THE SUNSHINE NEWS
The Official Newsletter of the Somerville Home
Fall/Winter Edition 2014
Vol. XVII, Issue I, No. 60
Welcome to the Sunshine News Fall/Winter Edition!
Somerville Home
117 Summer Street, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 776-0260
FAX (617) 628-9721
www.somervillehome.org
Administration
Kelley Sferrazza
Administrator
Doreen Swadel
Director of Human
Resources and
Resident Activities
Allen Winkley
Business Manager
Clare Kelleher
Resident Care Manager
Alison Kanter, LCSW
Social Services
Carolyn McCaigue
Dining Services Manager
Residents enjoyed good cheer, good
company and good
good food all season long!
ACTIVITIES
Since last we wrote, we sure have been busy!
On July 19th we paid a visit to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library. After
viewing an introductory film we saw various exhibits from the 1960 Democratic
Convention, the televised debates with Vice-President Richard Nixon, and the
White House years starting with the famous inaugural address delivered on a
freezing Washington D.C. afternoon. On our way back home we shared stories
and our memories of the Kennedy years.
In August we journeyed up to the Concord Museum and learned the extensive
history of Concord, Mass. We covered everything from the opening shots of the
American Revolution to the rich literary traditions of Ralph Waldo Emerson and
Henry David Thoreau. We stopped for lunch at Walden Pond, then put on our
walking shoes and visited the site of the cabin where Thoreau lived and wrote
his famous works, Walden and An Essay on Civil Disobedience.
Fall is one of the great things about New England. While the days grow shorter,
the trees are a blaze of colors, and the air bears a refreshing coolness. We paid
a visit to Brooksby Farm in Danvers, where we got to pick some apples, visit the
farm store and enjoy a picnic lunch outdoors. On another day we partook of
frozen yogurt treats at the Orange Leaf in Davis Square. In October we were
graced with a visit from the Moonlighters, a group of swinging, singing seniors
from the Council on Aging. We listened to and sang along with a lot of our old
favorite songs of the past. We are already looking forward to an encore!
On Halloween our multi-purpose room was magically transformed into a scene
from Alice in Wonderland where we took part in the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. The
table was festively adorned with tea cups, teapots and clocks. Residents and
staff attended in costume and shared tea, tarts and sandwiches. Activities
Director Doreen and Dining Services Manager Carolyn really outdid themselves
in planning and preparing this special event.
On November 14th we headed to the Museum of Fine Arts. We got to view the
John Singer Sargent watercolor exhibit as well as artifacts from ancient Egypt.
After a brief rest, we headed out again that evening to Somerville High School’s
annual pre-Thanksgiving dinner sponsored by the Somerville Kiwanis Club. We
enjoyed the excellent meal prepared by the culinary arts students, some singing
by the Kiwanis and -- the highlight of the evening -- the famous cash envelopes.
“I’m late! I’m late! I’m late!”….
Mad Hatter’s Tea Party
Which way??
The Hatter’s Party Guests
The Queen of Heart’s Tarts, Guardsmen Cakes
and other treats
Cheshire Clock
We didn’t win any money but a great time was had by all.
On December 3rd some residents celebrated Hanukkah with lunch at the
S & S Restaurant, an Inman Square landmark. Remember the Enchanted Village
when it was a fixture in the downtown Boston Jordan Marsh store? Well,
nowadays the village is re-created at the Jordan’s Furniture store in Avon, Mass.
We were transported back in time to Christmas in a by-gone era. We saw an old
post office and ice cream store, and every so often snow would fall to the notes
of Bing Crosby’s White Christmas. After our trip back in time we had a train to
catch, so we hopped on the 4D Polar Express ride. With Tom Hanks as our
conductor we were off to the North Pole to visit Santa Claus.
Various musical interludes brightened other afternoons. The Hancock Church of
Lexington Bell Ringers taught us the history of some of the songs in their
program of holiday music. Bet you didn’t know that Jingle Bells was written in
Medford, Mass! Residents joined in singing songs including Deck the Halls and
Up on the House Top. We welcomed Girl Scout troop #1318 for an afternoon of
Christmas Carols. Our neighbors from the Greek Church on Central Street and
the Lowell Street Singers brought more music to our ears.
Stuff happens: When we arrived at the Stone Zoo for their holiday light program,
there was no power! But we did encounter plenty of creative light displays along
the route home!
We were delighted when “Santa” took time out of his hectic schedule to stop by
one evening for a chat with residents. HOW does he manage to visit so many
folks before his “big night,” and then deliver toys and goodies to everyone on
Christmas Eve?
Due to inclement weather, we combined our annual Trustees’ Party with the
Holiday Open House to create one big ol’ celebration on December 19th.
Residents received all kinds of gifts from “Santa.” They dined on tasty treats
and rejoiced in the company of friends and family. The festivities continued on
through to New Year’s Eve where we enjoyed an afternoon of toasting to past
memories and looking forward to all the New Year has to offer.
In January we were fortunate to have our first In-House Ceramics Class with
Eileen. The residents thoroughly enjoyed looking through all the pieces and
then personally picking a piece that “spoke” to them. We spent the next couple
hours painting and sharing stories. Some of the pieces selected by residents
included a Christmas Tree & Stand, Valentine bowls, whimsical bunnies, cats
and cupcake trinket boxes. It was a nice way to spend a wintery morning!!
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
“Bobby” the Elf
(off the shelf!)
"Stockings were
hung….”
Holiday Sing- (and laugh-) along!
Proud of her handmade Altar Cloth!
Trimming the Tree
with holiday light
Brooksby Outing
Ceramics Class
Concord Museum / Walden Pond Outing
From the desk of the Administrator
Happy New Year! 2014 is off to an exciting start I am pleased to report some good news. In 2013, we were the
recipients of the Lean Multi Family Grant. My Facilities Manager and I worked closely with their Engineer who
walked through the entire facility conducting an energy survey. The Home received all work completed at zero
cost via Motti Electric. See the estimated savings below;
Per Engineers calculations the work will result in the following:
TOTAL PROJECT ENERGY SAVINGS =
TOTAL PROJECT DOLLAR SAVINGS =
48402 kWh/y
$9,680 $/y
TOTAL PROJECT COST
=
$46,346
TOTAL PROJECT
PAYBACK =
4.8
y
In addition to the Lean Grant, the Board of Directors authorized the replacement of one of the oil boilers to an
energy efficient, gas boiler.
Currently we are in the process of renovating of the first floor floors, and all common bathrooms throughout the
Home. We hope to have some pictures for the next newsletters!
However, that is not the only change we have had here at the Home. I would like to take a moment to inform
families that Janete Cardoso; Bookkeeper is no longer with the Home. We thank her for her dedication over the
past five years and wish her luck pursuing her education. Please see Allen or me with any financial questions.
My focus in 2014 is pursuing grants to renovate the home and increasing our fundraising and marketing efforts
to help us offset the rising costs. I am very pleased to report that the Somerville Home, Inc. (A non-profit,
independent residential community) is honored to have been selected by the Somerville Chamber of Commerce
for the 2014 Taste of Somerville event to be held in June 4, 2014 in Davis Square.
2014 marks the 16th year that the Somerville
Chamber of Commerce has hosted the event.
Tickets will grant one access to a foodie’s
heaven; where they will be able to sample
dozens of local restaurants including some of
their signature entrees, desserts, beer and
wine! This is a community event where the
proceeds raised are donated to a local nonprofit organization. Stay tuned to the Home's
website/Facebook page for more details of the
event! If you are interested in helping out with the event; please contact me directly at
ksferrazza@somervillehome.org.
Sincerely,
Kelley Sferrazza,
Administrator
Or www.somervillehome.org