LAKE MINNETONKA SHORES December 2013

From the Desk of Lydia Buetow

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ne of the blessings that comes with this time of year are the opportunities it gives us to connect with our friends, family members, and each other. Lake Minnetonka Shores has been very blessed in 2013 and we’re looking forward to some great times in 2014 as well. Over the past year, we celebrate many residentfocused program successes, great friendships and some wonderful customer satisfaction scores and feedback from all of you. The options for activities on campus have blossomed; our care suites and apartments have remained in high demand because of the relationships we have with each other and the great care that is provided; we have one of the highest Medicare 5-star ratings among our peers in the Gables (Care Center) AND we have far exceeded many more of our goals for 2013. These results have opened doors for us as we head into

2014 together. We are thankful and wait in anticipation for the upcoming year that we are confident also has some great things in store for us! Thank you all for a wonderful year and we look forward to the next. As all the parking lots, malls and gift shops become more and more crowded, our loved ones may feel an increasing sense of stress and high expectations. We must remind each other that one of the greatest gifts we can give is simply the time spent with our families and friends. We all know that the joy of new presents fade and “stuff” breaks down and wears out. Nothing of the earth can offer us endless joy and happiness. Author Frank McKibben states it wonderfully, “This is Christmas: not the tinsel, not the giving and receiving, not even the carols, but the humble heart that receives anew the wondrous gift, the Christ.” ~Lydia Buetow, Care Center Administrator

Presbyterian Homes & Services Mission, Vision and Values Mission: The mission of Presbyterian Homes & Services is to enrich the lives of older adults through services and communities that reflect the love of God. Vision: To provide more choices and opportunities for more older adults to live well. Values: Compassion, Christian ministry, growth & innovation, people, stewardship, service.

Lake Minnetonka Shores C a m p u s C o u r t T e r r a c e ~ V i l l a T e r r ac e ~ C o m m o ns ~ A r b o r ~ G a b le s

PRESBYTERIAN HOMES

Halloween Fun

& SERVICES Veteran’s Day

Honoring our Veterans with a special luncheon and the flag folding ceremony performed by Bill and Jay from the Mound Legion.

What a striking resemblance between Lydia Buetow, the Care Center Administrator, and the legendary Mary Poppins! “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun, and - SNAP - the job's a game!” ~ Mary Poppins

Introducing the Lake Minnetonka Shores Super Therapy team!

Congratulations to the Halloween costume contest winners: Irving Johnson, (Court resident) dressed as Chuck Norris and Larissa Bettendorf (Transitional Care Household Coordinator) dressed as a zebra! 4515 Shoreline Drive, Spring Park, MN

Marvin Lang wanted to say “Thank you!” to his guardian angels, Mary and Jennifer.

Congratulations! Richelle Pullis, Community Coordinator on the 3rd floor in the Gables, and her husband Troy, welcomed their 2nd daughter, Molly Ryan, on November 5. She was 7 lbs. 2 oz. and 20.5 inches.

www.lakeminnetonkashores.com

LAKE MINNETONKA SHORES Save The Date! Special Outings December 3

Gillespie Center Holiday Boutique

December 4

Christmas Cantata @ Our Savior Lutheran Church

December 7

Christmas Concert @ Wooddale Church

December 13

Minnetonka Center for the Arts Lunch & Holiday Sale

Special Events & Entertainment December 5 & 12

Ladies Christmas Tea

December 5

“Treble Tones” Evening Christmas Concert

December 6

Lynn Brownell Performs: Piano & Vocals

December 7

Kay Marie & Carol Dance Studio Students Perform

December 14

Excelsior Covenant Children’s Choir Program

December 14

Piano Students Recital

December 16

Pie Social

December 16

Gables 3rd Floor Christmas Party

December 17

Gables 2nd Floor Christmas Party

December 18

Court, Villa & Commons Christmas Party

December 19

Gables Vista & Koala Bear Day Care Christmas Party

December 24

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

December 31

New Year’s Eve Luncheon

Happy Birthday! Court Lorraine Frantz Eunice Nichols Ambrose Espiritu Michael Butler Hazel Keppen Annie Schwingler Fay Hartranft Steven Maddock

December 1 December 1 December 7 December 12 December 12 December 14 December 21 December 26

Villa Marvin Lang Margie Skoglund Arlene Eskedahl

December 10 December 11 December 30

Commons Betty Kline Bernice Zumbusch Jeanne Quady Elizabeth Lohr Betty Bennett Lorraine Gustner Don Horner Harriet Moe

December 6 December 14 December 15 December 17 December 21 December 21 December 27 December 30

Arbor Thelma Gunderson

December 31

Gables Bernice Stout Geraldine Wefel Duane Wahl Lucille Helmin Phyllis O’Malley Barbara Anderson Helen Rowland Lawrence Witthans

December 1 December 4 December 11 December 13 December 13 December 15 December 20 December 23

Call today for information or to schedule a personal tour: 952-471-4000

PRESBYTERIAN HOMES

Volunteer Corner

Wellness Tip of The Month

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ith autumn giving way to Minnesota ice and snow, winter walking can offer some challenges. According to the National Safety Council, slips, trips and falls are the most common cause of personal injury or death. It is sometimes difficult to notice slippery surfaces, so always use extra caution, especially in the early morning and evening hours when steps and sidewalks can form unnoticeable thin, slippery layers of ice. Avoid walking in poorly lit areas. Take your time and keep your hands out of your pockets to help maintain balance. Take shorter steps on snow or ice and concentrate on pressing your foot down instead of moving forward. Be aware that patches of ice can be covered with layers of snow. Wear boots or shoes that support the ankle and provide good traction. Stretch and exercise daily to help maintain muscle strength and balance. If possible, avoid walking on slippery surfaces but if you are unable to do so, use a walking assistant device such as a hand rail, walker or cane. Ask for assistance if needed. When away from home, some people even keep a zip-lock bag of ice melt or sand in their coat pocket to pour on slippery walkways they encounter. Stay safe and have a Merry Christmas! ~Joe Childs Regional Wellness Director 4515 Shoreline Drive, Spring Park, MN

& SERVICES

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ne of the greatest and most fun things that I am privileged to do in my job is to show my volunteers how much they are needed and appreciated at Lake Minnetonka Shores. Dawn Riem is the daughter of Villa resident, Don Pieper, and has been a volunteer at Lake Minnetonka Shores since 2011. She was also the winner of the 2013 Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration Award for Excellence in Volunteerism for ages 25+ for her commitment and dedication to our Campus Library. Dawn has worked hard to create a system that helps volunteers sort and shelve our donated library collection, and was instrumental in organizing the volunteers to move the library to its new space in the Media Center. She has set up processes and procedures that simplify how residents order library materials through either the Lake Minnetonka Shores or Hennepin County Libraries and deliver them right to their door. Dawn also was a huge help spending many hours transitioning all the volunteers to the new volunteer database. Her kind spirit and strong work ethic has made Dawn a very valuable volunteer. Denise Peterson was Volunteer of the Month for November. Denise has been a volunteer since 2008. On a weekly basis she creates smiles in the eyes of our residents by doing manicures for and playing Bingo with our residents in the Gables. Congratulations to both of our outstanding volunteers! ~Sue Wagener, Volunteer Director

www.lakeminnetonkashores.com

LAKE MINNETONKA SHORES Chaplain’s Corner t’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! The song written by Meredith Willson in 1951 is a favorite of mine and many others. You just have to smile when you hear that bouncy tune and hear the great imagery used to convey the Christmas mood.

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The carol in my heart as a child was “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth”. I improvised on this song with “All I want is an easy bake oven, candy, a bike, and NO clothes that ‘someday’, I would fit into!” It was pretty much about the presents.

Toys, candy canes, shopping, holly and parents ready for school to begin again! “It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Soon the bells will start to ring And the thing that will make them ring Is the Carol that you sing Right within your heart.”

As I grew older, the carol in my heart continued to change, “All I want is my drivers license and a car” or “Let it Snow, let it snow - so school is closed.”

Remembering this song, I began to wonder this year, what does Christmas look and sound like to me and to others? I know parents, like myself, would prepare for this season like a marathon: lists, parties, presents, relatives, amazing food and candies, visitors, finances, and so very, very much to do.

I wonder what the carol in our hearts will be this year? I pray it will truly reflect the astounding mystery of our God who so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) Perhaps, “Joy to The World” “Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room, and heav’n and nature sing.”

I believe Christmas looks and sounds different to us at different times in our lives. The carol that we sing within our heart changes over time.

~Mary Pauluk, Chaplain

As a new parent the song in my heart was “What child is this” and “Silent Night.” Oh please, a silent night.

Welcome to Lake Minnetonka Shores

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n behalf of the team and current residents, we would like to welcome those who have joined us in the past month. We are thrilled and honored that you have decided to make Lake Minnetonka Shores your new home!

Court: Richard Brown Betty Shaughnessy Villa: Virginia Good Commons: Ralph Dennison Don Horner

Gables: Ilene Swenson Maribeth Oltmans Marvin & Judith Fellman Helen Krueger

Call today for information or to schedule a personal tour: 952-471-4000

PRESBYTERIAN HOMES

& SERVICES NEWS

Christmas: an invitation love one another This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his only Son into the world that we might live through him. ~I John 4:9 NIV

hristmas celebrates the birth of Jesus. It also makes the remarkable claim that God loves us so much that, in Jesus Christ, God was willing to enter into our human lives and meet us face to face. The Christmas season of good will reminds us that because God loves us we are called to love one another in a personal way every day.

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love is made complete in us...We love because he first loved us,” (I John 4:12, 19 NIV). We catch a glimpse of Christ dwelling among us when we give and receive love by how we greet one another serve one another, bear with one another, encourage one another, honor one another and show kindness to one another.

Love one another, the PHS Christian culture theme, carries us through this Christmas and into the New Year. Our mission and service is grounded in the idea that all we do is meant to reflect God’s love revealed to us in Jesus Christ. Scripture tells us, “No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in us and his

Christmas reminds us that we are loved and capable of loving in return, and that together we can cultivate communities of care in which Christ’s love dwells within and among us.

Lake Minnetonka Shores 4515 Shoreline Dr. Spring Park, MN 55384 952-471-4000 www.lakeminnetonkashores.com

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Presbyterian Homes & Services is a nonprofit organization and an equal opportunity employer serving older adults through community services, housing and health care. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

May the love of Christ be with you and yours this Christmas and throughout the year to come.