"Vic Made Me Do It"

 

One of the privileges of living at Kendal at Granville is getting to know  the wonderful talented people who live here.  This blog is about just two of my fellow residents, Vic and Ed. They are notable for a variety of reasons however here I am only going to write about how they shared their talents with the rest of us through two of their projects in the woodworking shop – namely Vic’s bluebird houses and Ed’s lazy susans.  Both of these projects have added beauty to our community.

The bluebird houses  were one of the early projects made in the shop.  Residents who had discovered the presence of bluebirds on our campus readily responded when Vic brought a model of the birdhouse to a Residents’ Association meeting offering to make them for a reasonable price.  (The money received for woodworking shop projects goes to shop improvement.  No one personally receives any money for work done in the shop.)   Soon bluebird houses were perched here and there to encourage bluebirds to take up residence here at Kendal.  Bits of conversation overheard at dinner and at other times tell me that the houses have been successful and that residents can now watch bluebirds close up because Vic shared his talent with the community.  Since the bird houses look pretty much as you expect a bird house to look I have not included any photos of them.   Nor have I been lucky enough to get a photo of one of the bluebirds to share.

 

I have included photos of the lazy susans Ed made because he  created an original design for each one.    I had heard bits of the story about them but before writing this blog I went to the originator so I could fill in the details and be sure the ones I had were correct.  When I approached Ed, the first thing he told me was, “Vic made me do it.”  Then he explained to me what he meant.

In the beginning there were small lazy susans on our larger round dining room tables. Tightly clustered in their centers were a salt and pepper shaker, packets of sweetener, along with blank comment cards and a small pencil. Due to the diameter of the tables it took someone with  an exceptionally long arm to reach those items without a struggle.    On top of that problem the one on the table where Vic and Ed sat with their wives didn’t really spin as it should.  So one night (possibly several nights) Vic said to Ed, “You really ought to take that thing down to the shop and fix it.”  Ed, being the helpful person that he is did just that..

 

When Ed returned it, as an observant engineer who enjoys nothing better than solving problems, he very carefully placed each of the items normally kept on the lazy susan at the outer edge hoping to thus slightly increase their accessibility.  But the forces were against him.  When he returned for dinner that evening , he discovered everything huddled back in  the middle.  So Ed put his thinking cap on and designed larger lazy susans. To insure that things stayed on the perimeter he built into the design spaces designed to hold each of the items.  These were so specifically shaped  that no one would dare think of putting anything back in the center.   He did provide a space in the center for a small candle which no one needs to reach during the meal.

Vic and Ed are but two examples of the kind of people I encounter daily living at Kendal.

 

Three of the lazy susans created by Ed.  This project is ongoing as Ed's goal is to make one for each of our large tables.  Needless to say we are grateful to Ed because they make reaching things easier and they are lovely to look at as well.

 Ed even included the checkers on the one below so people could entertain themselves at this table.  They are especially popular with families who have visiting grandchildren.

Being Thankful

Those of us fortunate enough to live at Kendal have many things to be thankful for every day.  Celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday last week made me think more about what it is that I have to be grateful for,  For one thing there's the security of knowing that they will take care of me through all of the stages of care which I may need.  That's the benefit of having chosen a continuing care community and not just an assisted living one where I would need to move to another institution if I needed skilled nursing.

I know that Kendal has led the way in freeing patients from restraint and as a retired nurse who once taught geriatric nursing I know how important that is.  They have worked to eliminate not only physical restraints but also chemical restraints.  Freeing patients from restraints makes for much more humane treatment and also recognizes the dignity of each being.  It means a lot to know I won't find myself tied to a chair and forgotten.

Also, as a retired nursing education administrator I know what the accreditation of schools of nursing has done to improve the quality of nursing education.  Thus I appreciate the efforts that Kendal Corporation has put into working towards the improvement of the care of the aging through accreditation which sets standards for care.  I've lived long enough to see the results of these efforts.  Knowing that Kendal strives to go beyond high standards of caring means I have a lot less stress in my life. 

Another thing I appreciate here at Kendal at Granville is not only the big things that make our life easier but the little things that occur.  For example last Friday, I didn't sign up for the bus trip provided for those of us who don't drive and have errands we need to make.  When I asked Amy, our facilities secretary if the bus was going to run, she said, "No one signed up."  When she learned that two of us had something we needed to take care of, she arranged for a driver to take us.

This morning I needed to find out about the results of a lab test for which the blood was drawn last week in anticipation of a followup visit to my endocrinologist.  I had received a copy of part of the results, but part were missing.  I needed to know if it was missing because it wasn't done or I just didn't get a copy of it. I called the wellness clinic and told Marie my story explaining that if it hadn't been done I would need to make arrangements to get it done.   By lunchtime she had tracked down the report which had been done but no copy sent.  She had a copy for me by the time I finished lunch.

It's these kinds of response to needs that make life more pleasant here and makes me be thankful for my life at Kendal every day not just on Thanksgiving.

Helping the Young to Read

Again this fall several Kendal residents traveled to the Newark Public Library to appear before groups of second-graders as volunteers in Call to College, a program designed to foster a love of reading in the kids, many of whom come from economically disadvantaged homes. Our participation last year seemed to have been constructive – and that was certainly the judgment of those who manage the program and who invited us back. Moreover, everyone at the Kendal end got a big kick out of it, with lovely, amusing, and startling stories to share. And so, when we were invited to step up again in 2012, there was no trouble finding interested volunteers. No surprise there: a community of seniors has a full complement of persons who want to be useful to the world they live in. That's why Kendal offers many sorts of opportunities for community volunteering. But this is the one I know most about, and so it's the one I'll comment on.

First, let me introduce our volunteers: Dave Skeen, Harriett Stone, Jack Condon, and Ted Barclay. (That's a smaller number than last year only because the public library asked that some slots be reserved for their own personnel.) The volunteers' assignment was to talk about their lives with groups of seven-year-olds at the Newark Public Library, focusing on how their lifelong engagement with books had made their careers possible. The school kids arrived with questions prepared, and they were of course bubbling with the excitement that comes from the feeling of novelty and freedom that is triggered by any school field trip.

The quartet of volunteers brought an array of life experiences to these conversations – from reflections on induction into the armed forces to thoughts about the challenges of managing a small business.  Within their ranks the cast of volunteers provided administrators, a swimming coach, a psychologist, and a physician.

The residents reported having had a great time, and by all accounts the school kids had a blast. The lesson driven home again and again – and not all that subtly – was that an ability to read opened doors, brought all sorts of joy, made navigating the world far easier, and was a prerequisite to a successful, happy life.

In thinking over what they may have contributed, last years' volunteers sometimes wondered whether these moments of engagement were really too brief to make much of a difference in the lives of children. While it's hard to be confident that there will be a payoff for all the kids, it's easy to believe that Kendal's participation may be affecting the lives of some proportion of them. Much depends on the reinforcing effect of the various follow-ups that the Call to College program has, on family support of course, and on sheer luck. But without the Kendal contribution the odds against many of these children would be even longer. That's the hope that energizes the volunteers who live in our midst.

OUR BOOK GROUP

One of my favorite times here at Kendal is at 3:00 PM on the fourth Thursday of the month.  That's when sixteen to twenty of us, men and women, meet to discuss the book chosen for that month.  This started in March of 2006 which means we are in our sixth year and going strong!  I have a list of all the books we have read and it is rather impressive, I think.  We have no leader.  I convene the meeting at exactly 3:00 PM and we have only two rules:  we may only talk about the book and only one person may talk at a time.  We pass around the microphone and give each person a chance to talk at least once.  At 3:50 we end the discussion and decide together what we want to read next. We usually have a backlog of suggestions and then we vote.  Not all books appeal to all members at the same time.  However, everyone is a good sport and reads the chosen book and often says," I'm glad we chose this book because I really enjoyed it and never would have chosen it on my own."

Last month we read Turn Right at Machu Picchu.  Several members had traveled there and brought with them photographs of  their trip which of course made this book all the more interesting.  This month we  read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks which tells the story of a poor woman in the 1950's whose cells were used for research without her permission.  These cells turned out to be extremely important for research in curing many diseases and made alot of money for some people but not for her family.  We knew we needed help for this discussion and a retired Denison Biology Professor was willing to meet with us.  The professor talked about the importance of the cells and because he had also taught Bioethics, told us about the complicated consent forms we now have to sign before having procedures.

Next month we will read Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev.  This time the discussion will be led by the daughter of one of our members who is a Professor of Russian Literature at Duke University. I will tell you about that next month.

The membership is certainly diverse.  Our youngest member is seventy and our oldest is ninety.  We have nurses and teachers and engineers and people of various other backgrounds.  Everyone is welcome!

Construction Blues

Very recently I've detected what might be called a touch of construction blues.  Although it was a very hot day back in July 2011 when ground breaking was held for the beginning of Phase II here there was considerable enthusiasm for the project.  Residents were  eagerly looking forward to the expansion which would add 24 apartments, 32 skilled nursing beds, 11 additional accomodations for assisted living, more space for the crowded physical therapy department, enhancement of the dining and kitchen facilities, and a gathering room which promises more space as well as eagerly awaited  more comfortable chairs. 

As work began we realized we would encounter inconveniences along the way in addition to the appearance of a lot of changes.  Throughout it all we have adapted to changed traffic patterns, backup beepers, temporary utility shut offs, alternate plagues of mud and dust,  strange loud noises, and more. 

There have been some compensations such as new topics of conversation and new activities to entertain us.  Daily conversations frequently have to do with what new equpment has been seen, where fences have appeared, changes that have occurred in the landscaping, etc., etc.  It's been fascinating to watch the huge cranes first at one end of the campus where the work on the Health Center is going forward and then at the opposite end where the apartment building is going up.  Watching those dare devils put up the roofing enthralled some of us as we observed their agility.  Our monthly Resident Association meetings.have become more interesting with the addition of regular construction updates. 

But  now it's well over a year since it all began and it's becoming "old hat."  Also, the sprawl of work sites over the campus has had its effect as Phase II has spread from its initial areas at opposite ends of our community building to smack dab in the middle.  One of these, the Gathering Room hasn't been as disruptive  as that of the kitchen and dining facilities where everything has been literally knocked out of kilter.  The food serving area has been moved into one of our dining rooms - that dining room has been moved into our main lobby - lobby furniture has disappeared and reappeared scattered hither, thither, and yon - part of the Bistro has vanished behind temporary walls - hidden away behind temporary walls is the kitchen area. 

 Goodness only knows how the kitchen staff still manages to prepare the same quality of food as in the past.  As the kitchen, dining and maintenace staff gallantly managed these transformations we adjusted to finding our food in unfamiliar spots.  Many thanks have to go to those staff people who patiently dealt with our grumbling as we searched.  To their credit none of us missed a meal 

Our kitchen and dining staff has done a remarkable job of keeping things going smoothly.  I'm sure they are walking extra miles daily due to the new configuration.  My hat is off to them for the way they keep smiling on as they cope daily with the total discombobulation of their working area.  I think if I were one of them I would be singing the blues loudly and probably off key.

 I'm noticing that the questions being asked more frequently have to do with the finishing date of Phase II. e.g.  "Will the kitchen and dining room be ready for the holidays?  When will we be able to use the Gathering Room for our programs?  How soon will they open the skilled nursing beds? and "What's the date for people to move into the new apartments?" 

I suspect one thing that is contributing to the "blues" is the fact that as the finishing date has come closer our ability to see what's happening is decreasing.  With the skeletal stages  completed everything is enclosed and the workmen are no longer visible.  But we still hear the noises behind the walls.  Guided tours of the Health Center the last week in September helped to satisfy a lot of our curiosity by answering a number of our questions and giving us a chance to get answers to the ones that came up as we toured. 

I'm sure the blues won't last. As I think about it just now we're rather like youngsters looking forward to Christmas when they get to open their gifts.  So I'm confident as we see more and more of the outside finishing touches appearing our blues will turn to carols of joy.  I believe that the staff and residents will come together as they have for the holidays in the past and our spirits will be lifted as the New Year brings the culmination of all of our Phase II projects.

Graffiti Art at Kendal

Kendal residents often respond to surprises in inventive ways. We experienced a demonstration of this happy truth recently when the community suddenly proved itself the home of an imaginative swarm of graffiti artists.

Here's the background. Our construction project finally reached the dining area last month, and as a consequence a make-shift partition unexpectedly appeared in the servery, separating the Bistro from whatever sort of remodeling work was taking place, out of sight, behind it. The bleak partition was ugly and off-putting. But it was also an opportunity. So it was soon white-washed. And we all know what happens to a broad expanse of inviting and empty white space. Yes, very quickly residents, staff members, and visiting children arrived on the scene and, encouraged by a conveniently-placed quiver of diversely-colored markers, began to transform the white wall into a message board that captured the sparkling spirits of the community. The effect was vibrant.

Some artists cheered their teams on – the Buckeyes, of course, but also the Steelers, the Denison football squad, and Michigan (???).

Others penned love notes.

The physical therapy staff left advice that gives pause: "Complaining only encourages us."

Color abounded, especially in a lovely rainbow and a striking sunrise.

At one edge of the wall, half of a face glared around the corner at the spectators observing him.

Aphoristic advice was common. "Live, Laugh, Love" seems like ever-relevant counsel. "Love makes the world go round" recalls the hopeful prescription afforded us by a popular song.

And speaking of songs, one artist contributed some measures of music to the board.

The lowest reaches of the board seemed to have been the domain of children, some of whom left lovely and occasionally perplexing scrawls. And although no ladder was visible, some artists had managed to reach the highest reaches of the wall too.

Some artists displayed an impressive talent for drawing, with complicated figures and skilled use of shadowing.

Other messages reminded the viewer that Kendal is a community of persons with a long acquaintance with American life. When, for example, was the last time you saw the once-ubiquitous "Kilroy was here"?

Everyone will have a favorite entry. Mine – because it reflects a not-uncommon experience – was the simple declaration that "Kendal is full of angels."

Art has many functions. One is lifting the soul. Our graffiti art board certainly achieved that goal.

What Others Think of Kendal

Recently as I was checking in with the nurse for my quarterly follow up visit with my physician in the hematology/oncology clinic at the hospital she asked me if my blood work had been drawn at Kendal the previous day as ordered.  When I replied in the affirmative, she responded that she really didn't have to ask because she knew that clients/patients coming to them from Kendal always had everything done as it should be.  She said that was one thing they could count on.  I see this as a very positive reflection on the way that Kendal at Granville strives to maintain the quality of our life here.

This response told me that there is a close collaboration of Kendal with the local hospital which insures the quality of our health care.  It frees us to concentrate on other matters if we don't have to worry about the many details they take care of for us. 

For example one of the things I find most helpful is that arrangements have been made between Kendal and the hospital for a laboratory technician to come here every Tuesday and Thursday morning to draw blood.  Since I have a medical condition that requires frequent blood draws I am really thankful that I don't have to make a trip to the hospital laboratory for each test.  Since there are others also waiting for the technician, I know that I'm not the only one that benefits from this plan.

The incident occurring at the hospital clinic is typical of the kind of remarks I hear from outsiders when I mention that I live at Kendal.  It all adds up to reinforcing my sense of the rightness of having made a good choice when I chose Kendal as my home.

Feeling Secure

Recent events in both my personal life and in the life of friends have made me reflect on what it is about Kendal that makes me so thankful I live here.  As I have thought about it I have concluded that one of the chief reasons is the feeling of security I have here.  I've come to see that it is a security that comes not from one but from several facets of life at Kendal.  A friend wrote today that he and his wife were faced with unexpected changes in the way charges were being made where they live.  They are not sure that they can manage them and will have to move out. I thought to myself, "Thank goodness, I'm at Kendal where we are assured that we will be cared for until life ends."  I also thought of the transparent manner which keeps us attuned to how Kendal manages financial affairs especially efforts to keep costs down.

Then I thought about a brief discussion with the family of someone in another apartment who just recently moved to assisted living.   I had become aware that she has been struggling more and more with more and more aspects of life.  I saw her walking endlessly in the hall no longer able to find meaningful ways to spend her time.  I knew that once she made the move that someone there would make sure she got to meals on time regularly as well as help her with activities especially planned for those living in assisted living.  From observing what had happened when another friend had made the same transition I knew she would be more secure in that setting.  I also know that if the time comes that I need it, it will be there for me.

There are lots of other things that contribute to my feeling of security.  If I need help opening one of those medication containers which are supposed to keep children out, but seem to me to be devised to keep seniors out as well, I can ask for help from anyone on the staff.  I know that if I need help in a hurry I can pull the call button in my apartment and someone will respond to my call as they did the night my blood sugar dropped to a dangerous low of 50. If one of our drivers takes us to a medical appointment we will have a steady hand to assist us should we need help with a walker or a wheelchair.  Someone makes rounds throughout the apartment building and the village at night checking on all sorts of safety issues such as lighting and locks.  Our social worker warns us about scams that are particularly directed at oldsters.  The list goes on and on - lots of big and little things here make me feel secure so that I can live without fear.  That's a lot to be thankful for each day.

Memory and Poetry

I want to talk about a serious subject and, for those who recognize themselves in the discussion that I'm about to launch, to suggest a path that offers many rewards. To jump to the end: I'm going to advocate the virtues of memorizing poetry. (Please don't tune me out.)

There's no one I know, seventy or older, who does not, at least privately, worry about his (or her) memory. What are we to make of those little lapses? The names we can't summon forth instantaneously? The chore that slips our mind? The purpose for which we came into this room in the first place? We don't want to spend our time worrying. Still less do we want to discuss our concern and give our children reason to worry. But still. . . .

And so we adopt tactics designed to train our minds. Treating our brains like muscles, we apply our own versions of the "use it or lose it principle." We work out crosswords, we play bridge, we puzzle our way through sudokus; or we resume piano lessons from childhood days, we finally set out to learn French or Spanish; or perhaps we enroll in courses in the nearest college. All of this is fun – in fact, we wouldn't do it if it weren't – but we also hope that the activity is a useful mental exercise, keeping us a bit ahead of the game as we look for strategies for graceful aging.

In these generalizations I am of course including myself. It's true that I watch others and share observations with them. But above all I draw my impressions from consulting my own consciousness. And so in urging a turn to the memorization of poetry as a form of proactive therapy for memory slippage I'm touting an exercise that I've enjoyed.

It is likely that many of you will recall being asked to memorize poems in school.  That sound practice, sadly, has almost disappeared. And for some of course it was simply an unpleasant inflicting of needless pain. But there were many – and those are the ones I appeal to first and foremost – who, whatever they made of the school assignments at the time, recall now that poetry could sometimes have a certain charm, or power, or magnetism, or incisiveness that made lines . . . well . . . memorable.

For example (and say these aloud):

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep
And miles to go before I sleep.

Or:

The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power,
And all that beauty, all that wealth, e'er gave,
Await alike the inevitable hour,
The paths of glory lead but to the grave.

Or:

Bring me my bow of burnished gold,
Bring me my arrows of desire;
Bring me my spear, o clouds unfold;
Bring me my chariot of fire.

I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall the sword sleep in my hand,
Til we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land.

Or (one of my favorites):

Innocence seeth'd in her mother's milk,
And charity setting the martyr aflame;
Thraldom that walks with the banner of Freedom,
And recks not to ruin a realm in her name.

Or (one of everyone's favorites):

To be, or not to be – that is the question.
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles
And by opposing end them.

But rather than supply more examples I'll just become a cheerleader and say it: THIS STUFF IS WONDERFUL. If you speak the poems aloud, the words roll out of the mouth like rich candy – candy for the mouth, yes, but for the ears too, and the brain. If you're like me, it takes time to gain a control over lines of verse; but the achievement, when it comes, is very rewarding. I hope you won't think this an odd prescription. In fact, I hope you'll take it the way I feel it: as a desire to let friends in on the sheer fun of capturing and commanding poetry. Believe me. There's magic in the words of the great poets.

You'll notice I've changed my subject. And that's because I can't really claim that memorizing poetry improves your odds against cognitive impairment. (That was a come-on.) But it might. And it's lots of fun to boot. So my advice is to give it a try. What's there to lose?

Recovery

We are recovering nicely here at Kendal at Granville from four difficult days without power  during a record breaking heat wave  thanks to our marvelous staff.   About five o'clock on Friday, the twenty-ninth of June, as I was working at my computer in my den I sensed that it was growing darker and thought to myself, "Maybe we will get some rain and it will cool off."   Little did I dream what was about to happen.  Not even when the telephone rang and I heard the recorded message about an approaching storm from the fire chief of Granville village did it occur to me that we were about to be hit by hurricane force winds in less than ten minutes.

 Suddenly the sky was really dark - like about 9:15 p.m. - and the rain came in torrents and the wind roared in like a freight train.  Almost immediately the power went off leaving us in the dark wondering how long before it would return.   Our chef suddenly found himself  busier than the proverbial one armed paper hanger seeing that meals were served with only emergency power and also checking with the village officials to find out what they knew about how long the power would be out. The disheartening news he received was "three or more days."  Not what anyone wanted to hear with all weather reports indicating temperatures in the middle nineties for the coming week.  By morning the prediction was five to seven days. 

 Fortunately for us many of our administrative staff had helped us survive and recover when four years ago in late summer the tail end of hurricane Ike swung north from Louisiana and knocked out our power at that time for four days.  They learned the drill then.  Consequently although the next day was Saturday we saw them here bright and early to drag fans out of storage, locate needed extension cords, bring up extra supplies of bottled water from the basement, move furniture,etc., etc., etc.  Each one of them took it all in stride not missing a step.  No one asked, "Is this in my job description?"  They just did whatever needed to be done.

They did many things to make our life bearable without the benefit of full power.   I can only include a few.  One of the foremost things was to serve three meals a day for everyone.  Almost all of us  are on the one meal a day plan whereby we prepare two meals a day in our residences.  However, without power we couldn't cook.  One side benefit of this hardship was that it brought some of us together at mealtimes that didn't always see each other.

Lounge furniture was moved into one of the dining areas where staff had assembled an assortment of large fans and a couple of air coolers along with a television to  give us a lounge where we could relax and catch up on what was happening in the world at large. 

 Charging stations for cell phones were set up for residents who rely entirely on them for their phone service.  Staff made sure there was plenty of bottled water available so people would not become dehydrated.  As an insomniac one of my ways of coping with the dark nights was to move my den chair into the hall outside of my apartment where one of the ceiling emergency light provided me with light for reading and puzzle solving.  When the night man made his rounds, he never failed to ask me if I would like some water.

As much as possible we maintained our normal activities.  For example on Saturday a group of us saw that the ceramics created by residents went into the display cabinet as scheduled.
The newsletter came out on the first of July as expected.  

On Monday morning three of the administrative staff came around to each residence with black garbage bags to help us empty our refrigerators of all of the food that had been there too long without refrigeration and so must be discarded.  The housekeeping staff followed up to  clean the refrigerators where necessary.

Monday afternoon our hopes went up when the power went on in midafternoon.  But it went off again in a few minutes.  Some people got partial power later in the evening, but full power did not come on until about 2:00 p.m.  on Tuesday.  One of the most common sounds accompanying the sighs of relief as air conditioners started up was the sound of washing machines being started by those of us desperately in need of clean clothes.

We owe a huge THANK YOU to our staff for all they did for us in spite of the heat and I didn't hear a complaint from one of them.  No doubt the ones who deserve an extra measure of recognition are those who worked in the kitchen and dining room where the heat was greatest due to the cooking without benefit of air conditioning.  They are my heroes and heroines.

Now that we are experienced in the handling of extended power outages I believe that our staff could easily write a  valuable how-to book for others. 

Mealtimes

The importance of mealtime cannot be overestimated.  Obviously it is important from the viewpoint of nourishment for our bodies.  Here at Kendal we are fortunate that our food service is excellent.  We have a chef in charge who works to provide variety as well as nutritious foods.  We have lots of fresh fruits and vegetables which include those recommended especially for maintaining the health of older folks.  We have at least three entrees: usually one meat, one fish, and one vegetarian.  Special foods are available for those with special needs such as gluten free diets.  Our dining staff is familiar with what is allowed for those with these needs and can help them make appropriate choices.

Our food service staff includes the cooks whom we don't see much of because they work behind the scenes but we get to know and appreciate them from the food they prepare.  The servers are quick to learn our names and quickly catch on to our own little peculiarities or needs.  e.g. When I had a problem with my hands and arms and couldn't reach up over the high part of the serving line they brought my plate to the low end where I could handle it without dropping it.

The wait staff stand ready to help those who need assistance carrying trays.  Sometimes they will seat the person, take the order, and collect the food, and bring it to the resident.  They will also gladly fetch things forgotten such as a glass for milk, a glass of water, or bring more coffee.  Sometimes they will assist the less abled by getting them coffee and dessert at the end of the meal.  They also clear the table when the meal is finished.

We have a dining committee made up of staff members and residents who meet regularly to review comments that have been written about the food service.  The chef and the dining staff manager take notes and make every effort to improve situations that need to be changed.  The chef keeps track of who cooks what on which day so that he can go back and check what recipe was used and other particulars if a complaint is made about a particular item.

In addition to nourishment of the the body, mealtime provides an opportunity to feed ones spirit.  Because we have no assigned seating arrangements and no precise time assignments we have the freedom to choose with whom we will eat.  This allows for greater interaction among the residents.  The opportunity to eat with others is a huge advantage for those of us who were living alone due to the loss of a spouse before we moved in.  Once again we can enjoy company at mealtime.  Tables for two, four, six, or eight are available which adds to the freedom of choice of mealtime partners.  However, if you prefer to eat alone, special containers are available that allow us to take food home.

The time spent eating together gives us a chance to get to know one another better.  It provides ties that bind us together and help to make us truly a community and not just a bunch of people who happen to live in the same  part of Granville.  I have learned lots of interesting things about my fellow residents as well as caught up on the news.  Other times I've just enjoyed being able to reminicse with people of a similar age group.

Two of the favorites that feed us spiritually and physically are the ice cream and cookies.  They rank high on the list of comfort foods everywhere and Kendal is no different.
From the beginning there has been a large plate of assorted large freshly made cookies on the counter convenient to the exit door .  They are irresitable for most who pass by either to go with a final cup of coffee or a glass of milk or for a late evening snack.  Several flavors of ice cream are available daily.  The flavors change from day to day.  They can be served in a plain dish or with hot fudge or in a cone.  For some the perfect way to end the day is with a sugar cone as they leave the dining room to return home for the day.

Is it any wonder that mealtimes mark the major divisions of our daily life when you consider their significance in our life?

Exciting Speakers at Kendal

On three different recent evenings the residents of Kendal at Granville have enjoyed the opportunity of hearing talented members of the Denison University faculty discuss their research and creative interests. That's one of the perks of living near a college. The talks treated topics in astronomy, history, and literature; our ensuing conversations with speakers were wide-ranging; and after the events were over the guests spoke with animation and joy about what a pleasure it had been for them to engage with a community audience that was informed and curious. Hooray for the Kendal-Denson tie!

One of the speakers was Ron Homan, who told us about his work with radio astronomy.  He had great visuals, and with the aid of this set of colorful projections he helped us to understand how plumes expelled by special stars can appear to exceed the speed of light, and allowed us to peek back into the character of the universe in the microseconds after the Big Bang. One of the happiest aspects of Professor Homan's research turned out to be that it is fashioned in such a way as to present Denison students with authentic and challenging opportunities at research cooperation. So Granville is one of the sites where the scientists of tomorrow will come from.

Another speaker was Peter Grandbois, the author of the acclaimed recent novel Nahoonkara. Professor Grandbois read selections from this work aloud to us, commented on them, and invited questions. He also discussed the category of fiction often called "magical realism" – Nahoonkara is an example of it – and located it in the broader history of fiction writing around the world. Like any good speaker, he spurred some residents to zip off to the public library in search of other novels that might exercise the same enchantment.

Our third speaker was Bill Kirkpatrick, author of a recent book on the founding of our (and his) hometown of Granville. Professor Kirkpatrick used sketches, maps, and photos of the buildings and artifacts of the early settlement to show how, as complements to the documentary trail left by newspapers and correspondence, they can be used to pry out inferences about the character of Granville in the first decade of the nineteenth century. Since some of the residents here at Kendal have spent much of their lives in Granville, this was a talk that attracted a large audience and stimulated wide conversation in subsequent days.

What we appreciated about all our speakers was their quick realization that we were authentic students, perhaps not as young as the students they are accustomed to working with, but every bit as curious, eager, and ready to expand our intellectual worlds as a college-age kid. We probed their thoughts and engaged their interests, and they responded with respect and excitement. Collectively, they reminded us again of how Kendal at Granville is, among other things, a classroom for the curious.

Tower Lines

At the opening of each month, every Kendal at Granville resident receives a copy of the latest issue of Tower Lines, the monthly newsletter of Kendal residents. It is indispensable reading in the community, for its contents touch us in all sorts of useful ways. To give you a sense of what I mean, here's what the reader will find in the just-arrived issue of May, 2012.

On the front page, under a masthead sketch of the entranceway to Kendal (with its landmark tower), appears a report from the Executive Director. This is a regular feature of the publication, and Doug Helman uses the opportunity to bring us up to date on the kinds of matters that broadly affect the community – which, right now, are preeminently developments in the Phase II expansion project. The happy news he shares is that the community has more than reached its goal of raising $450,000 for our new and badly-needed Gathering Room. The additional funds will allow us wider latitude in determining how to furnish and decorate the facility.

The Executive Director's report is followed by a three-page introduction to Virgil and Jan Hoftiezer, a couple that has recently brought their energies and hobbies to the community. A photo accompanies the article. We learn of their pre-Kendal lives, we meet their children, and we are introduced to their enthusiasms – travel, the theater, Sweden, fabric arts, genealogy, and the veiled pastime (I'll spill the beans) of aviculture (look it up!).

This fine introduction is followed by another (with photo, of course) – in this case of Sue LeFevre, a world-traveler who is already known to many residents by virtue of her family ties to nearby Newark and her father-in-law's many generous contributions to the welfare of his hometown.

Next come three timely news items. The first treats important moments from the April monthly meeting of the Residents Association – news about our acquisition of a shredder, about the role of the Dining Committee, and about the ambition of our bridge-playing club to expand its membership. The second describes the planned and guided transformation of the prairie on the northeastern end of the campus. And the third tells of plans to honor our late neighbor, Wally Chessman, during the coming reunion weekend at Denison.

Tower Lines regularly features pieces on staff members, and this month the subject is Tom Mitchell, who at the present moment holds the title of Design and Construction Coordinator for the Phase II project here. The piece tells how Tom, though a resident of Granville, is in fact an employee of Kendal Corporation, and has been sent out by headquarters over the years to provide his coordinating gifts when Kendal engages in major building projects. A veteran of Kendal construction activities in Oberlin, Ithaca, Lexington, and Philadelphia, Tom smiles at his Granville friends from the photo that accompanies the piece. Immediately following the article on Tom comes an update on the recent progress of the Phase II expansion.

And there is still more! An article on the coming "Commit to be Fit" competition, which will include a (virtual) "swimming" of the English Channel. Notes on the activities of the Granville Fellowship. An announcement that the resident display cabinet in the first-floor alcove will feature fiber art items in May and June. Excerpts from newsletters published by other Kendals. Items on health. Limericks composed by residents. Birthdays. Bridge results. A proposal for a visit to the Alligator Mound in Granville. (For the uninitiated, the mound was laid out in the thirteenth century by the Native American inhabitants of the area now known as Granville.)

Finally, on pages 12 and 13, appear descriptions of some coming featured events – including speakers, plays, and concerts – and a complete calendar of programs scheduled for the month of May.

Indispensable reading, indeed! There is no better source for learning about our new neighbors, about the staff members we regularly meet, or about what is happening in our community. The enterprise is guided by Betty Hullinger, the editor-in-chief, and so I'll conclude by simply noting that the community owes her a debt of gratitude for her labors on behalf of keeping us abreast of the activities that lend vigor to life at Kendal at Granville.

Activating Values

Here at Kendal at Granville values aren't just empty words printed in brochures to impress people.  Rather they are words that spring into action in the lives of staff and residents daily.  For one example right now we find ourselves immersed in a series of focus groups designed to provide input for the process of strategic planning which is getting underway for the next three to five years.  Everyone has been invited to sign up to participate in whichever sessions interest them.  An individual may sign up for as many as desired.  The topics are derived from the Kendal at Granville Vision which states "Kendal at Granville embraces the greater Kendal aspiration of Together Transforming the Experience of Aging by striving to 1.  Evolve and grow in learning and serving, 2.  Contribute to the wider community, 3.  Represent inclusiveness, 4.  Model active lifestyles, and 5.  Preserve choice, autonomy, and self- esteem. 

Our Executive Director is leading each of these sessions.  All individuals are encouraged to take part and voice their beliefs.  So far I have been able to attend one which was Preserve Choice, Autonomy, and Self Esteem.  We were told that the purpose of the session was to identify actions that would make it possible to achieve that directive.   I found it to be an interesting session in that the participants were genuinely concerned about how we as staff and residents together could preserve choice, autonomy and self esteem for each resident as she aged/  There were helpful suggestions as to action to be taken in the future. Some questions arose which were able to be clarified on the spot.  Others indicated a need for further thought and consideration as to the most effective action to be taken. 

What impressed me most as a former administrator was the attention given to listening to both staff and residents and considering together how to achieve a goal rather than as I have seen in some situations where the top administration went away into seclusion to do strategic planning without input from those most involved either in executing the plan or being the persons most affected by the execution of the plan.  Here the value of respect for the individual seemed to me to be clearly demonstrated. 

Sharing

One of the things that makes living at Kendal so special is the way people share.  There are many ways sharing happens here.  However  this time I will just mention three examples of one type of sharing that happened very recently..  On Sunday one of our residents placed in our lobby the flower arrangement which he had placed in the chancel of his church that morning in memory of his wife.  The flowers were an especially lovely combination of colors and added brightness to an area where all we usually see are green plants.   They were also a gentle reminder for those of us who knew his wife of the time that we had been privileged to share with them as a couple.  Unfortunately I didn't decide to write on this topic until it was too late to get a picture of those beautiful blooms to share here.

These two bright little red, white, and blue bouquets made their appearance following the birthday party on Saturday of another resident who placed them on the receptionist's desk where we could all enjoy them on our way through the lobby.

I'm not quite sure when the large beautiful plant you see in this photo appeared just outside the entrance to our dining room.  At first I thought perhaps the company responsible for the care of  live plants throughout our community building had been generous and provided us with a new plant to replace the poinsettias whose time had passed.  When I asked our receptionist, she told me that one of the residents who lives in a cottage had brought it over so that all of us could enjoy its beauty. 

It's this kind of simple sharing that shows what kind of people live here - people who care about others and show it by sharing in many little ways.

The Lifelong Learning Institute

Several bloggers on this site have noted how fortunate Kendal at Granville is to have Denison University so close at hand. That's very true. But today I want to get in a plug for another valuable neighbor, the Central Ohio Technical College. I mention this because, less than a year ago, COTC brought the Lifelong Learning Institute onto its Pataskala campus. And this action has opened up another grand learning opportunity for Kendal residents.

In case you haven't heard of the Lifelong Learning Institute (and I hadn't), let me fill you in on a little background. Its stated purpose is to provide "educational opportunities for mature learners in Central Ohio." More specifically – and I continue to quote from a brochure it produced – it aims at helping seniors "broaden and extend their knowledge, share their life experiences," and "interact socially with other lifelong learners."

Its course offerings feature subjects in the traditional arts and sciences, including studies in philosophy, spirituality, and economics. But in its goal of being useful, LLI also offers courses on topics related to national and world affairs. Since the wider Columbus area boasts a wealth of persons whose combined expertises cover a diverse set of fields, LLI has a rich range of potential faculty to choose from, and so the instructors of these courses come to their LLI assignments with commitment, instructional experience, and deep knowledge. An annual fee of $90.00 allows an LLI member entry into any and all of the course offerings.

I first became aware of the LLI in the fall of 2011 and almost immediately requested a catalogue of winter courses. When it arrived, it proved a delight. The upcoming offerings included full courses on "A History of the Movies," the "Geology of U.S. National Parks," the role of "Ohio in the Civil War," a survey of "Immigration Law and Policy: Facts, Myths, and an Analysis of the Political Landscape," and an "Introduction to Thomas Merton."

The winter catalogue also listed a series of one-off Coffee and Conversation Events. Notable among them was "An Introduction to Buddhism," a topic made particularly salient in this region by the recent decision of a Thai Buddhist community to build a temple in Pataskala. Another Coffee and Conversation Event was "An Introduction to Social Media," an event aimed perhaps as much at those who follow current trends in society as at those (in the mature learner set) who find themselves struggling to keep up with the world of their grandchildren. Other Coffee and Conversation events focused on financial exploitation; the history of Columbus's famous old department store, Lazarus; and the future of iPads, smart phones, electronic readers, and other varieties of mobile technology.

What a menu!

Since my wife and I are enthusiastic subscribers to Netflix and frequent viewers of Turner Classic Movies, I decided that I would take my first plunge into the world of LLI by signing up for "A History of the Movies." It turned out to be a happy choice. Along with perhaps thirty other mature learners – as you've noticed, that's LLI's flattering jargon for its audience – I spent four Friday mornings in January learning about the invention of the technology that made moving pictures possible, about the talkie-revolution, about the marketing of movies, about the rise and fall of the studio system, about the effects of television on the film industry, and about the technological marvels that are yet again transforming America's preeminent entertainment industry.

And of course we saw lots of clips. From early silents (including European efforts). From Birth of a Nation. From the glorious 1920s. From the annus mirabilis of 1939. Shots of famous chases, races, kisses, and explosions. Lots of iconic film history images. And a knowledgeable class of mature learners was always at the ready to chip in with their own recollections and judgments.

As for our instructor, he was lively, informed, entertaining, and organized. His background was in the theater, and he had a personal film library to die for. Who could ask for anything more?

So what am I getting at? Just this: judging from my own experience, we at Kendal at Granville now have a new avenue for exploring our world and a new way of meeting fellow explorers. For this opportunity we owe COTC and the Lifelong Learning Institute much gratitude. (And while you're offering thanks, be sure to write away for a copy of the spring catalogue.)

Passing Observations Regarding Construction Project

From the beginning talks about Kendal's Phase II Construction our administrative staff has endeavored to involve residents and to keep all of us informed about it.  Focus groups  allowed us input at the onset.  Question and answer sessions addressed worries.  Monthly reports from our Director at our association meetings and in our newsletter along with items posted on the Kendal TV Channel  continue to provide us up-to-date information on what is happening. A representative of the construction company has a standing invitation to appear at our monthly association meetings to bring us timely reports on progress or explanations for lack of progress such as  weather or failure of needed materials to appear as scheduled.

We've learned a lot more about geothermal heating both from a presentation by one of the men on the project team and from direct observation of the installation of the system.  We are becoming accustomed to the necessary interruptions in various utilities.  Our reactions have varied as they have affected our lives differently.  e.g.  The late at night hour-long cutoff of the TV no doubt bothered few people because they were already in bed asleep.  But for an insomniac like me who  got mixed up as to the day it was to occur not so.  I found  myself watching a two part program which was cut off at the end of part I. When my TV screen went black, I quickly figured out what was happening and chalked it up as one more  program I would have to either catch as a rerun or leave as an unsolved mystery.

We made it through what AEP referred to as a "planned outage".  Not only did they not think to schedule it during daylight  hours when there would be fewer problems,  they didn't tell us it was planned and it happened during our dinner hour.  Luckily our resourceful dining room staff has learned from previous outages during storms how to make do on limited emergency power. They got diners through the experience like the pros they are.  After dinner one of our talented residents played  the piano for the amusement  of those of us who had made our way to the lobby with our assorted flash lights. 

We are also learning how to handle announced as well as impromptu changes in traffic patterns, one way streets, moved stop signs, trucks unloading supplies, etc.  On dry days we cope with blowing dust and on wet days we're learning to avoid the muddiest spots the best we can and to remove what we can't avoid as soon as possible before it becomes dry and hardened in place.

Yesterday afternoon at the east end where I live they were driving pylons into the ground.  This really had my apartment shaking.  Not only could I feel the vibrations through my feet when I walked on the floor,  I also could hear many of the things in my apartment rattling or vibrating against the wall.  I could even feel the vibrations as I relaxed in my recliner. All of this was accompanied by a low disconcerting sort of rumbling noise. I was relieved when it stopped.

I've discovered that an observation post  has been established on the second floor at the east end of the apartment building where a window conveniently overlooks the building site .   Two chairs have been drawn up for the comfort of observers. Someone has also been thoughtful enough to place  copies of the site plan close at hand..  Yesterday when I went up to check it out, I discovered that it really does give a much more comprehensive overview of the site compared with that at ground level. As I surveyed the number of huge trucks, cranes, and other like equipment I couldn't  help remembering something I had once heard, "The only difference between men and boys is the size and cost of their toys."

Along with the promise of wonderful new accommodations to come the construction project gives us a variety of topics of conversation  with two major areas of activity and a third yet to be started when work starts on the Gathering Center.   Life is never dull here at Kendal at Granville.

The Holidays at Kendal at Granville

John and I were alone this Holiday Season, well, not really alone. Our extended family was not here but we certainly had our Kendal family and friends around. We had a good time.

It all started on the first Friday in December when we gathered in the morning to decorate the enormous floor to ceiling tree in the lobby. Some of us are artistic and know exactly what to do. Others of us just fit little hooks in the ornaments and admired the progress while we drank coffee and ate cookies. Both men and women brought a variety of Christmas cookies which were pretty and delicious. Then we turned on the lights and proclaimed that the tree was absolutely beautiful!

For the past few years we have been observing Hannukah and have a menorah in the lobby. This year the eight days of Hannukah fell over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Two things made it special this year. First, Connie Barsky and Steve Katz, from a local synagogue, came to Kendal before this celebration and taught us the historical background of the event which goes back to about 100 BCE. They brought with them their collection of menorahs, some of which were antiques passed down from their families and one was purchased when they were in Israel. For the celebration on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, I asked friends of ours who are Jewish to help with the lighting of the candles and the prayers. Rochelle and Jules brought with them homemade latkes, sour cream, and applesauce to share which were oh so good! The other special part was that one of our residents who is Jewish had her family visiting her and she brought them to the lighting. Then this whole group sang the prayers in Hebrew. This was meaningful and very touching.

Christmas Dinner in the Dining Room was wonderful! Of course we wished our own children and grandchildren were here but we so much enjoyed watching all the other families walk in and gather around the beautifully decorated tables. The chef and his staff outdid themselves in preparing a scrumptious meal.

The Holidays ended with a bang! Well, not really, but we did have a rousing New Year's Eve Party. As has been the tradition for several years, a band called "Doc and the Perfessor" entertained us with old songs such as "Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey". Many people danced in a variety of styles and really had fun. The staff prepared a lovely cold buffet and we each brought what we wanted to drink. This party started at 7:00 PM and at 9:00 PM we put on party hats and sang "Auld Lang Syne". Then we wished each other "Happy New Year" and went home. A good time was had by all!