Matulaitis Winter Family...

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

2 Arcane Thoughts

3 Pumpkin Pie Social

4 Halloween Fun

10 Milestone Birthdays

11 So this is Christmas

Activity Director Nicole Zaninni walks at work… ALOT. Her fitbit history tells the story. Nicole’s work days in November averaged 11,661.1 steps per day. That’s almost 5 MILES PER DAY!! You Go, Girl!

The Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary were founded at Marijampole, Lithuania, by Blessed George

Matulaitis, MIC, on October 15, 1918. Above, Matulaitis residents and staff celebrate the Sisters in a unique way. Director of Mission

Integration Dainora Kupcinskas organized residents and staff to celebrate the occasion and created this photograph as a gift to the

Sisters. See more on page 5.

Matulaitis Winter Family Newsletter 10 Thurber Road, Putnam, CT 06260

www.matulaitisnh.org

December 21, 2018 Vol 4 Issue 4

http://www.matulaitisnh.org/

Matulaitis Family Newsletter – Winter 2018

CHECK OUT THE MATULAITIS WEBSITE The monthly Activity Calendar and “Legends” seasonal

Family newsletter is available online at http://matulaitisnh.org/news-testimonials/

The newsletter is also posted on the bulletin board at the beginning of C wing

C-Wing Charge

Nurse Bonnie Riker

(at left) joined the

crowd of residents

before Spirituality

Group in D Lounge

to meet Bryce and

Emily.

They are veteran

therapy dogs, who,

with their humans,

Valerie & Jerry

Stefancin, visit nine

nursing homes as well as hospitals back home in Ohio.

The family was in Connecticut to visit resident Laura

Parziale and family. Valerie’s is Laura’s niece.

Helen Boyll does the important job of

counting 25 chips per bag

in the Activity Room.

C

Rehab resident Tom Bednarz visiting with everyone with

his dog, Baxter. Baxter, an English cream white retriever,

has become a fun addition to Center Court gatherings!

Charlotte Fougere said, “I like your

cane”, so I gave it to her for closer inspection. As she looked at it she said,

“Some canes look like they are for

punishment, but not this one.

It looks like it enjoys being a cane.”

http://matulaitisnh.org/news-testimonials/


Pumpkin Pie Social is Family Affair!

(l-r)Activity Director Nicole

Zaninni and Activity Assistant

RoJeanne Doege serve

pumpkin pie! Richard Turcotte

and wife Jeanette. Connie

Noon with nephew Kurt.

Fernanda Clapp with

grandson Mike. Residents

Mary Zollin (d/c), Paul Hebert

and Raffaela Giordano

Melissa Vanasse, D wing Charge Nurse and

CNA Tammy Valle (standing) are shown with

residents Rena Vincent, Mary Vertefeuille and

Mary Champagne. They are planting for the

décor near each resident’s doorway in D-wing.

Dan Merlo, seated next to his father,

resident Larry Merlo, shares his

musical talents with us in the D Lounge

from time to time!


(l-r)1. Laura Parziale with ‘Dorothy’ 2. A group of school age trick or treaters 3. Jeannett Sullivan and Barbara Frederick 4. Barbara Langelier 5. Five mice; three blind, one Mini and one generic! (l-r) Heather Gagne, Helen Boyll, Erin Hansen, Jeannett Sullivan and Autumn Lewis 6. Volunteer Joan Lebkuchner and her dog Heidi 7. Claire Lajeunesse with LPN Mary Pechie and grand- daughter Natalie Ann 8. The Activity Department: Nicole Zaninni, RoJeanne Doege and Director Wendy Ross 9. Eva Oates with (l-r) great-grand daughters Ari, Eliana, Iyana. Grand- daughters Latoya and Lethice and daughter Mattie 10. 2 year-old Rebel and mom, Amiste, enjoy treats with Dina Lamiotte 11. Sr. Paul hugs a trick-or-treater


“Where flowers bloom, so does hope.” Lady Bird Johnson

On November 7th, perhaps you noticed this strange sight near the front door.

The Chrysanthemums, the quintessential “golden flower” of autumn, were nearing the

end of their joyful display. But the sun-filled afternoon reached the roots of the roses

next door and coaxed them into full bloom!

The Sisters of the Immaculate Conception

celebrated a century of service at the

Matulaitis Chapel on Monday,

October 15, 2018.

DECADES OF PRAYER… and time

Sister

Mary

Paul

Sisters of the Immaculate Conception Celebrate 100 Years

The Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary were founded at Marijampole, Lithuania by Blessed George Matulaitis, MIC, on October 15, 1918. The Sisters live in religious communities in the United States, Canada and Lithuania. They seek to unite their prayer life with apostolic activity and help others in every possible way on their journey to God. The Sisters work in various areas of pastoral care, social work, religious education and caring for the aged, the poor and the sick. In their life and work they follow the spirit of their founder, Blessed George Matulaitis, whose motto was: “Overcome evil with good”. A Solemn Mass was held on Monday, October 15. Following the Mass, residents celebrated with cake and an informational gathering of staff and residents in center court. (see photo at left) Director of Social Services Dainora Kupcinskas then presented the photograph (shown on cover) to the sisters. The entire staff decorated the hallways with sentiments, memories and congratulations. (lower left)

Congratulations to the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary!


Larry Bellerose reads “In Flanders

Field” with the help of grandson

Zachary Willard.

Residents

Lawrence J . Bellerose Scott S. Brown

Ralph T. Carlson Fernanda P. Clapp Adelard Dubreuil

Harold Dumas Charles Knous

Armel Leduc Richard J . Mandevil le

Donald J. McGee Lawrence J. Merlo Alan F. Noon

Richard L. Turcotte

Staff Reneesha Hamilton

Jim Kiefer Jeff Porter

Cheryl Veilleux

Volunteers

Peter Lombardo

The Matulaitis Family Council hosted the Annual Veterans Day Celebration on Sunday, November 4, 2018. 13 residents, four staff members and one

volunteer (see list at left) were honored by family and staff with military honors including Color Guards, military songs and a bugler thanks to the

Putnam American Legion Post 13.

Del Dubreuil receives a salute and his

certificate and flag from American

Legion Post 13 Commander Alan Joslin

____

Charles Knous

receives his

certificate and

flag from

American Legion

Post 13

Commander Alan

Joslin. Larry

Merlo and “Bud”

Harold Dumas

are at left.

Richard

Turcotte and

Fernanda

Clapp receive

assistance as

they stand

proudly for the

Navy song.

Larry Merlo

receives his

flag from

Commander

Alan Joslin.

Richard Mandeville is congratulated

by his wife, Doris.


MAKING THANKSGIVING DECORATIONS (above)

Cecelia Avila meticulously cuts the turkey feet and

bills that were then crafted onto the turkey body (at

right) by Jeannett Sullivan, Barbara Frederick and

Activity Director Nicole Zaninni. Florence Grant

works on a puzzle (above right)

A very special Memorial Prayer Service is held each November in the

Matulaitis Chapel. The heart of the Mass is the remembrance of the

residents that we have lost in the past year.

The Pastoral Care Department invites past families to participate in this

act of remembrance by lighting a candle for their loved one in a solemn

ceremony. The Mass is an opportunity to lead families forward in their

grief in song, prayer and fellowship.

The Prayer Service is spiritually enhanced by the joyful noise of the

Matulaitis Staff MerryTones Choir and other staff members who offer

prayers and memories as they, too, are affected by each loss.

Activity Director Nicole Zaninni

lights candles at the Memorial Service

By Denise Harkins

Compassionate and capable nurses are the very heart of caring for our elderly population. The bond that naturally develops between a nurse and his or her patient can be strong because residents often rely on their nurses for emotional and physical support in order to cope with their limitations. “You bond with these people every day,” said one Matulaitis CNA, “They’re like family.”

By its very nature, the frequency of mortality is high in any nursing home. Our nurses are the first to welcome and the last to care for our loved ones. When residents pass, they cry too. “It’s a

loss,” said a Matulaitis LPN, “There are tears shed.” “It is a release for the patient, really, and it is

what God wants.” Another CNA agreed, “It’s sad and upsetting but it’s a relief for them.” It’s hard when the

family comes, you cry with them“. Another CNA matched that sentiment, “It’s hard to see the family upset.

Sometimes you just have to take a minute and walk away.”

One Matulaitis RN said, “It’s sad and we will miss them. But I am relieved that I had a part in making them

happy and comfortable in the time they were here.” Another CNA concluded, “There’s a void. The facility doesn’t

feel the same.”


Ralph Carlson celebrates Thanksgiving with wife Jean

and (l-r) son-in-law Tom, son-in-law Steve,

daughters Susan and Bonnie (taking photo)

“Thanks to everyone for

a very delicious

Thanksgiving Dinner

today with Dad.”

111

Pauline LaPerle with goddaughter

Barbara and long-time friend Doris

“Forever on Thanksgiving, our heart will find the pathway home”

Wilbur D. Nesbit

Residents enjoy

“The Banjo Trio” in the auditorium in

November

Planting paper

whites and

amaryllis donated

by Dainora

Kupcinskas, Dir-

ector of Social

Services and

Mission Integration.

(l-r) Rita Palazzo,

Dainora, Connie

Noon and Rena

Vincent


(left) Activity Assistant RoJeanne Doege caught the moment when one of the two large beach balls used for exercise ended up on top of Raffaela Giordano's head! Raffaela utilized some great reflexes and arm flexibility! The

class had a good laugh about it! (above)Vicki Grandelski listens -and sings

along- to Polish Christmas songs on the computer.

Helen Dabkowski

(l-r) Anna Gallo and Larry Merlo stroll to the Chapel together. Anna and Laura Latham

sit together at the Chapel. Marie Laflamme soothes May Benoit during Chapel.

I get by with a little help from my friends!

Florence

Grant

Resident Gerry Messier with (left) CNA Paula Raymond show off

their Wacky Wednesday attire! (at right) with CNA Vicki Cogean.

Gallo and Merlo Connection La French Connection

Olivia

Chalifoux

with Barbara

Langelier


Elizabeth Loudema Dorothy Ralph Gloria Yvonne Sr. Theresa Thomas

Bourbeau Labonte Gomes Carlson Vrabel Briere Mieczkowski Bednarz

104 Years 102 Years 95 Years 95 Years 90 Years 85 Years 85 Years 70 Years

Merry Christmas 2018

Activity Director Nicole

Zaninni holds the

microphone for resident

Gloria Vrabel at the

Christmas Karaoke on

December 3.

One of the most powerful and easily accessible lifetime memories inside each

of us has to do with music. Direct participation in musical activities has been

proven to increase memory function, relax the body, reduce muscle tension

and boost productivity in the elderly. The Christmas season is made special

here at Matulaitis by the many Churches, schools, and organizations who

visit and sing… and urge us to sing along!

This year, we were fortunate to welcome many such visitors. Above, the Putnam

Lions and Leo Clubs filled the D-Lounge with traditional Christmas songs.

Also entertaining us throughout the month were Woodstock Athletic Council,

Marianapolis Chorus, Putnam Congregational Bell Choir, Creation Church,

Putnam Science Academy, Putnam Elementary School 3rd grades, and Business

Network International with Santa.

Thank You! God Bless Us Everyone!

B i r t h d a y s w e c e l e b r a t e d t h i s

a u t u m n !


2019 Meeting Schedule* Meetings are on the 2nd Thursday from 6-7:30PM

January 10 July 11 February 14 August 8 March 14 September 12 April 11 October 11 May 9 November 14 June 13 December 12

*Dates are subject to change

Please see the informational flyer on our website for more information, or contact the

group facilitator, our Director of Spiritual Care, Olivia Chalifoux: [email protected]

or 860-928-7976 x337

So this is Christmas and what have we done? The 2018 Family Council has touched hundreds of Matulaitis families this year. With minimal fundraising, the Family Council (along with help from staff and administration) has managed to: host a Spring Tea for 60 families, hand out carnations on Mother’s Day, provide music for the Matulaitis 50th anniversary celebration, co-host the annual Summer Picnic for 80 families and honor our 18 veterans and their families (see page 6). Another year over…and a new one just begun! To plan activities and events for 2019, the Family Council held the 3rd Annual Raffle on December 10. Thank you to those who donated the 108 prizes that were raffled off. The Family Council appreciates your donations. A list of winners is located in the office. A special thank you to the families who have lost a loved one and then earmarked donations to be sent to the Family Council. We grieve with you. Please know that your kindness will be used to make someone else’s loved one happy here at Matulaitis. Family Council members and families again spent many many many hours baking cookies and treats to present to the Nurses, CNAs and staff to show our appreciation for all they do for our loved ones. Families see what they do and how well they do it every day and their contribution to the wellness of our loved ones is incalculable. Thank you to our bakers! And so this is Christmas, we hope you have fun. The near and the dear one…the old and the young.

Meetings are held every 2nd Wednesday at 6pm in D-Lounge. Refreshments are served and

ALL ARE WELCOME!

On a random day in mid- December, my Excel spread- sheet tells me that the average age of all 113 long and short term residents of Matulaitis is 87.54 years young!

January 6 Honor our Centenarians 7 Music History 13 Cheer on the UConn Girls! 28 Blessed George Matulaitis

Memorial February 3 Superbowl LIII 17 Daytona 500 Cheer on the UConn Girls! Brother Leo Prayer Group World Day of Healing March 6 Ash Wednesday Stations of the Cross Lenten Devotions

UPDATE

mailto:[email protected]


The Danielson Veterans Coffee House was created three years ago as a Tuesday morning coffee house to meet, socialize and discuss information regarding Veteran benefits and services. Today, the wildly successful program has almost tripled in size!

Matulaitis is proud to host the coffee house morning program. For the first time, our Veteran residents were able to participate in the discussions and socialize with its members. Matulaitis will be hosting the coffee house on each second Tuesday of the month from 2:30 to 3:30 in the resident’s dining room. Refreshments and coffee will, of course, be provided.

So if you’re walking down the street sometime

And you should spot some hollow ancient eyes,

Don’t you pass them by and stare,

as if you didn’t care,

Say, “Hello in there, hello.” Bette Midler, “Hello”

To those we lost autumn

Mary Lou Gudmundson John “Jake” Dillon

John Hession Beatrice Gotsis

Doris Durst Shirley Wilbur William Jones Ronald Blain

Edna Wasilewski Josephine Divencenzo

Yvette Pleau Armel Leduc

Alina Czajkowski Patricia Scott

See the Memorial Book

in the 1st floor meeting room.

Matulaitis Rehab & Skilled Care 10 Thurber Road Putnam, CT 06260 Phone: 860.928.7976 www.matulaitisnh.org Fax: 860.928.0431

Newsletter Editor: Denise Harkins (860) 377.7682 [email protected] Next LEGENDS Issue: 3/20/19 CONTRIBUTORS Wendy Ross Patricia Simoni Dainora Kupcinskas Nicole Zaninni

Singing “This Little Light of Mine,” during Sensory Spirits. Laura Latham holds an electric candle. The candles are a recent

purchase to use with this group as something visual and tactile that has associations with prayer and worship. “[This group is] a lot of fun

and we’ve shared some beautiful moments with residents, really connecting through song, prayer, and presence.” Sensory Spirits is now held at 3:30 in D-lounge every other Thursday with Olivia and

Christina and every other Wednesday with Olivia and RoJeanne.

http://www.matulaitisnh.org/

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