptionist.

April 2016 Page 10

CHR Resident Council Meeting

Located on 3CHR

Pigeon Conference Room

Wednesday, November 28 @ 11:00 am

This meeting is for both the 2nd & 3rd floor

neighborhoods. Please join us and receive information about things happening within your neighborhood. We also value

your input and feedback!

April 2016 Page 2 Page 8 CHR—2nd & 3rd Flr Happenings November 2018

2CHR Birthday Party Thursday, November 29

@ 3:00 pm

3CHR Birthday Party Tuesday, November 27

@ 3:00 pm

Birthday List: Ann McGuire– November 4 Marian Rens– November 5

Blanche Kincaid– November 14 Lillian Morrisette– November 20

Lois Womboldt– November 22 Grover Stovall– November 22

Come celebrate our November Birthdays!

2CHR Neighborhood Outing Lunch @ Lucky’s Steakhouse

Thursday, November 1 11:00 am — 2:00 pm

**Please contact Maegan or Eldon

if you would like to attend.

3CHR Neighborhood Outing Lunch @ Reno’s

Thursday, November 15 11:00 am — 2:00 pm

**Please contact Maegan or Eldon

if you would like to attend.

Residents in the CHR enjoyed a Model Train

Show presentation with Ed Welch. Residents

even got a chance to drive the trains!

Outings Sign-up Procedure

Please sign-up in the 2nd floor Resident Center Lobby (table in hall by kitchen) at least 48-hours in advance for ALL outings and shopping trips, unless otherwise stated on sign up sheet. If you find it difficult to sign yourself up, you may also contact the Receptionist at 351-8377. Please be aware that signing up does not guarantee at-tendance. Number of seats as well as the needs and safety of the individuals will be evaluated. You will be noti-fied once a decision is made on the final attendance. To provide a fair opportunity for others, we may limit the number of outings individual attend each month. ALL trips depart from the 2RC Lobby.

NOTE: Outing locations are accessible to ALL residents unless other wise noted on flyer and sign-up sheets. Ac-cessible transportation is provided and wheelchairs can be requested in advance for your added convenience. If you require assistance or reasonable accommodations to attend, please contact the receptionist prior to signing up.

November Neighborhood Outings

Get to know your neighbors! Check with your Recreation Therapist or Recreation Assistant for the specific time and destination of your outing. Thursday November 1 - 2 CHR Lucky’s Steakhouse Wednesday November 7 - Memory Care Lucky’s Steakhouse Tuesday November 27 - 3 CHR Reno’s Sports Bar & Grill Thursday November 29 - Memory Care Pottery Painting

Join your neighbors and friends on these

exciting excursions.

Page 7 Places to Go Page 9 BURCHAM BEACON

Lunch Bunch Boston's

Friday, November 16 Depart at 11:00 am Return at approx. 2:00 pm Cost: $15-$20

Please sign-up by Nov. 15

Capital Ballet Theatre (Formerly known as the Children’s Ballet Theatre)

The Nutcracker

Monday, November 26 Departing at 9:15 am Return at approx. 1:00 pm Cost: $5

Please sign-up by Nov. 25

Premium Series - The Wharton Center LSO: Brahms Symphony No. 3

Thursday, November 15 Departing at 6:30 pm Return at approx. 10:30 pm Cost: $33 (ticket + premium series fee)

Tickets were purchased prior to Oct. 31

Meridian Community Band Concert MacDonald Middle School

Friday, November 2 Departing at 7:00 pm Concert begins at 7:30 pm Cost: $8

Please sign-up by Nov. 1

The English Inn SAVE THE DATE

Tuesday, December 4 Departing at 10:45 am Return at approx. 2:30 pm Cost: $15 (includes entrée, sides, drink and tip) (Dessert and alcohol are an additional cost.)

Please sign-up by Dec. 3

April 2016 Page 2 November 2018 Page 10 Trick or Treat Parade

Page 11 Page 7 Page 11 BURCHAM BEACON Halloween Social

April 2016 Page 2 November 2018 Page 12 Wellness

WELLNESS CLINIC Postponed until January 24

MONTHLY WELLNESS FOCUS: EMOTIONAL

Emotional Wellness inspires self-care, relaxation, stress reduction and the development of inner strength. It is important to be attentive to both positive and negative feelings and be able to understand how to handle these emotions.

Clinical Depression in the Elderly Clinical depression in the elderly is common.

That doesn't mean it's normal. Late-life depression affects about 6 million Americans

ages 65 and older. But only 10% receive treatment for depression. The likely reason is

that the elderly often display symptoms of depression differently. Depression in the

elderly is also frequently confused with the effects of multiple illnesses and the medicines

used to treat them.

Because of changes in an elderly person's circumstances and the fact that elderly people are expected to slow down, doctors and family may miss the signs of depression. As a result, effective treatment often gets delayed, forcing many elderly people to struggle unnecessarily

with depression.

If you struggle with depression, talk with your primary care physician to find the best treatment

plan for you.

Source: www.WebMD.com

If you have any questions or concerns about Resident Wellness, please contact Elizabeth Pahl at epahl@burchamhills.com or 827-2452.

**NEW CLASS NAMES**

Tai Chi 10:00-10:30 am / Tuesdays

Ada Whitehouse Room

Seated or standing guided meditation utilizing singular Tai Chi moves to help improve balance

and coordination.

Advanced Tai Chi 10:30-11:00 am / Tuesdays

Ada Whitehouse Room

Practice the ancient forms of Tai Chi. This is a standing exercise.

Fit & Functional 10:15 am / Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays Ada

Whitehouse Room

Seated strength and cardio exercise.

Advanced Fit & Functional 11:00 am / Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays

Ada Whitehouse Room

Standing strength and cardio exercise.

Massage Therapy is available by appointment on

Fridays & Saturdays

9:00 am—2:00 pm Call 827-2452 to schedule an appointment.

Burcham Residents . . .

4th

Friday of the Month is Friendly Friday . . .

November 23

Wear Your T-Shirts With Your Favorite Logos.

Sept. winner = Carol Roush (right) Oct. winner = Judy Labovitz (left)*

* When Ruth Bader Ginsburg was asked when there will be “enough” women on the Supreme Court, she responded, “When there are nine.”

Page 11 Page 7 Volunteers Page 13 BURCHAM BEACON

Fifi is a white German shepherd and Australian shepherd mix. She belongs to Scott Frank and will

be 3-years-old in February. She is our youngest member of the team who joined us a few months ago

and is very excited to be learning a new job and meeting new people. A firm believer in fitness, Fifi

loves to take you outside. You will find yourself seeing Burcham in a new light as she draws your

attention to the many wonders of the great outdoors that can be found even in our neat pathways and

gardens, including the chipmunk that lives under the pergola. Fifi knows when you are sad, she can be

running around playing one minute, but if she hears you cry, she will quickly be by your side snug-

gling you. If you want an introduction, Fifi is great at shaking paws and she is very fond of carrots.

Zeus is part Alaskan Malamute, part German Shepherd. Meet the leader of the pack. Besides be-

ing fluffy and adorable, Zeus consistently sets a tone of professionalism in the office. He has never

clocked in late and always greets his co-workers with a smile, a kiss and woofs of encouragement.

Zeus enjoys his job at Burcham Hills. For the past year, he has displayed great dedication to his work

and enthusiastically participates in special events - even posing as a beanie baby for last year’s Hal-

loween celebration. He is not very fond of snacking between meals, but will munch socially and par-

ticularly enjoys back scratches. Zeus loves attending horse shows with his owner, and goes to the

salon every six weeks to keep that beautiful coat looking great! A raw egg every morning helps keep

his coat shiny and soft, it’s a true breakfast of champions. Lesa Smith adopted him approx. 6 years

ago and we believe he is 10-years-old.

Meet Our Volunteer Therapy Dogs

Zoey is a bit of a foodie and serves as a quality checker for the popcorn on Wednesdays. She is

the adopted sister of Zeus and is about 10-years-old. You could not ask for a sweeter co-worker than

Zoey. Her specialty is cuddling. She sees the good side of everyone and could sit for hours with her

head in your lap, gazing up into your eyes. She always appreciates a tummy rub and if bending down

to the floor is too difficult, she is more than happy to find a taller surface such as a chair or bed for

easier access. Zoey also eats a raw egg every morning! Zoey says that the best part of being at Bur-

cham is the people.

Zane is our adjunct therapist and a valued member of the team. He can often be seen taking his

human around to visit, displaying both a professional attitude and a charming range of abilities with

which to amuse. Zane is particularly notable for his gentility of character and soft-spoken friendli-

ness. Whatever we may be doing, when he comes into the room, both residents and employees put

activities on hold for a moment’s pleasant conversation with our favorite visitor.

We don’t get to see our gentle giant, Axel, very often but he certainly stops traffic when he

comes into the building. Axel comes from a proud breed of rescue workers whose motto of loyalty

and a sweet temperament is the single most important characteristic of the Newfoundland. It is evi-

dent that he is the epitome of this standard. Despite his size, Axel likes to take things at an easy,

comfortable pace, enjoying with tranquility the time he has to spend here with some of his favorite

people. Allison in the Therapy Dept. is Axel’s mom.

Page 11 Page 7 Page 14 The Foundation at Burcham Hills Nov 2018

News from The Foundation at Burcham Hills By Lesa Smith, Foundation Director

Legendary Entertainers Who Didn’t Have a Will Viken Mikaelian, CEO, PlannedGiving.com

When the Queen of Soul died last month at the age of 76, she left behind a musical legacy that spanned more than six dec-

ades. But she also left behind something else: An expensive legal mess for her family.

You see, Aretha Franklin died without having created a will. According to CNN, Franklin has four sons who have filed

legal documents “listing themselves as interested parties.” The story also says a niece has requested that the court appoint

her as an estate representative. Franklin's lawyer reportedly asked Franklin “constantly” to create a trust, “but she never got

around to it” — just like 60 percent of Americans. "It would have expedited things and kept them out of probate and kept

things private," he told the news outlet. "I just hope (Franklin's estate) doesn't end up getting so hotly contested," Wilson

said. "Any time they don't leave a trust or will, there always ends up being a fight."

Ms. Franklin joins a number of other notable entertainers who left their loved ones in the lurch. Their failure to

properly prepare has meant lengthy court battles, millions upon millions of dollars in attorney fees and money that’s need-

lessly ended up in the hands of the government instead of helping their loved ones or the charities those entertainers sup-

ported in life.

We’ll start with Prince. The Purple One’s $200 million estate was in limbo for more than two years because he didn’t

create a will or trust. The Associated Press reported that after Prince died, “more than 45 people came forward as potential

heirs to his estate, with many claiming to be a wife, child, sibling or other relative.” That included an inmate who falsely

claimed to be Prince’s son. The federal government, state of Minnesota and a number of financial institutions “are entitled

to about half of the assets as well” through taxes and fees.

What’s been called a “small army of lawyers” drained “at least $5.9 million in fees and expenses.” Even worse, news re-

ports claim that figure doesn’t include a request for nearly $2.9 million in fees and expenses from a financial services com-

pany and its lawyers; additional fees “for the heirs’ lawyers and other attorneys, or fees for the estate’s main music adviser,

Spotify executive Troy Carter.” After the dust settled, the courts ruled his sister and five half-siblings as heirs, but as re-

cently as April, media outlets were reporting that the estate was still in upheaval, and his heirs still hadn’t received a pen-

ny.

Amy Winehouse also died without a will, and her parents ended up inheriting her $4.66 million estate. Her father, Mitch

Winehouse, acted as the administrator — and if some media reports are to be believed, she had a very contentious relation-

ship with him. There were also reports that she still loved her ex-husband, but he didn’t get a cent — perhaps he would

have if she’d had a plan in place.

But wait, there’s more: According to The Mirror, Winehouse’s family had to use the majority of her estate to settle bills

and debts. As of May 2013, the story states, “accounts … reveal that there is less than £180,000 left in her six music com-

panies, despite the singer being reportedly worth £10 million at the height of her success.” The story goes on to say that

her parents needed to “take out loans of £600,000 to cover the costs of dealing with her financial affairs.” Her father said,

“sorting out her estate had cost them an ‘absolute fortune.’”

Bob Marley was also a member of the no-will club. It took over 30 years of contentious legal battles for his heirs to settle

his estate. Jamaican law decreed his fortune be divided among his wife and 11 children — and that left his wife with only

10 percent of his assets. It took decades of litigation for his family to be awarded with the rights to his name and likeness.

Likewise for Jimi Hendrix, when the rock legend died in 1970 without a will, the fight over his estate also took more than

30 years. Then, when his father died in 2002, a new fight broke out between Jimi’s siblings over the use of the singer's im-

age. Rolling Stone magazine reported a settlement in that case was finally reached in 2015 — 45 years after his death!

Remember when Sonny Bono died in 1998? The entertainer, who had become a businessman, mayor and congressman,

didn’t have a will when he had a fatal encounter with a tree while skiing. With a resume like that, you’d think he would

have known better. Yet his wife had to battle through probate court to become the executor of his $1.7 million estate.

While his fortunes were finally divided between her and his two children, a child who claimed to be from a previous rela-

tionship made a claim on the estate as well. And his ex-wife and former musical partner, Cher, also filed a claim seeking

back alimony.

. . . Continued on page 16

Ask Questions / Get Answers

Wednesday, November 7, at 1:15 pm in the Private Dining Room. The Resident Association Board approved the following at its meeting on Oct. 8. The Ask

Questions / Get Answers weekly meeting will now meet once per month beginning

Nov. 7. In addition, the monthly floor/neighborhood meetings will begin taking notes for

each meeting and these will be included with the Ask Questions monthly notes and distribut-

ed each month. Essential information communication will continue on an “as needed” basis.

Speaking Agenda: 1:15-1:30 Pam Ditri, Executive Director 1:30-1:40 Guest Speaker—Kathleen Leslie, Memory Care Manager 1:40-1:50 Hospitality Services Team

Page 11 Page 7 Page 15 BURCHAM BEACON

In Memory Of We take this time to remember those we loved and have passed away during the month of

October. We express our sincere thoughts and prayers to their families.

Gunnell Zaar ~ September 30 Ethel Fons ~ October 4

Lucien Todman ~ October 4 Clarice Cocco ~ October 6

Greg Brown ~ October 11 Rev. Francis Anderson ~ October 18

Gordon McDonald ~ October 19

Burcham Hills Bake Sale Tuesday, November 6, 8:00 am

to AWR Hallway We are looking for families and staff to

volunteer to bring in baked goods (please no refriger-

ated items) for the bake sale, which will be held out-

side of the voting precinct held in the Ada Whitehouse

Room. Please contact Diane Parsons, ext. 214, or Jen-

nifer Rose, ext. 222, for additional questions. Baked

Goods will be accepted on November 5 in the CHR

Nursing Office. All proceeds from the Bake Sale will

benefit the Christmas Celebration for the Elders.

Resident Association Employee Holiday Party Friday, December 14, 2-3:00 pm / AWR The Resident Association invites all residents, employees and their families to this

year’s Holiday Party. Each year, the Burcham Hills Resident Association sponsors a

holiday party to honor all employees and to present each with a monetary gift.

The Resident Association is currently taking contributions for the Resident Association Hol-

iday Fund. Contributions to the Fund can be made in the Business Office. If you have al-

ready contributed, it is most appreciated.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We want to wish all our clients and the entire Burcham Hills Community a blessed and bountiful Thanksgiving. We are thankful for each one of you!

LaDolce Vita Salon & Spa Holly, Pam & Cina

Holiday Gift Certificates Available!

Page 11 Page 7 November 2018 Page 16

“Those People” By Phil Douglas, Resident

I recently heard several conversations where people in the Memory Care neighborhoods were referred to as

“those people.” This term was used in a rather demeaning manner. I have been living with my wife in a

Memory Care area of Burcham Hills for a little over a year. I do not claim to be an expert, but this is what I

have learned about “those people.”

They are people just like the rest of the residents at Burcham Hills. They have emotions, opinions, good moods

and bad moods. And some have a marvelous sense of humor. They also have something in common with most

of the residents. They have an affliction, which in their case affects their short-term memory, while other resi-

dents are afflicted with other conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and arthritis, to name a

few. Of course, all of us are experiencing a condition referred to as old age, maturity or we may prefer to call it

“late middle age.”

Until recently, the Memory Care neighborhoods on the fifth floor have been secured, but recently they have

been left open. This certainly adds a little normalcy to the residents’ living conditions.

It is my hope that we here at Burcham Hills realize that we have more in common with each other than we

might think.

And finally, if this writing sounds rather amateurish, it’s because I am not a trained writer. All my college train-

ing was in mathematics, and you may be surprised I still can’t balance my checkbook!

Voting Precinct As a reminder, Burcham Hills is a voting precinct for the City of East Lansing. Voting will be held

on Tuesday, November 6, in the Ada Whitehouse Room. Polls are open from 7:00 am—8:00

pm.

Daylight Savings Time Before going to bed on Saturday, November 3, please remember to move your clocks back one

hour.

. . . Continued from Page 14—Foundation

Be Prepared — Create a Will

Don’t make the mistake these wealthy, and presumably well-advised, entertainers made.

If you die intestate — without a will — your estate is out of the hands of your loved ones, and any wishes you’d had for it

essentially pass away with you. Your estate immediately goes to a probate court, which will appoint someone

of their choosing to handle claims made against your estate and the distribution of whatever assets remain.

If you haven’t established a will or trust, your estate will be subject to excessive, mostly avoidable taxation that will si-

phon off a huge percentage that could have gone to your heirs or favorite charities. You’ll subject your loved ones to

needless, lengthy, frustrating and heartbreaking court proceedings. You’ll be lining the pockets of attorneys, instead of

helping the people and causes you care about. Creating a will is the only way to ensure your wishes will be carried out

after your death. Spare your loved ones the heartache of having to grieve AND sort out a legal mess at the same time.

Your attorney or financial advisor can get you started in the right direction to ensure your estate is handled as you deem

appropriate. Mikaelian, V. (2018, September). The Queen of Soul Didn't Have a Will. Giving Tomorrow, pg.4.

The Foundation at Burcham Hills exists to generate and receive charitable gifts in support of the entire Burcham Hills Community. As a 501(c)(3)

not-for-profit organization, gifts received through the Foundation are tax-deductible related to applicable state and federal law. For additional in-

formation regarding the many charitable ways to give to The Foundation at Burcham Hills, please contact Lesa Smith at (517) 827-2924 or

lsmith@burchamhills.com. Charitable donations allow Burcham Hills to continue developing programing and services that touch the lives of all who

call Burcham Hills home or receive invaluable rehabilitation care and assistance.

Regularly Scheduled Program Descriptions

Bridge If you are interested in playing, see Resident Ellie Miller (room 233) for more information.

Brain Boosters (Sat., 10:30 am/4RC): Come test your knowledge on a variety of subjects using both trivia and

other brain games such as word searches, word scramble puzzles, and cross word puzzles. These are often fo-

cused on a timely topic such as a holiday or based on a theme.

Cooking Class (Thur., 2:30 pm/GLR): We provide the recipe, ingredients and supplies for a new recipe each

week, often focused on the holidays or season each month.

Euchre (Thur., 3:00pm/3CHR): Classic 4-person trick-taking card game.

Farkle (Mon., 1:00 pm; Thur., 2:30 pm; Sat., 3:00 pm/4RC): A classic dice-rolling, risk-taking game. Don’t

know how to play? No worries, we will teach you…it’s easy!

Geographic Explorer Film (Fri., 6:30 pm/4RC): A variety of series are presented with a focus on nature, geog-

raphy and world exploration.

Lecture Series (Mon. & Fri., 10:15 am/4RC): Each week a new lecture from online educational sources will be

presented. Residents select the series they wish to have presented next.

Lifelong Learners (Mon/Thur., 4:00 pm/PDR): This learning experience is provided via videos through Great

Courses. Topics are selected by a committee of residents. Each video series comes with a transcript and guide

books to assist in the learning experience.

Making Strides Walking Group (Thur., 9:30 am/4RC): Recreation staff will accompany residents on a walk

through the community and outdoors. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing. Staff will adjust the pace of the

walk to meet the needs of those who attend that group.

Manicures (Mon., 3:15 pm/5RC; Fri., 2:30 pm/4RC): Recreation staff will file, buff and even paint your nails.

This is a first come, first served opportunity. If time runs out, we will make every effort to schedule additional

time.

Michigan History Group (Tues., 6:30 pm/PDR): Each week is a new topic focused on our beautiful Mitten

State. Recreation staff presents their findings and residents share stories of their experiences. Residents help pick

the topic for the upcoming week.

Reference a Librarian (Wed., 12:30 pm/2RC Lobby): Annie from the East Lansing Public Library provides

books to loan and will take requests to bring for future visits.

Tech Time with Sarah (Tues., 2:30 pm/4RC): Do you have a question or need help with your tablet, laptop or

cell phone? Sarah will provide one-on-one assistance to teach and assist with your questions.

Travels Through Time (Wed., 9:15 am/4RC): Travel to a different time and place, no ticket necessary. Using

videos, slide shows and historical information, you will feel as though you are traveling through time and experi-

encing the wonders of the world.

Quilting for a Cause (Wed., 10:00 am/2CHR): Residents make quilts to be donated to area organizations in

need. We have all the equipment and can teach anyone interested in being involved.

Wii Bowling (Wed., 1:00 pm/5RC): No heavy balls or rented shoes, come try your skill at the Wii version of a

favorite past time!

Wine & Cheese Social (Every other Wed., 4:00 pm/2RC Lobby): Enjoy wine and cheese selections while

Lucille plays the piano. It is a wonderful social opportunity to gather before dinner.

*Do you have a question about a program or a new program idea?

Contact Alesha Williams at (517) 827-1068 or stop by the Recreation office (1RC).

Page 11 Page 7 Page 17 BURCHAM BEACON

Stroke Education and Support Group Wednesday, November 7, 2018 2:30 - 4:00 pm, Private Dining Room

Sparrow Health System and The Center for Health & Rehabilitation at Burcham Hills have partnered to bring a fresh approach in stroke support to the Lansing area. Each meeting will have an educational component followed by support and sharing time. The goal of this group is to provide invaluable infor-mation from experts in various areas to aid those who have suffered from a stroke.

Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group Friday, November 16, 2018 (3rd Friday) 1:30—2:30 pm, Private Dining Room

It’s a family affair. You are not alone in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. This Caregiver Support Group can help. The support group is designed to offer emotional support and provide helpful information on coping with the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease. The group is facilitated by trained support group professionals. The group is confidential, free and open to the public. Everyone needs support, especially those caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s Disease. We hope you can join us each month!

Monthly Music Opportunities

Sing-a-Long w/ Jug & Mug

Sunday, November 18 / 7:00 pm / Ada Whitehouse Room

Piano w/ Lucille Olson

Wednesdays / 4:00-5:00 pm / 2nd floor RC Lobby

Piano w/ Lorrie Dyal

Tuesdays / 10:15-11:00 am / CHR 3rd Floor

Piano w/ Marvin Lyons

2nd & 4th Friday / 4:00-4:30 pm / CHR 3rd Floor

Parkinson’s Disease Dialogue Group Friday, November 9, 2018 (2nd Friday) 3:00 pm, Private Dining Room

Opportunity for residents with Parkinson’s Disease to come together and get acquainted and discuss mutual concerns.

Bible Study (The Peoples Church)* Each Thursday at 3:00 pm / 4RC

Postponed until further notice

Open Bible Study (Non-Denominational)*

Wednesdays, 10:00 am / Burcham Library

Rosary & Communion*

Thursdays, 10:00 am / AWR

Catholic Mass will be November 8

TV Mass (Catholic)

Sundays, 10:00 am / AWR

Episcopal Service (4th Tues)*

November 27 / 2:00 pm / 3MC - Red Cedar

Vespers (Non-Denominational)

Sundays, 4:00 pm / AWR

November 4 - Rev. Drew Filkins, The Peoples Church

November 11 - Rev. Fred Fritz, All Saints Episcopal Church

◊ Communion will be offered

November 18 - Rev. Fred Graham, Eastminster Presbyterian

November 25 - Rev. Julie Winklepleck, St. Paul Lutheran

Page 11 Page 7 Page 18 November 2018 Spiritual Wellness & Support Groups

Wednesday MOVIES* 7:00 pm - Showing in the AWR/1RC*

November 7 – RBG (2018) Providing an illuminating look at the life of trailblazer Ruth Bader Ginsburg —including her career-defining work in gen-der-discrimination law — this engaging documentary charts her journey to become a justice on America’s highest court. [97 min] Cast: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Gloria Steinem, Bill Clinton

November 14 - St .Vincent (2014) With his parents preoccupied with their divorce, lonely 12-year-old Oliver strikes up a friendship with his war-veteran neighbor, Vincent. A hard-drinking gambler with a fondness for hookers, Vincent finds his life changed by the boy’s pres-ence. [102 min] Cast: Bill Murray, Melissa McCarthy, Naomi Watts November 21 - An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving

(2008)

In this moving Hallmark Channel drama based on a short story by Louisa May Alcott, struggling widow Mary Bassett is trying to support three children, but money is so tight that they can’t even afford a Thanksgiving turkey. An unex-pected visit from her estranged —and moneyed — mother means Mary can prepare a proper holiday meal. However, it will take more than a feast to heal this family’s emotional wounds. [88 min] Cast: Jacqueline Bisset, Tatiana Maslany, Helene Joy

Saturday MOVIES* 1:30 pm - Showing in the PDR/2RC*

November 3 - The Book Thief (2013)

Showtime moved to 7:00 pm Young Liesel steals books to teach herself to read, giving her refuge from the horrors of Nazi Germany and her cold foster parents. When not reading, she forms a bond with the Jewish man her adoptive family is hiding in their home. [131 min] Cast: Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, Sophie Nelisse

November 10 – Funny Face (1957) Dispatched on an assignment, New York City-based fashion photographer Dick Avery (Fred Astaire) is struck by the beauty of Jo Stockton (Audrey Hepburn), a shy bookstore employee he's photographed by accident, who he believes has the potential to become a successful model. He gets Jo to go with him to France, where he snaps more pictures of her against iconic Parisian backdrops. In the process, they fall for one another, only to find hurdles in their way. [103 min] Cast: Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire, Kay Thompson

November 17 – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

(2008)

David Fincher directs this Oscar-nominated tale of Benja-min Button — a man who was born old and wrinkled but grows younger as the years go by — with a screenplay adapted from a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. [166 min] Cast: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton

November 24 - Just Like Heaven (2005) Shortly after David moves into a new place, winsome Eliza-beth shows up to assert that the apartment is hers, then van-ishes. When she starts appearing and disappearing at will, David thinks she’s a ghost, while Elizabeth is convinced she’s alive. [85 min] Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Mark Ruffalo, Donal Logue

A Movie Committee selects the movies shown each month, which are based on resident requests.

If you would like to be a part of the committee or you have a movie to suggest,

please contact Maxine Hewett or someone in the Recreation Therapy Office, 1RC.

*All programing complies with the FHA. Some programs may require support staff, which will need to be arranged with the Personal Wellness

and/or Recreation departments prior to the event.

Page 11 Page 7 Page 19 BURCHAM BEACON Movies

November 28 - Swing Time (1936) In this classic musical, Fred Astaire plays Lucky, a gam-bler who misses his wedding to a young socialite and must come up with $25,000 for another chance with her. But after meeting lovely dance instructor Penny, he for-gets about his old flame. [104 min] Cast: Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Victor Moore

2018 Calendar Movie Spotlight

November Meetings

12 Res. Assn. Monthly Mtg—1:30 pm / PDR 28 Resident Council—11:00 am / 3 CHR 29 Food & Dining Comm.—1:30 pm / PDR

BINGO

LOCATIONS

Saturdays 10:30 am 2CHR

Sundays 2:30 pm 2CHR

Fridays 2:30 pm 3RC &

3CHR

April 2016 Page 2 November 2018 Page 20

Recreation Team

Alesha Williams, CTRS

Recreation Manager

Ext. 417 or 827-1068

Resident Center

Ext. 277 or 827-1061 Sarah Schimm

RC Recreation Assistant

Evonne White

MC Recreation Assistant

Center for Health & Rehab

Ext. 277 or 827-1061

Taylor Bosom, CTRS

CHR Recreation Therapist

Maegan Anderson, CTRS

2&3CHR Recreation Therapist

Eldon Wood

2&3CHR Recreation Lead

Chelsea Cole

2&3CHR Recreation Assistant

Volunteers & Events

Ext. 435 or 332-5227 Kimber Lucius

Events & Volunteer Planning

Wellness Team

Ext. 420 or 827-2452

Elizabeth Pahl, BA

Wellness Supervisor

Molly Fultz, BS

Fitness Specialist

Kirsty Bullis, BS

Fitness Specialist

Alicia Feldpausch

Massage Therapist

Transportation

Ext. 267 Abdullah Masood

Director—ext. 371

Dave Alward / Terry Lickman

Drivers

December Upcoming Events

14 Resident Association Employee Holiday Party 18 Resident Center Christmas Party 20 Center for Health & Rehabilitation Christmas Party 31 New Year’s Eve Party

Welcome New Residents! #431 Richard & Mary Reid #427 Dr. Joe Leshock #359 Sharon Dawson #435 Beverley “Bev” Garrison

November Highlights 1 Thursday Night Special: Marvin, Monty & Sarah 2 Meridian Community Band Concert Outing 3 Music Performance with Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia 5 Gadget Workshop 5 Ballroom Dancing Class 7 Stroke Education & Support Group 8 Historical Figures: Henry & Friends 9 Parkinson’s Disease Dialogue Group 9 MSU Music Series 11 Men’s Event: Movie Showing “This is the Army” 12 Veteran’s Day Social w/ Jay Hill 12 Ballroom Dancing Class 14 Art Appreciation Discussion 15 Harvest Gathering w/ The Generations 15 Lansing Symphony Orchestra: Brahms Symphony No. 3 16 Lunch Bunch Outing: Boston’s 16 Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group 18 Jug & Mug Sing-a-Long 19 Young at Heart Singers Performance 19 Ballroom Dancing 20 Big House Book Club 26 The Nutcracker Ballet 28 Lansing Matinee Musicale 29 Thursday Night Special w/ Jay Hill 30 Christmas Tree Decorating Parties 30 MSU Music Series

November Birthdays 1 Lois Smith 4 Patricia Potter 4 Ann McGuire 5 Marian Rens 6 Alvin Rippen

10 Elaine Pierce 12 Lorrie Dyal 14 Blanche Kincaid 20 Penny Duncan 20 Janet Muller 20 Richard Randall 20 Lillian Morrisette 22 Lois Womboldt 22 Rose Heinritz 22 Christine Farr 22 Grover Stovall 24 Inez Premo 24 Ernamarie Messenger 28 Carol Symolon 29 Robert Chute 29 Edward Fitzgerald 30 Alice Throop