May 2015
The Oﬃcial Paradise Valley Estates Residents’ Newspaper
Volume XVIII, Issue 5
Spring Has Sprung!
PVE Garden Group Celebrates Spring
Left to Right: Ed and Martha Williams, Stella Haddock, Walt and LaVerne Suder, David Rausch,
Warren Roberts for Davis Arboretum, Ann Farber, Jim Lynch, Judy Mulenburg (kneeling), Shirley Arnold,
Fred Barthmus, Kay Green, Edith Barthmus, Jean Kunkel, Paula Higgins.
PVE’s Landscape History
Takes Center Stage!
On March 5, Warren Roberts, UC Davis Arboretum Superintendent Emeritus, visited PVE a second time to present a program
on PVE plants to the “Garden Party,” an event planned by the
PVE Garden Club.
Warren had walked along the edge of Laurel Creek (from
the 3000 building to the 4000 area) about a month earlier
to get his bearings along our riparian habitat. He noted
that m a n y of our
plants are immigrants
from the orient, New
Zealand and other
regions with similar
climate to ours.
Warren was in awe
of our giant “valley
oaks” (white oak).
These magni icent
specimens have
massive twisted
limbs and deeply
lobed leaves, thus
their name. They are
California’s mightiest
oaks and may exceed
70 feet in height and
spread! Their bark is
ash gray and interesting to examine. PVE’S largest ones may exceed 500
years in age. He commented on other smaller oaks
and identi ied them by leaf structure, bark, and
growth habit.
With the eyes of a keen observer (and Native
American ancestry), he identi ied fennel, anise,
manzanita, poison oak, cottonwood, toyon, California buckeye, elderberry (protected because of
the elderberry beetle which is sustained by this
shrub). All the while, he accompanied his observations with stories about the plant’s use in cuisine,
industry and medicines.
Those who heard and walked with Warren
appreciated his humor and teaching expertise. We
certainly value our environs even more because of
his enthusiasm!
—Dair Rausch
2
May 2015 – Elysian Fields
PVE Passover Seder
Last year’s Passover Seder, the irst for PVE, was a
delightful and successful event for all sixty participants. Included were a handful of Jewish residents
along with the non-Jewish residents, who participated in the traditional ritual with genuine interest
and respect. It was a heartwarming experience.
Denise Flowerday, our Life Enrichment Manager,
decided that the event should be repeated this
year. It was an immediate sellout with a long wait
list.
Passover is one of the most widely celebrated
Jewish holidays. It commemorates the biblical story
of Exodus when Hebrew slaves were released from
bondage in Egypt during the reign of the Pharaoh
Ramses II. Passover is a celebration of freedom.
Note that Passover and Easter occur at the same
time of the year. Recall, the Last Supper was a Seder.
It is a time of family gatherings where the story
of Passover is retold through the reading of a book
called the Haggadah, (“The Telling”). Shelley and
Joel Levinson are the editors of the special version
of the Haggadah used at the Seder.
Our Seder was conducted in accordance with the
ancient tradition except that the key prayers were
said in Hebrew. Linda Faraday did the blessing at
the lighting of the candles. Each guest participated
by reciting an English translation of the Haggadah
as it was passed around the table.
The focal point of the Passover celebration is a
traditional meal called the Seder. The PVE Seder
included the reading of the Haggadah, followed by
the ritual meal with all its foods, songs and customs. Symbolic foods were served, including:
 matzah (unleavened bread)
 bitter herbs to commemorate the slavery
in Egypt
 haroset – a mixture of apples, walnuts, honey,
sweet wine and cinnamon to represent the
clay the Jewish slaves used to make bricks
 drinking four “cups” of wine to celebrate newfound freedom
The Dining Services staff lawlessly executed
the meal. They deserve many thanks for their
meticulous attention to the unique nature of the
Seder. Special mention for the wonderful Seder
menu: ge ilte ish, chicken “matzah ball” soup,
Elysian Fields – May 2015
David and Dair Rausch
lamb shanks, dessert. Everyone is looking forward
to next year.
—Harvey Tzudiker
“Big Sky” Country, 1948
Larry Watson’s ictional memoir, Montana, 1948,
is the selection for discussion when PVE’s Book
Discussion Group meets Thursday evening, May 21,
at 7 p.m. The discussion will be led by Mary Ann
McKinney.
This is a coming-of-age story concerning the
adolescence of David Hayden, a resident of Bedrock,
Montana, as he experiences a life-changing summer.
The narrator is the sheriff’s son and nephew of the
highly respected town physician. David is a deft
eavesdropper, and what unfolds during a Montana
summer is a family drama of pain, prejudice, and
injustice. David’s father must choose between
loyalty to his family and the justice he is sworn
to uphold and must navigate the town’s casual
prejudice against Native Americans living on
the nearby reservation. The setting is faithfully
reproduced in descriptive narrative. This short but
powerful book is an important addition to iction of
the American West.
Plan to attend the book discussion that meets
regularly on the third Thursday of each month in
the Ron Ridley Room of the Community Center. All
residents are encouraged to participate.
—Liz Wildberger
3
Dining Services
Can you believe! Here we are, one third of the
way through 2015. As the days keep getting
longer, time is passing more quickly. That said,
we all had a delightful Easter with 500-plus in
our Dining Room. Then, we celebrated Jewish
Passover with a Seder dinner, and spring has
definitely arrived with the arrival of the continental breakfast at the pavilion. You not only
have a choice of pastry and juices, but also can
watch Tai Chi on the veranda, bocce ball on the
court or just pet the various dogs and chat with
others.
We have heard many accolades about the
Easter Buffet. Not only was the selection
grand but also some that dined rather late also
thought the selection looked just as fresh and
appealing as it did at 11 a.m.
David has often commented that when a
large number of people come in at one time it
can cause some back up in the kitchen. That
can be easily understood when one visits the
kitchen as there are four workstations preparing main courses. These include a grill cook, a
sauté cook and a pantry cook preparing cold
dishes and salads. At night, there is an additional specialty cook, doing only the specials
for that evening.
There are a number of other stations such
as soup, beverages and desserts. Also, there is
the whole second area that does all of the food
preparation.
When a waitperson takes our order, it is
put into the computer with all of the special
changes that you may want. Your order is
transmitted to the prep line and given to the
appropriate cook. The waitperson can then
pick up the soup for serving and then the salad
and/or appetizer. When the cook has finished
preparing your plate, it is covered and placed
in the heated window with its order for the
waitperson to pick up and serve.
It has been estimated that the amount of
water consumed per day in water glasses in all
the dining venues of PVE is about 26 gallons.
By the time they are washed, a total of 100
gallons has been used. That totals 3,000 gallons
per month. With the current drought condition,
we ask residents to consider whether they
4
would like water and, if so, please take what
you will drink. There will still be as much water
as each resident wants, but again, we want to
try to conserve water during this difficult time.
If you have a little left at the end of your meal,
please add it to the flowers on the table. They
will thank you.
There were 119 signed comment cards with
89% pleased with the food and 97% happy
with the service. Please don’t forget to congratulate Chrispin Marquez and Chris Chitwood,
our servers for the month. Remember, filling
out a Comment Card will help ensure better
service and continued fine dining at PVE. Bon
Appetit!
—Fred Montanye
Precipitation at PVE
Again this month, very little rainfall was
recorded by the three PVE residents who provide precipitation data for Elysian Fields. An
average of .82 inches was recorded for a total
of 20.20 inches since July 1, 2014. This compares with an average of 26.44 inches for the
past 17 years. We are about six inches or 22%
below average.
Water levels in the reservoirs that support
PVE were as follows on April 15: Lake Berryessa was at 65% of capacity, Lake Oroville
at 52% and Lake Shasta was at 59.7%. The
reservoir levels are essentially the same as last
month.
Weather Trivia courtesy of Ruby Hardy
Q: What was the hottest temperature in
May in California?
A: 122 degrees in Death Valley, recorded
in 2000.
—by Peter Palmos
May 2015 – Elysian Fields
Golfers Explode at PVE
The PVE Golf Club is growing by leaps and bounds. Groaner’s dinner hour was missing from the
pairings sheet. Walt had asked why everyone was
Fifty-one signed up for the Jokers Wild tournathere for dinner when none was scheduled.
ment and a record 45 made it all the way to the
Bruce Bartels passed the
irst tee. Yes, we did have a
Montoya Trophy to Jack
few Jokers trying to pump
McNichols. Jack moved from
life into the game. I’m not
the East Coast just to be
sure what happened on
able to join our golf club.
the course, but some weird
And he went so far as to get
score cards were turned in.
his shoulder repaired so
More on that later.
he could try to beat Walt.
The Golf Club welcomed
Ann Waldman passed the
new residents Vern and Ann
McDaniel Ladies Trophy to
Chong with a rousing cheer
Dottie Shelly for leading the
of welcome. Walt introduced
development of the new
a special guest, Renee Smith,
Ladies Nine Hole Players.
president of the Resident
The putting contest got
Council. It’s always good to
out of hand as four teams
butter up to the council just
tied for low putts. To
in case we need something
determine a winner, Walt
later. Renee enjoyed every
had each team captain draw
moment—or at least she
a card from a deck. The Alex
laughed a lot.
Ann Waldman, Dottie Shelley
Kosmin team pulled the high
The crowd thought Walt
card and received a free
was trying to pull an April
drink.
fool’s joke early in the
“Holy smokes!” was the
evening as he stumbled
reaction to a scorecard
around trying to remember
indicating a score of 63. The
what came next. Once the
name of one person attestfog cleared and he found
ing to the score was Hillary
his script, he began by
Clinton. Ah, inally a Joker
presenting “a one of a kind”
arrived.
pin that he had discovered
in a thrift store to Ann
3rd Place tie (76):
Chong. Vern was asked how
Jack McNichols, Jim Lunn,
long he had been playing
John Parker, and Ann
golf because his bag towel
Waldman – Ben Montoya,
showed years of dirt and
Kimmie McCann, Dave
use. There was no answer so
Mohler, and John Gearhart
Walt warned Vern that we
2nd Place tie (74):
golfers at PVE are particular
Bruce Bartels, Jack McNichols
Walt McDaniel, Vern Chong,
about our bag towels looking
Bill McNamara,
good and Walt gave him a new one.
and
Nancy
Bartels
–
Bruce Bartels, Sheila Askey,
Walt asked for big participation for the Fisher
Warren MacQuarrie, Bob Carlisle, and
House Golf Tournament, sponsored by PVE in June.
Jim Thomson
Golf Club members were encouraged to assemble
teams, both residents and/or friends.
 1st Place (73): Paul Kersey, Harry Parker, Pat
Harry Parker was the only person who noted
Mohler, and Charlotte Godsey
that the usual item about the Moaner’s and
—Walt McDaniel
Elysian Fields – May 2015
5
Why I Am Proud to
Be a Nurse!
A friends’ dear four-yearold daughter is suffering
from a very aggressive leukemia. After chemotherapy,
she also needed a bone
marrow transplant. This
was done in mid-November.
Unfortunately, this is a very
dif icult procedure and hospital recovery is very
lengthy. This meant that the family had to spend
the holidays in the hospital under strict isolation.
The parents have blogged us all with updates
on a regular basis. On Christmas Day, the blog
included the following. “The staff at Stanford has
been great and I could see them sneaking in during the middle of the night and placing more gifts
on Massy’s growing pile. They are truly amazing
people and we are forever thankful.”
While moving, it also reminded me of my
experience earlier in my career.
I was the new Director of Nursing at a Children’s
Hospital in Virginia. As it came time to prepare
the holiday staf ing schedule, something
happened that amazed me. Usually, nurses
request time off especially around holidays. NOT
THIS TIME! The requests, particularly from the
most senior nurses and head nurses, were to
work 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. on December 24. They even
seemed to keep track of whose turn it was! After
the schedule was drawn up, the nurses all went to
work together planning. Each child was to receive
a magni icent stocking illed to over lowing with
wonderful toys and gifts. The stockings were to be
hung on each bedpost after the children went to
sleep on Christmas Eve.
On Christmas morning as the children awoke
one little boy called out: “He found me!” No
wonder the nurses wanted to spend such a
memorable night with their little patients. The joy
these nurses felt caring for these special children
on Christmas Day particularly since Santa had
found them (even in the hospital) was heartwarming.
These are only two of many reasons why I’m
proud to be a nurse!
—Sally McNichols
6
Beginners’ Luck
The PVE Women’s History project showcasing
notable PVE women who have made a difference
in our community presents a program titled
“Beginners’ Luck” on May 27 at 2 p.m. in
Rawlinson Hall. The program focuses on
PVE women who were irst responders for
community action here. A group of dedicated
women residents persisted in demanding
appropriate programs like itness, fundraising
for altruistic causes, spiritual life and artistic
and literary outlets. In addition, fun was an
important element for activities. Interviews
have been conducted and the resulting
candid responses will be supported by a slide
presentation emphasizing the roles that early
residents who happened to be women played
in the development of our community at PVE.
“Archival” photos will show just how these
pioneer PVE women operated and how they
managed to start programs that lourish today.
Plan to be present when this intriguing
program is presented. It emphasizes women
who were instrumental in establishing activities,
stimulated by residents who arrived in 1997
and offered skills, talents and creative abilities
to establish a community that today is a premier
example of what retirement living should be.
—PVE Women’s History Committee
In olden days a glimpse of stocking
was looked upon as something shocking
but now, God knows, anything goes.
—Cole Porter
Sock Hop on May 8!
May 2015 – Elysian Fields
A Chaplain for All Seasons
Chaplain Lester Westling, or Father Wes, as he
has been known for 60 years, arrived at PVE
with a wide variety of stories from a diverse and
colorful life history. In addition to being a priest,
a missionary, a military chaplain, a psychotherapist and an author, he may be one of the few
residents at PVE who has actually been connected with four branches of the service: Navy,
Marines, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine.
Les’s irst hitch, so to speak, was in the Coast
Guard Reserve and,
while working his
way through seminary, served in the
Merchant Marine.
After ordination as
an Episcopal priest,
he served several
parishes in Northern
California and, along
with his late wife
Marjorie, worked
as a missionary
with the Igorots in
the Mountain Province of Luzon and
in a Church School
of 4,000 Chinese
students plus two
Chinese parishes in
Tondo, Manila.
With the outbreak
of war in Vietnam,
Les joined the U.S.
Navy at the American
Embassy in Manila,
saying he wanted to be a chaplain and go to Vietnam. The Navy Consul replied, “If you are crazy
enough to want to go there, we are crazy enough
to send you.” And Les got what he had asked for
and then some. During his irst year, he was with
Field Medical Battalions and the 3rd Battalion,
9th Marine Infantry Regiment. Up north, he
learned to travel by himself in the delta. He then
moved into a “circuit rider” combat ministry to
65 Navy Commands and Army Advisors, moving
about the canals off the Mekong and Bassac Rivers and along the Cambodian border. “Every day
Elysian Fields – May 2015
was Sunday, and every night was war,” Chaplain
Westling said.
After Vietnam, Les earned his master of pastoral psychology and doctor of ministry degrees
under the direction of the Naval Postgraduate
School. He then established the very irst Family Therapy Clinic in the Navy and Marine Corps,
and contributed to family reunion research and
training of professionals for the Joint Center for
Prisoner of War Studies. This was in preparation
for the 1973 return
of the prisoners
from Hanoi. He was
so impressed by the
young Americans
of many faiths with
whom he served
that he elected to
remain in the Navy
Chaplaincy for 26
years, serving in
the surface leet, air
wings, submarine
squadrons, and
Naval hospitals.
However, retirement from the
service was never
truly a retirement.
After serving as
Command and
Battle Group Chaplain with the USS
Carl Vinson, Father
Les returned to
the ranks of the
priesthood, this time in Redding, California.
Upon reaching age-required church retirement,
he served as a Psychotherapist with Tehama
County Mental Health. He continues his passion for service even now by writing non iction
books on the treatment of returning veterans
and their families struggling with post-traumatic stress and related mental health issues.
You might want to check them out. You should
be able to ind them in the PVE Library or just
ask Les.
—Jan Heise
7
The 2015 Bocce Season Is Underway
The 2015 bocce season kicked off
Monday, April 20, at 9:00 a.m. In
the first game, the Pallino Pals
(Bergerot) played the Wild Turkeys
(Tzudiker). In the second game, the
PVE Angels (Isherwood) played the
Sky Chiefs (Terry).
Two spirited runoff matches
between leading teams from last
year preceded the season opener
on Friday, April 17. The Red Hot
Paninis (Ridgway) squared off
against the Devil Dogs (Riley) and
the Bombardiers (Palmos) met
the Green Hornets (Wisner). This
lively competition was witnessed
by an unprecedented crowd of
residents who were also enjoying
the first continental breakfast
of the season. A great time was
had by contestants and fans
alike on another beautiful day in
paradise—Paradise Valley Estates,
that is.
The most watched bocce games
are at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, in
conjunction with the continental
breakfast at the Pavilion next door
to the bocce court. The 10:15
a.m. Friday games are also well
attended. Remember, bocce is
played every morning between
9:00 and 11:00 a.m. during
the week. It is an entertaining
spectator sport and all residents,
their families and friends are
welcome to come to watch and
cheer. Benches and chairs are
available for everyone.
All teams have played at least
one game by the time you read
this article. Most teams have
played twice and the season is well
under way. Team standings are
posted regularly on the bulletin
board in the in-house mail room.
8
Green Hornets (leŌ to right): Nancy Wisner, Phyllis Mosher,
Be y Stack, Fred Wisner.
Bombadiers (leŌ to right): Herb Heberling, Pete Palmos, Diane
Heberling, Gay Bowen, Pat Palmos, Be e Brown.
May 2015 – Elysian Fields
Regardless of team standing, it is
clear that all players are winning
new friends and are having a great
time except when the ball doesn’t
do what is expected! However,
disappointments are fleeting. The
more common emotion is elation
at winning a point or knocking an
opponent’s ball out of position.
For any residents who may be
thinking they would like to play
bocce, but didn’t sign up in time,
it is not too late. Just call Marilyn
Isherwood at 759-2075 or fill out
a sign up slip (available on the
bulletin board) and slide it into box
3112. See you at the bocce court.
—Bill Green
PVE Angels (le to right): Bob and Marilyn Isherwood, Tom
Winburn, Barbara Scanlin, John and Janice Parker, Dick
Betchley.
Tad and Bocce Mama
“Oh no, not those socks again!”
Flamingoes (le to right): Dennie and Tom Hansen, Jerry and
Karel Hedrick, LaVerne and Walt Suder.
Elysian Fields – May 2015
9
PVE PC User Group
Answers Questions
Spring Is Here
The trees are blooming
All the advancements in making comAnd lowers are breaking forth.
puters easy to use have still left a good
A little rain coaxes them on
number of Microsoft Windows computer
And the smells are like sweet perfume.
users who want help with their PC. As a
What a time to be alive and living
result, the PVE PC User Group started in
Here in Paradise with all your friends.
December of 2014 and now comprises
It is time to re lect and give thanks
30+ members. Between 15 and 25 PCUG
For each day brings its blessing to enjoy
members attend the bi-monthly meetings
And each moment can be a thing of beauty.
( irst and third Thursday of the month).
A broad spectrum of topics is presented
—Bruce Bartels
with the goal of making complex technical
subjects understandable to nontechnical
users.
technology professional and Wolf has been a volTopics include the critically important
unteer computer teacher at Senior Net and other
computer security: anti-virus software, phishing
senior organizations.
attacks, passwords and other aspects of
Shortly after the early meetings, Stu applied his
protecting users against cyber criminals.
expertise to setting up a web site for the PCUG
“Housekeeping” topics have covered tasks that
(pvepcughelp.com) hosting meeting presentahelp computers function ef iciently. Getting pictures from digital cameras to computers is a topic tion material and other information useful to the
group. The PVE Apple User Group now also uses
of high interest. Buying a new computer was
the web site.
covered in a recent session. An important part of
The formation of the current user group is the
each meeting is a discussion (Q&A) period where
members can bring up ad hoc topics or questions. result of a conversation started by Dominic Battistella a long-time PVE resident (Class of ‘98)
The PCUG meetings are led by Stu Lovenduring one of my exercise sessions in the Quail
thal and Wolf Schaechter, both Class of 2014
Creek Fitness Center. Years ago, when PVE resiPVE arrivals. Stu is a retired AT&T information
dents were relatively new to
personal computers, Dominic
started three PC user groups
with over 90 members. As the
group leaders dropped out, the
activity stopped, but Dominic
felt there was still a need. Hearing that I’d been a Senior Net
computer teacher, he talked me
into starting a group – assuming there was a demand. Well,
the Green Book signup sheet
soon needed an extra page and
the irst meeting was in November of 2014. Have a question
about your PC? Come and join
us at the next PC User Group
meeting.
—Wolf Schaechter
Wolf Schaechter, Stu Loventhal
10
May 2015 – Elysian Fields
Person of Interest – Jean Laroue
We have known Jean Laroue for almost 35 years.
Joan met him irst when she and two college
friends attended the cultural center/French
cooking school in a small town in Burgundy. Jean
and his Danish wife, Kirsten, operated a live-in
school where students stayed with them. This
allowed for a better environment for the fellow
students to get together. I attended twice with
Joan when I was able.
Kirsten spoke English so Jean called upon her
to translate when a participant could not understand the French. Jean also included visits to
local farmer’s markets and occasionally other
local cultural activities. Whenever I rode in the
front with Jean, I would watch him and have a
strong feeling that he understood the English
being spoken by the others in the back seat. But
he “never” understood.
When we were about to start our own cooking
school, we took a little trip to visit Jean and
Kirsten. They had retired and were happy to
give many pointers.
Jean came from a very interesting family from
Brest. His father had been an admiral in the
French navy. His mother came from a family that
sent her to England as a child to study English.
Jean had been in the navy when WWII broke out.
When France surrendered, Jean was interned in
a POW camp. Managing to escape, he made it to
the coast where he and two other escapees were
nailed up behind a bulkhead on a ishing boat
and were successfully transported to England.
There he worked with Charles DeGaulle and
others involved in the French Resistance.
His mother remained in Brest where she
became the “Chef de Resistance” for the local
French underground. As Brest was a major
seaport with huge ship repair facilities, she
could quiz many of the ship repair workers. She
found out what ships had come in for repairs
and which ones were ready to put to sea again.
Because she spoke English, she would broadcast
to England two or three times a week. With her
information, the RAF could bomb the ships as
they went to sea. She was so successful that a
commemorative postage stamp was issued after
the war with her picture on it. There is also a
street in Brest named for her —Tante Yvonne—
Elysian Fields – May 2015
Aunt Yvonne, her code name. She was betrayed
and arrested by the Germans in early 1944 and
sent to a concentration camp where she survived until after the war. Many locals are sure
that it was a French person who turned her into
the Gestapo. However, her health failed and she
died shortly thereafter.
After the war, Jean worked for the World Bank
in Washington as maître d’hotel in their dining
room for many years before returning to France.
—Fred Montanye
Save these Dates
May 2
Kentucky Derby Party
May 5
Solano Winds Concert
May 6
NaƟonal Nurse’s Day
May 8
Sock Hop
May 10
Mother’s Day
May 16
Armed Services Day
Luau for Employee Scholarship Fund
May 20
PAWS for a Cause (see below)
May 23
PVE Chorale Spring Concert
May 23–25 Memorial Day Weekend
May 27
PVE Women’s History Program
PAWS for a Cause: The guest speaker and his
working canine are from Paws for Purple Hearts
(PPH) in Sonoma County, the first program of
its kind to oﬀer therapeu c interven on for
veterans and ac ve-duty military personnel.
They teach people who have post-trauma c
stress disorder to train service dogs for their
comrades with combat-related injuries. PPH is
built on the trusted and me-honored tradi on
of veterans helping veterans. All residents
are welcome to a end. Contact Ann Farber,
427-1538, for further informa on.
11
More than Beach Reading
PVE’s Book Discussion Group selected The Orphan
Train by Christine Baker Kline, a historical novel,
for discussion in April with Sue Smith as leader
and facilitator. If it is time to set aside vacation and
leisure time reading, this is a provocative book
to start the collection. Two women, one 91 years
old, one 17, ind they are remarkably similar in
backgrounds, though circumstances have left the
older woman, Vivian, wealthy and the young girl,
Molly, performing community service in lieu of
going to juvenile hall for stealing a copy of Jane
Eyre from the school library. Baker Kline carefully
researched the framework for the novel to
document a neglected period in American history
when scores of destitute and orphaned children
were taken by train from New York City to the
Midwest. This example of socio-economic altruism
gone dramatically wrong occurred between 1878
and 1930 when well-intentioned people believed
that taking children from crowded conditions into
adoption opportunities would bene it all. Careful
plotting, memorable characters, and dramatic
settings make The Orphan Train interesting on
many levels and a thought-provoking entrée into
the struggle for social justice in America.
—Liz Wildberger
Move-Ins since
the Last Issue
Kirk, Sonoko
1113 Estates Drive
From Fair ield, California
Kraft, Roy, Captain, USN (Ret) and Jeannie
5842 Constitution Avenue
From Sun City, Arizona
McNeill, Frances
3201 Estates Drive
From Vacaville, California
Youngϐlesh, Richard “Dick”, Colonel,
USAF (Ret) and Kay
1207 Estates Drive
From Alexandria, Virginia
12
Remembering…
Sara Haas
Loving Wife
Arrived: November 1997
Departed: March 21, 2015
Move with Confidence
As we age, some of the systems involved in maintaining balance and stability go through changes.
Vision may decline as things become blurry, depth
perception is reduced, contrast between objects is
lower and seeing in the dark becomes dif icult.
Changes also occur in the way our muscles
respond to nerve signals and a decline in physical activity can result in loss of muscle strength.
Conditions such as arthritis or Parkinson’s disease
can make you less secure on your feet. In addition,
poor posture and certain medications may also
affect your balance as can joint injury or surgery.
Fitness is a big part of successful aging and balance exercises are a key component of a complete
itness program. One of the best ways to build
balance is by walking. Walking keeps your leg
muscles strong and reinforces balance. Practicing
Tai Chi has also been shown to improve balance
and reduce the risk of falls.
We are fortunate here at PVE to have our comprehensive balance-training program offered at
the Powerhouse. The program utilizes the HUR
I balance platform and other equipment in the
Powerhouse to work on center of gravity training,
postural training and gait pattern enhancement. If
you are struggling with con idence in your movement or have had a fall recently, this program is
for you. Our itness team is here for you, so please
reach out and contact me so we can assist you in
planning your personalized program, enabling you
once again to move with con idence.
—Jan Olson
May 2015 – Elysian Fields
Mackay Barks about
Boarding School
It’s been awhile since I barked about my life. I am
a really lucky dog. My family and friends at PVE
are the best and the dog park is such fun for all
of us. However, I guess my manners need some
ine-tuning so I am now at boarding school for two
weeks. My parents murmured something about
“there is no excuse for bad manners!”
I love people and people have treats. I feel the
need to get their attention so sometimes I have to
jump up on them. I think they should love to pet me,
feel my soft fur and then, possibly give me a treat.
Can’t blame a girl for trying. Evidently, this makes
my Mom yell and run to protect the person I am
loving. Doesn’t she know if I knock them down, I
will lay down next to them and let them pet me and
even lick them if necessary?
Well, anyway, here I am at boarding school. The
headmaster is very big and expects me to do what
he wants me to do. It’s kind of neat though because
every time I do what he wants, he tells me I am a
good girl. I have known that since I was born. It’s
nice to know he’s a believer.
I’ll keep you posted. I think I better pay attention
to him if I want to get back to my cushy home. I miss
Kenzie, my little buddy and know she is getting
some of my treats!
—Mackay Askey
Love Is Ageless
We met in 2008 when our spouses were in
long-term care in Vacaville. After our respective
spouses died in 2009 and 2010, we continued
a casual friendship. We kept in touch by phone,
but by 2011, we began to have lunch together
and then visited each other in Jane’s Vacaville
home or Sam’s Fair ield residence. We became
committed to each other during 2012, still going
back and forth to spend time together. In July
2014, we moved into an apartment here at PVE.
Our large extended family is very happy with our
commitment.
—Sam Grzan and Jane Gravin
Elysian Fields – May 2015
?
Did You Know
You can view the Elysian Fields in color
on the PVE web site, www.pvestates.com.
Follow these steps to get to the monthly list
of issues.
1. On the HOME PAGE, click on
“About Us.”
2. Click on “News.”
3. Click on “Past Newsletters”
4. Select the month you wish to see from
the list. You will also see an all “text”
version that can be used by those who
are visually impaired.
Solano Winds May
Concert
Solano Winds, Fair ield’s community concert
band, invites PVE residents to a program of music
that Music Director Bill Doherty has named
“War and Peace.” The concert will take place on
Tuesday, May 12, in Rawlinson Hall at 7:30 p.m.
Marches by Gustav Holst and John Philip Sousa,
the Gustav Holst composition Mars, the Bringer
of War, and contrasting thoughtful pieces by
Galante and Aaron Copeland will be part of a
season called “Attractive Opposites.”
As part of the 20th anniversary season of
Solano Wind’s founding, Music Director Bill
Doherty has been showcasing band members,
and for this concert, saxophonist Julie Auman will
be the featured soloist in Serenade for Alto Sax
and Band and lutists Cathy Pierce and Lauren
Nucum will perform Andante and Rondo, a lute
duet.
Plan to be part of the audience when the
65-member Solano Winds performs an homage
to times of confrontation and to times of peace in
a memorable band concert celebrating the 20th
anniversary of its founding.
—Liz Wildberger
13
Termites at PVE?
Dear Elmer,
I’m sorry it took so long to write, but after moving
to our new home at the Pleasant Vista Establishment (everyone calls it PVE) and getting somewhat
settled in—at least too much to change our minds
about living here—we found out there were termites at PVE. Not just in one or a few residences but
probably everywhere people live. Now I’ve previously had termites in homes and went through the
tenting, etc. and later the orange-oil treatments, so
I’m not a stranger to them. But couldn’t they have
told us about them before we moved in?
So what was I to do? I heard of a See-anEss form used to complain about things
and looked high and low but couldn’t ind
one. The front desk referred me to the
residents’ mailroom where I could not ind
such a form and went back to ask again.
No, it wasn’t that residents’ mailroom but
the other residents’ mailroom. I don’t know how
anyone can ind which the right residents’ mailroom is! Finally I found the form, which is C&S, not
See-an-Ess, and quickly dispatched it and waited
for a response, wondering in which mailroom I
would get my reply. After a few days, I gave up, having checked both mailrooms several times with no
responses.
Then, at dinner one evening, I noticed the gentleman across from me had an unusual name badge
with the word “Termite” on it. So I cautiously asked,
“Do you have termites in your building?” “Oh, yes,”
he said, “we have several.” I barely had time to consider anyone counting termites when he continued
on, “Ed, Bill, Herb, Jack, and maybe a few more.”
I was blown away. Not only did they count their
termites, they gave them names! His next question
completely baf led me. “Are you interested in the
termites?” I said that I wished I had known about
them before moving here. “Oh, that doesn’t matter,”
he said. Seeing by the blank look on my face that I
had no idea what he was talking about, he asked
whether I was interested in woodworking. I said I
was but had got rid of all my tools and equipment
and didn’t plan on doing any woodwork here. “Oh,”
he said, “the termites have a shop with everything
needed. Can I show it to you after dinner?” This I
had to see—termites with their own shop. I wondered if we would need a magnifying glass to see it.
14
After dinner, we headed out, walked past the
swimming pool and pool room, and went down a
long hallway to a door with a coded lock. Inside was
a fully equipped woodshop for use by residents and
it inally dawned on me . . . the PVE termites were
woodworkers with their own shop. I don’t know
whether I was more relieved or embarrassed.
—Jerry Mulenburg
The Coast Guard Sword
The Coast Guard Of icers’ Sword is identical to the
U.S. Naval Of icers’ Sword in all manners except
the inscription. Both are still required articles of
uniform for of icers of these services. In 1852, the
leaders of the Navy and Revenue Cutter Service
(an ancestor service of the Coast Guard) agreed
on the design and joint use. At the time, the sword
was still the primary weapon for hand-to-hand
combat. Most military ri les and pistols still had to
be hand-loaded. The sword is now part of the uniform for formal occasions such as parades, change
of command ceremonies, weddings, dining in, and
dining out.
As a new ensign in 1960, I was temporarily
assigned to the Coast Guard Third District in New
York City waiting for my ship to arrive. The irst
American astronaut in space, Alan Shephard, was
to be honored with a ticker-tape parade on Fifth
Avenue. Being the junior of icer and one of the few
who had his sword handy, I (was) volunteered to
lead the Coast Guard’s platoon in the parade. Four
years later, I volunteered to lead a platoon from
my ship in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade down Fifth
Avenue. That was the end of the of icial use of my
sword except for cutting cakes at weddings.
—Robert Isherwood
May 2015 – Elysian Fields
The Luau Party Is Coming!
Peace
When peace brings sleeping joy
To girl and boy,
When lowers o’er all the earth
Foretell springs birth,
Come walk with me good friend.
We’ll ind good mirth with all spring weather,
You and me together.
—Elly Vasak
PVE Sponsors Fisher
House Golf Tournament
For the second year in a row, PVE is sponsoring
the Fisher House golf tournament on Friday,
June 26, at the Paradise Valley Golf Course in
Fair ield, California. The tournament bene its
the Travis (AFB) Fisher House. The Fisher
House is one of 54 “homes away from home”
built on military bases with medical centers by
the late philanthropists Zachary and Elizabeth
Fisher. They generously created a foundation to
help military families in need where they can
stay without charge when one of its members
is hospitalized. The concept is similar to the
Ronald McDonald houses, which provide
housing and support for families with children
undergoing medical care.
Last year’s tournament raised more than
$11,000 for Fisher House. The goal this year is
to raise $20,000. The tournament is based on a
scramble format. The $100 entry fee includes
a light lunch at 11 a.m., free range balls, golf,
and an awards dinner. We expect to have a full
slate of golfers with several foursomes from
PVE. There is a $40,000 hole-in-one contest
with the winner sharing the prize with Fisher
House ($20,000 each). After golf, there is a
blind auction and a raf le for many nice prizes.
The entire event is being planned by the PVE
Resident Marketing Committee. If you would like
to play, please call Walt McDaniel (426-4288)
who is setting up PVE foursomes for the event.
—Bruce Bartels
Elysian Fields – May 2015
The fourth annual PVE Luau Party is coming on
Saturday, May 16, from 4:45 to 7:30 p.m. The area
between the Community Center and Pavilion
will be transformed into a Hawaiian paradise
complete with a lavish feast, hula dancing, live
music, and tropical drinks with fun and fellowship
for everyone. The event will spotlight the six 2015
scholarship winners as guests and is a fundraiser
for next year’s PVE educational scholarships.
The “Parrot Pub” will feature Mai Tais, delectable
pineapple wine, and full beverage service. Hula
dancing will be performed to the music of the Bob
Jacobs band, including Hawaiian dances by PVE
residents. PVE resident hula dance instruction is
currently in progress so join in (see Friday Flash
Left to Right: Vicki Getz, Dair Rausch, Jan
Holderness, Dair Rausch, Unadel Shapton,
Marie Smith, Ann Waldman, Julie Thomas
announcements). Shade tents will cover tables
to protect participants from the sun with special
seating on the veranda and luau host assistance
for those who have dif iculty crossing the lawn.
The cost is the same as last year ($25 plus a meal
ticket). Seating is limited to 200—sign up in
the Green Book at the Community Center desk
between April 25 and May 10. Sign-ups will be by
tables of eight so get your friends to sign-up with
you to sit together. Watch the Friday Flash and
posters in the Community Center for updates and
additional instructions. Get your Hawaiian shirts,
sun dresses, and sarongs out of the closet and join
the fun—prizes for the best dressed!
—Les Westling and Jerry Hedrick
15
Raby School
Raby is the name of a huge former land grant by
the British Crown several square miles 40 miles
from Sydney and named after a town in England.
When I was a child, it included the farming community of Leppington, some large farms, and other
tiny communities.
I attended Raby School, as did my dad and three of
his four siblings. It was a one-room school with a
covered veranda on two sides that was built on the
slope of a hill and had lat land in front for a play
ield. We had six grades, forty students, and one
teacher, Mr. Morris, a very strict but kind veteran
of Gallipoli who had a (PTSD) facial tic that was
often mimicked by naughty boys.
More than half the students did not speak
English. Most were born in Australia but their
parents had come from Italy, Poland, Romania,
Yugoslavia, Czechoslovak, and other countries.
After a couple of months, they taught their
parents English. I have nothing but admiration
Elysian Fields Staff
Editor
Sheila Askey
Associate Editor
Copy Editor
Bruce Bartels
Marilyn Isherwood
Photography
Norm Heise
Editorial Assistants/Writers
Biographies of Residents
Fitness Writer
Jan Olson
Life at PVE
(human interest stories,
organized activities,
and campus events)
Bruce Bartels
Memories
(of past events and
signi icant happenings)
Liz Wildberger
Poems
Layout and Production
16
Phyllis Mosher
Marty Wildberger
Natalie Karst
Did You Know
?
The PVE Vision Statement: Paradise Valley
Estates strives to be the premier continuing
care community by excelling in care and services, providing ample, well-trained, and caring
personnel. The management will be leaders
in providing cost effective care and services to
meet the needs of the Community. Our programs will result in resident satisfaction by
improving their quality of life in a safe environment. To ind out more and to read the Code of
Ethics, go to page 3 of the Resident Handbook.
for Mr. Morris. Occasionally, he got rattled! I
remember a tall boy who yawned a lot in school.
Eventually, he found a piece of chalk in his mouth!
Mr. Morris was a good shot. One afternoon per
week Mrs. Morris came to teach the girls to sew
while Mr. Morris taught the boys woodworking.
Our school grounds were about two acres with
some nice trees. A favorite tree for climbing was
a big peppercorn tree, and we used to throw
peppercorns at each other for fun. I chose my
house at PVE because there is a big lawn and a
peppercorn tree off my patio.
At recess, we all had to play “Rounders” for
exercise. I now know it was like baseball but with
a cricket bat and tennis ball. The ball went a long
way and we often got to run two “rounders.” A
favorite game for the boys was marbles. I decided
to get some marbles that I carried in a little cloth
bag. How hard could it be? I thought! Georgie
Gray won all my marbles with only his left hand.
As a younger child, he had been playing hide and
seek and hid in his father’s chicken feed-mixing
machine (a terrible no-no). Not knowing he was
there, a worker turned the machine on and he lost
his right arm and left leg. I never played marbles
again!
We had a two “holer” for boys and another for
girls. I think I will never forget the smell.
For sixth grade, my Mum decided I needed to go
to boarding school for a better education and to
meet “better” people! So off I was sent, most reluctantly, to Methodist Ladies College in a suburb of
Sydney. That is another story.
—Jennifer Tegel
May 2015 – Elysian Fields