FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FROM:   Peabody Retirement Community • 400 West Seventh Street • North Manchester, IN  46962

CONTACT:   Sue Roesner • 260-982-8616 • www.peabodyrc.org

SIGNS OF SPRING HERALD 15^th ANNUAL TULIP FESTIVAL AT PEABODY RETIREMENT COMMUNITY.

Free event on Saturday, April 27 to feature entertainment, prizes, food, a two-mile classic run, and of course, 10,000 blooming tulips.

North Manchester, IN — It all started when Peabody decided to beautify its campus by planting one of Mother Nature’s most beloved symbols of spring with tulip bulbs purchased from Holland, Michigan, a hamlet honoring its own heritage with a “Tulip Time Festival.”  The Peabody beautification effort continued each year as the season’s first warm days pushed the flowers through the ground, springing them to a rainbow of color and splendor. 

 In the spring of 1998, the tulips presented a particularly spectacular display practically begging Peabody to share the panorama with surrounding communities.  An old-fashioned ice cream social seemed to suit the occasion and the public enjoyed both a beautiful and delicious afternoon at Peabody.  The tulips of spring 1999 repeated their bountiful performance and so another ice cream social, this time accompanied by entertainment gave birth to Peabody’s Annual Tulip Festival.

–MORE–

PEABODY TULIP FESTIVAL – ADD ONE

Each year as the tulips debuted, more and more came to see the spectacle and area businesses began to participate by donating prizes, raffles and equipment.  In 2003, and continuing to this day, a very generous gift from Roger and Judy Moore of The Hardware puts Peabody’s landscape crews to work each fall planting over 10,000 tulips throughout the grounds, creating an even more fantastic sight, and increasing interest and participation the following spring.  

Meet Grand Marshall of The 15^th Annual Tulip Festival, Mariana Reed.

Mariana Reed has seen many a Tulip Festival.  A happy Peabody resident for 20+ years, she loves the community and is thrilled to serve as Grand Marshall.  “I am so honored to have been chosen as the Grand Marshall for Peabody,” she says.   It comes as no real surprise Mariana was selected.  It seems service and honor has always been part of her life.   

A World War II Army WAC Nurse, Mariana was particularly glad to meet fellow WACs and WAVEs (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Services) when she came to Peabody.  At age 25, she was sworn in to the 34^th WAAC (Women Army Auxiliary Corps, later changed by Congress to WAC), and sent to Fort Des Moines.  Then it was overseas to Cheltenham, England working in the Central Records Aggutant Unit for six months and becoming a corporal.  While no one in Mariana’s unit was allowed in Western England due to bombings, she did have to comply with curfews, and while on furlough in London, she viewed an air raid reenactment light and siren show near Buckingham Palace.  She ended her time as a WAC when her unit moved to Paris.  Remarkable to Mariana about WWII was how “everyone came together to help keep the country running.” 

Look for familiar favorites on Saturday, April 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Many favorites from previous Tulip Festivals will return such as the Used Book Sale, which benefits Peabody’s Caring Circle, however, this year, gently used puzzles, games, CDs and DVDs are also welcomed.  Home and party vendors will be on hand including Lia Sophia, Tupperware, Mary Kay, Gold Canyon Candles, Thirty-One Gifts and more.  The Children’s Area, an always-popular feature will host a petting zoo and carnival games.   A fun performance blending Americana, bluegrass, folk, old-time and Irish music by The Gold Mine Pickers will fill The Chapel from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, followed by The CHORDS, an ensemble of male voices singing traditional, contemporary and gospel music from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Plus, horse and wagon rides with Jim Shuler and his team will travel the campus, and plenty of food choices are on tap from The Mainview Inn, Portside Pizza, Amish baked goods and other festival treats such as cotton candy and elephant ears. 

–MORE–

Second Annual Quilt Show and Tulip Two-Mile Classic Run/Walk

Two new events will be back for the festival a second year.  The Quilt Show awards People’s Choice in the following categories – Best Kids, Best Resident, Best Pieced and Best Appliquéd.  A $2.00 entry fee per quilt with a limit of two quilts per person will provide proceeds for the Alzheimer’s Association.  Contact Kim Fitzgerald at 260-578-8325 for more information. 

The Two-Mile Classic Run/Walk will benefit Disabled American Veterans, a national non-profit organization.  Packet pick-up begins at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 27 near the Peabody Bell Tower.  Pre-registration by mail information can be downloaded at www.peabodyrc.org, or on-line at www.runreg.com with $10 for the two-mile walk and $15 for the two-mile run.  Race day registration is $20.  The first 65 registrants will receive unique door prizes, with the overall Two-Mile Run Male and Female Champions awarded $35 in cash prizes, and Runners-Up, $15 in cash prizes.  Contact Laura Markham at 269-982-8616 for more information.

Mary Richey, Medical Records Coordinator at Peabody is this year’s Tulip Festival Chair.  To learn more, contact Mary at 260-982-8616.

Peabody is a continuing care retirement community offering complete residential and health care lifestyle options and resources, all in one location.

–###–

Contact:  Sue Roesner, Director of Sales & Marketing

Phone: (260) 982-8616

Email:  susan.roesner@peabodyrc.org

 New Billie Jane Strauss Wellness Center Opening Spring 2013

Date: 1/22/2013:  October of 2012, Peabody Retirement Community proudly turned the ceremonial spade at the ground breaking of the new Billie Jane Strauss Wellness Center.

The Billie Jane Strauss Wellness Center will feature a 6,600 square foot addition housing a large, new rehabilitation gymnasium and wellness center. This space will feature cutting edge equipment for therapy and wellness, private treatment rooms, extra large wellness gym for class exercise, Hydroworx pool for aqua therapy and wellness, rehabilitation gym to accommodate a rehabilitation staff of 16 therapists local to Peabody’s community. Construction continues with a completion date in early-mid spring.

A vast amount of research was conducted by Peabody Retirement Community, designers, therapy and senior wellness consultants when choosing a design scheme and technology for the current and future clientele of the North Manchester and surrounding community.  “Every facet, from the layout, color and textile choices, rock wall fountain, lighting and equipment was chosen to provide the best experience for our guests and their families. This design will transform health, rehabilitation and wellness for our region.  There is nothing like it and we are extremely proud to offer this at Peabody.” says Jeff Jarecki, HFA, Peabody Executive Director.  

Billie Jane Strauss was the wife of the late Don Strauss, the primary monetary donor to build this new center.  In their memory, we strive to honor their commitment to health and wellness by improving the quality of lives for those we serve.

Peabody Retirement Community is a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) offering complete residential (patio homes, apartments, assisted living) and health care (short-term rehabilitation, long term care) lifestyle options and resources on their pristine 33-acre campus.  Founders James B. Peabody and his son, Thomas believed that older adults deserved a life free from fear and worry.  For over 80 years, Peabody has grown and advanced to continue this commitment for generations.

Additional Notes:  Morrison, Kattman, Menze are the architects on this project as well as Michael Kinder & Sons are the builders.

The center bears the name of Billie Jane Strauss who led the way at Peabody for many years as President of the Board of Trustees, fund raising leader, and generous benefactor. This wellness center will be yet another signature of her visionary leadership and it will carry the memory of her leadership for many years to come. The Billie Jane Strauss Wellness Center will usher in a new era in rehabilitation services in our region for older adults as well as others who need specialized rehabilitation. The new center will feature:

• Warm water aquatic therapy pool with submerged treadmill
• Large activity room for aerobics, tai-chi & yoga
  • full-size kitchen for occupational therapy
  • individual treatment rooms for resident privacy
  • large wellness & rehabilitation gyms enhanced by day lighting
  • exterior landscaped plaza designed to enhance rehab therapy services
  • Nationally recognized therapy technology used to speed healing used by the United States Navy, the NFL and MLB
  • Biodex Balance System, Dakim Mental Strengthening Software, Urinary Incontinence Technology and fitness equipment designed from joint protection and maximum effectiveness
  • Therapy team of 13 trained professionals
  • Therapy provided daily up to 7 days a week
  • Clinical Excellence in CHF, Pneumonia, COPD and CVA protocols.
  • Full-time Family Nurse Practitioner available onsite 5 days/week

At our ground breaking we will ceremonially turn the first spade of soil, the family of Billie Jane Strauss will offer words to those in attendance, and the Peabody leadership and architectural team will offer insight into the design rationale and reasons it will transform health rehabilitation for our region. You’ll have a chance to see the drawings and design concepts, talk to the family and leadership, and ask the architectural team questions that you may have. A reception and tours will follow in the Health Center rotunda.

Contact: Sue Roesner, Director of Sales & Marketing, susan.roesner@peabodyrc.org

That’s right!  Our very own volunteers are headed to Disney.  Our youngest volunteers, Alyssa Walther (daughter of Community Life Services Director, Martha Walther) and her friend Samantha Shambarger-Deneve, will be participating in the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade in Orlando, Florida.  Although they are young, these girls take volunteering seriously as they have assisted on field trips and campus wide events such as Trick-or-Treat and Easter Egg Hunt and various clerical duties such as cutting out craft items, filing, and photocopying.  When asked why they like to volunteer at Peabody, the answer was:  “We like to help the Residents and it’s fun getting to know them.” These girls embrace our mission. I am sure they have learned a lot just through volunteering.

Each participant is required to fundraise $1000 for their trip.  Peabody supported their efforts with a donation for $125 for each girl. We feel we need to support our volunteer’s passions by making a charitable donation towards this opportunity, says Sue Roesner, Director of Sales and Marketing

 As members of the Disney Dream Dance Team from Leo, Indiana they will spend a total of 5 days together, along with hundreds of students from around the U.S.  This once in a lifetime opportunity will allow them to work with ABC-TV and Disney Producers, and even many celebrities such as Cee Lo Green, Jennifer Hudson, Mario Lopez, Christina Aguilera, Scotty McCreery, and Justin Bieber. 

Here are also some of the other awesome things they will experience:

-      Perform in a nationally televised event that airs on Christmas Day

-      Perform before tens of thousands of fans at a once in a lifetime event

-      Feel the reward of achieving excellence in performance

-      Improve personal knowledge and technique in dance

-      Build their resumes and gain exposure in a professional arena

-      Share in many social and cultural activities in the area

-      Invaluable rehearsal time/experience at Walt Disney with world class choreographers & producers

Alyssa and Samantha are eighth graders and cheerleaders at Whitko Middle School in Larwill, IN.  Both have been taking formal dance since preschool.  Alyssa has studied under Terri Eckert of Terri Eckert School of Dance in North Manchester, IN and Performing Arts Studio, St. Charles Missouri.  Samantha has studied under Terri Eckert School of Dance in North Manchester, IN and also Beckey Jones School of Dance, Atlanta, Georgia

Alyssa and Samantha with Sue Roesner, Director of Sales & Marketing

 iframe>

Pets Enrich The Lives of Residents

How Do You Argue With Siblings About Your Aging Parents? by Carolyn Rosenblatt for Forbes

Lots of Boomer-aged siblings find themselves fighting about their aging parents!

Should Mom be allowed to stay in her home even though she’s really not safe living alone? How about the driving issue? Does one parent have Alzheimer’s or some other dementia and some siblings are in denial about it? Who pays for a parent’s care? These are common areas of disagreement in families that can tear apart relationships if you are not mindful of how you fight.

You can’t stop your brothers or sisters from having a different way of seeing your parent’s situation, but you can change the way you approach the conversation with them.

Getting along, and agreeing to disagree are manageable if you know how.

In some ways it’s like the fair fighting rules for married people or couples. There are things you can do and things you should never do. The most destructive things we do when we are in a conflict with siblings can’t be undone. Emotionally loaded subjects can bring out the worst in families. If you are aware of fighting fair, you have a better chance of still being on speaking terms with siblings after your parents pass on.

Some of the worst mistakes are the same for any fight: they are verbally violent and cause harm that may last long after the fight ends. Fair fighting is the equivalent of not “hitting below the belt”. It includes setting up a few ground rules. We use them at AgingParents.com when we have to work with sibling warfare in a family meeting by phone or in person.
The subject of parents in declining health brings up a lot of feelings, good or not, about the parent, and each person’s relationship with the parent. It also brings up a lot about the siblings’ relationships with each other, sometimes never discussed before. Things can get explosive.

Here are ground rules we always ask people to follow to keep it civil, though some can’t seem to restrain themselves from doing otherwise. These rules do help everyone actually communicate while struggling with a load of emotions rising to the surface about Mom or Dad.

1. No name calling, no swearing and cursing, and no shouting at each other. These are all forms of verbal violence and they can cause hurt you may not mean to cause. Restrain yourself and see if everyone can agree to do the same.

2. Define among you what you’re going to talk about ahead of the conversation and stick to it. It will reduce the magnitude of the disagreement and keep the door closed, for now, on other volatile subjects. Make a list or agenda if you need to. It can help.

3. Agree to avoid bringing up the past, especially about decades old hurts. If you focus on what Mom or Dad needs, things will go a lot better. Stick to the problem with your parent that caused this conversation in the first place.

4. Don’t start sentences with “You”. Statements like “You can’t be bothered!” or “You don’t care about anyone else” don’t get anyone anywhere in a fight. They tend to make the other sibling defensive and it gets worse from there.

5. No interrupting. You need to listen to the sibling who is talking. It helps to have a leader in the conversation to keep this rule in force. If there isn’t one, you can remind others that we agreed to not interrupt each other.

6. Don’t clam up, no matter how angry you get in a fight with a sibling,. Be honest about your feelings and keep your message about what you want to do clear. Take a breath or take a break, but come back and be straight about what is bothering you.

7. Ask your sibling what he or she needs. It sounds simple, but this rarely happens. You can find out a lot about how to resolve your disagreements if you ask more questions of those who are involved in the fight with you. If a sibling is angry with you because there is something he or she is not getting, perhaps they’ll admit it and you can do something about it.

8. Avoid absolute statements like “you never contribute a dime” or “I always know you’ll disappear when there’s work to do”. If you try another tack such as “I’m feeling overwhelmed by the work of taking care of Dad and I would like you to come next month and give me a break” is going to work a lot better than the “always’, “never” extreme statements.

No matter how your relationships have been with siblings in the past, we can all do better when an aging parent conflict comes up. The rules of fair fighting work. Try discussing them, passing them around or testing the waters with siblings by bringing up the idea before any meeting at which you anticipate an argument. It might be a big relief to you when things go better than ever.

Make your own slideshow with music at Animoto.