Glenmeadow is a premier retirement community in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and I help its leaders raise awareness about programs and services through blogs and media outreach. This is a blog I wrote for the life plan community this fall. It appears as it does below on the Glenmeadow website.

Older adults choose to live here at Glenmeadow in large part for the socialization and varied, unique programming we offer. Our residents enjoy everything from in-house movies and theater offerings to a fitness center and swimming pool to games of cards, Scrabble, and Mahjong.

Then, last March, along came a pandemic—a new coronavirus that causes the upper respiratory disease COVID-19. Our residents were all at risk. We thought first about protecting them, and we followed the directives to isolate those who live here, providing for them in their individual apartments.

The very essence of Glenmeadow was unequivocally altered, but only for a moment. Well aware that social isolation is as damaging to older adults as smoking cigarettes, we quickly reinvented what it means to engage, to play, to learn, and have fun.

Our staff and residents have deep connections, and they missed us. So, we piped the sound of an old-fashioned ice-cream cart approaching into speakers in our hallways, and we delivered ice cream as they waited in their doorways. We made a chain of staff throughout the halls, and we sang to our residents. We recorded ourselves, singing songs. We made a video to show residents how we were boxing their meals, delivering the mail, and wearing face shields and other Personal Protective Equipment.

It was a hard time, and we wanted residents to know we were still here for them.

Our residents also love to expand their minds. They missed learning. So, we created opportunities for educational enrichment. We used our in-house television station, Channel 918, to provide all kinds of programming. Our staff members performed. Another created what we called the First Lady Series, in which we presented U.S. history in a video platform. We offered trivia games, word games, Bingo, Jeopardy, and our popular Scrabble games via a giant board we created and projected on the wall.

For our residents who enjoy keeping fit, we provided exercise classes on Channel 918.

The strength of our staff came through, loud and clear—as it always does. The pandemic made us stronger as a team, and we continued to bolster our residents in all ways. There was an outpouring of thanks and gratitude.

We put our own lives at risk, as a staff. We showed up, and we gave it our all because that is what we do. We care. We support. We help.

We excel at keeping older adults active, no matter what. Many family members often tell us that we extend the lives of their loved ones, and as evidence, we have five centenarian residents who have lived here for decades, and one Glenmeadow at Home client who turned 100 in November.

Thelma Brewster is 105. Over the years, she has been a volunteer, helping residents in assisted living with varies activities and reading aloud to them. She has enjoyed crafts, and getting her hair done once a week.

Mort Katz, 100, makes hand-made bookmarks and cards for his friends at Glenmeadow and enjoys catching up with the daily newspaper in the Glenmeadow library.

Shirley Akerman recently celebrated her 100th birthday with an a cappella performance of “Happy Birthday” by attendees at one of our pandemic-friendly, socially-distanced, al fresco bistro dinners.

Louise Nathan turned 100 at the end of September. She ran our book club for many years and is knowledgeable about current events and politics. She continues to enjoy the mind-sharpening programming offered daily in both socially-distanced venues here and streamed into her apartment on Channel 918.

Vivian Schoenman, also 100, was a huge part of our annual bazaar, as she made many crafts in her apartment. A resident for 22 years, she also enjoys watching entertainment programming on Channel 918.

Stanley Melvin is a centenarian who lives in a condo in Longmeadow and receives services through Glenmeadow at Home. He and his wife, Jean, appreciate the caring we provide.

We are here to enhance your life, whether you are sixty or eighty or over 100.

We will protect your health and your heart, whether our smiles are exposed or covered under masks and face shields.

We are Glenmeadow Strong, in a pandemic—and always.

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Member Honor only one of five nods offered statewide at LeadingAge’s annual meeting 

LONGMEADOW—Glenmeadow was one of only five life plan communities to be recognized by LeadingAge Massachusetts during its annual meeting last week for “exceptional contributions in the face of the unprecedented challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The Member Honor recognition award was received by Glenmeadow’s Life Enrichment team during the Oct. 27 annual session, which was held virtually. “LeadingAge MA wanted to use this year’s Annual Meeting to highlight the outstanding, brave, tireless efforts taking place in our membership,” the organization said.

“It was very validating to be chosen, and it highlights why I am so proud to work at Glenmeadow,” said Emily Perkins, vice president of Health and Wellness at Glenmeadow.

Perkins applied for the honor in September and said her application was one of 21 received by LeadingAge Massachusetts, a nonprofit member organization for partners that serve older adults. Her nomination focused on the Life Enrichment team, which she oversees and Laura Lavoie directs, because of the varied new creative programming those staff members developed immediately following the onslaught of the pandemic.

“We thought first about protecting residents, and then we got imaginative because we know social isolation is as much a risk to older adults as smoking cigarettes is to anyone,” Perkins said. “We quickly reinvented what it means to engage, to play, to learn, and have fun.”

Life Enrichment staff members piped in the sound of an old-fashioned ice-cream cart into speakers in Glenmeadow’s hallways and delivered ice cream as residents waited in their doorways. Staff made a chain throughout the halls and sang to residents. 

They also created opportunities for educational enrichment, using Glenmeadow’s in-house television station, Channel 918, to provide programming in which staff members performed, and trivia games, word games, Bingo, Jeopardy, and Scrabble were played by staff and residents.

Exercise classes were also offered on Channel 918.

Perkins said staff were ecstatic about the LeadingAge recognition. “They felt really honored to be chosen,” she said. “It was great to get acknowledged.”

Glenmeadow is a nonprofit life plan community—formerly known as a retirement community—and it has a mission to serve seniors in the Greater Springfield region, whether they live on the Longmeadow campus or in their own homes.

Established in 1884, Glenmeadow is an accredited life plan community; it provides independent and assisted living at its campus at 24 Tabor Crossing in Longmeadow and expanded Glenmeadow at Home services throughout greater Springfield.  

To learn more about Glenmeadow and its history and offerings, visit www.glenmeadow.org.

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LONGMEADOW—In July 2020, travel lovers can experience a trip to Egypt with everyone in their families through Glenmeadow’s travel program, Glenmeadow Getaways. The life plan community is offering a 10-night, multi-generational excursion from July 11 through July 20, 2020. The trip includes a cruise on the Nile River, riding a camel, and exploring an Egyptian pyramid.

“I think it’s a great mix of all the best of what Egypt has to offer,” said Andrew Butler, a travel advisor who is planning the trip with Glenmeadow and its travel partner, Abercrombie & Kent. “Travelers will be accompanied by true Egyptologist guides to put it all in perspective.”

Complete trip details, including pricing and a day-by-day itinerary, will be available in two information sessions to be held at Glenmeadow on Thursday, Sept. 19, at 5:30 p.m., and on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 11 a.m. Butler will be available to answer questions via video chat.

If you aren’t able to attend but want to learn more, contact Linda Edwards at 413-567-3951.

Butler traveled extensively as a child. When he became the father of two, he wanted his children to also have adventures. As he said, “Travel is a living classroom.”

An emergency room physician in Texas by day, Butler is a travel advisor in his free time. He and his wife, Tracie, also a physician, use travel to provide dedicated family time, entertainment, and education. “We put work—and our phones—aside to learn together and share in the same adventure together,” he says. “It’s really special for us.”

The Butlers have visited destinations across the United States as well as Europe, Asia, India, the Galapagos Islands and, last year, Egypt.

“Both children and adults can appreciate Egypt,” Butler said. “Egypt has been an evocative destination across pop culture. It appeals to those of us who grew up with novels by Agatha Christie as well as to today’s children watching Indiana Jones. We certainly found it to be a great multi-generational destination when my family traveled there.”

Butler said Egypt is a perfect place to explore with family members from multiple generations because the history is so rich.

“Egypt’s history dates back further than most places in the world, and the parts that you can still see are from 3,000 and even 4,000 BC,” he says. “Much of that history is both visible and well-preserved as a lot of those areas were buried under sand for hundreds if not thousands of years. What we see today looks a lot like it did thousands of years ago. You can’t say that about many places in the world.”

At this time, travel to Egypt is also ideal, Butler said, as there are fewer people visiting the country. In 2011, an uprising in Cairo quashed tourism, lowering prices and reducing the number of explorers to well-known sites. Butler said Cairo is safe now, and, Abercrombie & Kent has intense safety protocols in place.

For instance, in 2011, when the unrest occurred, Abercrombie & Kent had over 200 travelers in the country, and they handled the situation with grace, Butler said, noting that within three hours, the company had private jets transport all the Cairo travelers to Jordan.

When Butler and his family visited the country in 2018, they felt welcomed. “My family and I never felt concerned for our safety. People were friendly and made us feel very much at home and a part of their culture,” he said.

To learn more about Glenmeadow and its history and offerings, visit www.glenmeadow.org. 

About Glenmeadow 

In the 1800s, elderly individuals without family or means were sent to live at what was called “the poor farm.”  In 1884, a group of civic leaders raised funds among themselves and other area families and purchased a house on Main Street in Springfield’s south end, establishing The Springfield Home for Aged Women. Quickly outgrowing that house, land was purchased on the corner of Chestnut and Carew streets, where a new home was constructed and opened in 1900.  In 1960, the name was changed to Chestnut Knoll, and, in 1992, it began to admit men.  

In 1993, the organization purchased a 23-acre parcel in Longmeadow to build a new community that would provide both independent living and assisted living in one building with various common areas.  This was a new concept known as a continuing care retirement community.  Existing residents from the old Chestnut Knoll property were moved to the new campus in 1997.  Shortly after the move, the board voted to change its legal name to Glenmeadow to coincide with the name being used by the developer of the property.  

Continuing care retirement communities are now referred to as life plan communities, responding to the needs of the aging population with new opportunities for care, plus creative, educational and personal exploration. Glenmeadow offerings, which include everything from senior living options and handyman services to personal care and travel programs, are provided at its Longmeadow campus and across the region through Glenmeadow at Home. Glenmeadow strives to fulfill its mission of nurturing the whole person in mind, body, and spirit.

The post Glenmeadow to Offer Multi-Generational Trip to Egypt in 2020 appeared first on Beetle Press.

Monthly sessions for those assisting loved ones with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia

LONGMEADOW—Glenmeadow’s Caregivers Support Group for both professionals and family members who are assisting someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia will continue in October with meetings Oct. 2 from 5:30-7 p.m. and Oct. 18 from noon to 1 p.m

The life plan community’s Memory Cafés for people with Alzheimer’s or another dementia and their caregivers also continue in October on Oct. 24 from 1-2:30 p.m.

Caregiver Support Group meetings are held twice monthly at the life plan community at 24 Tabor Crossing on the first Tuesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and the third Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. A free light meal will be offered. 

In November, sessions will be held Nov. 5 from 5:30 to 7 p.m., and Nov. 15 from noon to 1 p.m.

In December, sessions will be held Dec. 4 from 5:30 to 7 p.m., and Dec. 20 from noon to 1 p.m.

Glenmeadow’s Caregivers Support Group will offer information and support to professionals and those caring for a loved one. It is designed to provide participants with an opportunity to learn more about dementia and to understand their individual feelings about the life-changes associated with it.

Future Memory Cafés at Glenmeadow will be held on the fourth Wednesday of the month from 1-2:30 p.m. In November, the program will be held on Nov. 28 and Dec. 26.

Caregivers are invited to bring a loved one to the program to enjoy relaxed conversation and an organized activity—such as yoga, a drumming circle or creating a gratitude journal. Light refreshments will be offered.

Both programs are free, but reservations are required by calling Lavoie at 413-355-5905.

Glenmeadow is a nonprofit life plan community—formerly known as a retirement community—and it has a mission to serve seniors in the Greater Springfield region, whether they live on the Longmeadow campus or in their own homes.

Established in 1884, Glenmeadow is an accredited life plan community; it provides independent and assisted living at its campus at 24 Tabor Crossing in Longmeadow and expanded Glenmeadow at Home services throughout greater Springfield. 

To learn more about Glenmeadow and its history and offerings, visit www.glenmeadow.org.

About Glenmeadow

In the 1800s, elderly individuals without family or means were sent to live at what was called “the poor farm.”  In 1884, a group of civic leaders raised funds among themselves and other area families and purchased a house on Main Street in Springfield’s south end, establishing The Springfield Home for Aged Women. Quickly outgrowing that house, land was purchased on the corner of Chestnut and Carew streets, where a new home was constructed and opened in 1900.  In 1960, the name was changed to Chestnut Knoll, and, in 1992, it began to admit men.

In 1993, the organization purchased a 23-acre parcel in Longmeadow to build a new community that would provide both independent living and assisted living in one building with various common areas.  This was a new concept known as a continuing care retirement community. Existing residents from the old Chestnut Knoll property were moved to the new campus in 1997. Shortly after the move, the board voted to change its legal name to Glenmeadow to coincide with the name being used by the developer of the property.  

Continuing care retirement communities are now referred to as life plan communities, responding to the needs of the aging population with new opportunities for care, plus creative, educational and personal exploration. Glenmeadow offerings, which include everything from senior living options and handyman services to personal care and travel programs, are provided at its Longmeadow campus and across the region through Glenmeadow at Home. Glenmeadow strives to fulfill its mission of nurturing the whole person in mind, body and spirit.

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New opportunity part of the life plan community’s enhanced focus on dementia care

LONGMEADOW—Glenmeadow is seeking companions to spend time with residents who are living with dementia and will offer a training for the volunteers on Tuesday, Oct. 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the life plan community.

Laura Lavoie, director of life enrichment at Glenmeadow, said the new volunteers would receive certificates of completion in a Positive Approach to Care (PAC) training that she would lead as a PAC-certified trainer. Volunteers would then be asked to make a weekly commitment of several hours to a resident.

“The more we can get people in the community to feel comfortable communicating and spending time with people living with dementia, the better-equipped they will be when they meet people in the community living with the disease,” Lavoie said. “It would be really great to have people coming from around the area to work with our residents, who might feel isolated and misunderstood.”

She said the program feeds into the Buddy System culture that Glenmeadow is growing, through which residents are paired with a companion and have the opportunity to build meaningful, long-term relationships. “This allows our residents to feel a new connection with someone and feel that they have a friend who is interested in them,” Lavoie said.

As part of its strategic plan, Glenmeadow has enhanced its focus on dementia care, and Lavoie said this volunteer offering is yet another way to offer support to those in the community living with dementia, or those in their families.

Glenmeadow also offers a new Memory Café, a monthly gathering for people living with dementia and their caregivers, and it offers two monthly Caregivers Support Groups to professionals and family members who are assisting someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia.

Glenmeadow is also part of the Dementia Friendly Longmeadow initiative, through which varying programs are held throughout the year in Longmeadow.

Lavoie was recently certified in PAC and is able to train volunteers in developing a positive outlook in working with people who are living with dementia. “We are developing a new culture around dementia, trying to remove the stigma,” she said. “We want to train people to focus on the person who is still here and his or her strengths, rather than on the skills and abilities they might have lost.”

To volunteer at Glenmeadow or for information on the support groups or Dementia Tour, contact Lavoie at 413-355-5905 or llavoie@glenmeadow.org.

Established in 1884, Glenmeadow is a nonprofit, accredited life plan community; it provides independent and assisted living at its campus at 24 Tabor Crossing in Longmeadow and expanded Glenmeadow at Home services throughout greater Springfield.  

To learn more about Glenmeadow and its history and offerings, visit www.glenmeadow.org.

About Glenmeadow

In the 1800s, elderly individuals without family or means were sent to live at what was called “the poor farm.”  In 1884, a group of civic leaders raised funds among themselves and other area families and purchased a house on Main Street in Springfield’s south end, establishing The Springfield Home for Aged Women. Quickly outgrowing that house, land was purchased on the corner of Chestnut and Carew streets, where a new home was constructed and opened in 1900.  In 1960, the name was changed to Chestnut Knoll, and, in 1992, it began to admit men.

In 1993, the organization purchased a 23-acre parcel in Longmeadow to build a new community that would provide both independent living and assisted living in one building with various common areas.  This was a new concept known as a continuing care retirement community. Existing residents from the old Chestnut Knoll property were moved to the new campus in 1997. Shortly after the move, the board voted to change its legal name to Glenmeadow to coincide with the name being used by the developer of the property.

Continuing care retirement communities are now referred to as life plan communities, responding to the needs of the aging population with new opportunities for care, plus creative, educational and personal exploration. Glenmeadow offerings, which include everything from senior living options and handyman services to personal care and travel programs, are provided at its Longmeadow campus and across the region through Glenmeadow at Home. Glenmeadow strives to fulfill its mission of nurturing the whole person in mind, body and spirit.

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Monthly sessions for those assisting loved ones with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia

LONGMEADOW—Glenmeadow’s new Caregivers Support Group for both professionals and family members who are assisting someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia will continue in January 2018 with meetings Jan. 2 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and Jan. 18 from noon to 1 p.m.

Meetings will be held monthly thereafter at the life plan community at 24 Tabor Crossing twice per month on the first Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and the third Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. A free light meal will be offered. 

In February, sessions will be held Feb. 6 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., and Feb. 15 from noon to 1 p.m.

In March, due to an event to be held at Glenmeadow mid-month, one session will held March 6 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Glenmeadow’s Caregivers Support Group will offer information and support to professionals and those caring for a loved one. It is designed to provide participants with an opportunity to learn more about dementia and to understand their individual feelings about the life-changes associated with it.

Participants will learn practical caregiving techniques, get mutual support, learn about local resources, and find solutions to challenging behaviors.

Glenmeadow staff members Laura Lavoie, director of life enrichment; Ruth Dickinson, R.N., wellness nurse; JoAnn Paier, R.N., health care coordinator; and Emily Perkins, director of Glenmeadow at Home and a certified care manager, will lead the group.

The program is free but reservations are required by calling Lavoie at 413-355-5905.

Glenmeadow is a nonprofit life plan community—formerly known as a retirement community—and it has a mission to serve seniors in the Greater Springfield region, whether they live on the Longmeadow campus or in their own homes.

Established in 1884, Glenmeadow is an accredited life plan community; it provides independent and assisted living at its campus at 24 Tabor Crossing in Longmeadow and expanded Glenmeadow at Home services throughout greater Springfield.  

To learn more about Glenmeadow and its history and offerings, visit www.glenmeadow.org.

About Glenmeadow

In the 1800s, elderly individuals without family or means were sent to live at what was called “the poor farm.”  In 1884, a group of civic leaders raised funds among themselves and other area families and purchased a house on Main Street in Springfield’s south end, establishing The Springfield Home for Aged Women. Quickly outgrowing that house, land was purchased on the corner of Chestnut and Carew streets, where a new home was constructed and opened in 1900.  In 1960, the name was changed to Chestnut Knoll, and, in 1992, it began to admit men.  

In 1993, the organization purchased a 23-acre parcel in Longmeadow to build a new community that would provide both independent living and assisted living in one building with various common areas.  This was a new concept known as a continuing care retirement community.  Existing residents from the old Chestnut Knoll property were moved to the new campus in 1997.  Shortly after the move, the board voted to change its legal name to Glenmeadow to coincide with the name being used by the developer of the property.  

Continuing care retirement communities are now referred to as life plan communities, responding to the needs of the aging population with new opportunities for care, plus creative, educational and personal exploration. Glenmeadow offerings, which include everything from senior living options and handyman services to personal care and travel programs, are provided at its Longmeadow campus and across the region through Glenmeadow at Home. Glenmeadow strives to fulfill its mission of nurturing the whole person in mind, body and spirit.

The post Glenmeadow Announces Caregivers Support Group Meeting Dates in January, February and March 2018 appeared first on Beetle Press.

Naren Dhamodharan, John Gallup and Annette Lerner, all of Longmeadow, will now come on the board while Mark Cress, Christopher Gill, Marie Stebbins, all of Longmeadow, and Julie Siciliano, of Feeding Hills, have retired from service.

The new members join Paul Nicholson, Dusty Hoyt, Crystal Diamond, Lawrence Bernstein, David Carlson, Dennis Fitzpatrick, Richard Goldstein, Jerome Gurland, Susan Megas, Amy Santarelli and Norman Smith on the panel. New officers, also elected at Annual Meeting are: Hoyt, chair; Fitzpatrick, vice chair; Smith, clerk; and Santarelli, treasurer.

New corporators are Paul Barden of Los Angeles, California; and Sean Anderson, Leslie Smith Frank, Jackie Quimby and Elaine Tourtelotte, all of Longmeadow. Glenmeadow is a nonprofit organization, and corporators are its legal entity, empowered to elect board members and to amend the bylaws. Corporators also support the mission of Glenmeadow by serving as ambassadors.

Dhamodharan, who earned his master’s degree in social science at Boston College, has extensive experience in affordable housing for elders, specifically in developing assisted living. Prior to establishing Hampden Park Capital & Consulting in Northborough, for which he is president, Dhamodharen was director of Housing and Supportive Services at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs. Under his direction, the Executive Office of Elder Affairs developed a successful affordable assisted living model in existing elderly housing communities.

During Dhamodharen’s tenure, the Executive Office of Elder Affairs received the prestigious John Gunter Blue Ribbon Best Practice award from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for developing a successful model of affordable assisted living. Additionally, Dhamodharen was instrumental in promoting assisted living legislation and developing assisted living regulations, which fostered the growth of the assisted living industry in Massachusetts.

Gallup, a Longmeadow resident who received his bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College, retired as president and CEO of Westfield’s Strathmore Paper Company in 1992. Gallup was involved in different capacities with the Baystate Medical Center and Baystate Health Foundation, serving on the foundation’s President’s Society. His awards include the National Conference for Community and Justice’s Human Relations Award, which he received with his wife, Paula, and an honorary doctor of humanics degree from Springfield College in 1998.

Currently, Gallup is a charter trustee with the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts and is involved with the Willie Ross School for the Deaf.

Lerner, a Glenmeadow resident, brings leadership skills from her experience as vice president of a publishing company and stock photo agency in New York City for 12 years. She was also president of a women’s organization at her temple and an active member of a parent-teacher association when her children were young.

Since moving to Glenmeadow from Florida a year and a half ago, Lerner has been an active member of the community, working in the Glenmeadow store, developing relationships and volunteering with fundraisers. She said she is honored to be a new board member.

“I love my life, I love Glenmeadow and I want to improve it in any way I can,” Lerner said.

Glenmeadow is a nonprofit life plan community—formerly known as a retirement community—and it has a mission to serve seniors in the Greater Springfield region, whether they live on the Longmeadow campus or in their own homes.

Established in 1884, Glenmeadow provides independent and assisted living at its campus at 24 Tabor Crossing in Longmeadow and expanded Glenmeadow at Home services throughout greater Springfield.

To learn more about Glenmeadow and its history and offerings, visit www.glenmeadow.org.

About Glenmeadow

In the 1800s, elderly individuals without family or means were sent to live at what was called “the poor farm.”  In 1884, a group of civic leaders raised funds among themselves and other area families and purchased a house on Main Street in Springfield’s south end, establishing The Springfield Home for Aged Women. Quickly outgrowing that house, land was purchased on the corner of Chestnut and Carew streets, where a new home was constructed and opened in 1900.  In 1960, the name was changed to Chestnut Knoll, and, in 1992, it began to admit men.

In 1993, the organization purchased a 23-acre parcel in Longmeadow to build a new community that would provide both independent living and assisted living in one building with various common areas.  This was a new concept known as a continuing care retirement community.  Existing residents from the old Chestnut Knoll property were moved to the new campus in 1997.  Shortly after the move, the board voted to change its legal name to Glenmeadow to coincide with the name being used by the developer of the property.

Continuing care retirement communities are now referred to as life plan communities, responding to the needs of the aging population with new opportunities for care, plus creative, educational and personal exploration. Glenmeadow offerings, which include everything from senior living options and handyman services to personal care and travel programs, are provided at its Longmeadow campus and across the region through Glenmeadow at Home. Glenmeadow strives to fulfill its mission of nurturing the whole person in mind, body and spirit.

The post Glenmeadow Welcomes New Board Members appeared first on Beetle Press.

Event is part of a series supporting a $20,000 goal

LONGMEADOW—The second annual Glenmeadow Art Festival, featuring fine art by painters, photographers, and jewelers, will be held Saturday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and proceeds will benefit the ALS Therapy Development Institute.

The event is the second to last fundraiser for ALS to be organized by Glenmeadow residents, who chose the institute as the nonprofit to support in 2017 in honor of the life plan community’s former president and chief executive officer Tim Cotz, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2016, shortly before he retired.

Each year, Glenmeadow residents choose a nonprofit to fund through charitable means, as they have a history of giving in their own lives. Philanthropic itself as a nonprofit with a mission to serve older adults in the Greater Springfield region, Glenmeadow supports residents’ efforts.

Roughly $16,000 has been raised through seven previous events and donations, and the fundraising goal has increased to $20,000. The final event will be a New Year’s Eve gala for residents, who will each pay $25 to attend.

Laura Lavoie, Glenmeadow’s director of life enrichment, said the long-term goal for the festival is for it to become a well-known cultural event in the community. “We want it to be a fine arts event that people will look forward to,” she said, noting items for sale will be higher-end than what one might find at a craft fair.

Piano music by a musician from the Community Music School of Springfield will be offered from noon to 2 p.m., and hot hors d’oeuvres will be passed from noon until about 1 p.m.

Painter Debbie Padden, who is Glenmeadow’s personal trainer and also teaches painting at Glenmeadow and privately in the Pioneer Valley, will offer a demonstration of her craft throughout the event; she will discuss technique from 11 a.m. to noon and will be available all day to answer questions. She works with oils, acrylics, watercolor and pastels.

Lavoie, a mixed media artist specializing in modern mosaics, assemblage and bookmaking, will also take part in the festival and will demonstrate her craft throughout the event.

Other participating artists include: George Depina, a photographer whose works focus on urban exploration, a hobby in which one explores man-made structures and abandoned ruins; Laura Pixley, who creates what she calls ForkArt Jewelry; Bernice Pine, a painter who works mostly with acrylics on portraits and landscapes; Cindy Lutz, who presents mixed-media art that sheds light on the human condition and “art that is hopeful, growth-oriented and uplifting”; and Jim Rosenthal, who will not be present but whose sculptures will be on display.

The festival will be held in Cotz Hall, named after Cotz upon his retirement.

Donations to ALS-TDI are also still being accepted by Glenmeadow residents. To donate, visit www.classy.org/fundraiser/1032694 or send a check made out to ALS-TDI to Glenmeadow, 24 Tabor Crossing, Longmeadow, MA 01106.

Glenmeadow is a nonprofit life plan community—formerly known as a retirement community—and it has a mission to serve seniors in the Greater Springfield region, whether they live on the Longmeadow campus or in their own homes.

Established in 1884, Glenmeadow is an accredited life plan community; it provides independent and assisted living at its campus at 24 Tabor Crossing in Longmeadow and expanded Glenmeadow at Home services throughout greater Springfield.

To learn more about Glenmeadow and its history and offerings, visit www.glenmeadow.org.

About Glenmeadow

In the 1800s, elderly individuals without family or means were sent to live at what was called “the poor farm.” In 1884, a group of civic leaders raised funds among themselves and other area families and purchased a house on Main Street in Springfield’s south end, establishing The Springfield Home for Aged Women. Quickly outgrowing that house, land was purchased on the corner of Chestnut and Carew streets, where a new home was constructed and opened in 1900. In 1960, the name was changed to Chestnut Knoll, and, in 1992, it began to admit men.

In 1993, the organization purchased a 23-acre parcel in Longmeadow to build a new community that would provide both independent living and assisted living in one building with various common areas. This was a new concept known as a continuing care retirement community. Existing residents from the old Chestnut Knoll property were moved to the new campus in 1997. Shortly after the move, the board voted to change its legal name to Glenmeadow to coincide with the name being used by the developer of the property.

Continuing care retirement communities are now referred to as life plan communities, responding to the needs of the aging population with new opportunities for care, plus creative, educational and personal exploration. Glenmeadow offerings, which include everything from senior living options and handyman services to personal care and travel programs, are provided at its Longmeadow campus and across the region through Glenmeadow at Home. Glenmeadow strives to fulfill its mission of nurturing the whole person in mind, body and spirit.

The post Glenmeadow to Hold Art Festival as a Fundraiser for the ALS Therapy Development Institute appeared first on Beetle Press.

Two upcoming events to support the $15,000 goal

LONGMEADOW—Former Glenmeadow president and CEO Tim Cotz was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) just over one year ago—several months after announcing his retirement from the life plan community.

With Cotz in mind, this year residents chose the ALS Therapy Development Institute as the nonprofit to support with fundraising.

Each year, Glenmeadow residents choose a nonprofit to fund through charitable means as they have a history of giving in their own lives. Founded by individuals in the late 1880s so that seniors without family or means would have an option to living at what was then called “the poor farm,” Glenmeadow itself also has a philanthropic mission.

“Inspired by Tim, residents have been fundraising through various events and calls for donations,” said Anne Miller, assistant administrator. “The fundraising goal is $15,000, and so they are turning to the community to invite support.”

Miller said six events have been held thus far, and two additional gatherings are planned for the year. A bake sale will be held at Glenmeadow on Oct. 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and an art festival will be held Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Proceeds from these events will benefit ALS-TDI. Donations are also being accepted; to donate, visit www.classy.org/fundraiser/1032694 or send a check made out to ALS-TDI to Glenmeadow, 24 Tabor Crossing, Longmeadow, MA 01106.

“Tim is standing strong in the face of ALS,” said Miller. “We hope to help him live out his goal to make ALS a disease of the past.”

Many individuals have made donations to date. In addition, the following organizations helped by providing gift cards and prizes that were used in raffles held at summer events: Arnold’s Meats; Belmont Laundry; Eastern States Exposition; Big Y; Comcast; Community Music School of Springfield; Delaney House; Eastside Grill; Flowers, Flowers; Golden Nozzle; Grapevine Pizzeria & Restaurant; Graziano Gardens; Harry Grodsky & Co. Inc.; House of Flowers; Kiddly Winks; Lattitude Restaurant; Mario’s Café Ambiance Secondo; Marshall Domestics; Mike’s Maze; Nails by Susan; Park Cleaners; Rinaldi’s Italian Specialties; Sayegh Jewelers; Shear Integrity Hair Design; Sixteen Acres Garden Center; A Simos & Co. Inc.; Springfield Museums; Stop & Shop; Michael Szwed Jewelers; Tucker’s Restaurant; US Foods; University of Massachusetts Fine Arts Center and University Club; Mr. Victor’s Salon; White’s; The Yellow Monkey; and The Zoo in Forest Park.

Glenmeadow is a nonprofit life plan community—formerly known as a retirement community—and it has a mission to serve seniors in the Greater Springfield region, whether they live on the Longmeadow campus or in their own homes.

Established in 1884, Glenmeadow is an accredited life plan community; it provides independent and assisted living at its campus at 24 Tabor Crossing in Longmeadow and expanded Glenmeadow at Home services throughout greater Springfield.

To learn more about Glenmeadow and its history and offerings, visit www.glenmeadow.org.

About Glenmeadow

In the 1800s, elderly individuals without family or means were sent to live at what was called “the poor farm.”  In 1884, a group of civic leaders raised funds among themselves and other area families and purchased a house on Main Street in Springfield’s south end, establishing The Springfield Home for Aged Women. Quickly outgrowing that house, land was purchased on the corner of Chestnut and Carew streets, where a new home was constructed and opened in 1900.  In 1960, the name was changed to Chestnut Knoll, and, in 1992, it began to admit men.

In 1993, the organization purchased a 23-acre parcel in Longmeadow to build a new community that would provide both independent living and assisted living in one building with various common areas.  This was a new concept known as a continuing care retirement community.  Existing residents from the old Chestnut Knoll property were moved to the new campus in 1997.  Shortly after the move, the board voted to change its legal name to Glenmeadow to coincide with the name being used by the developer of the property.

Continuing care retirement communities are now referred to as life plan communities, responding to the needs of the aging population with new opportunities for care, plus creative, educational and personal exploration. Glenmeadow offerings, which include everything from senior living options and handyman services to personal care and travel programs, are provided at its Longmeadow campus and across the region through Glenmeadow at Home. Glenmeadow strives to fulfill its mission of nurturing the whole person in mind, body and spirit.

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LONGMEADOW—Glenmeadow will offer a program focused on humor on Friday, Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to noon at the life plan community at 24 Tabor Crossing.

Called “Improv and Anecdotes: Lessons on Storytelling through Humor,” the workshop will provide lessons on comedic improvisation and telling stories with wit.

Presenter Steve Hays of The Drama Studio in Springfield will lead with Dan Morbyrne, an instructor, and the two will also incorporate music and song. They advise participants to bring their memories and sense of humor.

Hays founded The Drama Studio in 1987 along with a group of educators and parents who envisioned an institution at which youth could enter into a serious study of acting. The school has a mission to enrich and validate the adolescent experience.

The program is free, but space is limited and reservations are required. To enroll, call (413) 567-7800 or visit glenmeadow.org/events.

Glenmeadow Learning is one of many free programs Glenmeadow offers to members of the wider community. And these programs represent only one facet of the life plan community’s mission to serve seniors across the region and to operate as a socially accountable organization.

Established in 1884, Glenmeadow is a nonprofit, accredited life plan community; it provides independent and assisted living at its campus at 24 Tabor Crossing in Longmeadow and expanded Glenmeadow at Home services throughout greater Springfield.

To learn more about Glenmeadow and its history and offerings, visit www.glenmeadow.org.

About Glenmeadow

In the 1800s, elderly individuals without family or means were sent to live at what was called “the poor farm.” In 1884, a group of civic leaders raised funds among themselves and other area families and purchased a house on Main Street in Springfield’s south end, establishing The Springfield Home for Aged Women. Quickly outgrowing that house, land was purchased on the corner of Chestnut and Carew streets, where a new home was constructed and opened in 1900. In 1960, the name was changed to Chestnut Knoll, and, in 1992, it began to admit men.

In 1993, the organization purchased a 23-acre parcel in Longmeadow to build a new community that would provide both independent living and assisted living in one building with various common areas. This was a new concept known as a continuing care retirement community. Existing residents from the old Chestnut Knoll property were moved to the new campus in 1997. Shortly after the move, the board voted to change its legal name to Glenmeadow to coincide with the name being used by the developer of the property.

Continuing care retirement communities are now referred to as life plan communities, responding to the needs of the aging population with new opportunities for care, plus creative, educational and personal exploration. Glenmeadow offerings, which include everything from senior living options and handyman services to personal care and travel programs, are provided at its Longmeadow campus and across the region through Glenmeadow at Home. Glenmeadow strives to fulfill its mission of nurturing the whole person in mind, body and spirit.

The post Glenmeadow Offers a Program Focused on Humor appeared first on Beetle Press.