Woldenberg Happenings

Woldenberg Happenings
Woldenberg Village Newsletter
Spring 2014
The Royal Court of The Majestic Krewe of Woldenberg Village
Willow Wood and Azaleas
On March 4, The Royal Courts of Willow Wood and
Azaleas were honored at a star-studded Mardi Gras Ball.
Queen Marjorie Velten and King David Lansou represented
the Krewe of Willow Wood and Queen Bertha Fink and
King Francois Gravois, Jr. represented the Krewe of Azaleas.
The festivities took off as entertainer Ronald Jones
performed to a packed house of revelers and played musical
hits such as “Walking to New Orleans” and “Mardi Gras
Mambo.”
The court was also honored by a personal visit from
official New Orleans Mardi Gras Indians, Kevin Turner and
his granddaughter, who displayed the amazing and elaborate
costume and headdresses that his family has done for
generations. Each intricate bead was hand-sewn onto each
piece by Turner. At the conclusion of the ceremony, each
member of the Royal Court received a plaque honoring their
participation.
3701 Behrman Place
New Orleans, LA 70114
Village Notes
By: Joe Townsend, Executive Director, Woldenberg Village
This may go down in the ‘Believe It or Not’ file, but can any of us believe that we are now
in the second quarter of 2014? When I was a small child, my very-elderly grandfather told
me that the older one got, the faster time flew. Gosh, he was right, too right to be honest.
I keep trying to put the brakes on Father Time, but he just keeps pushing the accelerator
harder. Much has happened at Woldenberg Village during the first three months of the
year.
The first note of importance concerns our annual survey at Willow Wood. As most of you
know, nursing homes are surveyed unannounced each year by the State. The surveyors
follow Federal guidelines. I am exceedingly proud to announce that Willow Wood scored
a zero-deficiency survey. Only 10 percent of the nursing homes nationally can boast of such a survey. Three
years ago Willow Wood experienced multiple survey issues and caused our Five-Star Rating to drop to 2-stars.
It takes three years for the bad survey to drop off. I truly expect that when CMS issues the updated ratings that
Willow Wood’s standing in the rating system will be greatly improved.
Personnel changes are always a part of any organizations. Stephanie Mosley, our Business Office Manager,
resigned to pursue other opportunities. I will miss Stephanie as she brought so much to our team, she truly will
be missed. Also, Cindy Polt, our CFO, has been promoted to the same position at Touro Infirmary. Cindy has
help put systems into place in our business office that helps us be both more efficient and effective.
Upcoming Events!
For more information about activities, call Woldenberg Village at (504) 367-5640 or visit www.liveatwv.com.
Villas
Willow Wood, Villas and Azaleas
May 7 University of Birmingham Jazz band
May 16 Crawfish Boil
May 17 Defamalies
May 21 Veteran’s Program
May 22 Ulrike Masakwoski
June 11 Bert Sylvst entertains
June 18 Ron Jones entertains
June 19 Lunch and Learn
June 28 The Villas Open House Wine and Cheese Soiree’
June 30 NORD Band Performs
May 6
Elvis in the Building Impersonator
May 9 Univ. Ala. Jazz Band
May 11-17
National Nursing Home Week Events
May 11 Margarita Warren for Mother’s Day
May 13 Poetry with Jean Grau
May 15 Charmine Neville
May 18 Visitation of Our Lady Adult Choir
May 25 Rausham Hammond Magic Show and Song
Top to Bottom: Willow Wood: King David
Lansou and Queen Marjorie Velten; The
Azaleas: King Francois Gravois, Jr and Queen
Bertha Fink; The Villas King Dick Hallenus
and Queen Dottie Hallenus.
Villas
On February 16, the Royal Court of Villas was also
announced and honored at a special Mardi Gras Ball which
incorporated some traditional New Orleans customs and
culture. The announcement and arrival of Queen and King
Dottie and Dick Hallenus was very unique and traditional
with a New Orleans flair. The Woldenberg Jazz Brass band
formed a second line and escorted the Queen and King and
their revelers to the festivities at the Villas auditorium. In
the auditorium, Queen and King Hallenus and their court
dined on a scrumptious meal accompanied with champagne,
and enjoyed lovely musical entertainment by the brass band.
This wonderful couple is very talented and shares some
amazing history of their own. Queen Dottie Hallenus can
play the organ and was a home economics teacher before she
retired. Her husband King Dick Hallenus is a retired war
veteran from the United States Navy and volunteered several
years at the World War II Museum. Together they are an
amazing pair and are wonderful ambassadors for The Villas.
3701 Behrman Place | New Orleans, LA 70114 | 504-367-5640 | www.liveatwv.com
Willow Wood host art exhibit for Martin J. Davis
Artist Martin J. Davis sits in front of some of
his many beautiful pieces of artwork which he
has designed over the years.
On February 20, Woldenberg Village, hosted an art
exhibit honoring the works of Martin J. Davis, a resident
at Woldenberg Village. Davis displayed and discussed his
collection of various artworks ranging from oils to acrylics to
an audience of residents, staff, and members of the community.
Born in New Orleans in 1923, Davis discovered his passion
for art at a young age. He soon became a self-taught artist
specializing in both acrylic and oil painting. Even while
serving in World War II, he would often sketch drawings.
Later, he began painting and experimenting with oils on
canvas and solid wood. With the commercial availability of
artist’s acrylics in the 1950’s, Davis found his true love for this
medium and began a new series of paintings which focused on
still life, landscapes, and portraits. After retirement, he studied
art at the University of New Orleans for many years.
“The best art is that which comes from within more so than
what is taught.” said Davis.
Today at the age of 92, he still enjoys painting and sketching
his favorite landscapes and portraits. “We hope that everyone
appreciates this sampling of his work as much as he has taken
the joy in creating each piece.” said Heather Davis, Davis’
daughter-in-law.
Valentine’s Day Dinner at The Azaleas
Love was in the air at Woldenberg Village as the staff
created a special Valentine’s Day dining experience
for eight special couples. On February 14, The
Azaleas Chapel was transformed into a formal dining
room complete with beautiful table settings, flowers,
balloons, and relaxing music. Residents enjoyed a
table-service lunch featuring a delicious three-course
meal consisting of a lovely garden salad, delicious
entrée, tiramisu dessert, and complimented with wine
and coffee.
Mr. Paul and Ms. Rosemae smile for the camera at
the Valentine’s Day Lunch.
“The couples enjoyed a moment to spend quality time
together without any interruptions. It was a special
time for them all.” said Rita Austin, Director of
Activities.
A Sweet Carnival Treat at Willow Wood
Resident Margaret and Dietary Director
Melissa O’Brien place icing on a homemade
King Cake.
During Mardi Gras Season, Willow Wood residents were
treated to a sweet and unique activity - a King Cake cooking
class. The cooking classes were conducted by Melissa O’Brien,
Director of Woldenberg Village’s Dietary Department.
The residents participated in the activity by helping to roll out
crescent rolls into a circular shape, sprinkling cinnamon-pecan
sugar inside the pastry, and then forming it into the traditional
king cake oval. While waiting for their masterpieces to bake, the
participants enjoyed some freshly brewed coffee.
In New Orleans, King Cakes are part of the traditional Mardi
Gras ceremonies brought from France in 1870. King Cakes are
made with strands of cinnamon dough, covered in sugar, and
decorated in three symbolic colors: Purple, which signifies
“Justice”, Green for “Faith”, and Gold for “Power.” In the past,
such things as coins, beans, pecans, or peas were also hidden in
each cake. Today, a tiny plastic baby is the trinket of choice.
“The residents had a blast helping make the King Cakes,” said
O’Brien. “Not only was this a great, fun way to celebrate the
Mardi Gras season, but it also allowed the residents to enhance
their senses of sight, smell, taste, and touch throughout the
baking process. ”
An Evening of Music at The Villas
The soothing sounds of a string quartet echoed through The Villas’
auditorium March 21, as Woldenberg Village hosted “An Evening of
Music” with the Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra. The public event
showcased an ensemble of some of New Orleans finest upcoming concert
musicians. The hour-long concert featured an orchestra consisting of a
brass quartet, woodwinds, a string quartet, and various chamber music
selections such as “La Nouvelle Orleans.”
“Our goal at GNOYO is to provide every willing young person in the
area access to a quality and comprehensive orchestral program that is
exciting, engaging, stimulating, challenging, and rewarding.” said Dr. Jean
Montès, Music Director for the GNOYO.
Following the concert, a private wine and cheese soiree was held for
The Villas’ residents, guest, and the public. The evening was a chance to
socialize and relax among friends and family.
“An Evening of Music” is the first in a four-part Wine and Cheese
Entertainment Series at Woldenberg Village.
For more information about The Villas Wine and Cheese
Entertainment Series, please contact Tina Bonstaff, Woldenberg Village
Marketing Manager.
Top: Students of The Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra perform to the Villas’ audience.
Bottom: The Villas’ residents enjoy a lively conversation as they dine on a selection of wine and cheese.