Beatitudes Community

March 2019 Community TOWN HALL Recap

Rev. David W. Ragan, Sr. VP of Resident Services, welcomed residents and offered a special welcome to one resident that was attending for the first time. He urged residents to attend the Community Welcome Coffee on the fourth Wednesday of each month and meet the newest residents who have become our friends and neighbors. Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton said that “the pen is mightier than the sword” and residents were entertained with humorous writings that proved this point. For example, “As the prosecution wrapped its case, Reynolds listened and knew he’d been foiled again.”

The Residents Council Report was given by Tom Denny, Residents Council President. Tom noted that during the February meeting, six committees and three building representatives reported on their respective activities. There was also a report and request regarding the on campus Transportation Survey.

David thanked the Transportation Committee for its work and also residents for the great response in turning in the transportation surveys. Save the date of Friday, April 26th for an All Day Celebration plus a “Protect” March for Earth Day. The Community Outreach Committee is urging residents to support the Scholarships for Washington High School Students project for 2019. For information, contact Jim Lefebvre at x15063 or Jim Elliott at x18328.

Joe Kane, Director of Dining Services, announced that, because attendance is down, Buckwald’s will be closing on Sundays only effective March 10th. Beginning on the 24th of March, Elaine’s Fine Dining will offer a Sunday Brunch with selected brunch cocktails and an a la carte pricing of entrees including both Bibb Lettuce and Waldorf Salads, Salmon Eggs Benedict, Corned Beef Hash, Croque Madame Sandwich, Large Cinnamon Rolls with Vanilla Bourbon Frosting and Cinnamon-Raisin Bread Custard with Fresh Berries. If brunch popularity grows, dining services will consider adding another Sunday in the month, and if the popularity outgrows Elaine’s, moving back to Buckwald’s. The Corner Perk has now re-opened. A new Dining Guide has been printed and will be delivered to each resident.

Josephine Levy, Resource Navigator for Success Matters, announced that Success Matters will have its own website—successmattersbc.org, linked to the campus website. The website will have pictures of residents around campus, Success Matters activities, newsletters, health and wellness resources, etc. Josephine said there will be a Money Matters Workshop on Friday, March 22nd at 1:00PM in the Agelink Great Room. There will be a panel discussion of financial issues that are most relevant to residents of the campus. The Panel will consist of Allen Bloch, Campus Chief Financial Officer, Megan Selby, Laurel Peacock and Ellen Dean. Panel members are experts in money management and working with older adults in financial situations. Josephine will be the MC for this Health and Wellness Committee Workshop. Katie Holmes, A.T. Still Intern, provided the Tip of the Month—Resiliency is the ability to bounce back after a setback. It is important to identify and acknowledge strengths and supports, make a list of three things that you are grateful for, and use the list to focus your strengths and build resilience. Hang it up in your home as a reminder.

David reported that Monica De La Rosa had her baby. He announced several upcoming Life Enrichment activities including the Current Events Meeting with Bob Black every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 4PM in the Administration Conference Room, and the Beginning Middle Eastern Dance every second Wednesday of the month at 4PM in the Recreation Center. The Outdoor Farmers Market at North Phoenix Baptist Church on Wednesday, March 20th from 11AM to 1PM will include lots of walking and not a lot of seating. To reserve your seat on the bus, call 12905 and for questions, call Didi at 18473. Also, don’t forget the Tempe Arts Festival on the Light Rail on Friday, March 29th at 9:30AM. The deadline to sign up is Thursday, March 21st.

Mike Smallwood, Fitness Specialist, thanked residents for the support of Black History Month. He explained Five Tips for Staying Healthy and Happy as you Age. TIP 1 is learning to cope with change and encompasses building resilience, focusing on the things you are grateful for, finding healthy ways to process your feelings and trying to look at challenging situations as opportunities for personal growth, and stay healthy through humor, laughter and play. TIP 2 is finding meaning and joy in living by perhaps picking up a long-neglected hobby or trying a new hobby, traveling somewhere new and spending time in nature, or writing your memoirs. TIP 3 is to stay connected by maintaining your support network as a buffer against loneliness, depression, disability, hardship and loss; to make an effort to make new friends; to spend time with at least one person every day; and to find support groups in times of crisis or change. TIP 4 is to get active and boost vitality by regular exercise which can help prevent memory loss, cognitive decline, and dementia; by walking or exercising with a friend or family member; and by eating well and getting plenty of sleep. TIP 5 is to keep your mind sharp through being active and social; challenging our brain by doing things we enjoy like puzzles and games; and by attending workshops online or on campus that allow you to tackle new subjects. It’s not about adding years to your life, it’s about adding life to your years. Mike announced a new organized recreational activity—Basketball Bounce led by Frances Califano on Mondays from 2—3PM in the Fitness Center. The March B-Fit winner is Bonnie McCulley.

Rod Bailey discussed the Groundbreaking ceremony that was improvised to an indoor location due to weather. Residents viewed a clever video that showed Michelle Just, our President and CEO, opening the ceremony on the Myrtle Avenue property. The project will build new living options and replace aging infrastructure. At completion, there will be 1000 residents on campus, making us the largest life plan community in Arizona. Every single aspect of the campus will be updated. Referring people to marketing can be rewarding with the possibility of earning $3,750 over three referrals. The money is earned when a referral has moved to the campus and been here for four months. A new program, Earn for Tours has been instituted. The first 100 residents who fill out a marketing referral form and refer someone who tours the campus with marketing will earn a $25 gift card. Twenty-nine of the new patio homes have been sold and a BVIP program is in place for the new Promenade residences. David noted that the 260 million dollar project was covered in the Phoenix Business Journal.

The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is available for the sixth year in a row: offering free tax preparation to residents right here on campus. Aides will be available on Mondays, 3/18 and 4/01 with appointments from 9AM—2PM in the Boardrooms. Please enter through the Life Center. To schedule an appointment, please call the Welcome Center (dial “0”) and they will assist you. Bring to your appointment last year’s income tax returns, W2 and 1099 forms, etc., and a photo ID.

The Holleran Survey Report will be discussed in a Special Town Hall on Wednesday, March 27th at 10AM in the Life Center. The survey tells us how engaged and connected we are. David said that there are some things that can be done to improve and the Administration is willing to do them. Come and hear about it on the 27th!!

As always, the Hootenanny is every Wednesday at 5:45PM in the Life Center. Bring a friend and enjoy the free entertainment. Sundaes with Dave on Wednesday, the 20th in the Bistro—enjoy a free yogurt sundae with all the toppings and share your thoughts or just come for a treat. We extend a big “Thank You” to Gregory’s Fresh Market for bringing a wonderful array of fresh produce to residents.

The next Community Town Hall will be held in the Life Center on Wednesday, April 3rd at 2PM.

 

February 2019 Town Hall Recap

Read all about it! The latest recap of our February 2019 Community Town Hall is now available online for your reading pleasure!
Be sure to read it here: https://wp.me/p7o8lu-gQl