Riverview Estates
The Front Porch News
February 2010
Greetings!
 
Hi, my name is Matt Zaneski.  I am the Director of Environmental Services at Riverview Estates.  Environmental Services is made up of sixteen dedicated team members who are always willing to cater to the needs of our residents. The maintenance department is responsible for the up-keep of the building, inside and out, from changing a light bulb to maintaining the heating and cooling system. The resident services department is responsible for housekeeping and laundry and work very hard to keep our home beautiful and our residents comfortable.
 
Some of our staff members have been working at Riverview for over thirty years. The past two years the "Employee of the Year" has come from the Department of Environmental Services.  Most of the staff get the perfect attendance bonus every pay, and a few are able to get the yearly bonus.
 
Recently we replaced one-hundred six windows throughout our facility.  These windows improve energy efficiency.  We also replaced our entire phone system.  Our next big project is to replace our aging roof.  We are interested in a Greener style roof along with solar panels to help Riverview and the environment.
In This Issue
Thank you Donald!
Ask Jane
Easy Valentine's Day Cake Recipe
Thank You Donald!
 
Donald BermenderWe would like to send out a big thank you to Donald Bermender.  On Saturday January 23, Donald played the piano for an hour, at a dinner and concert that he held to raise money for the benevolent fund.  He raised over $500!  Thank you Donald!  We all appreciate your talent and your beautiful music.  You are truly a blessing to all here at Riverview Estates.
"Ask Jane" Director of Social Services
 
Dear Jane,

My mother was recently hospitalized for routine surgery but the hospital asked if she had any advanced directives. What are advanced directives and why does she need them?
Signed,
Patty from Palmyra


Dear Patty,
 
Advanced Directives could be a living will or a durable power of attorney for health care (also called a health-care proxy). Either document allows you to give directions about your future medical care. It is your mother's right to accept or refuse medical care. Advanced directives can protect this right if she should ever become mentally or physically unable to choose or communicate her wishes due to an injury or illness.

An advanced directive takes the responsibility and stress off of family members so they are not left to make difficult decisions regarding medical care without any direction. It also allows her physician guidelines while providing treatment if she is unable to.
Advanced directives can protect someone in extreme conditions such as irreversible brain damage, permanent coma or terminal illness. They can limit life prolonging measures such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), intravenous therapy (IV), feeding tubes, respirators and/or dialysis.

There are two types of advanced directives. Living wills are written instructions that explain your wishes regarding health care should you have a terminal condition. A durable power of attorney for health care is a written document where you name a person (called a proxy) to make decisions for you if you become unable to do so.
 
Jane Bohn, CSW
Director of Social Services
Riverview Estates
jane@riverviewestates.org
 
 
 
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.

Easy Valentine's Day Cake Recipe
 
A pretty pink heart shaped cake for Valentine's Day.
 
This lovely pink cake is the perfect addition to a kid's Valentine's Day party. Big enough to serve a crowd, you'll be surprised at how easy it is to put together!

You don't need a heart-shaped pan or anything fancy to put together this simple and beautiful Valentine's Day cake. Bake one up to share with your sweetie. If you're single, invite some friends over to celebrate Valentine's Day and dig in!

This recipe uses boxed cake mix and Jell-o, making it easy to put together. The Jell-o powder adds flavor, but more importantly your cake will be a lovely deep pink color! If you want to make things even simpler, purchase the icing or frost the cake with a thick, fluffy layer of Cool Whip. Use your imagination to add the finishing touches. Cinnamon hearts or conversation hearts are perfect, or try red, white, and pink jelly beans or decorator's icing. Specialty shops carry pre-made, edible flowers, hearts, and other ornaments that you can use to decorate your Valentine's Day cake with as well.

Valentine's Day Cake
  • 1 box (18.25 ounces) white cake mix
  • 1 package (3 ounces) red Jell-O powder (Strawberry, Raspberry, or Cherry flavor)
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Assorted candies for decorating (optional)
 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease one round 9-inch cake pan and one square 9-inch cake pan and dust lightly with flour; set aside.                                                                                
 
In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, Jell-O powder, milk, butter, eggs, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed for one minute. Increase mixer speed to medium and continue beating for another two minutes, until batter is smooth and well blended.

Divide batter evenly between the two prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until very lightly browned and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool cakes on wire racks for about 10 minutes; remove from pans and cool completely.

Buttercream Frosting
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 3 3/4 cup confectioner's sugar, sifted
  • 4 tablespoons milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • liquid food coloring (optional)
 
In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on low speed for about 30 seconds, or until light and airy. Add the sugar, milk, and vanilla. Beat on low speed for one minute; turn the mixer to medium speed and continue beating until frosting is fluffy, about another minute. Add food coloring, a couple of drops at a time, and continue beating until desired shade is reached.
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February Events

2/1 Ice  Cream Social

2/6 The Magic of the Gustafsons
 
2/8 Sing w/ Gary Murway
 
2/9 Sing w/Marc  Shaw
 
2/10 Sing w/Marty Portnoy
 
2/11 Adopt a Grandparent
 
2/13 Sing w/Jerry Snyder
 
2/16 Birthday Party
 
2/17 Sing w/Gloria Turk
 
2/19 Name that Tune
 
2/20 Sing w/Bev + John
 
2/26 Tea Time Health Topics
 
2/27 Sing w/ Brett Speesler 
 
Wii Bowling Every Friday at 10:00 in the E-wing Living room

 

 
Eileen's Idioms
"Out of the Clear Blue Sky"
Out of the clear blue sky Rosie came over to visit me.

Meaning:  suddenly without any warning; totally unexpectedly

Origin:  This late 19th-century expression is related to another saying, " a bolt from the blue".  A bolt of lightning or sudden shower from a clear, blue sky would be unexpected.  Sometimes this idiom is shortened to " out of the blue".
 
 
Quick Links

 
If you use Amazon.com to purchase text books for the winter or spring semesters of school, please help Riverview Estates while you shop.  Enter Amazon.com by clicking on the link on our website, www.riverviewestates.org.  Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchase to Riverview Estates any time you complete a purchase from them after entering through our link.
United Way

If you give to the United Way, please consider designating Baptist Home of South Jersey as your recipient.  Our designation code is 1831.

Free Lunch
Who says there's no such thing as a free lunch?  Come tour our beautiful facility and stay for lunch on us in our dining room.  For more information or to schedule your free tour and lunch, contact Jane Bohn at (856)829-2274.