Contact Kirkwood by the River today for more information,
or even better, we invite you to come visit us. Come for a tour of
our communities, have lunch or dinner, or join our residents in
an activity or special
459
event. When you don’t
78
want to leave, you know
20/59
you’ve found the right
20/59
place.
Crestwood Blvd.
Exit 135
Masonic Dr.
ra
Independent Living
Assisted Living
Memory CareAssisted Living
Skilled Nursing
Medicare Rehabilitation
Contact:
iff
tl
Ra
nt
s
M
ill
.
Laura Ellison
d.
3605 Ratliff Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35210 (205) 956-2184
dR
oo
w
nts
a
t
Exi
27
59
78
31
N
r
ive
aR
hab
Ca
459
7
Kirkwood Website
3605 Ratliff Rd.
d.
AIRPORT
IRONDALE
20
DOWNTOWN
20/59
11
MOUNTAIN
BROOK
HOMEWOOD
459
KIRKWOOD
VESTAVIA
HILLS
31
280
HOOVER
459
Contact:
PELHAM
Sandi Hall
office: 205.956.2184 cell: 205.999.5247
office: 205.956.2184 cell: 205.862.0305
3605 Ratliff Road • Birmingham, AL 35210
3605 Ratliff Road • Birmingham, AL 35210
Presbyterian Retirement Homes of Birmingham, Inc.
3605 Ratliff Road
Birmingham, Alabama 35210
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
A Ministry of Independent Presbyterian Church
by the River
Gr
t2
Exi
.
Rd
Kirkwood
Karl Daly Rd.
R
ds
ee
dL
Ol
Rd
at Kirkwood by the River
Exit 135
Downtown
G
Seasons
Volume 1 Number 1 Summer 2012
NON PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 1049
BIRMINGHAM, AL
www.kirkwoodbytheriver.com
The community at Kirkwood by the
River is excited to announce the launch of
our new website. The residents and
employees of Kirkwood have devoted
countless hours to ensure the new website
is a success. Our goal is to give everyone
insight into the warmth and spirit that
comprises Kirkwood by the River.
The new website embraces and
highlights our unique family at Kirkwood
by the River. From the resident spotlight
section that shines on some of the
Independent Living residents, to the Voices
of Kirkwood where you will hear testimonials
from residents and staff. Also you will find
information and photo galleries on all levels
of care and see where Kirkwood began under
“Our Story.”
We hope that you enjoy viewing our
website and learning more about The Seasons
of Kirkwood. Please call or email to subscribe
to our new newsletter, “Seasons” which will
now replace the Kirkwood Courier.
Laura Ellison
Director of Marketing
The Lilies at Cahaba River
Residents recently traveled to see the Cahaba
Lilies. We were treated to a special tour with
Leland and Marty Keller, son and daughter-in-law
of Martha Keller.
Pictured left to right: Don Rindt with daughter
Nancy, Jack Adkins, Margaret Alderman,
Frances Brewer, Joyce Linnville, Sue White,
Bud VanDeman, and Melvin Hallman.
Chapel Chimes
by Reverend Richard Hanna, Chaplain
“Be of Good Cheer!”
One of our residents often likes
to introduce me as our “introverted”
Chaplain. Obviously, he makes that
comment tongue in cheek because
there is not much about me that is
introverted. This resident
also occasionally quizzes
me on why I generally have
such an upbeat attitude
despite all the problems
in the world. As he puts
it, affectionely I must add,
“You must not know the
score.”
Well, his comments got
me thinking and I came
up with two possible ways
to respond. The first is
illustrated by the story of
a pastor preaching his first sermon at a
new church to which he had just been
called. At the end of the service the very
first man who came to shake his hand
gushed, “That was the most wonderful
and uplifting sermon I’ve ever heard.”
As that man left the church, the head of
the Pastor Search Committee rushed up
to the new pastor and whispered in his
ear, “Don’t believe a single word that man
said. He’s the village idiot.”
I suppose that is one of the ways to
describe someone who, despite the many
problems facing our world, nevertheless
continues to have an upbeat and positive
attitude about life. Village idiot.
Pipe dreamer. Doesn’t know the score.
But here’s another way to explain that
attitude. It comes from the mouth of Jesus
– ironically just before he was arrested
and crucified. As John 16:33
records Jesus saying to his
disciples there in the Upper
Room, “In the world ye
shall have tribulation. But
be of good cheer for I have
overcome the world.”
Village idiot? Some might
think so. Or one who is
trusting in the promise and
presence of God despite the
circumstances? I prefer that
explanation.
Another one of my favorite Bible
passages also challenges us to live life
with hope and joy and gladness. “This is
the day that the Lord has made. Let us
rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalm 118:24)
Unquestionably, there will be challenges
along the way in our own personal lives,
and in the larger world around us. But,
as Jesus urges us, despite those trials and
tribulations we can ‘be of good cheer.”
And as the Psalmist reminds us, every
new day is a gift from God. Let us “rejoice
and be glad in it!”
That’s the way I want to live my life.
How about you?
Kirkwood is Going Green
Our Ongoing Projects
Just a note from the dietary department
to keep you informed of our ongoing
projects. First I am proud to announce
that we have started our “Go Green
Project”. The first item on the list was to
plant a vegetable and herb garden and we
kicked off that project on April 13, 2012
by planting tomatoes, cucumbers, yellow
squash, and
red and
green bell
peppers.
Assisted
Living and
Kirkwood
Lane
residents
planted
herbs for us
which
include
basil, mint,
rosemary,
sage, dill and thyme. We are very excited
about our garden and we are expecting
a great harvest. We will use the fresh
vegetables and herbs in our kitchen which
will cut down on our purchasing them
from vendors.
Our second goal is to recycle our frying
oil. We have contacted Coastal Biodiesel
Group to handle this project. This company
will convert 100% of all used fryer oil and
grease trap waste into alternative fuels.
Their most recent initiative includes a
Got Green Grease campaign whereby
establishments are certified and gain
valuable recognition in the socially
responsible green movement. Finally I
am working to change all of our carryout and disposable products to more
environmental friendly products. Our
Memorial Day pool party which included a
cook-out by the pool was a big success. All
the residents
were invited
to come out
for lunch
and spend
a relaxing
afternoon
by the pool.
The menu
included
BBQ ribs
and chicken,
corn on the
cob, baked
beans,
potato salad, coleslaw, fresh baked cookies
and watermelon.
On Friday, June 22, 2012 our residents
enjoyed a masquerade ball theme dinner
which centered on the Phantom of the
Opera. A husband and wife team from the
Alabama Symphony played music from
the Phantom of the Opera during dinner.
All residents were encouraged to attend in
costume.
Danette Evans,
Director of Dietary
Resident Spotlight
Becky Neely was living
in Huntsville, Alabama,
when her daughter-inlaw, a teacher at Crestline
Elementary, told her
about Kirkwood by
showing her a clipping
from the local paper.
Becky’s husband, a doctor
of organic chemistry,
whom she met in college,
had just passed away.
Since they had at one
point lived in Ashville,
North Carolina, she was drawn
to Kirkwood’s natural setting.
Becky’s daughter helped decorate
and furnish her one bedroom
independent living apartment.
Becky Neely
After moving in, Becky discovered
other advantages of life here,
including Kirkwood’s chapel,
chaplain and most importantly,
“the people.”
IPC Ice Cream Social on the Veranda
Frances Wright and
Margaret Alderman
To Your Health
Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
is achronic condition that causes central
vision loss. It affects millions of Americans.
In fact, it is a leading cause of blindness in
people 60 and older. The older you are, the
greater your chance of being affected. That’s
why it’s important to learn the symptoms of
AMD now, so if you ever notice anything
wrong, you can see an ophthalmologist right
away. Early detection is key to avoiding
vision loss.
LEARN THE SYMPTOMS SO YOU
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR
AMD symptoms include blurriness, wavy
lines, or a blind spot.
You may also notice visual distortions
such as:
• Straight lines or faces appearing wavy
• Doorways seeming crooked
• Objects appearing smaller or farther away
If you notice any of these symptoms, you
should see an ophthalmologist as soon as
possible. If you are diagnosed with wet AMD,
it is important to see a Retina Specialist for
the most appropriate care.
AMD occurs when the macula-the central
portion of the retina that is important for
reading and color vision- becomes damaged.
AMD is a single disease, but it can take 2
different forms: dry and wet.
Wet AMD is the more serious form, with
more than 200,000 people in the United
States diagnosed every year. Without
treatment, patients can lose their
central vision over time, leaving only
peripheral, or side vision. The symptoms can
occur suddenly or gradually over time.
Early detection and treatment can help you
avoid severe vision loss.
Special Thank You to
Fred and Carol Rogers
Many thanks to Fred and Carol Rogers for the gift
of a new video projector and DVD surround sound
system that we have been enjoying at Kirkwood.
The new equipment significantly improves the
quality of the picture and sound for PowerPoint
programs and for movies that we show in the
Chapel. In fact, it’s almost like going to the movies
– except we don’t serve pop-corn in our Chapel!
Frank King and June Moody
Joyce and John Campbell
Thank You, Fred and Carol!