Greetings!
Holiday time is a special time for the residents and staff of Riverview Estates. We "Deck the Halls" and, following the example of gift giving of "We Three Kings," we have many gifts for the residents. We welcome carolers into our halls and enjoy preparing for the Christ Child through our advent activities. We want to make sure we can "Wish You a Merry Christmas" all around.
With the help of so many supporters we have an Angel Tree. This beautifully decorated tree sits in our finely decorated Victorian Parlor. Church, civic groups, resident's families and staff donate such items as wash cloths, towels, postage stamps, scrapbooking supplies, batteries, bath brushes and three-way tight bulbs. It is not too late to put your gifts for our residents under the tree. We also are grateful to the army of volunteers that come to help in the decorating of all the trees throughout our home.
An annual Christmas tradition is our "Christmas Path of Light". Held on December 17, 2009 at 6:45, this service honors and celebrates the lives of so many. Luminaries are placed along the path of the rose garden and along the curved driveway where Riverview Estates faces the Delaware River. Each Luminary has the name of a loved one or friend affixed to it. All the names of those remembered are read during the ceremony. You can participate by sending a tax deductible gift or $25.00 for each person remembered. Forms are available by calling us at extension 150 or downloading them from our website. The money raised from "Christmas Path of Light" will go into our benevolent care fund. This fund helps us care for those residents who do not have the financial ability to fully pay for their care.
Of course, each and every resident receives a Christmas gift chosen especially for them. They are given an opportunity to express their Christmas wishes and desires and we do our utmost to provide what they ask for. Churches donate to this through their Deacon's fund. You can also donate individually as well. These gifts are distributed in a fun way by our Resident Life Department on Christmas Eve.
What would Christmas be without a Family Christmas Party? On Saturday, December 12 from 2:00pm to 4:00 pm we are throwing a Christmas Party for residents and staff and their families. The dining staff and Resident Life department join together to provide a fun-filled afternoon with entertainment, light refreshments and of course Santa Claus for the children.
Christmas is a special time of "eats" and "treats". There is a special Christmas dinner for residents provided by our dining staff. This dining staff also provides light refreshments for our "Christmas Path of Light" ceremony . Our dining staff is also willing to provide a special meal for residents and their guests. By reserving one of our extra dining spaces, a catered meal can be prepared for you. Call Theresa at extension 140 for available rooms, menu and pricing.
Can you think of a way that you can enter in to help us bring the Spirit of Christmas to our residents? If so, please call Donna at our Resident Life Department. Extension 151.
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| "Ask Jane" Director of Social Services |
Dear Jane,
My mother no longer goes to activities with her friends. She seems like she is always tired and she is constantly worried about her financial situation. With the holidays coming up and the kids around I thought she would be happier but she breaks down into tears whenever I speak about the holidays. What is happening to my once vital and happy mother and how can I help her?
Signed,
Hopeless in Haddonfield
Dear Hopeless,
The first thing I would recommend is taking your mother to her personal physician for a checkup, but it sounds to me like it could be depression. With the holidays around the corner stress may stir feelings of loss or separation. Chronic or serious illness is the most common cause of depression in the elderly. There are many treatments for depression, such as antidepressant medication and talk therapy.
Try talking to your mother about a time in your life when you were feeling sad or depressed. By doing this it will help her to realize that you know what she is feeling. The most important thing you can do for her is to listen. Remember it will take time for her to start feeling better so it is important to have patience. Have your children keep in contact with her through letters, phone calls and email if she is willing to work with a computer.
Your mother may be lonely but is afraid she will be a burden to her family. Ask her if she would like to look into senior communities which have lots of daily activities or senior day care.
Sincerely,
Jane
If you or someone you know has a question you would like to ask Jane please email you questions to jane@riverviewestates.org and put "ask Jane" in the subject line. I will post a question and its response in each month's newsletter.
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| Red Velvet Bread Puddding |
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Ingredients - Red Velvet Cake
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 ounces red food coloring
- 2 1/2 cups cake flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
Ingredients - Bread Pudding Mix
- 3 cups half-and-half
- 3 large eggs
- 1 large egg yolk
- Pinch salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
- Vanilla ice cream, for serving
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Greased 9 by 13 by 2-inch sheet pan.
In a mixing bowl, cream the sugar and butter, beat until light and fluffy. Add the eggs 1 at a time and mix well after each addition. Mix cocoa and food coloring together and then add to sugar mixture; mix well. Sift together flour and salt. Add flour mixture to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Blend in vanilla.
In a small bowl, combine baking soda and vinegar and add to mixture. Pour batter into the prepared sheet pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from heat and cool completely. When the cake is cooled, cut into 1-inch cubes.
Place cubes onto 11 by 17-inch cookie sheet. Place in oven for 10 minutes.
Combine the half-and-half, eggs, egg yolk, salt, and vanilla in a medium bowl. With an electric hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Mix in the half-and-half mixture.
Place the red velvet cubes in a large baking dish or 8 individual ramekins. Add the pudding mixture to the dish. Make sure the cake cubes are completely covered. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the pudding is set. Serve with ice cream.
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| Eileen's Idioms |
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"Have a Bone to Pick with you"
"My friend expressed that she has a bone to pick with me"
Meaning: To have an argument or unpleasant matter to settle with someone
Origin: This saying goes back to the early 16th century, and is based on the image of people arguing over fine points like dogs picking over bones to get every last bit of meat. Others think it may have originated in the 19th century from the idea that two people can argue like two dogs can fight over a bone. In either case, if someone has to "PICK A BONE" with you, it means he or she has a complaint about something you said or did.
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| December Events |
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12/2 Shopping at Wal-Mart
12/2 1st Baptist of Gloucester-Bringing Gifts and Caroling
12/4 Christmas Carolers
12/7 Ice Cream Social
12/8 Activity Meeting
12/9 Riverview's Bell Concert w/Peter Homan
12/9 Target Shopping
12/10 Bell Concert w/ Diana Dohrmann
12/11 Food Committee meeting
12/12 Family Christmas Party
12/15 Birthday Party
12/16 Bruce Copp Christmas show
12/16 Town Meeting
12/16 Viewing Nearby Christmas Lights
12/16 Dollar Store Outing
12/17 Adopt a Grandparent Christmas Show
12/17 Path of Light ceremony
12/17 Baptist Women's Ministry
12/18 Cub Scouts Caroling from Room to Room
12/18 Baptist Church of Moorestown Caroling
12/19 Memorial Service
12/23 Lunch at Tara's
12/23 Marc Shaw's Christmas Show
12/24 Distribution of Christmas Bags by Janice and Activity Department
12/27 Susan Piper singing Christmas Songs on Guitar from room to room
12/29 Resident's Council meeting
12/30 Shopping at Wal-Mart
12/31 N.Y. Eve Party w/ Bob Cerminera |
The holidays are coming up, but did you know you could get your Christmas shopping done online AND help out Riverview Estates at the same time? If you're planning on making any purchases from Amazon.com this holiday season, consider heading over to www.riverviewestates.org and clicking the Amazon.com link on the upper-right of our page -- Amazon.com will donate a percentage of your purchase to Riverview Estates when you get to their site via ours and complete your purchase. |
| United Way |
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If you give to the United Way, please consider designating Baptist Home of South Jersey as your recipient. Our designation code is 1831. |
| Congrats! |
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We would like to congratulate Jane Smith for her suggestion for the title for the e-newsletter, "The Front Porch News." Jane says, "... I was picturing the residents on the porch." when she thought of the title. She has received a $25.00 gift card to Barnes and Noble. Thank you, Jane, for your great title!
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