Class is in Session at the Village

Saturday, June 18, 2011

This week I found a truly "inspring aspect of retirement living". The Village has recently started offering a Psychology course available for all. Besides being an informative and thought-provoking course, which gets the mental juices flowing, any continued "learning" in our later years allows residents to keep their minds active through the use of new concepts which help improve cognition, the ability to reason, and memory while deterring conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Kerry McGuinness is the Assistant Administrator for the Village’s Courtyard building and an adjunct professor at Bristol Community College. “Some of these residents are truely lifetime learners and just want to gain everything possible from this experience,” says McGuinness.

On the 2nd Tuesday of each month following breakfast, residents gather together in the Chalet’s Function room for a lesson on Neuroscience and Behavior. A PowerPoint presentation accompanies her discussion on neurons, the nervous system and the brain. Residents are given copies of the slide show for those who want to jot ideas down or simply read ahead.

During this session 16 residents attend, but McGuinness points out the fact that first timers need not worry about what was taught the previous week, “I don’t make lessons with the intention that every step has to follow the next, instead I create lessons that can be taught without any previous knowledge of the subject.”

Throughout the class, residents are encouraged to ask questions and bring up discussions. Often during lessons light jokes and giggles intertwine with more serious subjects such as Alzheimer’s, diabetes, menopause, Parkinson’s and strokes.

“I believe an opportunity like this brings energy; the residents feel like they’re a part of something. In a way, a class like this allows them to escape and not concentrate on the negative in their lives but instead allows insight to subjects they sometimes know little about,” says McGuinness.

When asked if there is anything she would change, McGuinness enthusiastically says, “I hope it gets developed more, I want to see it grow. I’d like to know what the residents want, what they would find interesting because they are a huge part of this, whether that means being more hands on or finding new ways of keeping their interest.”

Kerry McGuinness holds this Psychology class every second Tuesday of each month at 10:30 a.m. in the Chalet.

posted by The Village at Waterman Lake

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Relaxation is Just a Boat Ride Away

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday Village residents have an opportunity to take an hour long boat ride on Smithfield’s pristine Waterman Lake.

“I love to be on the water. It’s calming and picturesque. I also enjoy the fact that it’s another way to socialize and meet new people.” says Chalet resident Rebecca "Becky" Coady.

Our ride takes us past quaint lakeside homes and private beaches all with a breathtaking view of the Village in its backdrop. Huge pine, red maple and oak stand around the edges of the lake, boats sprinkled between them.

The scenic views are not the only beautiful aspect of Waterman Lake. The abundance of wildlife found in and around the lake make it a prime fishing spot, in addition to a bird watcher’s paradise.

On this particular trip, Mallard ducks paddle through the water while Canadian geese take to the air as our boat floats closer. With a wingspan of over 6 feet, a Great Blue Heron is also spotted on a passing dock. Driver and Maintenance team member Roger Bernard points out that from time to time, even turtles can be seen sun bathing on water soaked branches.

“Every other Friday we also provide fishing trips to the lake. So, with fishing and the rides it’s a peaceful way to spend a day. Overall, I think the residents really love the boat rides and it’s a gorgeous area around here so why not enjoy it?” explains Karlene Hogan, Activities Director.

Boat rides are provided Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays at 2:15 p.m. for Chalet residents. Fishing trips are held every other Friday at 8:45 a.m.

Labels: Boats, fishing, relaxing

posted by The Village at Waterman Lake

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Village Residents with a “Green Thumb”

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Thursday mornings, Chalet residents throw on their gardening clothes for a unique experience called “Gardening with Mel.” Residents have a chance to beautify their home with the sweet scents of pansy, columbine and iris while enjoying fresh herbs and homegrown vegetables.

The program was created by Melissa LeBlanc, administrative assistant of the Chalet building. “I enjoy gardening and believe it’s a great way to give something back to the residents,” said LeBlanc. “I’m aware of the therapeutic quality of gardening and also try to use aromatherapy using the different herbs and flowers we plant.”

The gardens have an array of herbs and flowers which are planted in three by ten foot white boxes, specifically built to be senior friendly. Herbs such as thyme, oregano, dill, basil and marjoram along with flowering planets like trailing petunia and rock cress are planted.

Chalet resident Richard Servoss, 88, attends every Thursday and says “it’s a positive thing for everyone that shows up.” Servoss says through the gardening club, "residents get a chance to meet and know the people with whom they live.”

A larger fenced in garden can be found in the back right corner of the yard where residents grow tomatoes, corn, sugar snap peas, Chinese peapods, cucumbers, radishes and beets.

The surrounding areas are sprinkled with hanging red geraniums that decorate the large back yard of the Chalet. Bird feeders are also hung while flowers like bee balm attract butterflies, bees and hummingbirds to help pollinate surrounding flowers.

Once the vegetables and herbs start to grow, LeBlanc plans to use them in hors d'oeuvres and light lunches for Chalet residents. “The garden club is open to everyone and doesn’t exclude. It’s stress free and a way to give back with chats and laughs” says LeBlanc.

The Garden Club meets three times a month on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. at the Chalet building.

Labels: flowers, gardening, herbs

posted by The Village at Waterman Lake

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The Village Has Got Talent - And Her Name is Donna Manzi!

Monday, April 5, 2010

It is no surprise that there's a lot of talent on this campus. From the staff who steal the show (and the microphone) at our annual Holiday Party, to Nyisha, the owners' daughter who shares her remarkable vocal ability with residents and staff whenever she's in town. Then there are our gifted artists like resident Paul Riordan, our extraordinary musicians like Moriah, Meredith, and resident Alice Pickard, our thesbians like resident John Brown, our poets like resident Barbara Spalding, and our many athletes, dancers, and writers.

But only one of our Village talents is being considered for this season's America's Got Talent, and that's our very own Donna Manzi, beloved waitstaff coordinator in The Chalet. Donna's good nature, consistent hard work, and willingess to go over and above for residents, makes her a cherished part of Chalet residents' world. "Donna's like a bright light in the dining room," says one table of ladies. "You can always feel her warm presence."

With a voice that is both tender and soaring, Donna attended an audition for the famed national talent show on Sunday, March 21 at the Twin River Casino's To Catch A Rising Star Comedy Club. Donna began the day feeling calm, cool and collected dressed in a denim ensemble accented by a vibrant fuschia scarf. After several delays of her start time, however, Donna's excitement and nervousness reached its peak when finally at 1:10 in the afternoon, only 50 minutes before the auditions closed, Donna was asked to take the stage. She sang "Nobody" by Sylvia, and her performance was beautiful.

Among the 200 acts auditioning that day for America's Got Talent were local singer Bobby Justin, Michael Jackson impersonator Michael Knight, and a North Providence dance troop.

The crew told Donna to expect a call or email within 4 to 6 weeks, letting her know if she will be advancing to the next round or not. If she makes to the next round, Donna will be asked to perform in front of this season's judges, Howie Mandell, Sharon Osbourn, and Piers Morgan. And if they like her, she just might make it onto the program, which begins airing the first week of June.

Says Donna, "It was a thrilling experience for me and I feel confident that I did well," adding, "and Que Sera Sera... Whatever will be, will be."

Here's hoping that our bright light finds her place among the stars.

Labels: America's Got Talent, staff, talent, Team

posted by The Village at Waterman Lake

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