CROSSVILLE —
The holiday season just passed provided a great excuse to get together with old and new friends. When you live with those friends, it makes it easy to do this often.
Fletcher House of Assisted Living is home to 52 residents. There are three levels of care from independent status to those needing some help with medications or personal care. In addition, there are a few people in apartments close by who avail themselves of Fletcher services. Weekly activities include movies, Wii physical sports, Wii mental games, bridge, pinochle or other card games, flex and stretch and ping pong three mornings. Monthly, they enjoy birthday and wine and cheese parties. Other residents in the Uplands Village often join the Fletcher residents in these regular activities and especially when talented visitors come to entertain with music, poetry readings, story telling or other special events.
Before Fletcher House was constructed in 1984, sheltered care was available in the Van Dyck House, which had housed the tuberculosis sanitorium in the days when the hospital was in Pleasant Hill. The facility was named for Elizabeth Fletcher, who with Alice Adshead, was a co-worker with Dr. May Cravath Wharton and helped found Uplands in 1922. In 1999, Fletcher House was expanded with a new kitchen, dining room, a health services clinic and a new fellowship hall named for Alice Adshead. It then became licensed as an assisted care facility.
The four Wharton Homes in Uplands Village were developed as Eden Alternative care centers, opening in 2010. The four homes were named for former medical directors, and each home has a household coordinator, Dr. Braun (present medical director), Dr. Munson, Dr. Dougherty and Dr. Lake. Each home houses 15 or 16 residents and is served by its own team. Two homes join into a “neighborhood” with access to an outside garden and have common areas where the residents may come together for special activities.
This year each home decided to have its own Christmas party with staff and their children. Volunteers from the Uplands Village and Wharton Home residents participated together. Different Santas delivered the presents at each party. Dave Harsh and John Barry appeared for all the world like Santa himself. Roy and Evelyn Siewert convinced the young ones that they were indeed Mr. and Mrs. Santa.
Carolyn Rogers, Marian Ziebell, Ruth Mackenzie and Dick Braun provided instrumental music at different parties with carol singing led by Connie Begley and Duncan Everett. The songs were mixtures of the children’s requests and old favorites from the residents. Residents shared stories and children provided entertainment with their lively interactions.
Ahead of time, the residents were asked what present they might enjoy best. In addition to the usual slippers, perfume, jewelry and lotion, the list included a yo-yo, chocolate pie, Coke Zero and a fruit basket. Pat Robbennolt did the shopping for the children and volunteers purchased the adult gifts, provided by the Wharton Association. With a little help, Wharton inhabitants wrapped all of the gifts. The children presented the gifts to the residents, often giving them hugs as well. In turn, the residents handed presents to the children. Each helped the other open and enjoy the presents.
Wharton dietary staff provided refreshments that rivaled homemade goodies. Each home was uniquely decorated by staff, volunteers and residents. These small personal parties really lived out the Eden Alternative concept. The Eden Alternative aims to develop an elder-centered community committed to creating a human habitat or home where life revolves around close and continuing contact with other people, plants, animals and children. It is these relationships that provide elders with a pathway to a life worth living.
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The GRAB thrift shop on West Main St. in Pleasant Hill is open for business once more. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Reminder to all patrons that if Cumberland County schools are closed, so is the GRAB.
Lifestyles
Related Photos
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Santa (a.k.a. Jeremy Mauldin) joins a game of bridge in Fletcher House of Uplands Village in Pleasant Hill. Clockwise, Adele Tinney, Santa, Berwyn Coovert, Carolyn Hicks, Beverly Hull and Barry Evans were surprised when Santa arrived bearing gifts.
PLEASANT HILL RAMBLINGS: Fletcher House residents enjoy holiday festivities
- Lifestyles
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Emerson art exhibit at the Shanks Center until June 29
Crossville has done it again! For those who haven't realized how this town is gaining a reputation for its cultural depth and talent, you better head to the Shanks Center for the Arts. At 140 N. Main St., there is now a special exhibit from area photographers. The smash hit, however, is a large selection of varied art work by Camilla Emerson.
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127 Seniors welcome city mayor to meeting
On June 14, members gathered together at the 127 South Cumberland Senior Center to socialize with coffee, goodies and chit chat. They then played billiards, dominos and bingo, with Wendell Lester calling the numbers. The bingo prizes were furnished by Bob Folger, of State Farm Insurance.
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Marriage licenses
Published June 19, 2013.
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Wharton Association's annual book sale preparation under way
For the last six weeks, volunteers have been busy sorting through and categorizing the thousands of new and used books that have been donated to the annual Wharton Association Book Sale and hope to receive many more donations before the sale, which is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 13.
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PLEASANT HILL RAMBLINGS: Town council honors school staff, students
Near to the closing of the school year, the Pleasant Hill Town Council honored outstanding students and staff from the Pleasant Hill Elementary School. Laney Barnwell, a student in Julie Mahaney’s third-grade class was selected for grades K-4. Brianna Kolhepp, a student in Brian Conatser’s homeroom class, was chosen for grades 5-8. Anita Turner has been teaching third grade for 22 years. Ann Webb has been part of the support staff at PHS for 36 years and retired at the end of school year. They were selected by PHS and honored by the town with certificates and gift cards. This summer all teachers are required to spend two or three days in Continuing Education courses in Core Education as part of their in-service training.
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The arts are alive at Fair Park
If you have ever used your artistic skills in being creative, you know it just makes you feel good inside as you express yourself.
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PLATEAU GARDENINGS: Beware of ticks, mosquitoes and chiggers, part 1
Before detailing reasons to plant or relocate woody plants later in the year, I want to first warn readers of a current danger from mosquito, tick and chigger bites. People, their pets and livestock are potential targets. Gardeners may encounter these pests in stands of weeds, tall grass, wildflowers or garden plants.
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A Time 4 Paws celebrates anniversary
April 2013 marked the two-year anniversary of the opening of A Time 4 Paws Adoption Center. A Time 4 Paws (AT4P) is a no kill animal welfare organization operates the adoption center as an alternative to abandoning and/or destroying unwanted animals. With their programs they assist an average of more than 500 animal families per year.
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Dukes of Hazzard star coming to town June 29
Sonny Shroyer, best known for playing Deputy Enos Strate on the hit TV show "The Dukes of Hazzard," will be appearing Saturday, June 29, at the Cumberland County Community Complex to meet fans and sign autographs. Appearing with him will be Hazzard Life, who will be bringing the famous 1969 Dodge Charger “The General Lee,” along with a Hazzard County police car, Daisy's Jeep and Cooter's tow truck.
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AROUND THE TOWN: TN fans’ actions immature, unnecessary
Security was beefed up, hate mail received, and threatening phone calls vetted. The Athens (Tennessee) Chamber of Commerce has been embroiled in brouhaha after recruiting Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban to speak at its annual fundraising dinner earlier this week. Reports indicate the chamber has received lots of hate from some Tennessee fans as a result of Saban’s appearance.
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