March 2015
Resident Birthdays
4th-Betty Gaines
6th-Gertrude Jonson
16th-Jim Wagner
23rd-Dan Link
Employee Birthdays
1st-Amber Slade
4th-Corina Cooper
8th-Steve Stedronsky
9th-Linda Jacobs
20th-Kathy Hughes
21st-Shaun Watson
23rd-Greba Gunther
25th-Roger Gilbert
28th-Jeanette Stafford
31st-Autumn Delbridge
If your birthday is
in March:
The Maples
Celebrations in March
Special Days in March:
1st-National Pig Day
8th-Daylight Saving Time Begins
14th-Learn About Butterflies Day
17th-St Patrick’s Day
20th-Spring Arrives
20th-International Earth Day
21st-National Quilting Day
29th-Palm Sunday
You love life and exude an 30th-Take a Walk in the Park Day
outgoing, cheerful vibe.
National Craft Month
Blessed with a great sense
of humor, you can
Music in Our Schools Month
laugh at adversity.
Your soul reflects:
Respect, desire, and
generosity
National Nutrition Month
National Women’s History Month
Social Workers Month
A Note from Kathy Dube, Administrator
Once again we have had to postpone our open
house and our move into the new building. Numerous state and federal rules and
regulations need to be met before we can be cleared to take occupancy, and that
process is taking longer than we thought. However, this just gives us time to
make sure all the little things are taken care of to ensure our residents will
enjoy the fabulous surroundings they so deserve. So continue to watch for
mailings and advertisements letting you know when we will be holding our open
house and showing off our beautiful new facility.
Page 2
March 2015
The Maples
Resident Reflections-Homer Morris
Homer Morris was born in Beulah on October 2, 1927, in a house
across from where the Beulah EZ Mart is now. He has one
brother, Don, who is 17 years younger than Homer. He attended
elementary school in Benzonia and then his family moved to Keego
Harbor, where his father worked at an Episcopalian camp for
girls on Pine Lake in Keego Harbor that was owned by Henry Ford.
Homer graduated from Keego Harbor High School. He enjoyed
sports and played football, basketball, and baseball. As soon as
he graduated, he joined the service. He served in occupied Japan
as a photolithographer and also took photographs. While he was
in the service, his family relocated to Benzonia. He met his
future wife, Donna McConnell, at a Sadie Hawkins dance in Frankfort. Homer went to the
dance, even though he was from Benzonia, and when he walked in, the superintendent asked
him why he was there. Donna was busy decorating the hall and Homer pointed to her and
said, “I’m with her”. They had not even met! Homer and Donna were married on June 29,
1952, and have three children, Laura, Cheryl and Dan. They have two grandchildren, Jenelle
and Derek, and one great-granddaughter, Kylee. Homer’s room has been beautifully decorated with Kylee’s artwork.
Homer worked for Benzie County and served on the Benzonia Township Fire Department as
the Assistant Fire Chief. The only time that Homer was ever hurt fighting a fire occurred
when the church on Grace Road burned. He retired as a District Foreman for the Benzie
County Road Commission after working there for 34 years.
Homer has been a drummer since he was 17 years old and has played in many different
bands including the Jeannie Weaver Trio. He played at many local venues including The Villa,
The Cabbage Shed, The Mayfair, and the Frankfort Hotel. We are fortunate at The Maples
that he is willing to share his talent at special events like the Snowflake Dinner. His favorite color is green and his favorite foods are sirloin or T-bone steaks. He has always liked
animals and the family had cats and dogs as pets. Here at The Maples, Homer keeps an eye
on the other residents and Joanne Strohmer was grateful that back in October, he alerted
the staff that the heaters in some of the rooms were not working. He also enjoys looking
out the window and watching all the people coming and going.
Interview by Ruth Zeller and Kris Dykstra
Page 3
The Maples
Valentine’s Day Fun
Valentine’s Day was amazing thanks to Benzie Central
Freshman, Hadley O’Connor, who organized the 6th
grade students at Platte River Elementary school to
make Valentine cards for all the residents. The residents were so happy to get the beautiful hand-made
cards. Hadley also coordinated with her choir director to bring the singing Valentine Quartet to The
Maples to help with the distribution of The Valentines. The students braved the terrible weather that
had closed down so many roads and events that day
to come to The Maples! We are so appreciative of
Hadley, the 6th grade class, and the singing quartet
for thinking of our residents and coming up with a
wonderful way to brighten their day!
March 2015
Page 4
The Maples
Resident Outings
The residents were able to get out and about
over the last few weeks in spite of the cold
and snow. They enjoyed hamburgers, chili,
soup, grilled cheese sandwiches, and of course,
root beer as they went out to lunch at A & W.
Tuesday mornings bring weekly trips to the
Gathering Place where they enjoy playing
games and listening to music and even a little
dancing.
A number of the residents were able to go to
the Benzie Area Historical Museum where they
enjoyed a lecture on Rome's Sacred Spaces
by Dr. Louis Yock. This series of lectures examined the historic sites of Rome, with their
architectural and artistic expressions.
Examined and explained were the basilicas,
churches, and temples, with the Christian and
pagan philosophies that inspired the artwork
that adorns and decorates them.
We are grateful to our Activity staff and to
our faithful volunteers like Nonie
Rasmussen and Pat Kinske who make
outings like this possible.
March 2015
Page 5
The Maples
March 2015
National Nutrition Month
National Nutrition Month is a nutrition education
and information campaign created annually in
March by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
The campaign focuses attention on the importance
of making informed food choices and developing
sound eating and physical activity habits. The 2015
National Nutrition Month theme is "Bite into a
Healthy Lifestyle." Keep track of your eating and
exercise habits and see where you can make a
change or two to improve your health. Eat more fruits and vegetables or add a 10
minute walk to your day. Hopefully, warmer weather will arrive soon and we’ll be
able to take some walks outside! Stay healthy!
Bake and Craft Sale
There will be Bake Sale, Craft Sale, and
Silent Auction on Wednesday and Thursday ,
March 11 and 12 from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. in the
main entrance hallway. The proceeds from the
sale will go to support The Maples Employees
Appreciating Employees Dinner. This dinner honors all staff, especially those who
have worked here for five, ten, fifteen, twenty, twenty-five, and yes, even thirty
years! It also celebrates those who have had perfect attendance and builds team
spirit. Please bring any donations for this event to the offices of Carolyn Wallace
or Cindy Sandman and support our staff by stopping by to do some shopping.
The Maples Mission Statement
To provide accessible, high-quality long-term care; to meet the
evolving health care needs of the residents of Benzie County.
Page 6
The Maples
Check It Out!
The days for the residents are filled
with choices from knitting classes to
exercise classes to celebrating special
events like Mardi Gras or Chinese New
Year.
Mardi Gras was celebrated with special
music by Roger Blue and Peter Bergin.
We served flavored coffee and Paczki to our
residents and their guests. The dining room
was decorated and there were beads and
decorated masks available for everyone.
On Chinese New Year we cooked egg rolls,
chicken and shrimp stir fry, sweet and sour
chicken, and rice in the activity room for
residents and staff. Bud Cleghorn made his
delicious fried wontons and chocolate cake
for our dessert.
Saturday mornings bring a variety of group
activities and exercises including indoor
baseball complete with cheerleaders and
pom-poms! Many thanks to all who brighten
the days of residents each month!
March 2015
Page 7
The Maples
March 2015
T
L
E
M
W
O
N
S
S
S
A
R
G
L
A
G
C
Y
C
L
A
M
E
N
S
A
L
I
L
P
G
N
G
R
O
W
T
H
R
L
L
L
L
R
S
O
Y
I
I
D
L
S
A
R
A
I
E
S
N
N
L
A
L
N
K
A
I
E
B
E
R
R
O
H
E
F
M
L
O
A
N
F
E
S
G
M
I
P
W
W
E
N
A
E
E
E
S
F
I
U
L
R
R
A
L
I
O
B
Q
R
A
L
E
O
E
C
S
A
B
E
R
S
T
U
B
E
S
C
D
D
F
O
S
W
A
I
A
F
I
G
R
N
N
G
L
I
N
R
H
V
S
E
O
N
N
R
A
E
O
N
I
L
C
C
E
E
S
S
O
I
D
E
W
W
B
I
R
S
B
S
S
I
N
X
R
G
E
E
O
A
A
R
M
E
G
A
Y
F
L
P
R
O
R
N
M
L
W
P
E
O
E
T
E
W
S
S
P
I
L
U
T
R
S
S
R
R
E
T
S
A
E
P
L
A
N
T
I
N
G
F
ALLERGIES
EASTER
IRISES
ROBINS
APRIL
EQUINOX
LILIES
SEASON
BASEBALL
FLOWERS
MARCH
SOFTBALL
BEES
FROGS
MAY
SPRING BREAK
CROCUSES
GOLF
NEW LEAVES
SPRING CLEANING
CYCLAMENS
GRASS
PLANTING
TULIPS
DAFFODILS
GREEN
RAIN
WARMER
DANDELIONS
GROWTH
RENEWAL
WET
Page 8
The Maples
March 2015
March Church Schedule
Wednesday Services are at 10:45 a.m.
Sunday Services are at 2:45 p.m.
Every Wednesday: Catholic Communion at 10:00 a.m.
1st-Trinity Lutheran Church
4th-Bear Lake Baptist Church
8th-Benzonia Faith Baptist Church
11th-Moving Waters Church
15th-Beulah Church of Christ
18th-St. Ann Catholic Church
22nd-Our Savior Lutheran Church
25th-Herring Lake Baptist Church
29th-Crystal Lake Baptist Church
This edition of The Maple Leaf is
dedicated to the memory of
Richard Hardy and Leonard Kittleson.
Our thoughts are with their
families and friends.
Welcome to our
New Residents!
Bob, Effie,
and Gertrude
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: There are a number of ways you might volunteer at The Maples. Our residents love interacting with our volunteers and we appreciate
the extra help. Please talk with Jennifer Flynn, Activities Director, for more information.
This edition of The Maple Leaf is brought to you through the efforts of Kathy Dube, Kris
Dykstra, Jennifer Flynn, Sharon Gilbert, Randi Knapp, Homer Morris, and Carrie Parker.
The Maples, Benzie County Medical Care Facility 210 Maple Ave.
231.352.9674
www.benziemaples.org