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
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