Halloween Fun - St. Joseph`s John Knox

In Loving Memory
Team Member
of the Month
Walter Scull
Arnold Combs
The Team Member of the
Month Committee is happy
to announce the September
Team Member of the Month
is Ruthy Medina. Ruthy is
an Administrative Assistant
in the Tower.
Ruthy was selected because
she demonstrates the Bay
Care Values daily. She has
an excellent way of caring
for residents and team
members and is always
willing to make something
better than it is. Please join
us in congratulating Ruthy
for a job well done!
KNOXNews
Dicksie Mitchell
Halloween Fun
George Davis
Pedro Morales
at John Knox
Florence "Wiggie" Merrill
Casimiro "Che Che" Barquin
James Hoppe
You are invited to the John Knox Masquerade Ball
Dr. Margaret Fisher
When: Thursday, October 30th
Where: Scary Skylight Dining Room
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Food & Drink and Witches Brew the only thing we still need is you!!
Come dressed in a Halloween costume for the resident costume contest, dancing,
live music by the Just Us Duo, wine and hors’ d oeuvres!!!!
MISSION STATEMENT
QUALITY – St. Joseph's John Knox Village is a
Franciscan sponsored not-for-profit life care community
that exists for the primary purpose of preserving the highest physical, emotional and
spiritual quality of life of its residents. We are guided by compassion and respect for every
individual's dignity and worth.
Also, be sure not to miss the Village-Wide Halloween Celebration
When: Friday, October 31, 2014
Where: Skylight Dining Room
Time: 2:00 p.m.
COMMITMENT – In fulfilling our mission, we have a commitment to our employees.
We endeavor to make just and ethical decisions and to provide equal opportunity
for employment, development and advancement. We will foster a sense of unity and
teamwork and encourage the free expression of ideas.
Come and enjoy a skit performed by the
Activities Departments and employee costume contest.
RESPONSIBILITY – We recognize the responsibility inherent in the lifetime
commitment to our residents to provide for their future security by practicing sound
financial management.
Happy Halloween!!!!!
OUR MISSION – We also believe that our concern and commitment extends to the
community in which we live, work and serve. We practice good citizenship – cooperate
with religious, charitable and educational groups in encouraging civic improvements,
better health and education and in promoting human rights and social justice.
VALUES
DIGNITY – We believe in the dignity of the person, as one who is created by God.
REVERENCE – We believe in reverence for human life because it is a gift from God.
ACCEPTANCE – We believe in acceptance of every person who is associated with us.
COMPASSION – W
e believe in compassion that enables us to care for each person and to
service those whom we minister.
HOSPITALITY – W
e believe in a hospitality that creates a welcoming, hopeful atmosphere.
Highlights
Med Center Family Council.................................... pg. 1
From the Executive Director .................................pg. 2
Food for Thought.....................................................pg. 5
Fall 2014 OLLI-USF Classes..................................... pg. 7
Massage Therapy at John Knox............................. pg. 11
Lucky In Love...........................................................pg. 13
From the Executive Director
The Agency for Health Care was on campus to
do their semi-annual survey. Congratulations to
Michele Capurso and her Assisted Living Team
for another deficiency free survey! Keep up the
great work!
October Birthdays
2 David Camp
2 Douglas Naehring
2 Deana Knight
2 John Samuel Lowe
3 Alice Curry
3 Vivian Anderson
4 William L Walters
4 Evelyne Myatt
5 Philip Greco
8 Barbara J Johnson
8 Ida Santos Stewart
8 Ilse “Elsie” Davison
8 Caridad Guillen
9 Evangeline “Babe” Barquin
9 Beatrice Hals
9 Dorothy Adams
10 Ida Henson
14 Jacqueline Dekay
15 Jane K. Griffith
16 George F. Johnson
17 Robert Schindler
17 Donald Hurst
18 Charles Frederick Venable
18 Hazel Sawyer
18 Marian Krutsinger
19 Ruth McElwee
19 Margaret Sykes
20 Eldred “Ed” Croft
21 Elizabeth Kenefick
21 Lucy Futch
22 Anita K Thornton
22 Lieselotte “Lee” Grahling
23 Caroline Sponsler
23 Ann Silverman
23 Esther Newlin
24 Cicero “Chick” Ayers
24 Kathleen Hatton
25 Janet Venable
26 Eva Ortiz
27 Susan Harrison
27 Caryl D Mathis
28 Myrtice Martin
29 Elizabeth Jane Micka
29 Linda Watkins
30 Simeon C Sparkman
30 A. Stella Ramer
31 Mary J Murray
Med Center Family Council
Do you have a relative or friend in the Med Center? You are not alone! The John Knox Village Med
Center Family Council is comprised of family members and friends of Med Center Residents, working
together to get the best care for our loved ones. We meet at 7:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each
month in the downstairs dining room of the Med Center. Refreshments will be served.
At the Family Council meetings, you will have the opportunity to meet privately with other family
members and friends to discuss and consolidate common concerns, come up with ideas for how
to address issues, and focus on purposeful goals. No facility staff is present at meetings except by
invitation. For more information about the Family Council and how to contact us, please see our
bulletin board outside the therapy center in the Med Center.
We have received a quote from our landscape
company to re-create the area surrounding the
pond as well as the grass around the fire hydrant.
Believe it or not, we are still waiting on the result
of the insurance adjuster from BayCare. He has
determined that it is considered a “flood” and that
insurance will not be part of the process as our
deductible for flood is $1m. I am praying that by
the time you read this – there will be some activity
back there.
Our generator is currently being built and the
tentative date for shipment is near the end of
September. As of now (mid-September), we are
waiting on the permit for the concrete slab.
Tower elevator #1 is finished and #2 should be
done before the holidays. This will give us four
very fast hard working elevators in the Tower!
Thanks for your patience.
The construction team is putting the finishing
touches on the painting of the dining room. Next,
we will be installing the carpet and then new
chairs! The dining room is looking great!
The 5th floor in the Tower is in the process of a
common area renovation as well as the 2nd and
3rd floor pantry areas. The 9th floor will be the
next area to remodel in the Tower.
There is also going to be some concrete work done
in front of the C building as well as the north
entrance to the E/F buildings.
The Med Center is a lot quieter with the absence
of the alarms, and the falls were actually slightly
lower than the previous month. The “Bedazzle
Program” is helping staff redirect behaviors on
the secured unit and is proving to be a wonderful
addition for the residents and helpful to the staff.
Thank you for all of your patience while we
transition into table service in the Skylight Dining
Room. I know it was a rocky start, but I am told
that the food has improved and that the service
is better. We are still down a few positions due to
sickness and other unavoidable situations. Our
Team Resources Department is working hard to
get those positions covered. We are now on the
USF Career Center website to entice the students
to work here as servers.
Activity is picking up in the Marketing
Department so if you see the marketing staff
touring, please be sure to say hello.
Thank you for being the wonderful residents you
are and for the opportunity to serve you.
Sincerely,
Lisa Lyons
Resident Services
Attention All
The Wood Shop on the 2nd floor of the B-building
has a new lock. If any of you have a key to the
Wood Shop, your key will NO LONGER work. It has been brought to my attention that the
equipment was not being taken care of properly
and the room was very dirty. With all the
individual keys out there, it has been difficult to
monitor who goes in and out and who uses the
equipment. For safety reasons, I must ask that
you go to the Front Desk to sign out the key,
and once you are finished, please return the key
to the Front Desk. This will allow the staff to
know that someone is in the Wood Shop, in case
of any emergency. We just want the area to be
a safe, clean environment. I am sorry for any
inconvenience, but it is for your safety.
Starting October 1, 2014, Tuesday through Friday, Transportation will start at 7:30 a.m. If you need to
schedule an 8:00 a.m. appointment, we should be able to meet your needs. The Sunday Church Transportation Schedule has changed for the following churches: The Temple
Terrace United Methodist Church bus will depart at 8:40 a.m. (Sunday school) and again at 9:30 a.m.
(Service Only) and then will pick up at the church at 11:10 a.m. to return back to campus. Please call
632-2311 for any questions concerning transportation.
If you have any resident issues or concerns, we ask that you please do not hesitate to contact any of us
in Marketing/Resident Services, and we will meet with you. We ask that you please see Britta in the
Marketing reception area, and she will schedule a time for us to meet.
Marketing News
I am writing this article on
September 12, 2014, and I am
happy to report Sandy Ross has 2
Independent Living contracts and
2 Assisted Living contracts. Sandy
works very hard and has done an
outstanding job bringing in new
neighbors. We appreciate all of you.
Caroline North
Director of Marketing
■■ Pancake Breakfasts:
Residents receive
In the previous R.A.C.I. articles we have discussed
current JKV
a number of volunteering opportunities for those
information
who enjoy living at John Knox Village. When you
from managers
volunteer, in addition to the enjoyment of helping
while having
others, you can feel the pride of contributing to
a delicious
making money for your Residents’ Association.
pancake breakfast.
Why should we feel proud of that? Because,
We have other very
as discussed in previous articles, the money
important sources, such as
is invested in items that make our lives more
your TV Channel 5. There
enjoyable in this community.
is lots of great information,
However, in addition to having physical items
announcements, and activities available
that make our lives gratifying, we need to be
daily on your TV. Also, we have two “live”
well informed if we want to enjoy our lives to
sources; your Floor Representatives and Building
the fullest at John Knox. Therefore, different
Delegates. Recur to them as often as you like!
from other articles, this month we would like to
point out some sources of information available We’ll share more very essential sources of
information in future articles. Look for the
to all residents.
R.A.C.I. Corner in your monthly Knox News!
Let’s start with the Resident’s Handbook; you
received it when you first moved into John Knox. Submitted by: Chuck Hagedorn, President of the
Residents' Association
It has five main sections you should be familiar
with: Safety & Security, Policies & Procedures,
Resident Services, Activities, and Amenities. Even
if you’ve lived here a long time, a new revised
edition was distributed to everyone early in 2014.
If you’ve filed the handbook away… refer to it
once in a while; it has great detailed information
for us.
THE R.A.C.I. CORNER
Besides the handbook, we also recommend
you attend two very important and informative
open meetings:
■■ Coffee with Lisa: JKV’s Executive Director,
Lisa Lyons, informs everyone about matters
discussed in the Director’s Advisory Council
(DAC) meeting. The DAC is composed of the
Residents’ Association officers and delegates.
This meeting has a “questions & answers”
session; residents can ask Lisa questions
concerning JKV. “Coffee with Lisa” fulfills
the requirement of 2013 Florida Statutes,
Title XXXVII, Chapter 651, Section 85 of a
Quarterly Resident Meeting with a Governing
Board Member.
John Knox October Food for Thought: Fall is Here!
Summer has come & gone and guess what
is next….FALL, Halloween, Thanksgiving
and Christmas! We are looking for some
of your Holiday Salad and Dessert Recipes
that can easily be made for 400 guests to add
to our Holiday Brunches! We will choose a
couple of the recipes
to highlight over the
Holidays! Think about
everyone seeing your
name in lights with your
family recipe! Please
submit your recipes to
Rey or Diahann to be
considered.
Dining Service Changes are a Month Old!
Well, as of October 1st our Dining Service
Changes are a month old! If you have not already
given us feedback, please do so. We are willing to
receive your great, good, bad and ugly comments!
We can only improve with your help and will only
know to keep doing what is good to great!
Please see Rey or Diahann or feel free to drop
a comment card into the container at the front
door.
October Fun Facts and Trivia
■■ Germany’s Oktoberfest originally began on
October 17, 1810.
■■ October Quote of the
Month: “There is no
season when such
pleasant and sunny spots
may be lighted on, and
produce so pleasant an
effect on the feelings,
as now in October.”
Nathaniel Hawthorne,
American Novelist
Apple Academy Presents: Consistent Carbohydrate Diet Part 1
Daily Dining Room Survey Averages for
Skylight & Crystal
Thank you to all of the Residents who completed
the surveys to provide us with real time results!
Here are the results from the month of August:
3.62 out of 5 for Food Quality • 4.15 out of
5 for Quality of Service • 3.51 out of 5 for
Variety of Menu
Upcoming October Specials
■■ Sunday, October 5th is our monthly Sunday
Brunch by Reservation- serving Carved Prime
Rib with Creamy Horseradish Sauce, Grilled
Halibut with Cilantro Garlic Butter & Pasta
with Gorgonzola Cream Sauce
■■ Sunday, October 12th Served Meal by
Reservation- Choice of Fresh Grilled Salmon
with Arugula, Capers and Tomato Ragu or
Grilled Tenderloin Steak Cooked to Order
■■ Sunday, October 19th Served Meal by
Reservation- Choice of New Orleans BBQ
Shrimp over a bed of Parmesan Spinach
Fettuccini or Carved Prime Rib with Red
Wine Sauce
■■ Sunday, October 26th Served Meal by
Reservation- Choice of Tuna with Roasted
Red Pepper Sauce or Filet Mignon with Bacon
Cream Sauce
According to the Center for Disease Control and
Prevention, as of 2010, 25.8 million people or 9.3%
of the US population had diabetes. Many books
and cookbooks have been written about diabetes.
I will do my best to condense the information
down for this newsletter. I receive many questions
about the appropriate foods someone with diabetes
should eat. The answers vary, because everyone
is different, and therefore they have different
needs. Those who have diabetes need to keep their
blood sugar at a consistent level, not too high or
too low. Of the various food groups, fruit, milk,
and starches will raise blood sugar levels. Meat,
vegetables, and fat will not affect blood sugar levels.
Back near the beginning of this article I stated
everyone has different needs. People with diabetes
are told to count their carbohydrates. Some people
will need more than others. This article would
never end if I go into how to count carbohydrates
in different foods and measure out portion sizes.
So I will teach you a GENERAL rule that fits for
most people with diabetes and is also a good rule
to follow if you have family history of diabetes
or pre-diabetes. It is still important to continue
monitoring blood sugar levels to see if you need to
tweak this diet to fit your needs.
by Kaylin Duncan, RDN
Question 1) What the heck is a carbohydrate? A
carbohydrate is a molecule that contains Carbon,
Hydrogen, and Oxygen. It is found in foods
containing sugars, starch, and/or cellulose. When
consumed, it breaks down and releases energy for
the body in the form of calories. All the foods that
affect blood sugar levels (fruit, milk, and starches)
are classified as carbohydrates.
Question 2) What is a starch? Breads, cereals and
grains, crackers and snacks (popcorn and pretzels),
peas and lentils, and starchy vegetables are forms
of starches.
Question 3) What are starchy vegetables? Corn,
peas, potatoes, yams, sweet potatoes, and squash
(winter, acorn, butternut) are starchy vegetables.
Other vegetables will not cause blood sugar levels
to rise.
Part 2 will be continued in the November
Knox News
FALL 2014 OLLI-USF Classes at John Knox Village
To register, please contact Britta Mockler at 632-2331
Geopolitics Today
This course will examine the impact that the
protracted wars in the Middle East and North
Africa are having on the military. With mandated
reductions in defense spending, the U.S. may have
to adjust its worldwide military commitments
and settle for a more frugal foreign policy. This
course will also address the rapid changes in the
world’s demographics that could have a negative
impact on the U.S. role in international politics.
John Gary, retired U.S. Marine Corps brigadier
general, has been sharing his military perspective
and expertise with OLLI members since 1999.
(Political Science)
Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Activity Room
When: Mondays – October 6, October 13,
October 20, October 27, November 3,
November 10
Beginning Bridge
(SPACE IS VERY LIMITED – FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE)
This course is designed to introduce the principles
of bridge to beginners. We will start by learning
the game’s basic terminology and the rudimentary
aspects of playing. Via sample hands, questions
and answers, and discussion and lecture, you will
learn fundamental principles of this wonderful
game.
Jim Young is a Life Master of the card game of
Bridge. He has been a respected instructor of the
game for many years, teaching all levels of players
how to play and enjoy this popular pastime.
Time: 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Crossroads Village Center
When: Mondays – October 13, October 20,
October 27, November 3, November 10,
November 17
Global Issues Affecting the U.S.
This course will take a realistic look at features
of the global environment that affect our vital
interests and national security. The United States
is the richest, most powerful nation on earth.
Unfortunately, we consistently overestimate our
ability to achieve our objectives in the world –
only to be frustrated and disappointed when
things don’t go as planned. We will discuss
possible hardheaded, non-ideological, pragmatic
policies that reflect our strengths, limitations and,
above all, the real world. (Political Science)
Mike Pheneger, retired U.S. Army colonel, served
as an intelligence officer and is president of the
ACLU of Florida.
Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Activity Room
When: Tuesdays – October 7, October 14,
October 21, October 28, November 4,
November 11
Basic Conversational Chinese (Mandarin)
Learn basic conversational Chinese. This course
will address greetings, introductions, nationality,
time, numbers, money, likes and dislikes.
Gain insight into Chinese culture as you learn
Mandarin, the predominant language spoken in
that vast and historic nation.
study and by encouraging questioning and lively
debate. (Political Science)
Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Activity Room
When: Fridays – October 10, October 17, (no
class October 24), October 31, November 7
Mingjian Zhang PhD Monash University,
Melbourne, Australia, is a professor at the College
of Foreign Languages at Qingdao University
and is Associate Director of the USF Confucius
Institute, and Yanfeng Wang, MA Modern and
Contemporary Chinese Literature,Qingdao
University, is on the faculty of the USF Confucius
Institute. She has extensive experience teaching
Chinese as a foreign language and has a special
interest in Chinese arts and culture. (Humanities
and Arts)
Time: 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Where: Crystal Dining Room
When: T
uesdays & Thursdays – October 21,
October 23, October 28, October 30,
November 4, November 6, November
11, November 13
Famous Court Cases
Seasoned jurisprudent insights are brought to
bear on some of the most provocative cases and
issues that have faced the U.S. Supreme Court.
The first class will examine the legal issues
involving the death penalty, and subsequent
classes will study the controversial Bush vs.
Gore case and the Citizens United Case. The
final class will address the historic problems
of the politicization of the Supreme Court, an
institution intended to transcend politics.
Bill Heath, proud University of Michigan
graduate, pursued a long and varied career in law.
Heath expresses his lawyerly interests in history,
culture and political science through extensive
Discover Tampa Bay
The Tampa Bay area is filled with places to see
and things to do! This course will cover museums,
attractions, restaurants, theaters, parks, malls and
yearly events. We will take a tour of a Tampa Bay
museum and discuss the large nearby attractions
such as Busch Gardens. You will receive scores
of educational and entertainment brochures and
will become knowledgeable about Tampa Bay’s
attractions. (Elective)
Don Clark, shares his discoveries of the wellknown and the unique from around Tampa Bay
Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Crystal Dining Room
When: F
ridays – October 17, October 24,
October 31, November 7, November 14,
November 21
Pastoral Care News
Vespers Worship Service Speakers
Sundays at 5:30pm
In the Chapel
Oct. 5th : Jim Fisher, Chaplain (Communion)
Oct. 12th : Patina Ripley, Pastoral Candidate
Oct. 17th : Rev. Cary Young, Chaplain
Oct. 26th : Father Robert Schindler
New Bible Study Offering at JKV
Interdenominational Bible Study for
Men and Women
Time: 10:00 am
Where: In the Activity Room
When: E
very Thursday
BEGINNING October 2nd
Time: 1:00 pm
Where: In Prayer Garden
When: F
riday, October 3, 2014
Friday, October 3rd, in honor of Saint Francis
of Assisi the Chaplains will be holding a Pet
Blessing Service outside in the Prayer Garden.
There is so much God can and does teach us
through our pets so now we invite you to come
for a time of commending their lives and service
into the hands of God.
If you have any
questions, please
call Pastoral Care at
632-2443 or 632-2396.
We hope to see all “pet
parents” there!
Time: 2:00 pm
Where: In the Crossroads
When: Th
ursday October 16th
This Month’s Topic: WOMEN OF THE BIBLE
(Genesis 2:18-23; Proverbs 31:10-31)
The Bible Study for ladies will continue at John
Knox Village under a new teacher. The class will
continue to meet on the 3rd Thursday of each
month at 2:00pm in the Crossroads. The study
will now be taught by Reba Cook who has been
teaching women and children for over 60 years.
Reba has written and illustrated workbooks for
study and comes with a wealth of knowledge
and experience. Reba will be teaching a series
of lessons exploring the supportive roles women
have played throughout the Bible. This study will
meet on October 16th and in preparation Reba
requested that everyone read Genesis 2:18-23
and Proverbs 31:10-31. All ladies are welcome!
Questions call Pastoral Care at 632-2443 or 6322396. Remember your Bible!
Annual Pet Blessing
in the Prayer Garden
Everyone is invited: residents, family members and
staff. Bring your beloved pets for special time of
honoring and celebrating those companions who
love us unconditionally. Please do ensure that your
pets are on a leash or in a secure pen. If you are
unable to bring your pet, feel free to bring a picture
of your pet. There will also be a board outside of
the Skylight Dining Room where you can place
a picture of your pet
to commemorate St.
Francis who was an
animal lover.
Bible Study for Ladies Continues
Franciscan Center Program
Death as Unfolding Toward Eternal Life
Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Where: Private Dining Room
When: Friday, October 17th
Beginning October 2nd, a weekly Bible study
will be offered by one of John Knox Village’s
own residents. Janet Venable comes with
Biblical education, missionary experience
in Africa and experience teaching. Janet
has previously led a Bible study at another
independent living facility. The one hour
lesson will be a study of the Biblical text
focused on the Essentials of the Christian
Faith and the Purpose, Plan and Promise of
God. EVERYONE is welcome. Questions call
Pastoral Care at 632-2396 or 632-2443. Don’t
forget your Bible!
Sr. Jeanne Williams, OSF, Presenter
Associate Director of Programs
Franciscan Center
Franciscan Center Cookies Will
be Available
Sr. Jeanne Williams, OSF is the Associate Director of
Programs at the Franciscan Center. She has many
years of experience as an educator, spiritual director,
and retreat leader.
Tending to the Soul:
A Lesson on Spiritual Well-Being
A Pastoral Care Presentation
Time: 2:00 pm
Where: Skylight Dining Room
When: Wednesday, October 22nd
In Honor of
Pastoral Care
week (October
19th-25th),
the Chaplains
will be having
a presentation on Spiritual Well-Being. Our
spiritual well-being is as important as our physical
well-being. We readily seek medical attention for
our physical ailments but give little consideration
to the ailments of our spirit. Join us as we discuss
how to assess your spiritual well-being, identify
ailments of the spirit and learn new and creative
ways to tend to the care of your spiritual self.
There will be time for discussion and refreshments
following the presentation. ALL are welcome;
hope to see everyone there! Questions call
Pastoral Care at 632-2443 or 632-2396.
Massage Therapy at John Knox
Hi, I’m Julie Helms and, if you haven’t met me
yet, I’m a certified geriatric massage therapist
available at John Knox for therapeutic massage.
People usually think of massage as a luxury
(and it does feel good!) but it is actually very
therapeutic. Some of its many benefits are:
■■ Relief of muscle and arthritis pain
■■ Increased circulation
■■ Relief of some neuropathy symptoms
■■ Help with insomnia and headache relief
■■ Increased range of motion and relief
of stiffness
■■ Help with anxiety and depression
■■ Relief of certain Parkinson’s symptoms
■■ An overall improved sense of well-being
Why is it important to have a qualified geriatric
massage therapist? It really has to do with
understanding the unique needs of the elderly,
such as:
■■ Using certain techniques not to harm thin skin
■■ Being aware of medications, including
diabetic precautions
■■ Knowing how to work
with Alzheimer’s/dementia
patients
■■ Ability to work in unusual
situations, such as someone
seated in a chair, wheelchair,
hospital bed, etc.
■■ Also, being aware of how
important it is for the
elderly to keep feeling in
their feet through massage
to help prevent falls.
I’ve been offering massage therapy at John Knox
since 2000. I’m available, by appointment, in the
massage clinic on the first floor of the Tower near
the nursing clinic. If you are unable to come to
the clinic, I can come to you. I go to the assisted
living apartments, Med Center, as well as, the
memory units.
For more information or to make
an appointment call:
Julie Helms, LMT
MA32021
813-240-2017
wellnessmt@hotmail.com 2014 Gift Gala
Everyone!
The Med Center
Auxiliary has been busy
planning and working
for the Fall 2014 Gift
Gala. The drawing will
be on Friday, October
17, 2014 in the Front
Lobby. Tickets will be sold at various locations for
a week prior to the drawing. Tickets are $1 each or
6 for $5. Please watch for the flyers and the posters
coming soon.
This year, we want
to go “over the tree
top” with Christmas
decorations in John
Knox. To gather as
many decorations
as possible before
decorating time,
we will have
a Christmas
Décor Donation
event running
from Monday,
September
22nd all the way
through Friday, November 14th!
Don't forget to give THANKS
Here we are again to remind you that the
Residents' Association is conducting a fund drive
for employees to show our appreciation for their
services for us.
Employees are not allowed to receive tips,
gratuities or rewards other than their paychecks.
Fund proceeds are given to them at Christmas
time based on the number of hours worked in
the year, and distributed only to hourly paid
employees. The drive is on now until November
30th and we are asking each resident to give one
dollar ($1) a day. We welcome new residents
and ask them to participate in this most worthy
cause. If you wish to make a one-time generous
donation, we will be most grateful. Your gift is not
tax deductable so it is truly a gift from your heart.
Please don't forget to say THANKS for the
services you have received from our dedicated
staff members.
Checks may
be made out to
the Employee
Gift Fund
and put in the
Residents
Box in the
main lobby in
the Tower.
We will place a big, decorated box in the
front lobby where you can place all kinds of
ornaments you don’t want or need anymore.
Ornaments must be in good or usable condition,
as we will “recycle” and use them all around John
Knox. After your Christmas preparation clean-up,
gather all those nice, gently used decorations you
will not use this year, and donate them to the
John Knox Christmas Committee. We will make
something pretty with them. Bring ornaments in
all colors and sizes; we will accept them whether
they are modern or vintage. As long as the
ornament is in good condition, we will find a use
for it!
Just imagine how special and fun it will be
when you walk around John Knox and see your
donated ornament displayed for the enjoyment
of all!
Help us make this Christmas, the most
wonderful time of the year for our residents and
team members! Help us go “over the tree top”!
Ruthy Medina & The 2014 Christmas Committee
Lucky in Love
The day I went to visit Ida Stewart and her
husband Paul Secord was one of those pristine,
sparkly summer days, the kind that makes you
want to toss your head back, hold your arms
out and sing. I didn’t though; I have too much
respect for my Village friends to shatter their
sanity with my singing. I did hum as I made
my way to their apartment. When the door
opened, out burst two little dogs, and I mean
little: a Yorkshire terrier and a dachshund. I’ve
seen sentences longer than they are. It was
a wonderful greeting. Ida’s daughter Kim
corralled the pups into the apartment and I
followed trying not to trip over these exuberant
little beings. Their behavior was just like the
summer day--full of sunshine. Tiger’s dark eyes
peered out from beneath a lock of golden tan
fur. He bounced and darted in and out of my
feet, and when I sat down, he was right there
on my lap and literally in my face. Nothing
like a canine facial. Not one to engage in such
tomfoolery, Cody sat demurely on the couch,
and watched his brother, all 15” of him, twist
and turn like a manic comma in my lap. Kim
rescued me. I dried my face, and then it was
picture time. Take a look at the photograph.
The world wide smile on Ida’s face says it all.
What it doesn’t say is the aerobics required by
Kim and Ida to get Tiger and Cody on Ida’s lap
long enough for me to photograph the family.
Contrary to the image Cody was trying to
convey, he was as wriggly as Tiger. Ida learned to love animals from her dad. One
day he brought home a little puppy and tucked
it in bed with his little girl. Her mom was not
at all enthusiastic about this and took the little
fella outside. Ida’s dad was a good husband and
respected his wife’s decision--for a while. Then
he went outside, retrieved the puppy and tucked
it back in bed with Ida. When Ida was married
with her own children, they too had a dog. Misty.
Tiger and Cody are one of many very lucky dogs.
Ida got Tiger when he was a wee little thing. She
wanted a small dog, one she could hold, and Tiger
leg, but on her leg--until he reaches her chin.
If her eyes are closed, he walks back down and
waits. Then he does this again. On the third try,
it is his considered opinion that Ida should just
quit sleeping and get started on her day. So he
stands on her chest and licks her face until she
opens her eyes.
was the perfect choice. He was one of four little
Yorkshire terriers and definitely the boss. This
take charge attitude endeared him to Ida as did
his exuberant friendliness. Tiger doesn’t know a
stranger; he loves everyone. If you bend over, he’ll
lick you to death.
As with most animals, he and Cody have their
own little tricks and quirks. Tiger knows the word
“dog.” If a dog appears on the TV, Ida says, ”Tiger,
see the dog?” He comes tearing into the room,
fixes his little eyes on the TV, and barks. Tiger
has things pretty well figured out for himself.
Without any help from Ida, he learned that when
it is time to be picked up, the best position is face
forward, and that is exactly what he does as soon
as he realizes Ida wants to take him for a walk. At
night, Tiger sleeps at the foot of the bed. When
he wakes up it is assumed that everyone will wake
up. Tiger walks up Ida’s left leg--not next to her
Cody is a bit more reserved. Ida wanted a
miniature dachshund, and the breeder sold
her one. As the weeks went by Cody became
longer and longer and longer; there was nothing
miniature about him. Taking him back to the
breeder was not an option. Cody was solidly
ensconced in Ida’s heart. There was nothing
miniature about that either, and so Cody and
Tiger began their life together. Ida suspects
that Cody had been seriously abused as he is
very reserved and seems scared of just about
everything. The only place he is relaxed his is
home. When she makes him go out, he stays out
only long enough for the basic essentials then
pulls Ida back in the apartment. Cody is very
respectful of Tiger, but he has limits. When Ida
holds Tiger, Cody gets very jealous. At mealtime
he waits for Tiger to eat first. At night, while Tiger
sleeps on Ida’s feet, he curls up right under Ida’s
shoulder. But Cody is also very jealous, and is
significantly unhappy when Ida holds Tiger and
leaves him on the floor.
During my visit, Paul came out. What a great
time I had listening to them both talk about how
they fell in love. Ida, a native born Ybor City
girl, grew up to become a PhD in education. She
was at the University of Houston when Dr. Paul
Secord arrived on campus. The huge fuss made
over Dr. Secord annoyed Ida and she decided she
just wasn’t going to make a fuss over him. His
Stanford University PhD was no better than her
University of Illinois degree and one day, in the
elevator, she turned her back on him while other
people made a big fuss. Such behavior doesn’t
suggest a pending marriage. When asked if it was
love at first sight, Paul replied that he knew he
would conquer Ida one way or another. He said he
found her interesting. Apparently so: they met at
a faculty party in spring, and in August they were
married. Love does such things. A man, a woman,
and two little dogs: lucky in love.
I hope you will get to meet these two wonderful
people. Ida can talk to you in Spanish or French,
and Paul knows German. But more than that, they
speak love--for each other and for two lucky dogs.
Susan Harrison, JK Resident