WINTER 2014
MEERCROFT MESSENGER
ACTIVITIES WITH LYN AND TEAM
Welcome to our winter edition of the Meercroft Messenger. The warm
weather has disappeared and is being replaced by frosty mornings and cooler
days. Our activities program is packed full of exciting thing to do.
If you would like to enjoy a lovely hot cappuccino on a cold morning come
along to the Seaview lounge Monday mornings and for only $3.00 you can
enjoy a coffee and savouries or cream cake. Our volunteers also hold a trade
table where you will find all sorts of treasure. A raffle is also held every
Monday with the winner receiving a lovely little prize.
Monday afternoon activities include quizzes or reminiscing followed by fresh
homemade bread. Bingo! Bingo remains one of our most popular activities at
Meercroft. Auxiliary Bingo is held the third Monday of each month and for
the cost of gold coin and you can win a great prize. Come along, you never
know it could be you calling out BINGO!
Tuesday activities includes the bus outing which is very popular. We always
go for a scenic drive before popping into a nice hotel for scrumptious meal.
Our favourite spots include the Axeman’s Hall of Fame, Top of the Town
Hotel, Sheffield Hotel and the Light House Hotel. If you would like to join us
on one of our bus trips let me (Lyn) know. .For residents who are not going
on the bus there is a craft group and movies playing in the Seaview lounge.
Tai Chi hosted by volunteers Sherrian and Karen on Tuesday afternoons is a
great help for those wanting to relax and enjoy a bit of light exercise.
Wednesday morning activity includes sing-a-long which is a favourite. Beth and
the team of volunteers get everyone singing. Indoor bowls is held every
Wednesday and Thursday in Park Avenue.
Entertainers entertain us with their delightful tunes on Wednesday
afternoons. Regular entertainers include Hank Koopman the Trifles, the
Singing Farmer and Bill Cummings.
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Thursday is Meerroft Bingo Eyes down at 1.30pm to win a chocolate. Seats
fill quickly, so get to the Seaview lounge quickly.
Friday is movie morning and Friday Afternoon is social afternoon with more
music favourite artists, Sunshine Easy Music and Buttons and Bows.
Staff will play a music CD or movie DVD. The resident library has lots of
good books and as winter is upon us there is no better way to spend a cold
day than reading a good book by the heater.
Kristine in charge of Park Avenue and Parkview activities and ensure that
residents enjoy movie afternoon, hand massages, beauty treatments and
homemade bread.
Kyllie and Grant in charge of Oceanview activities program for residents have
put together a variety of activities including, proverbs, card games, quotes,
reading newspapers, Friday bus trips (every second week) are a favourite,
hand massages, doll therapy and hand sewing Resident love wheelchair walks
around the home viewing the scenery Residents. Oceanview residents also
join in with Seaview activities held in the lounge.
MEMORIAL SERVICES
Memorial services are held every four months in the Meercroft Chapel to
remember and to say goodbye to our dear residents who have passed away.
DELTA DOGS
Delta dogs visit Meercroft weekly. The dogs are specially trained to visit
nursing homes and provide love brighten your day.
RESIDENT PETS
We have other pets here at Meercroft. Our two resident cats, Timmy and
Tubby love attention, so if you haven’t seen them yet, take a walk up to
Parkview and you will see them. Our resident budgies love attention
especially Dolly who is situated outside the reception office, so say hi to her
as you walk by.
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UPCOMING PROJECT
The coffee/tea making area adjacent to the Kiosk is having an
upgrade which will include: New furniture (currently on order)
 Colour scheme will be lime green and autumn
colours.
 The area requires a name and there will be a prize for the
winner who puts forward the best name.
ACTIVITY STAFF
On your travels around the home, you will often see Lyn and
Kristine. Feel free to ask about activities and if there is an activity
you would like to do, ask and they will try and accommodate you.
Also if you have something to contribute to the newsletter, hand it
in to these two lovely ladies.
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MEERCROFT MASTER CHEFS
Lemon Coconut Slice
125g unsalted butter, melted, cooled
3/4 cup caster sugar
1 1/2 cups self-raising flour, sifted
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup lemon curd (see related recipe)
Coconut topping
1 eggwhite, lightly beaten
3/4 cup caster sugar
1 1/2 cups desiccated coconut
1. Step 1
Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan-forced. Grease a 3cm-deep, 18cm x 28cm (base)
slice pan. Line base and sides with baking paper, allowing a 2cm overhang.
2. Step 2
Place butter, sugar, flour and egg in a bowl. Stir to combine. Press into prepared
pan. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes or until light golden.
3. Step 3
Meanwhile, make coconut topping place egg white, sugar and coconut in a bowl.
Stir to combine.
4. Step 4
Spread lemon curd evenly over slice base. Sprinkle with topping Bake for 10 to 12
minutes or until coconut is golden brown. Cool in pan. Cut into squares. Serve.
Super Food Ideas - July 2008 , Page 86 Recipe by Kim Coverdale Photography by Ben Dearnley
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RESIDENT PROFILE
Name:
Helen Yde
Birthdate:
June 1914
Family:
Daughter- Ellen and Son Ian, 6 grandchildren and a few
great grandchildren
Favourite food:
Vegetables
Dislike:
Not a lover of meat
Fondest memory of Meercroft: I have had a good life and have been lucky
with my health. I have many good memories.
Worst Memory:
None
Our dear resident Helen celebrated her 100th Birthday this month.
STAFF PROFILE
Name:
Pamela Davern
Position Held:
Extended Care Assistant in Parkview
Years at Meercroft: 29
Family:
2 sons, 2 daughters, 5 grandsons and 1 granddaughter.
Favourite food
Something I don’t have to do myself
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Favourite drink
tea.
Southern comfort and coke, white wine and a hot cup of
Fondest memory of Meercroft: Christmas concerts, Christmas dinners for
staff and farewells for staff. Most importantly the lasting friendships that have
formed.
MEERCROFT WOMENS AUXILAIRY
The ladies have been busy fundraising for the residents of Meercroft’s
residents through holding both Mothers day and Fathers day morning teas. A
series of raffles were also held for Mother’s day, Father’s day and Christmas
and raised over $4000. The Auxiliary purchased 4 floorline beds, syringe
drivers and other medical equipment for Meercroft. The Meercroft kiosk is a
service provided and operated by the auxiliary for the residents and offers
low prices for its goods. If an item requested by a resident is not stocked at
the kiosk, the ladies will endeavour to get it in.
The Meercroft Womens Auxiliary is in need of volunteers. If you want
to be a volunteer or know someone who wants to volunteer contact
Meercroft on 64 210111
Please note the next Auxiliary function is the Fathers Day morning tea
held on the 2nd September 10am at the Devonport Soccer Club in Lovett
Street, Devonport.
Sandy President Women’s Auxiliary
CHURCH SERVICES
Church services are held in the chapel on Sundays at 6 p.m.
 Uniting Church – 1st Sunday of the month.
 Baptist Church – 2nd day of the month.
 Anglican – 3rd day of the month.
 Gateway – 4th Sunday of the month.
 Church of Christ – 5th Sunday of the month.
If you have any queries please contact Lynette or the
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Winter Newsletter June 2014.doc
office.
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Volunteer News
Kitchen Capers
Over the last few months the
Kitchen has been trialing various
Menu ideas and suggestion’s .The
Every year Meercroft celebrates the
introduction
Cooked
contribution of volunteers for the help
Breakfast every 5 weeks has turned
and assistance given to residents by
out to been enjoyed by the Residents
providing a luncheon. On the 14th May
and will continue to be apart of our
Volunteers were invited to the Argosy
ongoing menu cycle. Some of our
to celebrate and to reflect the last 12
other suggestion that we have trialed
months accomplishments at Meercroft.
lately are:
The luncheons mean a lot to the
of
a
Hot
 Chicken and Avocado Wraps
 Vegetable Frittata
 Vegetable Patties
 Chicken, Pineapple and Cheese
Toasties
 Creamed Rice Dessert
If any Residents have any Menu
suggestion please feels free to
contact the Kitchen.
Michael - Catering Manager
volunteers and make us feel truly
appreciated.
We thank Management
and the Board for this wonderful
opportunity and to say that Meercroft
is our extended family and we call it
our happy home.
Meercroft is in need of volunteers.
If you want to be a volunteer or
know someone who wants to
volunteer contact Meercroft on
64 210111
Beth – Volunteer
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RESIDENT POETRY
My Rag Doll
PROVERBS
A Bird In The Hand Is Worth
Two In The Bush
A Cat Nay Look At A King
A Dog Is A Mans Best Friend
She came from Nan’s mending basket,
just scraps of cloth and tape.
A fool And His Money Are Soon
As scissors and pins and needles work,
my new rag doll took shape.
A Leopard Cannot Change Its Spots
Bright blue eyes, rosy cheeks, brown
curls made from wool.
Red-knitted booties on her feet: she
looked so colourful.
A white laced blouse, a frilly skirt, a
small bonnet fixed to drape.
And around her shoulders to keep her
warm, a cosy bright red cape.
Parted
A New Broom Sweeps Clean
A Stitch In Time Saves Nine
A Watched Pot Never Boils
Another Day Another Dollar
An Eye For An Eye A Tooth For A
Tooth
Barking Dogs Seldom Bite
Behind Every Man There Is A Great
Woman
Cold Hand Warm Heart
Don’t Cast Your Pearls Before Wine
Don’t Count Your Chickens Before
They Hatch
Eileen Rockliff Wescombe
If The Shoe Fits Wear It
In For A Penny In For A Pound
Laughter Is The Best Medicine
Like Father Like Son
People Who Live In Glass Houses
Shouldn’t Throw Stones
The Fruit Does Not Fall Far from
The Tree.
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FAVOURITE SONG
DAISY, DAISY, GIVE ME YOUR ANSWER DO...
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In 1892, by which time the bicycle was an everyday sight in Victorian life,
Henry Dacre composed a song that became immensely popular, both in the
London music halls and in America.
The lyrics featured a tandem - a bicycle made for two - and the Daisy he
described was said to be based on the Countess of Warwick, Frances Evelyn
'Daisy' Greville.
Daisy was a champion of women's rights, and also a mistress of the Prince of
Wales, and her name is still well-known today from the chorus of Dacre's
'Daisy Bell' –
A year later, the English version (above) was patented by Denis
Johnson, and proved to be quite a craze at the time, though Keats
called it 'the nothing of the day'.
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The fate of the 'pedestrian curricle' was initially to be ridiculed.
It was nick-named the hobby or dandy horse, due to the style of
foppish young men who often used to ride it. And Keats was right
when he surmised that its popularity would be short-lived. The
constant pushing along the ground quickly wore out the soles of
gentlemen's boots, and those riders persisting in using the sideways
were frequently stopped and fined two pounds - which was quite an
enormous sum at the time.
Michaux' Velocipede
But, the Drais model led the way to future innovations. The first
pedal-operated machine is believed to have been constructed in 1839
by the Scottish blacksmith, Kirkpatrick MacMillan.
Later, in 1861, the French carriage maker, Pierre Michaux, invented
his famous 'Velocipede' which had pedals directly attached to the
front wheel. This machine was nick-named the 'Boneshaker' due to
the terrible vibrations caused by riding along upon rough roads with
nothing beneath you but wooden wheels bound in hoops of iron.
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References
The Virtual Victorian, 2 March 2010,http://virtualvictorian.blogspot.com.au/2010/03/daisy-daisy-give-meyour-answer-do.html
<http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/ukulele-songs chords/png/daisy_daisy_bicycle_built_for_two_.png>
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RESIDENT/RELATIVE INFORMATION
1. MEERCROFT OFFICE HOURS
The reception office hours are Weekdays between 9.00 a.m. – 4.00p.m.
Please note that the office closes for 10.45am -11.00am and 1pm to 1.30pm.
If you are going out and require money or need other assistance please
arrange this before the closing times or you will need to wait until office reopens.
2. MAINTENANCE REPORTING
All maintenance requires must be reported to Meercroft
recording in the Maintenance Real Faults Computer.
track of the progress of all maintenance and to attend
priority.
With only one maintenance person to
maintenance, prioritizing of tasks is most important.
Reception office for
This helps to keep
to them in order of
attend to general
CONTACT FOR MAINTENANCE
3. UNIT RESIDENTS
Contact Reception Office in person or by telephone on weekdays between
8.30a.m. 4.30 p.m. Tel: 64 21 0111.
AFTER HOURS - Ring the home and speak to the duty nurse and advise the
problem and they will contact the required person.
4. ARE YOU GOING OUT?
All residents of Parkview and Park Avenue need to inform the registered
nurse when you are going out.
SEAVIEW - residents need to sign out and in using the absentee list near
Reception.
If medication is also required to be taken out, please give the Registered
nurse enough notice so they can have your relevant medication ready.
5. DRY CLEANING
Dry cleaning - is available by taking clothes to Meercroft Reception. Please
place clothing in a plastic bag which is named. Allow 3 days for return.
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6. HAIRDRESSING APPOINTMENTS.
Please call Team Leader (Activities) or leave a message at Reception.
7. KIOSK OPENING TIMES
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 11.30 pm to 1.30 pm.
8. VISITOR MEALS
$5.50 Monday-Saturday
$11.00 Sunday Lunch
9. PARKING
Pease remember that the round-about area near the front
entrance is strictly drop-off and pick up area with a maximum of 5
minute parking. Ambulance and buses need access this area.
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