Fairview's 2008 Auction Committee has been meeting monthly since June to plan this year's event. This will be the sixth annual antiques and collectibles auction. Over $200,000.00 has been raised to date. This year's goal is $60,000.00 and will be used to help pay for information technology upgrades. Pictured are committee members (L-R): back row - Marilyn Searle; Pat Bowden; Mary Sepowitz; Karin Thompson; and Dean Anderson; seated - Evelyn Harris and Ginger Smyle. Committee members not available for the photo are Mae Horan, Jim Malloy, Susan Reyher, and Lori Brynn.
Twenty-nine cadets and three adults from the Groton Maritime Academy visited Fairview on July 28 and were treated to a picnic lunch of hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, soda, and dessert. This is the third year Fairview has sponsored a lunch for the cadets.
This program is run by the Town of Groton Police Department for children ages 12 through 16. It is a three week program that provides positive mentoring and the opportunity to learn about boating and related maritime activities. Pictured at Fairview with the cadets are adult mentors (back row): Far left Youth Officer Douglas Hoffman; eighth from left Scott Meyers, parent volunteer; and far right Officer Derek Robertson.
Fairview held its third annual car raffle on July 12. This year's winner is Terry Mitchell from Niantic. Congratulations to Terry for winning the Honda S2000 convertible! We wish to thank all of this year's 516 participants who helped us raise a net profit of $18,881.75.
This is the most successful car raffle to date with all proceeds earmarked to pay down the debt from the new construction and renovation.
Fairview recently received a $50,000 grant from the State of Connecticut to help pay for computer upgrades. In particular, the grant, along with other designated funds from a bequest and the Odd Fellows Grand Lodge of Connecticut, will be used to fund a new software system. Pictured is State Senator Andy Maynard (R) presenting the $50,000 check to Jim Malloy, Fairview Administrator.
The Board of Directors of the SI Financial Group Foundation, Inc. recently approved a $750.00 grant to the Fairview Odd Fellows Home of Connecticut. These funds will be used to purchase a Venous Doppler machine which measures blood flow for wound healing. Pictured are: (L-R) Elisabeth Page, Savings Institute Bank & Trust Branch Manager in Groton, and Deborah Morgan RN, Fairview Director of Nursing.
Through the assistance of Fellowship Manor resident Nancy Driscoll, Connecticut Second District Congressman Joseph Courtney, CT State Senator Andy Maynard, and CT State Representative Ted Moukawsher visited Fairview on May 29 to discuss issues involving eldercare in Connecticut and nationwide. Pictured shaking hands with Congressman Courtney in one of Fairview's dinning rooms is Fairview resident Julia Merriman.
Stonington Lodge #26 donated $100 to purchase a car raffle ticket to give away to an hourly employee at Fairview. The drawing for the ticket was held on June 19 and the lucky winner was Melissa Blondet, a teacher at the child development center. Good luck Melissa!
Richard Trudelle, a member of Stonington Lodge #26, recently donated a big screen television to the Therapy Department at Fairview. The TV is being used in conjunction with the Nintendo Wii game for residents' therapy. Pictured using the game is Richard with Jane Novak, Fairview Director of Rehabilitation Services.
Fairview held the first of what will be an annual event on Saturday, May 10, 2008. Ninety guests were in attendance to honor two deserving individuals, Edie Kalin and Billy Joe Foreman, who received the Fairview Medal. The award was presented for service and dedication to Fairview that far exceeds what one would expect of any person. CLICK HERE to view more photos of this event.
Fairview's annual Mother's Day Tea was held in the Auditorium on Sunday, May 11, 2008. Several members of the Niantic Lodge # 17 volunteered their time to help with this special annual Tea. CLICK HERE for more photos of this event.
Several residents at Fairview were recently 'caught on camera' participating in a therapy session in the new therapy gym at Fairview. Pictured leading the group are physical therapists (standing L-R) Liza McBain, Jane Novak, and Chris Malcolm. Fairview has a superb physical therapy department with the most up-to-date equipment to help residents through their recuperative process.
James Quinn was a Fairview resident for a short time before his passing in the fall of 2007. His family requested all donations in his memory be made to Fairview. A beautiful teak bench was purchased with the donations and a dedication ceremony took place on April 27 which would have been Mr. Quinn's 94th birthday. The bench is located outside the Broomfield - Wilson Auditorium. Pictured are Mrs. Quinn (second from right sitting on the bench) with her nine children, their spouses, and several of her grandchildren. The Quinns were extremely glowing in their praise of Fairview and the care Mr. Quinn received during his stay.
A special tree planting took place on April 23 in honor of Earth Day. A weeping cherry tree was planted in the recreation courtyard for all of the residents to enjoy. Pictured helping plant the tree is resident Jerry Kozikowski with Joe Lopes, Director of Environmental Services.
Students from Ella Grasso Technical School came to Fairview on April 24 to sanitize computer workstations that had been replaced by newer workstations. The eleven 'clean' workstations have been donated to Fairview employees. This was a great opportunity for the students to get some 'hands-on' experience. We greatly appreciate their volunteer efforts! Pictured are some of the participating students.
Fairview residents enjoyed visiting with
22 Coast Guard Cadets for three hours on Sunday, April 13, 2008. Cadets and residents spent time playing games and conversing and they enjoyed a wonderful snack. Tiffiny Stanley and Tim Stanley volunteered their time as well.
Fairview’s maintenance department was in need of a chainsaw. Fortunately a white knight appeared in the name of Randy Brooks. Randy saw the request in the Point O’ View newsletter and made the donation by hand delivering the saw. Randy is a former board member of the home and is the Financial Secretary of the Stonington Odd Fellows Lodge #26. Pictured accepting the saw from Randy (L) from the maintenance department is Mark Hill, also a member of the Stonington Lodge.
Fairview held its annual Easter Egg Hunt on March 20. Children from the child development center came to the new Stephen Terry Lodge #59 courtyard to find eggs that were left by none other than Peter Rabbit. Several residents watched the children gather the eggs from the comfort of the new resident wing lounge. Pictured is Peter with some of the children.
Fairview now has a new interactive game made by Nintendo called a Wii. It is being used by our recreation and therapy departments. You can bowl, play tennis, baseball, and golf. The residents recently got their first chance to play and the game was a big hit. It not only helps with coordination and other motor skills; it is also uplifting mentally. We are grateful to George Hammel for donating the funds to purchase this game. Pictured using the game for the first time is Gen Bitters, a resident at Fairview.
MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT TRIBAL DANCERS VISIT FAIRVIEW
The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Dancers made their third visit to Fairview on February 19, 2008 to entertain our residents and children from our child development center. This visit was special as the children who performed put a smile on our residents’ faces; they also made a gift bag for each and every resident to show their love and respect for our elder population. Fairview is very fortunate to be the beneficiary of the presence and thoughtfulness of this wonderful group of youngsters. We particularly want to thank Juanita Reels who organized this visit along with George Reels, Kathy Crippen, and the entire staff of the Mashantucket Pequot Child Development Center for their continued support and generosity. Pictured are several of the dancers entertaining our residents and a young dancer presenting a gift bag to Fairview residents Genevieve and John Bitters.
NEWS CHANNEL 8 VISITS FAIRVIEW
Fairview’s intergenerational program was the focus of a recent story produced by Channel 8. The program is quite unique in that it provides both the children at our child development center and residents in our nursing facility the opportunity to interact with each other and learn from each other too. This is an educational experience which creates an environment for the children to better understand the aging process. It also gives our residents a lift by demonstrating their value to society and by knowing that others care about them. This interaction also provides emotional support for our residents. Pictured at the Child Development Center playground is Channel 8 photojournalist George Roelofsen, Christine Malcolm, physical therapist at Fairview and her son Patrick, Rebecca Cruelles, center director, and Jodi Latina, Channel 8 reporter.