THE TIDINGS
MONTE VISTA GROVE HOMES
2889 SAN PASQUAL STREET
PASADENA, CA. 91107
MAY, 2011
(626) 796 6135
ALL THE NEWS THAT FITS
SEPTEMBER CONVOCATIONS
A new season of convocations begins September 15. The MVGH community is invited each
Thursday to Marwick at 4 PM for programs that will inspire, inform, entertain and challenge.
The convocation committee thanks the MVGH community for participating in our evaluation of
Winter/Spring 2011 programs – we received 57 surveys. You confirmed both the variety and
quality of our programs, so now we are eager to begin a new year and we urge you to join us
each week.
Sept. 15
Introduction of new residents
We will meet Joseph and Hannah Kang and Bryce and Phyllis Little, the
newest members of our MVGH community. Mark Duntley will lead the opening worship which will include a recognition of 9/11 in the context of our faith.
Sept. 22
Two piano music – Katharine Starbird and Barbara Shofler
Katharine and Barbara are musical colleagues who have performed in the Los
Angeles are for many groups including the Pasadena Community Orchestra.
Their collaboration stems from membership in the Tuesday Musicale of Pasadena. The program includes music by Sergei Rachmaninoff and Darius Milhaud.
The Rachmaninoff suite epitomizes the massive sounds and plaintive sonorities
of Russia, and the Milhaud is humorous and fun, written by a man with a fine
sense of humor.
Sept. 29
“The Extended Hand of God” – Ralph and Rachel Hamburger
Our MVGH colleague and friend Ralph Hamburger presents “The Extended
Hand of God”, stories from his life and ministry. For the opening worship and
introduction of Ralph we warmly welcome his daughter, the Rev. Rachel Hamburger.
PRESIDENTIAL PONDERINGS---September 2011
The summer is winding down. The days are shorter. In the early morning, when I go up to
retrieve my car, there is just a slight chill in the air which makes me think that fall can't be
too far off. That does not mean that we will have no more hot days. You can always count
on some temperatures of 95° in August and even into September, but when going to the Hollywood Bowl or the Huntington Library or Levitt Pavilion for a concert you better bring a
sweater or jacket, because by evening those coastal evenings can be very cool.
Here at Monte Vista Grove there are new faces, people changing venues, and various new
looks around the campus. Some of our "snow bird" neighbors are starting to return home.
We have missed you! A few neighborhoods have had social events, and Fran and her Food
Services team have treated us with some special afternoon happy hours, including corn on
the cob, nachos, and an ice cream social! Of course, the annual Luau was, as always, a
smash hit, a veritable cornucopia of delicious food, beautiful decorations, and entertainment.
It always seems to me that September is the start of the year. I guess it is the incurable youth
director in me, but when the football fields are crackling with scrimmages and the cross
country teams are loping along Huntington Drive, and K-mart and Target are displaying rainbows of backpacks on sale, the start of things is upon us. By the time you read this it will be
Labor Day weekend, and then the schools and the choir retreats and the school busses will let
us all know that it is all starting over again. (Our grandkids are practically in mourning that
the summer is over so soon!)
It's surely different for us seniors. The start of the school year may not be so much of a
marker in our lives, even if we do hear from the extended family that all the kids are starting
back. Oh sure, we may take a class, or go to a seminar or listen to a lecture series on line.
Our Monte Vista Grove convocation committee has a stellar line-up of programs for our
enlightenment, enjoyment, and entertainment on those festive Thursday afternoons. (See the
September offerings in this issue of Tidings.) The annual Fall Festival (formerly known as
Country Days) will be October 1 with all of its varieties of fun for all. And the fall has a way
of giving 'way to those colorful and festive days of November and December, and before we
know it we will be entertaining the Rose Queen and her court.
What an interesting and multi-faceted place Monte Vista Grove Homes is! We can be so
grateful to our hard-working staff, our faithful board of trustees, and the many decades of
people just like us who have found a home here, made new friends and re-connected with
"old" ones. From the Knight Watch guys to those who lead Bible studies and chapel for the
Hearth and the Health Center, to the mail crew to those who faithfully keep track of their
neighbors when health issues arise, this is a remarkable place.
So, let the "new season" begin!
Larry Ballenger
President
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FROM THE DIRECTOR
Aloha! I am writing this from vacation on the beautiful, green island of Kauai. My husband
and I are enjoying some quality family time with 2 of our married children and their families.
Just before I left, I read an article on the importance of “play”…not just for children but adults
as well. Play provides the brain rest from the daily routine, responsibilities, pressures, and
stressors. Yesterday, my play consisted of swimming in the ocean with my 2 year old granddaughter, Molly. We played “Ariel” (Little Mermaid) for hours! Four month old baby Ellie
is quite the traveler…this is the 8th state she has visited!
MLRC v. CCRC: The Resident Focus Group has met faithfully and will soon be reviewing
the results of the architectural campus survey that was recently completed. This survey is being submitted to a contractor in order to obtain an estimate as to what it would cost to make
the required physical changes to the independent campus in order to be licensed by the Department of Social Services. Minor items such as grab bars and carbon monoxide detectors
present no problem and the latter will be installed regardless of our licensing status. The major cost factor will certainly be the required one hour fire wall between units. While a challenge, it is most likely doable. We will also be working on the important financial forecasting
piece. This will provide helpful information as to the potential impact of becoming a CCRC
on our waiting list. We will also be discussing what needs to be done (if anything) to
“grandfather in” current MVGH residents. I want to reassure you that the Resident Focus
Group, trustees and staff are committed to protecting the mission of MVGH, both present and
future.
NEW ART STUDIO: If you find yourself walking towards D101 to attend an art class,
TURN AROUND! The Art Studio has officially moved to A23 (next to the Administration
Building). Special thanks to Ed Cortez for his coordination efforts and Joan Stackhouse
(and friends) for their many hours spent planning, packing, unpacking, and organizing! I’m
sure the new space will encourage creativity to abound…
JULY GALA: A detailed article has already been written about this wonderful event in the
Messenger but I would be remiss if I did not thank the wonderful team that made this event
happen. Everyone stretched themselves beyond their “comfort zone” and the results were
amazing! Financially, the event was a tremendous success; relationally, many new connections were made and a great man was honored; and, the energy created when staff and residents combined their talents and efforts was priceless…
HEALTH CENTER PROJECT: At long last, the Health Center project has a start date!
Equipment will be delivered and demolition will begin on August 29th. There will be no parking behind/north of the Health Center as this will be the contractor’s staging area. Room 15
will be first as it is empty. The onsite contractor, Randy Bird, will use D101 as a guest apartment during the week and you may also see the OSHPD (Office of Statewide Health and
Planning Department) inspector, Charlie Kausen, visiting on a regular basis. The hope is to
be able to eventually do two rooms at a time to expedite the timeline.
STAFF: Alisha is now officially on maternity leave and most likely will have delivered
“baby Zuch” by the time you read this! Her plan is to be on leave until the end of October
and then return part-time. Meagan has learned the routine here very quickly and has fit in
with the rest of the team very well.
I look forward to seeing you all again after Labor Day, rested and rejuvenated from“playing”!
Aloha,
Deborah Herbert
Executive Director
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NOTICES
ALL DISASTER DRILL VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF
Reminder! DISASTER DRILL SEMINAR
Monday afternoon, September 26 at 2:00 p.m. in Marwick
Please bring Red Drill Notebooks and pens
We will gather in Marwick and sit by Areas and departments.
We will begin with a General Session for the first 15 minutes —PLEASE BE ON TIME.
Then we will be meeting with Areas and Departments as follows:
INDIVIDUAL AREA TEAMS:
Both COMMAND CENTER TEAMS WITH PHONE RECEPTIONISTS:
RESIDENT MAINTENANCE HELPERS: You will spend time reviewing
the use of the golf carts, unlocking garages, the use of the generator, and
what to look for with the gas, water and electric utilities. RMH’s, please be
prepared to return to Marwick for the closing 15 minutes.
TRIAGE AIDES
LEADERS AND COORDINATORS OF ALL THESE DEPARTMENTS—
Please contact those on your teams to encourage everyone’s participation.
I will get an Agenda out to you the first week of September. We are reminded that it is extremely important to have a meeting to interpret the stages and kinds of preparation, answer questions and urge cooperation of all residents. It will include reviewing the Red Notebook and each Department’s Plan and procedures as well as the Injury and Utilities procedures we practice during each drill. If you would like to discuss something, please let me know in writing and I’ll put it on the agenda.
*************************************************************************************
ALL RESIDENTS AND STAFF
DISASTER SURVIVAL PREPAREDNESS AND DRILLS (DSPD)
SEPTEMBER MONTHLY REMINDER
A couple of REMINDERS in preparation for a disaster—
• You are reminded to have your Emergency pack of supplies of blankets, 1st Aid Kits, Flashlights, etc.
We hope to have emergency back packs available at the Fall Festival.
• :Periodically make sure water, food and medications are updated.
• Keep a pair of shoes, socks and flashlight near your bed in case of an emergency
If you have any questions about the Disaster Drills, please discuss them with your Area Leader for Disaster
Drills. Neighborhood Care gatherings can also be occasions to review Area procedures.
Noreen Nazarian
Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass….
But about learning how to dance in the rain.
Anonymous
-4-
NOTICES
POLITICS, RELIGION, AND YOUR ACHES AND PAINS---LEAVE 'EM AT HOME!
When we first got to Monte Vista, we heard (or thought we heard) that "politics and theology" are
never talked about in the dining room. Well...hardly ever! Recently a resident came to me with a
concern, and I had to look it up in our brand-new, spiffy Resident Handbook (2011) which was so
skillfully researched and compiled by Nancy Lain and her team.
The only thing I found was this: Page 10, under "Dining Room Etiquette". There it says,
"Sensitivity is called for when discussing politics, theology, and health at meal times."
That's it. No prohibition. No definition. No Permanent Judicial Commission. Just a call to sensitivity, that's all. And recognizing that one man's crusade is another man's sore point, I guess that is
probably sufficient for good etiquette among friends and neighbors. Thanks for understanding.
Larry Ballenger, for the Resident Association Executive Council
A REMINDER ABOUT THE USE OF THE GAMBLE ROOM
We are all delighted with the new Gamble Room in the Commons building. It is providing a fine
place for informal conversation, reading, and the housing of our library and media collection. The
Executive Council would like to remind us that the protocols and procedures for the use of the room
are posted in the doorway. Among the things agreed upon as we opened the Gamble Room were:
"There should be no scheduled gatherings in the room prior to 5:30 PM. In other words, the
room is to be available all day as a place for any and all residents to come and go, to watch
television, read, visit with each other, and to play board or card games."
Thanks for understanding.
EASY DONATIONS
The beginning of this story is that Joan Stackhouse has asked if the Ten Thousand Villages store would like to bring things to display in our library, for one month, Sept. 15th – October 15th. Of course, the store said "yes, we would". And asked in return if the Grove would
like to participate in their Benefit Partnership Plan. Of course, we said "yes, we would" for it
would mean that Ten Thousand Villages will donate to the Grove 15% of what you pay for your
purchases.
Our residents' Executive Committee has accepted this offer; the week October 9 – 15
will be Monte Vista Grove Week at the Ten Thousand Villages. It is hoped you will plan to go
to the store during that week, and be sure to mention when you check out that you are from the
Grove.
The Executive Committee and Helen Baatz have agreed that the donation be placed in
the Quality of Life Fund which will help provide income for the Grove to assist a resident who
faces a gap between income and the costs of care. As health care costs continue to rise, we recognize the increasingly important role this endowment will play.
More details about this event, hours and car pooling, will be sent soon.
-5-
Mae Gautier
NOTICES
Everyone is invited to an Open House at the new ART STUDIO (A23) on Wednesday, September
14th from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served.
The MVGH Artists who have met for years on Monday mornings have changed their time to
Wednesday mornings due to many schedule conflicts. A major reason is the popular Tai Chi class
meeting on Mondays which several members do not want to miss.
A new class called “Introduction to Painting” will meet during four Saturday mornings following the
Fall Festival. It will be taught by Joan Stackhouse in the Art Studio. Enrollment is already full.
A marvelous opportunity for all art lovers as well as art students will take place right here at the
Grove on Saturday afternoon, November 12th. Richard Gallego, noted Southern California artist,
will give a painting demonstration. He will explain what he is doing and why he is doing it. Normally his presentation commands high fees, but there will be no charge to attendees of MVGH. So
mark your calendars and watch for the sign-up sheet, because seating will be limited.
LIBRARY
The MVGH Library continues to grow because of all the good books you generously donate. We ask
that the books that you give the library be carefully selected, because shelf space is getting tight
again. We are having to cull out books to send to the Book Store.
You may have noticed the typed list of NON-FICTION books that are in the Gamble Room. Judy
Ballenger has been working for months on this list. It has been a huge job. In September she will
begin typing the FICTION books in the main library room, beginning with the authors whose names
start with “A” on the top left of the fireplace. All newly donated non-fiction books will be held until
after the first of the year before being catalogued and added to a revised NON-FICTION list.
We now have a volunteer working in the Library and Art Studio on Fridays. His name is Brad
Snowden and he lives in San Gabriel. He also volunteers at San Marino library. Brad is very
friendly and enjoys “Senior Citizens” very much. So, if you see him around introduce yourself.
FYI. From Mae Gautier, in relation to your health care:
If you have trouble with Express Scripts, or whoever else is getting the Pension Plan deduction on a prescription, here is the name and number of someone at the Presbyterian Plan who can and will help you. Both Bill Van Ness
and I have had her move what seem like mountains to get Express Scripts to
fill a prescription and give us the Plan benefit. She will ask you to have your
doctor send the data to her.
Call Arlene Woods, Presbyterian Plan
800 773 7752
X 7446
You will love her!
-6-
NOTICES
It’s time to schedule contributions to the Annual Christmas Fund. New residents may ask, “What’s
that?” Each year, in the Fall residents are asked to contribute a gift to be given to our employees in December. Monies collected are divided among all the employees (89 last year) and presented to them at
the Resident/Staff Christmas Party in early December. This is a way of saying thank you for their faithful, friendly and patient service throughout the year.
As a guide to giving, it has been suggested we consider $1 per day. That means $365 for each resident
for the year.
People may make their contributions in installments, if they wish. Checks should be made payable to
MVGH Residents’ Association and be designated for the Christmas Fund. They are to be deposited in
the brown locked box at the side of the mail boxes in the main building.
With thanks,
Pat Hoffman, Assistant Treasurer, Residents’ Association
Christmas Gift Fund Coordinator.
CALLING ALL SENIORS!
USC is seeking Seniors to participate in a study about cataract lenses. The purpose of this study, led
by Dr. Bosco Tjan of the University of Southern California, is to obtain information about how focusing your eyes affects intraocular (cataract) lenses. It entails taking detailed pictures of the eye
using MRI technology. Measurements will be made from these pictures, which will help improve
future IOL designs.
To be eligible, you must:
- be between 35 and 90 years of age
- have had cataract surgery
If you meet the above requirements and are interested in finding out more about this study, please
contact our study coordinator Jessica at the email address below.
You will be compensated for your time and transportation.
Study ID: UP-09-00201 Valid From: 7/9/2011 To: 7/8/2012
Jessica Gonzales
Lab Manager
T-Lab, USC
[email protected]
914.715.0594
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NOTICES
STAMPS
Several people asked whether the Japanese medical society which we support with our used
stamps can actually use our very common stamps as well as the more unusual ones.
Mas Hibino very kindly translated a letter for me to Overseas Medical Cooperative Service
(JOCS) asking that question. They said in reply:
“We accept any kind of stamps from common ones to rare ones. There are various reasons for
collectors to collect used stamps. Some people collect stamps based on their favorite image
such as nature or flags; others collect stamps based on the postmark of the date or the location
where the letter was originally sent from.
“We put all the stamps in one package to sell them to the collectors for fundraising; for the collectors, our package is like a lucky bag as they do not know what is inside.”
So please continue to put your cancelled stamps in my cubbie or in the manila envelope on the
wall opposite the women’s restroom in the main building! If you have time, please cut them off
the envelope with a quarter inch border, but if you want to tear them off or just put the envelopes in my cubbie, that is fine too. This is a wonderful way for us all to help with the mission
of JOCS—to provide medical help to third world countries near Japan.
Judy Ballenger
WARNING FROM THE POLICE
Beware of paper on the back window of your vehicle.
You walk across the parking lot, unlock your car and get inside. You start the engine and shift
into reverse. When you look into the rearview mirror to back out of your parking place, you
notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle of the rear window. So you shift into park, unlock
the doors and jump out of the car to remove that paper that is obstructing your view. When you
reach the back of your car that is when the carjackers appear out of nowhere, jump into the car
and take off, nearly mowing you down. So now the thief has your car, your home address, your
money and your keys. Your home and your whole identity are now compromised. And guess
what ladies? I bet your purse is still in the car!
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ASKING…
1. Are we going to be donating school supplies for the kids at Willard Elementary??
2. If so, when do we start? Answers: 1.YES! 2. NOW!
During the month of September we will be donating school supplies of all kinds for use by the
kids and the teachers.
Suggestions include: Construction Paper (white and all colors), felt tip pens, crayons, glue sticks,
#2 pencils, erasers, staplers and staples, Kleenex, etc. Last year the teachers and kids were very
impressed with what us old folks donated, so let’s not let ‘em down this year.
Supplies will be collected in a BIG BOX marked Willard School Supplies and located near the
reception desk. Please make a small contribution and place it in the BIG BOX by September
30th.
Thank you! Bob and LaRae Parry, -792 1542
-8-
PILL PARADE
Number of pain pills. There can
Be allergies or sore bones
Needing calcium and even vitamins.
Our shelves are full of capsules
And even that old gem, aspirin.
One thing is for sure: the
Pharmaceutical companies keep
Turning out medicines that we
Are supposed to believe will
Help us, and the bills go on
And on. Just remember when
To take them on time.
As we grow older we seem
To need more and more pills.
Our doctors keep trying many of
Them on us to keep us alive.
The pills add up to ten a day
Or more: Niaspan and Pravastatin
And Lisinopril for cholesterol.
Then we need some for blood
Pressure, and even more for our
Flagging hearts. When arthritis
Strikes as we get older we take
Celebrex or Ibuprofen and any
Warren C. McClain
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS
Bill Hansen
Don Maddox
Bill Craig
Liz Cole
Anne Falkenberg
Hedy Lodwick
Dick Dosker
Esther Den Hartog
Ray Heer
June Denton
Ralph Hamburger
Dolores Hendricks
Marie Melrose
September
September
September
September
September
September
September
September
September
September
September
September
September
1
4
5
6
6
6
7
11
11
14
16
17
18
Men’s Prayer Fellowship of MVGH meets on
Monday mornings at Marwick Place
From 9:00 a.m. till 9:30 a.m.
Leaders for September
September
September
September
September
5
12
19
26
Don Maddox
Bob Parry
Art French
Cecil Hoffman
Come and share this time for thanks,
intercession and fellowship with one
another as brothers in Christ.
Cecil Hoffman, Facilitator
-9-
The women’s prayer group would love to
have more women
join with us on
Wednesday mornings from 9:00 to 9:30 in
Marwick Place. We learn of the needs in
the Health Center and in the Grove. We
study from the Mission Yearbook for
Prayer and Study. Then we have a special
time of lifting our concerns to God and feel
his Spirit guiding us.
Please come—
The Prayer Group Members
THE TIDINGS
MONTE VISTA GROVE HOMES
Director: Deborah Herbert
President of the Residents’ Association
Larry Ballenger
Editors: Mary Louise and Jack Lorimer
Reporters:
Norma Lee Runquist,
Evelyn Thomas Heyne
Mary Brassard, Betsey Burgess,
Jane McClain, Barbara Dosker
Carolyn French, Lee Hawthorne
Publishing and Distribution:
Nancy Lain & Meagan McClellan
PERSONAL NEWS
The Frenches spent this past weekend celebrating Art’s 80th birthday. Our 3 daughters
planned the family get together at our middle daughter’s new home in Fallrook. Most of the
western family members made it with the exception of one grandson, two nephews & their
wives and 3 grandnephews. Among the gathered were our 3 daughters 4 sons-in-law, 4 grandsons ages 24, 21, 16 and 13 and 1 “bonus” 4 year old granddaughter, 4 sons-in-law, 1 “bonus”
daughter-in-law,
1 granddaughter-in-law, and 1 great-grandson age 6 and 1 greatgranddaughter age 7 weeks, Art’s sister and brother –in-law and 1 nephew and niece-in-law and
7 year old grandniece and 3 year old grandnephew. The girls picked a Polynesian theme and
arranged a catered buffet to carry that through. Our youngest daughter had gathered pictures
from all and she & her husband made a DVD of much of Art’s life in pictures with many
memorable family times. One son-in-law & daughter-in-law filmed messages from the attendees and will be sending that on a DVD soon. Before the northern California families left early
Sunday morning, 12 of us gathered at Denny’s for breakfast at 8 a.m., and Art was serenaded
and got a free breakfast. In the afternoon our daughter Becky, grandson Brandon and a friend
of his came to our vacation share’s pool and then we went out for dinner and Art was feted
again with a song, cow-hat, & guitar. Then this morning (Monday) at breakfast at Denny’s before driving home, he was sung to AGAIN. Many cards & singing phone message from you
are “ frosting on the cake” and we both thank you very much for your wonderful greetings.
Carolyn French
As we have celebrated our tenth anniversary of coming to MVGH, we have become more grateful
than ever for this beloved community. The summer began with Marily’s need for a full knee replacement which was done on June 14. The outpouring of your love and prayers was God’s sustaining gift to both of us, and her recovery has proceeded extremely well.
We were then able to enjoy an idyllic two weeks in a lovely cabin at the Convict Lake Resort
near Mammoth Lakes, with our daughter’s families (10 grandchildren) dropping in and out during
our stay. Then two days after returning home I began a bout with excruciating pain in my right
leg for two weeks, ultimately diagnosed as a ruptured disc (L2) and had spinal surgery. The surgery alleviated all of the pain, I was sent home the day after the surgery and am now in the recovery process. Again, the outpouring of your love and prayers continues to increase our gratitude to
God for the privilege of being a part of this community.
We’re calling this THE SUMMER OF BLESSED DISCOMFORT. The discomforts we have
experienced brought such an outpouring of love and care to us that we are more aware than ever
before how blessed we are to be a part of this MVGH family. THANK YOU!
Gary and Marily Demarest
Nancy Macky spent a magnificent week at Chautauqua, NY with Pacific Palisades Pres. friends
for lectures and discussions on the theme. “Ethics and the Common Good”, featuring nationally
prominent speakers such as CNN’s David Gergen, Bishiop Gene Robinson and Harvard’s philosophy professor Michael Sandel. Nancy reveled in sons Cameron (from Bangkok) and Chris
(from Connecticut) and their families for two months this summer. We all enjoyed a hiking/
rafting week, sharing a friend’s redwood geodesic dome house at Lake Tahoe in July. In August
she attended an unforgettable wedding in a tall-redwood grove in Los Gatos near San Francisco.
She continues assisting Ron White at The Huntington on a biography of Ulysses Grant.
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PERSONAL NEWS
My three week, three-point vacation began with the triennial Korea Reunion at Lake Junaluska in
North Carolina. About 250 active, retired or former missionaries with their children and grandchildren, as well as representatives of related organizations, gathered to renew long-time long-ago friendships and to be brought up to date on the current situation in North and South Korea. The schedule
was open enough to allow for lots of conversation time which everyone agreed was the best part of the
three day get-together. Heidi Linton, the director of Christian Friends of Korea —an organization
dedicated to giving assistance to North Korea, related how relationships with their North Korea counterparts are now marked by genuine friendship and trust in place of the former hostility and mistrust.
Most important in their current work in North Korea is the treatment of TB, greenhouse production,
medical/surgical/anesthesia/radiology/ultrasound training, and plumbing/electrical /building trades. A
nostalgic power point presentation by a third generation “Mish Kid” recalled fifty years of life in
South Korea. In spite of the deaths of 45 missionaries, who were remembered in a special Memorial
Service, I still saw enough former friends and colleagues to make the trip worthwhile.
Point two of my trip was Pittsburgh where I stayed with friend, whom I met in Nanjing, China last
year. She and her lovely family live in an old area of the city in a well refurbished 100 year old house.
She arranged a little reunion of some of the members of the 2009 China Exchange team. We visited
the Shadyside Presbyterian Church which long ago in about the 1920s built a hospital for the Mission
Station in Shandong. The church seeks to reconnect with the Christians in the city and launch a partner relationship.
Point Three was Seattle where I enjoyed family and friends for ten days. Seattle weather was at its
best during their annual Seafair celebration which featured the Blue Angels. Nieces and nephews arrived from various locations around the US which enabled us to have a number of family gettogethers. In retrospect, I think I had a good vacation without leaving the confines of the USA.
Marie Melrose
THANK YOU…..all for your love and care shown to Alyse and myself during our times of
health problems and the onset of mobility limitations. You have been most generous with offers of rides, shopping and home-made meals. We appreciate the prayers you have been offering on our behalf. When we were out of circulation, your cards and notes brought you visiting
in our presence. We count it a great blessing to belong to this kind of family. —As you share
yourselves with us, we too have a bit of table talk to contribute: Our daughter Faye and her
family will be visiting us this weekend. We hope you’ll have opportunity to meet them and include them in the family.
Sherman Fung
Bob and Hedy had looked forward to their usual family reunion over the 4th of July at their
daughter Margaret’s home on the Missouri River in Bismarck, North Dakota. As many of you
know, this reunion was cancelled because Margaret and her family were flooded out of their
home. They are just now moving back in, though there is still some water in the basement.
For this reason, on September 1 Bob and Hedy are now going to Bloomington (Minneapolis)
where their son, Philip, lives. Much of the family is gathering there to celebrate Hedy’s birthday, Labor Day and Ben and Amelia’s first day in first grade.
-11-
PERSONAL NEWS
Bill and Joan Stackhouse had the “experience of a lifetime” in July. Their whole family met
in Seattle and boarded a Holland American cruise ship for a week touring Alaska. They were
20 in all including their first great-grand-baby in the womb! The weather was great, the scenery
and wildlife was marvelous. There was so much to see and do! And the family had an incredibly good time together. The whole thing was a great blessing —beyond wonderful!!
July and August have been difficult months for me. On July 26 my cousin John’s wife, Carol,
died at age 63 from pancreatic cancer. Her memorial service was August 4. Then on August
12 I had to end the suffering of my beloved cat, Maggie Mei Mei. She had been my constant
companion for 13 of her 16 years. My home was too empty —so I adopted a beautiful kitty
from the Humane Society. She is a female with bright blue eyes. She came to live with me on
August 21. We’re getting to know each other. I thank all for your concern, cards and prayers,
and especially Judy Post and Ken Tracey for help with the cats. Neighbor Care at its best!
Kathie Jacobsen
Aloha from Maui where we’re celebrating our 50th Wedding Anniversary! We began our celebration in July with all of our family touring the Mount Rushmore area of South Dakota, magnificent Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. And the Grand Tetons. That part of our vacation was with our two sons, two daughters-in-law and five grandchildren. We had a wonderful
time! Now, we’re enjoying our favorite condo on Napili Bay, Maui for all of September —one
romantic week in the Island for each decade of marriage. We look forward to seeing all of you
when we re turn in October—50 years Happily Mauied!
Bill and Polly Craig
“AS WE FORGIVE”
“Forgive us Lord—as we forgive!”
So Jesus taught us all to pray.
Yet we in hate and anger live,
And build resentments day by day.
If you have born our lack of love;
Yet love, forgive, instead of blame,
Help us not to deem ourselves above
The need to demonstrate the same.
“As we forgive!” —what insight lies
Within those words , so swiftly said
God’s freedom only then applies
When bitterness in us is dead?
While hate-filled thoughts still reign within,
We are refusing to repent.
Thus blocking grace with cherished sin,
We kill afresh the Son God sent.
Embittered, torn, quite bound are we
Who dread to let our hatred wane!
Lord, teach us by your cross, to see
Forgiveness comes not without pain.
But we are weak, we lack the will
To change our long-established ways.
Grant insight, trust, and longing, still
To be transformed in these our days.
So stir within us, loving Lord,
A love like yours, forgiving all,
That bound together in accord,
Your peace may on your people fall.
Don Hawthorne
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Welcome, Nancy (Guess Which One?)
Nancy McClellan Reeves (A-15) was connected to Monte Vista Grove before she moved here in midDecember 2010. Her mother, Millie Lou, was already a resident; Tom Bousman had been her minister in Santa Paula, where her husband Paul Reeves was Tom’s assistant. Nancy has kept relationships
closely tied, for she married Paul at San Marino Community church where he was seminary intern during her father’s tenure.
Nancy has been on the move all her life. Born in Philadelphia, at 2 years old she moved to California
where dad Bill McClellan served at Eagle Rock Presby. Onward to San Marino Community Church,
then to La Jolla Presby for 12 years during her teen years. In her junior year in high school, she hopped
over to Berlin as an exchange student with the Berlin Fellowship. Returning the favor, Nancy brought
her Berlin sister to live for a year with her California family. Oops! The McClellans had moved to
Oahu to start Christ Presbyterian Church. After her last year of high school (with an undoubtedly
thrilled Berliner), and a college year at the University of Hawaii, Nancy was on the move again.
Off to Whitworth she whirled, majoring in Elementary Education. After graduating in 1969, she invested herself in teaching first grade in Lawndale while living in Redondo Beach 4 years. Having married her father’s SFTS seminary intern, she moved again, briefly serving in Lafayette Orinda. Onward
to Santa Paula for 6 ½ years, where two sons were born: Matthew (a Presbyterian pastor in Parkville,
MO), married, with two young boys, Evan and Gareth; and Josh, Asst. Director at Scripps Institution
of Oceanography and Environmental Systems.
From 1981 to 1994, Nancy taught in and directed the Chula Vista Presbyterian pre-school while
serving in the church choir and Sunday School. Whew!
Off to Twin Falls, Idaho. For 10 years from 1994, Nancy taught ESL in the public elementary
school, and at The Refugee Center in Twin Falls. It served families of mixed religious beliefs fleeing
persecution from war-torn East European countries. With each move, Nancy had to re-educate herself.
From Twin Falls to Big Bear they moved in 2004 where Paul was a Presby pastor 2 years, until the
high elevation caused some key elderly members to seek lower altitudes. The church then needed a
part-time pastor. So Paul and Nancy moved to—Monte Vista Grove Homes, where they lived 1 year in
the now-administration building. Nancy tutored 2 years at Stepping Stones to Learning as well as Adult
ESL and part-time Adult Citizenship classes, and tutored in Monrovia. Busy woman!
In 2010, Nancy began her present job as Director of Hastings Ranch Nursery School at the Trinity
Presbyterian Church site on Sierra Madre Blvd. Founded in 1953, the happy school enrolls about 120
pre-K children. Nancy supervises a 13-member staff including teaching assistants and 1 Administrative Assistant. Accredited by the National Assn. for Education of Young Children, rigorous standards
must be met.
Nancy’s duties are overseeing the cooperative pre-school and its loyal staff, sitting on the Board of
Directors Executive, going to MEETINGS-Meetings-meetings with parents, board, staff (many who
are parents). With the executive board, she hires personnel, but sees her main role as being a positive
influence: listening, encouraging, and counseling.
The school’s focus is developmental—play-based; creative exploration is encouraged. Two or three
parents assist in each classroom, and discuss with teachers. Some parents become certified teachers.
(Want to enroll your grandchildren?)
Nancy feeds her energy with organic foods, daily exercise (early!), and wholistic living.
Hmm. Four Nancys at Monte Vista could form a women’s beach volleyball team.
-Nancy Macky
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HELP FOR ACHING BACKS
This month I’ve chosen to write about a health challenge facing most of us at some time
in our senior years—an aching back. Some of you, like me, have faced this health challenge for
much of your adult life. At age 29 I suffered a slipped disk in my lower back, the result of trying to carry a heavy trunk up a winding staircase in my apartment. Complete rest followed by
proper exercises helped me to avoid back surgery. I sleep on a quality firm mattress; I drive
with a pillow behind my lower back. Despite these precautions I have had chronic back pain off
and on for most of my adult life. But at the Grove I know I have many fellow sufferers.
The national statistics show that we are not alone. By age 80, two in every five women
have had one or more vertebral compression fractures. They often result in chronic back pain
and impair the ability to function and enjoy life. They are one reason why so many of us shrink
in height as we age.
These fractures are a telltale sign of bone loss among women over age 50 and men over
age 60. However, most persons with these fractures are unaware of the problem and receive no
treatment to prevent future fractures in vertebrae, hips or wrists—the bones that are most likely
to break under minor stress when weakened. One reason is that the pain may be minimal at first
or, if more severe, attributed to a strain that subsides over a few weeks. Fractures may occur for
persons whose bone loss is less advanced when lifting something heavy, tripping, or falling out
of a chair. For those with severe osteoporosis, a vertebral fracture can be caused by something
as common as coughing, sneezing, turning over in bed, or stepping out of a bathtub. However,
if a vertebral fracture is diagnosed and properly treated, the risk of future fractures, including
hip fractures, is reduced by half or more.
If you have not suffered a vertebral fracture, adopting an exercise routine that improves
posture and strengthens back muscles is very important in preventing one. If you already have
back pain due to vertebral fractures, complete bed rest is not the recommended remedy. Instead,
you need to follow a program of exercises and protective movements like those published in
Osteoporosis International:
Do not do stomach “crunches” or toe touching or any exercise or activity that involves twisting
the spine or bending forward from the waist with straight legs.
Stand up and sit up straight using good posture, gently tightening abdominal muscles. Walk
with your chin in and head upright.
When sitting for long periods place a rolled-up towel or pillow at the small of your back.
Learn to bend over safely from the hips and knees, not the waist. Do not twist.
Begin to lift objects getting down on one knee; then stand up holding them close to your body.
When carrying two packages place each in bags with handles for each hand.
To reach your feet sit on a chair and cross one foot over the opposite knee, or stand on one foot
on a stool.
Avoid overreaching on a shelf higher than one you can touch with both hands together.
Tighten your abdominal muscles and support your back when you cough or sneeze.
To improve your posture sit or stand with your chin tucked in, stomach tight and chest forward. Extend your arms in a “W” position; relax your shoulders. Bring your elbows back
to pinch your shoulder blades together. Hold for a slow count of three and relax for another
count of three. Repeat 10 times.
Norm Thomas
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Henry Kissinger, On China. (New York: The Penguin Press, 2011, 586 pp., Hardcover $36.00).
Now, in his late eighties, the sage Kissinger writes On China, largely from his wealth of personal conversations with Chinese leaders when he represented America as a senior official, a carrier of messages, and a
scholar. His recall of that initial historic mission, carried out in extreme secrecy (because of domestic turmoil in both countries) some four decades ago, shows the knowledge and insights gained in subsequent
years of study and reflection. He concludes that the Chinese leaders are astute in survival capacity, a legacy that goes back thousands of years.
Written more than three decades after President Nixon’s, Kissinger’s account of the same event is
much more sober and less self-congratulatory. Nixon recalls the summit meeting with the world watching
and how they will finesse the talks and differences and in the end “put out a weasel-worded [Shanghai]
communique covering up the problems. If we were to act like that,” warned the wise Zhou Enlai, “we
would be not only deceiving the people, but we would be deceiving ourselves” (The Memoirs of Richard
Nixon (Grosset & Dunlap, 1978, p. 564).
Kissinger’s book, On China, is precisely what the title suggests. It is his attempt in hindsight to understand China and its leaders after decades of his diplomatic effort at U.S.-China relations. As a proponent of realpolitick, Kissinger’s idea of peace is seen as a “balance of power,” the “international equilibrium,” and “psychological equilibrium” (phrases repeated throughout the book). He refers to the Westphalian system established in 1648, after Europe’s Thirty Years War with the breakup of Christendom and
the rise of nation states, each having sovereignty over its territory, with mutual agreement of noninterference by any, but each also possessing military capability of defending itself, if threatened.
China (as well as many new nations coming out of European colonialism) has adopted this European system wholeheartedly, especially with strong insistence on its sovereignty and noninterference in its
internal affairs. However, China with its Middle Kingdom mindset of being the cultural “center of the
world” is not comfortable in the European system, notes Kissinger: “Once China becomes a ‘normal’ state
it would lose its historic unique moral authority; it would simply be another weak country beset by invaders. In this context, seemingly minor disputes over diplomatic and economic prerogatives turned into major clash [of cultures].”
He sees both America and China as possessing unique values and a sense of cultural superiority
which he terms as both American and Chinese “exceptionalism.” American exceptionalism is missionary
with an obligation to spread its values to every part of the world, while China’s exceptionalism is not
proselytizing, but cultural. The latter is part of the Middle Kingdom tradition, which formally graded all
other states at various levels of tributaries based on their approximation to Chinese cultural and political
norms; a kind of cultural universality.
That this Middle Kingdom tradition of cultural influence in the world was frustrated by “A Century of Humiliation” by Western powers and Japan is underscored by Kissinger. He sees the sustained economic
growth in the People’s Republic in the last three decades as its recovery, and rightful appearance as an influential player in shaping the world of the 21st century. For him, the 2008 Olympics was China’s broadcast to the world, “We have arrived. We are a fact of life, no longer to be ignored or trifled with, but prepared to contribute our civilization to the world.”
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In surmising how Premier Zhou and Chairman Mao behaved during that historic moment of
restoring relationships and also Chinese leaders who succeeded them, Kissinger draws heavily on Sun
Tzu, a late-six century BCE military strategist on The Art of War. The task of a strategist is less to
analyze a particular situation than to determine its relationship to the context of the bigger picture and
long-range outcome in which it occurs. No particular constellation of forces is ever static; any pattern
is temporary and in essence evolving. The strategist must capture the direction of that evolution and
make it serve his ends. Sun Tzu uses the word ‘shi’[勢
勢] for that quality, a concept showing the opportunity in a given situation. Shi has no direct Western counterpart.
“That China and the United States would find a way to come together was inevitable given the
necessities of the time,” claims Kissinger. “It would have happened sooner or later whatever the leadership in either country.” As if disinterestedly he adds, “That it took place with such decisiveness and
proceeded with so few detours is a tribute to the leadership that brought it about.” Shi 勢 can win wars
without fighting. It is like the Chinese game of Wei qi 圍 棋 where checkmate is preferred over ultimate victory, a perfect metaphor for Kissinger’s “balance of power.” With firm conviction of
“permanent revolution,” Mao’s courting of America was tactical while Zhou’s was for longer-lasting
alliance; both felt the potential threat of Soviet expansion. Because he crossed the line in befriending
“imperialist” America, Zhou fell from Mao’s grace, and was replaced by Deng Xiaoping.
The issue of Taiwan remains a flashpoint, but both the U.S. and China have determined for
decades not to let the ambiguities stand in the way of their emerging positive relations which began so
dramatically in 1972. China will tolerate America’s assuring a militarily viable Taiwan, an
“unsinkable aircraft carrier,” of the U.S.A. as well as its powerful Seventh Fleet in Japan’s Yokosuka
Naval Base, not to mention more U.S. forces stationed in Okinawa. As desired by most of China’s
neighboring countries, America will remain the major military power in the Asia region, while China
can be a new actor in the world scene, suggests Kissinger as expedience for balance and peace in the
Pacific Community.
With the demise of the USSR in 1991 and along with that the end of the Cold War, what will
be the new strategic mission of Sino-American cooperation? What began in 1972 as a counterforce
against the Soviet polar bear and its ambitious expansion in the world is no longer the case. Kissinger
sees the shaping of this common agenda between the two nations (despite their cultural differences
and political ideologies), as their challenge for world peace today.
Perhaps the social and political disruptions throughout the world, especially the urgency of
climate change in global warming that threatens not only polar bears, but the rest of the inhabitants on
planet earth as well can provide that common agenda. In this contemporary threat with its inherent
danger, is also the kairotic opportunity for potential efficacy, the new shi 勢, to be seized by China
and America for the greatest common good. Only time can tell, but within the ecological exigencies
growing in exponential proportions, time is precisely what is lacking.
- Franklin J. Woo Reference:
Roger T. Ames, The Art of Rulership: A Study of Chinese Political Thought. (Honolulu: University
of Hawaii Press, 1983). Also Francois Jullien, The Propensity of Things: Toward a History of Efficacy in China. (New York: Zone Books, 1995) and Francois Jullien, A Treatise on Efficacy: Be-16-
A Personal Reflection on that September Day
It was a warm, cloudless, September day. A day to savor as the season changed. I had just welcomed my first client of the morning when the receptionist approached me and said that a plane had
crashed into the World Trade Center. Remembering the plane that crashed into the Empire State
Building years ago, my first thought was that it was an accident. When she returned a few minutes
later to say that a second plane had hit the other tower, I knew this was no accident! We hurried to
the window that overlooked Lower Manhattan. Black smoke billowed from both towers.
Knowing that no counseling would be done that day, I rescheduled my client and phoned my
family. At that time, all three of our children were living in California, so these were wake-up calls
bearing the somber news often anticipated with an early morning call.
When word came that the Pentagon had also been hit, I assumed that our whole country was under attack. With a growing sense of panic, I phoned my children again to assure them of my love. I
didn’t know if I would ever see them again. A number of people in the agency were crying because
they knew people who worked in the towers. Others were frantically trying to call family members
who worked on Wall Street. Strangely, we later discovered that some people in our building were
unaware of what had happened. They either worked on the other side of the building or were so engrossed in their work that they didn’t hear or see what was happening.
As we watched in horror and disbelief, the south tower collapsed, sending a huge cloud of smoke
billowing into the sky. After that, everything became a blur. The north tower collapsed, and we got
word that a plane had crashed in Pennsylvania. My mounting terror was matched by my conviction
that we needed to get home. I needed to get home. A year later, our agency held a memorial observance, and my friends recalled that I just kept saying that I had to get home to my husband, Gene. It
wasn’t just me; several of the counselors wanted to pick up their children from day are or school. As
the result of witnessing such a tragedy, we instinctively wanted to gather our loved ones around us.
After assuring that all of our clients had left the building, our director finally released us. The
next challenge was finding a route home. All of the bridges and tunnels into Manhattan had been
closed, and that meant that New Jersey routes 4 and 17, primary connecting roads to Manhattan,
were sure to be backed up with traffic. I decided to take a circuitous route using surface streets. As I
finally pulled the car into our drive, Gene came out to meet me. It reminded me of years ago when
President Kennedy was killed. On that day I greeted Gene when he arrived home from work, and
together we walked hand-in-hand into the house.
While I was still at work, Gene and the other pastors in Allendale organized a community service
to be held that evening. As a deacon, I spent the afternoon phoning the people on my care list to inform them of the service. That turned out to be a blessing because it not only gave me something to
do; it gave me an opportunity to hear people’s stories and their concerns. I remember two in particular. One young woman was very distraught because her husband was out of town and she, too, had
witnessed the event from her office window. The other person was a man in his 80’s who said this
tragedy was bringing back a flood of memories of his landing with the marines at Iwo Jima. Later,
his wife said that he never mentioned his war experience, but that afternoon he seemed to need to
talk.
We learned that a young father in our church, who worked in one of the towers, had delayed going in to work that morning because of a child-care problem. The lawyer son of two of our parishioners had originally been scheduled to attend a breakfast meeting in one of the towers that morning,
but the meeting was cancelled at the last minute. Another parishioner, the father of three, saw the
plane crash into the south tower as he walked toward his office across from the tower. He immedi-17-
atly turned around and took the last ferry back to New Jersey. One couple in our church did not fare
so well. Their newly-married niece worked for Cantor-Fitzgerald, the firm located on the floor that
took the direct hit. They spent days with her parents and husband trying to locate her, but to no avail.
After hearing these stories, it was good to gather in worship that evening, and to be reminded that
we were not left alone to suffer through this tragic event. God was with us. We hugged each other,
listened to one another’s story, and were comforted by being with people of faith from the entire
community.
For weeks after the attack, I could see the cloud of smoke and dust rising from the ruins. In the
next few months we had occasion to view the site from several different locations including the
river walk in Hoboken, directly across the river from the smoldering ruins. Once again we were saddened to see the flowers, candles, and pictures that lined the walkway. One photo of a little girl of
about two years of age bore the message, “Has anyone seen my mommy?”
For weeks, the New York Times ran detailed, moving obituaries of the victims, many of whom
were firemen and policemen. The iconic photo of the firemen raising the flag over the rubble was
taken by Thomas E. Franklin, a staff photographer for our own Bergen County Record.
Our agency received a grant to counsel and train individuals who had lost their jobs because of
9/11. I recall two clients in particular. One worked near the towers and had fled from the site. When
she was finally called back to work, she got off the train and simply wandered around. She was confused, unable to remember where she was going or why. It was months before she was able to work
again, but this time closer to home. Another client just couldn’t get over her narrow escape. She had
started a new job in the north tower on September 10th. On the 11th she took the train to work. Her
stop was the station under the tower. There were police on the platform and the train doors wouldn’t
open. A message came over the loudspeaker that the train would not discharge passengers there because of a “police action”. Shortly after they left the station, the tower collapsed.
In the weeks following 9/11, Many questions flooded my mind. Would I have stayed behind with
a wheelchair-bound co-worker? One man did. With no hope of rescue, would I have jumped or
waited for the smoke and flames to consume me? Some people were asking, “Where was God?”
That never was my question. I knew that God was with me, and that was a great comfort to me.
Surely, I came to that assurance through the faith that had nourished me over a lifetime. The experience of September 11, 2001 has shown me that our readiness to withstand tragic events in this age of
violence depends upon our every-day devotion to God. Without that, we will not be ready. The
time to listen to God’s word for us and to be faithful in worship is now because we never know what
the day, even a beautiful day, will bring.
Jacauie Terpstra.
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