On April 28th, 2009, Autumn Ridge celebrated its first anniversary on the day its first resident, Marie Cover, moved in one year earlier. To help commemorate this day, Marie was crowned “Queen for the Day,” and was bestowed with a tiara, scepter, royal ring, and sash. A castle shaped cake and golden punch was served to complete the festivities.

“I deeply appreciate it and I was very surprised,” commented Marie about receiving such an honor.

In honor of Supportive Living Week and in Autumn Ridge fashion, the celebration was extended to include the rest of the week with such special activities as the Johnson County Cloggers and a special Autumn Ridge birthday party and balloon launch on Thursday. Additional pictures can be found on pages six and seven.

The management and staff of Autumn Ridge would like to thank all of the current and former residents for choosing to make Autumn Ridge their home. Each and every resident is greatly appreciated!

During the recent winter storm of 2009, southern Illinois received an especially hard blow from Old Man Winter. Power was knocked out to the facility and much of the county during the night on Tuesday, January 27th. As part of the emergency response plan, residents’ beds were moved to the dining room where a temporary generator powered a few lights, television, heaters, and most importantly the Nintendo Wii.

Autumn Ridge would like to thank the residents, their families, and the staff for their cooperation and patience during this time. A heartfelt thank you also is extended to the city police and fire officials as well as many other good Samaritans who helped in
numerous ways. Currently the facility is working with representatives of the electric company and a generator manufacturer to investigate the feasibility of installing
a generator.

To celebrate the Easter holiday season, residents participated in many traditional Easter activities including dyeing eggs and then hunting them around the facility. On Wednesday, April 8th, several residents enjoyed dyeing eggs and reminiscing about how they dyed eggs as a child and later with their own children and grandchildren.

Facility Manager, Stephanie Newcomb-Whitehead, who also participated in the festivities, commented, “Everyone really enjoyed themselves and the eggs were beautiful.”

The next day, everyone was treated to a beautifully decorated Easter table at the weekly theme party. Plastic eggs, baskets, and grass were abundant.

The highlight of the Easter activities was the egg hung. After lunch, the dyed eggs were hidden around the facility, each resident was given a basket, and then sent to hunt the eggs. Vera Hodges commented, “The egg hunt was great fun! I actually found one!” Many laughs and memories were made during this fun time of the year.

This is to certify that Mildred Harper has successfully completed the Walk Across Illinois challenge by walking 167 miles, the equivalent of a walk from Rock Island to the shore of Lake Michigan.

About completing this monumental task Mildred commented, “I feel honored. I enjoy walking and was thankful I was able to do it.” She also challenges the other residents, “Come on and try it. You’ll like it.”

All residents are encouraged to participate in this challenge. A log book has been made available in the dining room so that you can accurately log the number of laps you have completed.

Name: Gender: Age: Color: Owner:	Midnight Male 10 years Black Grace Jeanne Gile

Speaking on behalf of her shy cat, Grace recalls how she and Midnight came to live together, “I got him from my granddaughter. He was such a cute little kitten.” Before moving to Autumn Ridge, Midnight’s days were spent outside roaming the backyard of his house in Marion. Since moving in he tends to “camp out” under Grace’s bed but she says he is starting to venture outside. “He will go out the door with me but he runs right back in. You might say he is a housecat!”

Midnight enjoys sleeping and eating, but only dry food. Be sure to ask Grace about a favorite songs she sings to him.

Name: Gender: Age: Color: Owner:	Freckles Female 9 years White with brown splotches Jacqueline Mifflin

With Freckles on her lap, Jackie vividly remembers the day they first met. A local animal shelter brought three or four dogs for her to choose from. “Freckles came up and put her paw on me and I knew she was the one,” she recalls. From that point on the two have been inseparable. Since moving in, Freckles has been a very sociable canine and one can find her sitting out front greeting residents and guests. “She loves it here. She gets more attention,” Jackie commented.

Freckles enjoys chasing rabbits and squirrels, taking long walks, and looking out the window.

Formed more than 30 years ago, the Marion Music Makers are a Senior Adult band that travels to nursing homes and senior centers across Southern Illinois. Instruments in the band include a tambourine, played by Autumn Ridge resident Grace Jeanne Gile, washboards, spoons, kazoo, bass drum, and piano just to name a few. An authentic hula dancer also performed to traditional Hawaiian music.

Grace who has been performing with the group for 10 years commented, “It was great to have the band play here. We had as much fun as the audience did!”

Thank you to the Marion Music Makers for a great afternoon of fun and entertainment.

From residents putting hooks on glass ornaments to others hand making Christmas ornaments to hang on the resident Christmas tree, everyone has helped make the facility beautiful. Over the past few weeks during craft time residents have made many ornaments to hang on the tree.

As you walk around the building, you will notice a beautiful gold and maroon tree in the lobby that rotates. A festive wine tree compliments the grape decor in the Gazebo.

Other themed trees through out the facility include peacock, snowman, candy, car, and candied fruit trees.

Thanks to everyone who has assisted in making Autumn Ridge look beautiful for the holidays!

The turnout was great with nearly 50 children bringing smiles to the residents. Mary Reynolds commented, “It was nice to see all the young children dressed up. They really enjoyed receiving the candy. It
was great!”

The polls were open at Autumn Ridge from 4pm to 8 pm with members of the general public invited to take advantage of this opportunity. According to the clerk’s office nearly 35 voters cast their ballot.

“If it wasn’t for the clerk’s office coming here, many of us may not have made it to the polls on election day,” commented Wanda Slack.

At 10:30 am on Sunday morning, a minister or lay person from a local house of worship holds church in the dining room. Prayer concerns are expressed, hymns are sung, and a sermon is delivered. Previous ministers include: Jerry Miller, Mark Winterwood, and Larry Pierce.

On Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am, members of the Senior Adult Sunday School class from Fellowship Church hold a Sunday School lesson and Bible study in the Gazebo. This discussion is led by Fellowship’s Pastor, Dwayne Shumaker. Study themes that have been discussed include, and “Life at Its Best,” a study on how to live a fulfilled life, and “Living with the End in Mind,” a study on the book of Revelation.

Mae Miller commented, “I do enjoy both services. It fills the void in my life left by not being able to go to church.” Everyone is invited to attend both of these services and enjoy a great time of fellowship.

Family members enjoyed crispy chicken sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, and warm brownie alamode. After supper Facility Manager, Stephanie Newcomb-Whitehead gave a presentation to inform residents and guests about the inner workings and guidelines of Autumn Ridge.

Residents and guests are reminded that local, in-town transportation requests should be submitted to the facility manager no less than 24 hours in advance, a reasonable amount of laundry will be washed on the resident’s assigned day, and housekeeping duties do not include washing dishes.

Other topics of information included a reminder that firearms and tobacco use are prohibited in the building. All able bodied residents are encouraged to obtain their meals from the serving line and guests are asked to give at least 24 hours notice if they will be dining at the facility. Guests without reservations will be asked to wait 15 minutes before dining to ensure all residents and reserved guests have been served.

Regular meal service to a resident’s room will be served if there are accompanying doctor’s orders. A sick tray consisting of soup or broth, saltine crackers, jello, and juice will be delivered on a limited time basis associated with general illness.

After the presentation, activities of BINGO and a bowling competition, using a video game system, were enjoyed.

Malcolm Hill, resident, commented, “It was fun and I had a good time!”

The next Family Night is planned for Tuesday, October 28th. Invitations will be sent to all Residents’ emergency contact. If you wish for your invitation to be sent elsewhere please contact the front desk.

As a former Red Hat member, Ara Ferrill, took the opportunity to dress in red and decorate her walker with a bright purple boa. “I enjoyed participating with the Red Hats in the past. It was so nice of those ladies to ask me to join them. I just love wearing that red hat,” Ara commented.

The Red Hatters also enjoyed an impromptu piano concert performed by Wilma Mizell. They gathered around the piano and sang to the tunes Ms. Mizell performed. Everyone who attended was very complimentary of the facility and enjoyed visiting with the residents.

Autumn Ridge residents have taken up that challenge and are walking the one-eighth mile track around the interior of the building working their “Way Across Illinois.” It takes eight laps around the interior of the building to walk a mile. To fulfill the requirements of the initiative, residents must walk 1,336 laps. After completing 167 miles, each participant will receive a certificate from the State to proclaim their accomplishments. If you are interested in joining this exercise initiative, contact the front desk to sign-up. Pedometers are also available to track your progress. Happy walking!

Family members enjoyed bacon cheeseburgers, french fries, and pineapple upside cake. After supper Guest Services Manager, Bryan Throgmorton shared information on how the quarterly meal menu was planned and approved by a licensed dietician, encouraged family members to dine with their Resident, and asked for general comments/opinions about the menu and satisfaction concerning the food service. Anyone not satisfied with or has general comments about the food is encouraged to talk to a staff member, put a suggestion in the suggestion box, or voice an opinion during Resident Council meetings.

Afterwards, Facility Manager, Stephanie Newcomb-Whitehead and Assistant Facility Manager Marsha Hayes led many rounds of BINGO resulting in numerous prizes awarded to participants.

Everyone who attended enjoyed themselves. The next Family Night is planned for Tuesday, August 26th. Invitations will be sent to all Residents’ emergency contact. If you wish for your invitation to be sent elsewhere please contact the front desk.

Actually, these are just a few of the themed luncheons that the Residents of Autumn Ridge have been enjoying. Randomly once a week during the luncheon meal, residents enjoy an elaborately decorated table and party favors. So far a “picnic,” “princess,” “under the sea,” “4th of July,” “western,” “garden,” and “backwards” parties have been celebrated.

Residents and staff enjoy themselves and enjoy getting to know one another better during these parties. Resident Ann Peckinpaugh commented on the parties, “It was so nice to have those parties. I have fun and hope everyone has fun. I hope they continue.”

If you have an idea for a party, let the front desk or kitchen know!