AV A L O N | N E W S L E T T E R
SPRING: Meeting Fauna on the Front Lines
Ah, spring, bringing renewed flora,
fauna, and human activity to the
northern hemisphere. People welcome a return to pastimes and rituals that connect them to the outdoors. Remember picnics, hikes,
sports, festivals, flower and vegetable gardening? How about hanging
out the bed linens that absorb the
crisp fresh air or hanging over the
backyard fence discussing spring
projects with your neighbors?
Over the years, Avalon residents
have connected with spring using
their own modified traditions. In
the 1980’s, Ann Haessig and her
husband Robert (dec.) moved to
Avalon. A farmer, Robert planted
raspberries and tomatoes in raised
beds. He found pleasure in feeding the birds and animals who visited, including deer that we seldom
see today. In 2014, Donna Fuelleman, along with her friend Laura Smith, maintained a planter of
herbs. Gil Roessler made regular
rounds watering Avalon’s indoor
and outdoor plants. This spring,
resident Norman Anderson hopes
to re-enact his gardening tradition.
In discussion with management, he
is considering possible accessible
site for growing a variety of vegetables such as peppers, beans,
tomatoes, and salad greens. After selecting an area with sufficient
sunlight, good soil, and water access, planting will begin around
Mother’s Day. Norman welcomes
residents’ ideas and participation.
Both farmers and gardeners know
they need to work with nature
while defending against her. After
the seeds and seedlings are carefully planted, small critters begin
foraging for the same food. Anticipating the struggle to ensue,
I asked Avalon’s veteran gardeners
for solutions to critter
continued on page 2
2879 Fish Hatchery Road, Fitchburg, WI 53713
Office: (608) 729-4894 | avalonalcommunity.com | MAY 2015
RESIDENT BIRTHDAYS
Our monthly birthday
celebration will be held on
Monday, May 18th at 3:30pm!
May
May
May
May
04
18
25
26
Fran B.
Art D.
Liene B.
Irene K.
Wisconsin Historical
Museum is Coming
Thursday, May 28th at 1:30pm
to present on “Mending,
Morals and Manners”
This presentation is about the
normal lives of women and
how their roles have changed
through time. They will talk
about the social etiquettes,
domestic expectations and
morality of women.
Avalon
Assisted Living Community
WELCOME TO OUR NEW
RESIDENTS THIS APRIL
Eva Eng
UPCOMING EVENTS
Some special happenings that
you may want to join us for:
MAY 1 ST – Show n’ Tell Where everyone gets
to know each other a
little bit better.
MAY 3 RD – Mother’s Day
Family Banquet
MAY 7 TH – Zounds
Hearing Presentation
MAY 8 TH – Lunch Outing
MAY 13 TH – “From Head
to Toe: All Systems Go!”
Aging adult health series
by O’Connell Pharmacy
MAY 15 TH – Trivia!
MAY 15 TH- Blues, Burgers
& Beer event with live music
by “Shari Davis and The
Hot Damn! Blues Band”
MAY 16 TH – Girl Scout
Troop Gardening
MAY 22 ND – MSO
HeartStrings season finale
MAY 27 TH - Resident
Remembrance Service
MAY 28 TH - Mending,
Morals and Manners
Presentation by the
Wisconsin Historical Society
MAY 29TH – Olbrich
Gardens Outing
Julieta, Rockstar
of Avalon!
Julieta won the company award because she has amazing attendance,
focuses on the details of food
preparation, and is always making sure the resident comes first.
Her commitment to resident service and loyalty make her an easy
choice for Avalon’s Rockstar! She
follows our mission each and every
day. Thank You Julieta!
Ridgeline’s mission: Creating environments where moments of joy,
independence, and wellness are
the focus each and every day
The Ridgeline (Avalon’s parent
company) Rockstar is an award
given quarterly. One person from
Meeting Fauna
invasion. Without hesitation, Clarence Schwengel replied, “There is
no solution.” In past years, Clarence defended his home garden
with a barricade, three graduating heights of electric fence. He
recalled how the rabbits and raccoons wriggled under the lowest
fence while the deer leaped easily
over the highest fence to feast on
tender ears of corn.
Responding to the same question, Shirley Lewis matter-of-factly wished me “Good luck.” With
years of gardening in Missouri, she
offered sage advice, “Plant enough
for you and the critters; then hope
that they will leave enough for you
to harvest.” A few residents reported varied success on the front
line. Dorothy Anderson and Grace
Potts used garden fences that kept
most critters out, except the garden “monkeys”—squirrels and
each of the Ridgeline Management Company communities is
nominated based on their work
ethic, commitment to elders and
one another, as well as their expression of the J.I.W. spirit (living
the mission of Joy, Independence,
and Wellness). You could be the
next Rockstar when you live out our
mission EACH AND EVERY DAY.
Pictured above: Robert, Chef
and Julieta, RockStar.
(continued from page 1)
raccoons. Beth Haffele recalled
how hanging shiny tin foil sheets
discouraged the birds.
Shirley
added, “Go ahead, mulch as much
as you want, but know that weeds
always find their way out.” Over a
few seasons of sporadic green (inexperienced) gardening, I’ve come
to understand that those times
when I’ve pulled weeds that come
out easily, I’ve removed valuable
plants instead.
When thinking of home-grown
foods, I’m motivated to don work
gloves and wide-brimmed hat.
However, now that I’m a senior, I’m
more inclined to recline with a cool
beverage and enjoyable reading.
Recently, in Avalon Memory Care, I
read Fabu’s poem “Southern Love”
posted on the wall. Her thoughts
capture the human, earthy relationships with the soil, its abundance,
and the need for care.
Activities Around Campus
Edgewood high school hand bell choir came to perform for us. They were unique and wonderful!
Leopold Elementary from the Service Learning Program came and frosted cookies for us for our dessert after
dinner. They turned out beautiful and delicious! Leopold Elementary from the Service Learning Program came
and frosted cookies for us for our dessert after dinner. They turned out beautiful and delicious!
Our community cordially invites you to our free event
“Blues, Burgers and Beer!”
5 pm: Supper with build-your-own burger bar
6-7:30 pm: Live performance by local musicians
“Shari Davis and The Hot Damn! Blues Band”
Please RSVP by May 13 to 608-729-4894
Avalon Assisted Living Community
2879 Fish Hatchery Rd, Fitchburg, WI 53713
avalonalcommunity.com
We had many volunteers in the month
of April here were a few of the activities:
High Point Church came to play cards,
games and help us create center pieces
for our dining room tables
Avalon
Assisted Living Community
2879 Fish Hatchery Road
Fitchburg, WI 53713
Office: (608) 729-4894
avalonalcommunity.com
O U R STA F F
Mark Van Den Broeke
ADMINISTRATOR
Sarah Hendricksen Rublein
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
COORDINATOR
Paula Ruffin, RN, BSN
HEALTH SERVICES
COORDINATOR
Jhonatan Real-Merino
MEMORY CARE
COORDINATOR
Jill Aronson Leichtfuss
LIFE ENRICHMENT
COORDINATOR
Southern Love
(Poems, Dreams and Roses, Nov. 2009)
I want love to be like a good
pot of greens
Pick the tenderest parts
Separate from the hard stem
Ted Babilius
MAINTENANCE DIRECTOR
Wash gently and thoroughly
Robert Kauper
CHEF AND DINING
SERVICES COORDINATOR
Rinsing over and over and over
Gloria Bowens
ADMINISTRATIVE
ASSISTANT
R IDGELINE
M A N AG EM EN T CO M PA N Y
Newsletter Production by PorterOneDesign.com
Removing every bit of dirt
and grime
With the clear, clean water
of forgiveness
Season with savory meat,
herbs and spices
Then simmer, simmer, simmer.
Madison’s Poet Laureate 2008
-2011 Fabu (Philis Carter) shares
poetry monthly with Avalon residents. A University of Wisconsin
graduate, artist and educator, Fabu
creates and shares poetry that reflects her life in Memphis, Tennes-
see, Nairobi, Kenya, and Madison,
Wisconsin. She is founder of The
Hibiscus Collective, a writer’s group
for women. You’ll find her work in
a publication periodically displayed
at Avalon, Capital City Hues: The
Poetic Tongues. Her website: artistfabu.com/poetlaureate.html
Inspired by her earthy thoughts,
I’ve attempted to create a poetic
experience. You may like to try
your hand at poetic expression,
alone or in a group. Begin by
creating one word for each of the
letters that spell the word S P R I
N G or S U M M E R (example:
Spring Promises Rain Inciting New
Growth). Phrases submitted will
be printed in the next newsletter,
writer’s name is optional.
Mary Gorman, Avalon Resident