The Amelia Gathering Room: Exploring New Opportunities

In June, when Kendal at Granville residents celebrated the end (well, almost the end) of the two-year Phase II construction project, we also dedicated our new assembly venue, the Amelia Gathering Room. The celebration and dedication were absolutely in order. For thanks to this new room, Kendal at Granville now – at last! – has a facility large enough to accommodate the entire resident population of the campus. And since the room is equipped with both a stage suitable for larger performance groups and an advanced audio-visual technology system, the Entertainment Committee is already working on lining up various singing groups, theatrical troupes, and musical ensembles for the entertainment of residents.

I should add that the Amelia Gathering Room was confirmed as part of the Phase II construction plan only after it became clear that it was feasible to meet the cost of the room through dedicated gifts from friends and residents of Kendal; and the facility was in fact named at the request of a generous and anonymous donor in honor of someone close to the donor.

In the weeks since June we have already begun to taste the opportunities the Amelia makes available to us. Take these three examples:

In July the Kendal at Granville Residents Association was able for the first time to hold its monthly meeting in a room large enough to accommodate anyone who wanted to attend. By no coincidence, the meeting drew the largest crowd of residents in the history of the association. Sure beats the older room, where space was tight and chairs a bit uncomfortable. And fuller attendance will allow more residents to be actively engaged in Kendal activities.

Later in July about a dozen members of the Licking County barber shop quartet organization gave us a concert. It was a happy evening, with richly-harmonized barber shop favorites, a few novelties, some good sentimental stuff, and a patriotic song or two – a menu to please the taste of almost anyone. Some singers were rookies, but at least one veteran was in his 53rd year of membership. The Amelia Gathering Room rocked!

Just a day later the men's breakfast club met to receive instruction in the martial arts – not perhaps active and physical instruction, but educational and illuminating demonstrations. Three practitioners of martial arts, one of them 78 years old and all associated with a studio in nearby Newark, showed us a variety of "exercises" (I'm not quite sure what the proper term is, but they all involved quick movements and sudden shouts), told us a bit about the complicated history of Asian martial arts, and explained how some of the differences among, say, Taekwondo, Judo, and Aikido arose. I left quite persuaded that, whatever else might be said about the lessons of the demonstrations, practitioners of martial arts are in impressively good physical shape.

So what else can the Emilia Gathering Room be used for? Well, this coming Sunday two residents, Judy Chambers and Arie Janssens, will be getting married. That's a first for Kendal – a marriage that unites two residents. And the grand occasion offers us another first – the inaugural wedding reception for the new gathering room. Everyone is invited and there's room for everyone to attend.

Exploring new opportunities indeed!

Oh Frabjous Day! Callooh! Callay!

Lewis Carroll caught the spirit of the day. The Jabberwock – better known at Kendal at Granville as the past two years of Phase II construction – has been overcome. The challenge has been met. It was time to celebrate the triumph.

And celebrate is what we did. The big event, held this morning, was formally titled the "Phase II Dedication & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony." But it was more than that. In attendance were not only the current residents and soon-to-be residents, but also representatives of some of the various groups and bodies that had helped us in various ways as we moved through the whole planning and construction process: our bankers, our architects, our designers, our friends in the Granville government and community, our friends in the media. The brand new Amelia Gathering Room, our meeting place, was on its inaugural voyage, and it was filled for the occasion! And (to continue the metaphor), as conversation after conversation testified, we were quite consciously embarking on a new era in the great adventure that is Kendal.

The ceremony was brisk, as four speakers provided brief opening remarks. Doug Helman, the executive director, greeted everyone with words of thanks to all the people who had contributed to the success of the project. Dr. Tom Mills, president of the board of Kendal at Granville, spoke of his pleasure to see the board's vision finally fulfilled. Ashley Wade, director of marketing, celebrated the diversity of interests that our residents, with their rich range of life experiences, were bringing to the community. (As a footnote, it may be added that she wept with joy – really, truly! – and in doing so caught the spirit of many in the audience.) Finally, John Diffey, president and CEO of Kendal corporation, in congratulating everyone, reminded the audience that the Kendal project was an affirmation of a set of humane values grounded in caring and generosity.

This series of short remarks was followed by a series of dedications, with attention given to the generosity of several anonymous donors. Future generations will see testimonies to these acts of generosity in the memorial plaques to be placed in the Amelia Gathering Room and the Florence Wellness Center respectively. Then David Skeen, president of the Kendal at Granville Residents Association, presented a check for $27,000 to Doug Helman as a gift from the association to help meet the costs of the A/V equipment that will enhance the usefulness of the Amelia Garthrering Room.

Finally came a ceremonial ribbon cutting. With David Skeen holding the scissors and residents from all areas of Kendal life holding the ribbon, the new facility was formally dedicated and opened. Applause filled the room.

The post-dedication activities that were on offer included tours of the new health center, tours of the new apartments, and a luncheon buffet. As the assembled guests moved into the hallways and lobbies, it was a time for chatting, for questions, for comments, and for congratulations. I suspect that many of the conversations turned in one way or another on the symbolism of day: for happy events portend happy futures. Kendal is entering a new era. Callooh! Callay!, indeed.

Reflections on Life at Kendal

This afternoon I want to share a personal reflection on how I feel about life at Kendal after moving here as a Founder with the first residents to settle in back in 2005 and an observation made by a resident who has only been here since early in 2012.

Last week our Resident Association Council  changed the format of their monthly meeting into an open forum to which all residents were invited to come and share their concerns about life at Kendal.  As the president opened the meeting at 1:30 p.m. he asked those present to feel free to share whatever was on their mind about Kendal be it good or not so good.  One of the very first comments came from a resident who moved here early in 2012.  This person is someone whose experience here includes using an electric wheelchair and oxygen 24/7 so he has to deal with issues that many of us do not.  This is what he had to say, "I'm concerned that we might  not be able to get to dinner if we bring up all of what's good."  Considering that our dinner hour is from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.one would have to agree that this is a very positive reaction to life at Kendal.

To better appreicate my reflection on how I feel about my life now at Kendal I believe it will be helpful to share a little about my life before and after coming here eight years ago.  I lived in a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and made several trips a year driving alone to visit my son and a steoson and their families in Ohio.  Having grown up in northwest Ohio and with family in Ohio I determined that I wanted to find a CCRC in Ohio.  As a former teacher of geriatric nursing and living in Philadelphia I knew about Kendal so when I learned about a new Kendal being built in Granville I applied and the rest is history.

After my retirement as a director of a school of nursing I became an active hospital auxilian so naturally when I arrived here I looked for something worthwhile to fill my time.   I joined a local church and got involved in several small groups there.   Here at Kendal my activities include serving on the Pool Committee, the Gallery Committee, and the Diversity Committee.  As a member of the Fiber Arts Group I have been responsible for three shows of Fiber Arts works in the Kendal Art Gallery.  Recently I've begun taking part in our Genealogy Group.

Aong the way a number of things have resulted in changes to the way I live my life.  I've had seven surgeries which have exposed me to three community hospitals as well as one brief stay in our assisted living  unit and a one month stay in our skilled nursing unit. I have been the beneficiary of a variety of services from our physical therapy department..  I now walk with the assistance of a rollator and I no longer drive.  Reluctantly I've had to drop out of my church activities since I no longer drive.  As a result I now take advantage of the Sunday afternoon services held here in our Central Activities Room.

Last week as I was talking with a staff member who was helping me to arrange for one of my transportation needs and fulfill a maintenance request I commented to her about my life here at Kendal as follows, "With the housekeeping staff to keep my apartment clean, the maintenance staff to respond to my calls for help when something doesn't work, the dining staff to provide me with nourishing meals, and a set of drivers to take me to medical appointments and shopping living at Kendal is the nearest thing to heaven on earth that I can ask for."  Looking back I realize that I overlooked mentioning the healthcare staff who have helped me recover when necessary and who help me keep well so that in spite of the problems I have to overcome I still feel positive about life and look forward to many more years here. 

Plans for a Kendal Talent Show

Plans are now under way to mark the opening of the new Amelia Gathering Room with a community talent show. As a first step, the date for the show has been set: Tuesday, September 10. So be sure to circle it on your calendars. It will be an occasion for us to celebrate the opening of our new assembly venue and to enjoy the wealth of talents, skills, and interests that we nourish in our community.

And by “community” we mean everyone who lives or works at or with Kendal at Granville – residents, staff members, board members alike. For this is truly a community event. And all sorts of talents will be on display. 

Thus this invitation goes out to singers, who are encouraged to come forward, perhaps as soloists or perhaps as duets or trios or choirs; and if you need an accompanist, just give the word and one will be found. 

The invitation is extended as well to all who play or played instruments in a band or an orchestra at some point. Here’s a chance to pull it out and surprise your friends. Again, accompanists can be found.

The Amelia Gathering Room will finally offer us the chance to have a piano on a stage, and that in turn affords the pianists in our midst an opportunity to share their gifts more broadly with the community.

We all recall a time when reading or reciting lovely poems or famous speeches was a part of our school education. So here’s a call to reciters in our company to help us recover the rich pleasure of hearing the spoken word deliver moving literature.

Surely some members of the community are comedians, right? Here’s a chance to hone your comedic timing, and to show your friends and neighbors your comic gifts.

And then there are the magicians. More than a few of us over the years have tried our hand at creating illusions. So here’s an opportunity for these prestidigitators to work up the old conjuring stunts and card tricks, and show us that the hand is still quicker than the eye.

This catalog of talent categories is not meant to be inclusive. Almost surely there are still other kinds of talents out in the community, still other kinds of gifts which can be shared. And so the three invitations go out. First, please don’t be shy about stepping forward to identify yourself as a participant; you will have fun, and your friends and neighbors will be delighted. Second, please recruit friends and pass on the names of community members whom you would like to see participating. Third, please mark your calendar and, even if you finally choose not to go up on the stage, join all of us on September 10 as we applaud the gifts of our community. 

Looking Ahead

For almost two years we have been looking ahead to the end of the construction of Phase II here at Kendal at Granivlle.  The project began with a ground breaking celebration and excitement about adding twenty-four new apartment, thirty-two new skilled nursing beds, and eleven assisted living units as well as our longed for Gathering Room and remodeling of the dining area and kitchen.  There was lots to talk about as to design and decor mixed in with the comings and goings of construction workers and supplies. 

Of course, this was accompanied by adaptation to the rearrangement of furniture and routines.  The most difficult part of this was during the work on the dining room and kitchen when the serving area was moved into one dining room which was consequently displaced into the main lobby.  At that time our dining and kitchen staff and maintenace staff really stretched themselves to the utmost to make it all work smoothly for us.  We rejoiced with them when the remodeled areas were open providing us with improved service and a reconfiguration of the space which lessened congestion in the serving area.

As the initial excitement  faded and it all became "old hat"  we began to grow anxious to see it come to an end.  When our Executive Director, and a representative of the construction company gave their regular reports at our Residents' Association meetings, there were invariably questions about "how soon?"   Both of them not only told us what we could look forward to in the next few week  but also patiently answered our questions and responded to occational complaints. 

Late last month we were provided with an opportunity to visit the completed new health center and the new apartments.   Those of us who had been patients in the old health center were impressed with the changes we saw showing how carefully the planners had listened to suggestions for improvement.  We were likewise impressed with the changes  to the apartment plans

Now as the end of Phase II is drawing near we are heartened by the arrival of the first contingent of residents to move into the  new apartments and look forward to the arrival of the others scheduled to move in this summer.  April 29 was a red letter day as the the occupants of skilled nursing were moved into the new skilled nursing beds. 

Constrution on the Gathering Room has progressed to the point where we can look into it through the windows and  see how grand it looks.  We look ahead to the kinds of programs  which can be held there with a stage and a lot more space for both the presenters and the audience.

Best of all we look ahead to the completion of the final phase of this project which began back in the summer of 2011.  According to our Director and construction representative we can anticipate the dedication of all of this at the end of June.  We look ahead to joining together in one really big celebration in our new Gathering Room. 

Kendal U.

On two occasions in recent weeks we've enjoyed visits from faculty members from nearby colleges. They appeared as part of the ongoing program of the Kendal Speakers Committee to bring outstanding academic lecturers to the campus. Both were hits.

Judith Dann, Associate Professor of Humanities at Columbus State University, spoke of her work on an archeological excavation on a Roman bath house in Isthmia, Greece. Illustrated with projected images, the presentation treated both the historical background of the location – Isthmia was important as one of few sites for the staging of the ancient Olympic games – and the nitty-gritty of daily life at the dig. Anyone whose ideas of archeological digs had been shaped by the Indiana Jones epics would have found the collision with reality chastening. But even while dampening expectations of tales about dramatic chases and escapes from Nazi scientists, Dr. Dann conveyed something of the intellectual excitement that comes when careful record-keeping and painstaking sifting are rewarded with an unexpected insight into the social habits and belief systems of people who lived two millenia ago. Residents were able to see the people of ancient Isthmia as neighbors.

Karen Spierling, Associate Professor of History at Denison University, spoke about the Reformation, and she too had a series of projected images to help her deliver her message. Dr Spierling's goal was to complicate people's views of the Reformation. She set out to do this by presenting evidence that undercut the tendency of many moderns to let received and rigid views of the Reformation obscure evidence of interconfessional cooperation and interactions among Catholics and Protestants, and the range of joint projects designed by people in both camps to make daily life in an era of religious quarrels somewhat more pleasant and predictable. She stated that her goal, when she taught college students, was to prepare them for the real world of today in which the complicated social and political circumstances they read and hear about from the media are not reducible to formulaic oversimplifications. The residents appreciated her point of view and applauded her goal.

From the remarks I heard afer both talks I concluded that the residents of Kendal at Granville share an enthusiasm about the importance of education – and perhaps that's not surprising, given the number of retired teachers in our ranks. Even more happily, the residents are optimistic about the future of education. This is important (says someone who is very much a partisan on this issue) because in this era of challenges to many of the foundation stones of the American polity, education needs all the advocates, defenders, and cheerleaders it can muster. Drs. Dann and Spierling have shown us the project is good hands.

Spring Has Sprung at Last

Although spring officially arrived on March 20 the kind of weather we associate with this season of the year delayed its appearance here until April ninth when we had our first really warm spring day.  Until then only a few brave crocus plants had dared to poke their heads above ground and bloom confirming the meteorologists announcement of spring.  With the warm sunny breezes at last the daffodils and forsythia, two of my favorite early harbingers of spring which had been holding out for just such a day began popping out everywhere.  Our periwinkle ground cover around the apartment complex here at Kendal became like a carpet of bright sparkling blue flowers.  In the enclosed garden area by the health center buttercup yellow dandelions appeared to the dismay of the landscape committee. 

As my son was driving me to a medical appointment in nearby Columbus we noted that the trees were not yet showing the early signs of awakening to spring when the stark bare wintry look of their branches begins to change to that softer somewhat "fuzzy" appearance they take on as leaves and blossoms appear.  The willows seem to be slow to turn a pale green as they begin to leaf out.  It shouldn't be long now before that changes.

Other signs of spring here at Kendal also have put in their appearance as the fencing around the construction areas at each end of our complex finally came down.  With them went a lot of the clutter outside our buildings giving us a promise that green grass and other landscaping will begin to take the place of the bare ground once more around our main building. 

Even more exhilarating has been the moving in of residents into three of our new apartments  with others to follow soon.    It's exciting to be able to greet these newcomers to our community.  We anticipate gettig to know them and integrating them into our family.  They will bring new energy to us.

Suddenly "spring has sprung" bringing with it an air of  a renewed hope for the future.