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!

She attended school at Cobden, Illinois where she graduated high school. During her school days, Evelyn played center on the basketball team and was the team captain. “They said the captain needed to be someone everyone liked. They kept picking me,” she commented.

Evelyn married Joseph George Ingram and had two children, both boys. The couple moved to Hammond, Indiana where Joseph was a superintendent at the Harsco steel mill and Evelyn was a homemaker and worked in a dry goods store during the Christmas Season.

She enjoyed traveling to Frog Rapids, Canada where she and her husband vacationed for 18 years. “We would stay in a cabin for two weeks, without electricity, and go fishing. My husband wanted to catch a musky, but never did.”

Evelyn is a member of the Church of the Nazarene and has been involved as a Sunday School teacher and in missions groups. She and her husband were selected as Mr. & Mrs. Nazarene by their church body.

She enjoys knitting and crossword puzzles. About living at Autumn Ridge, Evelyn commented, “It’s an ideal place to live. It’s an answer to an old woman’s prayer.”

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.

Items may also be donated and sold directly by the facility with all proceeds benefiting the residents through the Resident Activity Fund. Any donated items may be dropped off at Autumn Ridge during normal operating hours, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm daily. To reserve your spot or for additional information, please call Autumn Ridge at 658-2775 and ask for Stephanie or Marsha.

His father migrated to the United States and settled in the Cleveland, Ohio area
during World War II. At the urging of his father, Nick decided to join him in Cleveland
and left behind two brothers and many family members in Serbia.

He worked in machine shops fixing large pieces of equipment in the Cleveland area and eventually in Chicago. After his retirement, he decided to relocate to Southern Illinois to be near his children.

Nick is the proud father of four children, two boys and two girls, as well as a grandfather of four. He enjoys all sports, but especially baseball. “I root for the Cubs,” he commented, when asked about his favorite team.

He is also an avid soccer fan and has played professionally. In Serbia he played for the Prltar team and in the U.S. the Kagorga team. While living in Chicago he was a member of a Ukrainian bowling league, winning many awards including a first place trophy during a tournament.

Nick loves to travel including his favorite locations: Florida, Wisconsin, Canada, and Mexico. He returned several times to Serbia to visit his family.

About living at Autumn Ridge Nick commented, “I love living here; it’s a nice place with nice people. I could spend all my life here, if nobody chases me out!”

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.

Faye grew up in Albion and attended public schools for 11-1/2 years before quitting to pursue a career in modeling. During grade school Faye enjoyed ice skating, swimming, dancing, and later in high school studies French. After modeling in Lansing for several years, she settled down and wed.

She had two children, David and Linford and taught them to fish, hunt, and swim. David and his wife Zinda reside in Metropolis. In addition, Faye has two
grandsons, each named Brian.

These days Faye enjoys reading, especially recipe books, Better Home and Gardens magazine, and Reader’s Digest.

During the interview Faye also shared some factoids about her family. Faye’s father was an avid painter and at the request of Henry Ford painted a red stripe on the first Model-T produced. To view some of her father’s talent, stop by Faye’s apartment and view the painting hanging above her couch. She also had a sister who was a professional dancer that was Lana Turner’s body double.

About living at Autumn Ridge, Faye commented, “I have enjoyed myself. I was lonesome, but I have met a lot of people. It is a beautiful place with great food 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!”

After graduation, Ms. Gile spent 28 years teaching and 30 years as a speech and language pathologist serving Williamson county. She would raise one son, Grayson.

During her time as a young adult, Grace traveled to Cuba and New Foundland to visit her brother in the Navy. In Cuba, she recalls seeing Fidel Castro rallying support for his attempt at a militant takeover.

Ms. Gile is a member of the 1st Christian Church in Marion where she served as a Sunday school teacher, director of the junior choir, and sang in the adult choir.

Grace enjoyed singing, competitive swimming, and performing in theater productions. She is a founding member of the Paradise Alley Players in Marion and had a starring role in “Anne Boleyn of a 1,000 Days,” the story of King Henry 8th. She is also a former Marion Music Maker tambourine player. She is excited about their upcoming performance at Autumn Ridge in November and hopes there is a large turnout.

Upon moving to Autumn Ridge, Grace commented, “I really feel fortunate that this facility was built at this time in my life.”

June married Paul and lived in Marion where she raised a son and a daughter, Jim and Linda. They took many outings and enjoyed fishing and camping the most. The family moved to Vienna in 1960. June is most remembered for her years of service to the Johnson County School District. She served as a cook at Vienna High School for over 20 years. She reminisces about spending time with the wonderful students.

June was a charter member of Fellowship Baptist Church where she served as a 1st and 2nd grade Sunday School teacher. June enjoys spending time with her four grandsons, Ryan, Travis, Jordan, and Trenton and loves to sit with them. June’s favorite activities are attending movies and eating out. Since moving to Autumn Ridge in July, she is making many new friends at Autumn Ridge and says, “Everyone is friendly here. Everyone treats me real nice.”

She was a housewife who enjoyed washing, ironing, canning, and taking care of her two children, Wayne and Ann. Ruth has four grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and eleven great-great grandchildren. Ruth is a member of the Taylor United Methodist Church where she was active as a member of the United Methodist Women’s Group.

Ruth enjoys knitting, crocheting, quilting, sewing, working puzzles, and traveling. She also enjoys reading mystery novels and learning about history.

Ruth commented about living at Autumn Ridge, “It is fortunate to have such a nice facility in Johnson County. It is a lot better than a nursing home.” Ruth made Autumn Ridge her home in May and currently resides in Apartment 3.

However, if you prefer you can still download the PDF version of our application.

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.

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