The Eagle Eye
April 2017
From the Desk of the CEO
At A Glance
Rod Burkett
No matter our age, there is something new to learn every
day. Many people have dedicated themselves to be lifelong
learners, as they realize that if you stop learning, you stop
growing. The moment you lose the willingness or capability
to learn, you lose the ability to succeed at life’s little things
and big things. In today’s world, I think many have lost track that we are all
individually responsible for our own learning. Once we are out of high
school, there is no one putting a daily curriculum in front of us and
encouraging us to be open to learning new things….that choice is all totally
up to us as individuals. Are you choosing to be a lifelong learner?
Retha marks an item off her bucket list!
A Message from the President
JoEllen Bleavins
Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cake Recipe
Managed by
535 E. North St., Suite E
Bradley, IL 60915
815-935-1992
www.gardant.com
Happiness is ageless. These three words sound so simple, yet so profound.
It's the theme of Supportive Living Week this year, and in the past few
weeks, we’ve heard amazing stories from residents at Gardant communities
who are living out this motto.
First, there is Retha from Heritage Woods of Flora. Just last month, she
scratched an item off her bucket list when she got matching "R" heart tattoos
with her daughter and granddaughters. She is 85.
Then, there is Patricia, who at 81, started writing her first novel. She sets her
alarm for 1:45 a.m. every morning, so that she can work on the book inside
her apartment at our Dwight community. The three-part project gives her
purpose, she says, adding that it is important to give back at every stage of
our lives.
No matter our age, we get to choose our
happiness. Whether that is chasing our
dreams, indulging in our favorite
hobbies or trying something new, it’s
important to recognize and seek out
people and things that bring us joy.
What are you doing – today, this week
or this year –
875 W. McKinley Ave.
Decatur, IL 62526
217-872-1282
www.eagleridgeslf.com
Check out and Like our page on Facebook IN THE NEWS
Happiness is Ageless
Rick Banas
Supportive Living communities throughout the State of Illinois, including the more than 40 communities
managed by Gardant, will be celebrating Supportive Living Week 2017 from Monday, April 24 through
Friday, April 28.
The theme this year is “Happiness is Ageless.”
Each of our communities will be hosting a variety of special programs and events to help raise awareness of
and celebrate the Illinois Supportive Living program, which serves as a wonderful model for affordable
assisted living.
On the Wednesday of Supportive Living Week, the Affordable Assisted Living Coalition will be hosting its
annual “Day at the Capitol.” The event provides the opportunity for residents to fill the halls of the Capitol
building in Springfield, Illinois and meet with the Governor and other elected officials.
Photographs featuring residents participating in hobbies and activities that make them happy and presentation
boards that showcase how Supportive Living communities are creating healthy and happy living environments
for residents will be on display in the Capitol.
Lets get out!
Sarah Butts
Now that Spring has Sprung, Eagle Ridge residents and myself like to “get out”. The warmer weather makes
our little outings much easier. In May, we will be resuming our once a month trip to The Bement Country
Opry and Thursday night fried chicken dinner at the American Legion. We will also be showing movies in the
courtyard, weather permitting.
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WELLNESS
Alcohol Awareness Month
Recipe Corner
Stephen Harris
April is Alcohol Awareness Month, and your community encourages
you to educate yourself and your loved ones about the dangers of
drinking too much. Drinking too much alcohol can cause health
problems. Heavy drinking, over time, can damage the liver, the heart
and the brain. It can increase the risk of developing certain cancers
and immune system disorders as well as damage muscles and bones.
Many older adults take medicines, including prescription drugs, overthe-counter (non-prescription) drugs and herbal remedies. Drinking
alcohol can cause certain medicines to not work properly and other
medicines to become more dangerous or even deadly. Mixing alcohol
and some medicines, particularly sedative-hypnotics, can cause
sleepiness, confusion or lack of coordination. This may lead to
accidents and injuries. It may also cause nausea, vomiting, headaches
and other more serious health problems. To spread the word and
prevent alcohol abuse, your community is joining other organizations
across the country to honor Alcohol Awareness Month.
Chocolate Peanut Butter
Mug Cake
Ingredients









2 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. peanut butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
2 tbsp. sugar
2 tbsp. flour
3 tbsp. cocoa powder
1/8 tsp. baking powder
3 tbsp. chocolate chips
Directions
Here are some strategies to help you cut back or stop drinking:
 Limit your drinking to no more than 1 drink a day for women or 2
drinks a day for men. Keep track of how much you drink.
 Choose a day each week when you will not drink.
 Don’t drink when you are upset.
 Limit the amount of alcohol you keep at home.
 Avoid places where you tend to drink a lot.
For more information, visit the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse
and Alcoholism website: www.niaaa.nih.gov
1. Melt the butter in a small dish
2. Add the peanut butter and mix
well.
3. In the mug, mix together the
vanilla, egg and sugar until
well combined.
4. Combine the flour, cocoa, salt
(for taste) and baking powder.
Add to the mug.
5. Pour in the peanut butter/
butter mixture. Mix well.
6. Stir in the chocolate chips.
7. Microwave for 1-2 minutes or
until desired doneness is
reached.
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LIFESTYLE
Resident Birthdays:
4/03 Rita Cutright
4/04 Clarence Faust
4/05 Irene Kueper
4/10 Ruth Curry
4/11 Ed Hood
4/14 Juanita Nicholson
4/21 Avis Burton
4/26 Gigi Klass
A Note from the Administrator
Dennis Toohill
Spring has sprung at Eagle Ridge! Our community is looking
forward to the warmer weather, the freshness of new flowers,
baseball games, and all the promises the new season will bring.
During this spring my hope is that we all take some time and reflect
on new beginnings and that we recognize all the different ways that
we can positively affect each other’s lives. Let us act on those
opportunities. The hope of spring is upon us!
Community Partner in the News
Sarah Butts
Staff Work Anniversaries:
1 year
Ashley Higar
April 24th thru April 28th during Supportive Living Week , we
will be having a Children's Book Drive! We hope to collect 100
new children books! All books collected will be given to Lutheran
and Family Services and the Local DCFS office.
You can drop off your favorite Children's book between 8:00am
and 4:30pm at Eagle Ridge and put a smile on a child's face.
4 years
Ronie Faust
Event You Don’t Want To Miss!!
11 years
Linda (King) Randall
Event Name: SLF Week Opening Ceremony
Date: April 24th
Time: 10:00am
Details: Come help us open “Supportive Living Week” with a
balloon release in our court yard ! Meet the Mayor, Police Chief,
Fire Lieutenant and several other community leaders.
Reminders
Sarah Butts
April 8th at 10:00am is the Eagle Ridge Resident Family &
Employee Easter Egg Hunt! Children ages 0-10 are welcome. We
will have several hundred eggs scattered throughout the courtyard.
It will be a sight to see so don’t miss it!
PAGE 4
SPORTS & GAMES
Wii Bowling Tournament Underway
Amber Springer
th
The 8 Annual Wii Bowling Tournament is underway – and once
again, Gardant teams are making a strong showing with more than
40 teams competing this year. In 2016, Heritage Woods of
Charleston finished second, and Heritage Woods of Bolingbrook
took home third place honors. Gardant residents also received the
High Game and Most Valuable Player awards. Gardant teams have
been practicing several times per week in hopes of bringing home
the trophies for their communities.
Horoscope
Aquarius (1/20-2/18)
Get to know your neighbor. Sit down
and listen to each other’s stories.
You’re feeling social.
Pisces (2/19-3/20)
Your daydreams may start to outpace
your realities. Get started on changing
that reality.
Aries (3/21-4/19)
Intuition is on your side this month
Taurus (4/20-5/20)
Watch for great opportunities to come
your way. You’ll have a great time!
Gemini (5/21-6/20)
Pay attention. Stay positive. Enact
change. Fantasizing can be healthy.
Cancer (6/21-7/22)
Socialize, socialize, socialize!
Leo (7/23-8/22)
If at first you don’t succeed, keep at it.
Your creativity will run wild.
Virgo (8/23-9/22)
Restrain the urge to critique before
you have all the info. Be open to new
experiences, new friends, adventure.
Libra (9/23-10/21)
It’s the little things that make life
worthwhile. Stop and smell the roses.
Scorpio (10/22-11/21)
Lots of laughter and happiness as you
get to know somebody (new or all
over again)
Sagittarius (11/22-12/21)
Do your best to roll with the punches
Capricorn (12/22-1/19)
Take time to check in with yourself.
PAGE 5
SLW Schedule
Come to Eagle Ridge’s Disney Extravaganza
Sarah Butts
Supportive Living Week is back and stronger than ever! We're excited to
introduce our 2017 Theme "Happiness is Ageless". Now in its 10th
year, AALCs Supportive Living activities will focus on living a healthy life
mind, body and soul.
Eagle Ridge has chosen the sub theme Disney ( it makes everyone smile at
any age), due to the quote Walt Disney himself made , “Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age &
dreams are forever.” We will have a weeks worth of Walt Disney movies, crafts, foods, presentations and fun.
Daily Theme:
Monday April 24th -Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Tuesday April 25th-Lady & the Tramp
Wednesday April 26th-Alice in Wonderland
Thursday April 27th-Aladin
Friday April 28th-Beauty & the Beast
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WORD SEARCH
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WORD SEARCH ANSWERS
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