Capital
Connections
6
a quarterly newsletter published by Capital Manor
Surprising Facts Every Senior (and their families) Should Know
Socialization is still a key to healthy
aging.
Harvard School of Public Health
researchers found evidence that seniors in the U.S. who have an active
social life may have a slower rate of
memory decline. In fact, memory
decline among the most sociable
was less than half the rate among
the least sociable. Senior author
Lisa Berkman, chair of the Department of Society, Human Development and Health, says, “We know
from previous studies that people with many social ties have
lower mortality rates. We now have mounting evidence that
strong social networks can help to prevent declines in memory. As our society ages and has more and more older people, it
will be important to promote their engagement in social and
community life to maintain their well-being.”
If you’re over 70, owning your house may not make as much
sense as it once did.
As a long-time homeowner, maintenance costs are sure to be
a future necessity. Replacing a furnace and central air conditioning costs approximately $10,000. Depending on size,
shape and quality, replacement windows for an average home
is $11,000, and the average roof replacement using composite
shingles costs roughly $20,000. Even small maintenance costs
can add up: lawn care for 10 years can cost $25,000 or more.
Many ignore the reality of long-term care.
den than dying. 85% of seniors will require some kind of caregiving services
at some point in their lives. However,
more than 90% surveyed have not talked about critical long-term care issues
with their spouse or partner, aging parents or adult children.
Families are affected financially and
emotionally by long-term care.
Because 78% of people who receive
care at home get all their care from
unpaid family members and friends, the cost of long-term
care extends beyond the senior. In one study, 83% of primary
caregivers contributed an average $8,800 for out-of-pocket
care expenses. Not included in this number, but just as costly,
is the emotional turmoil caregiving can have on the individual,
affecting everything from their own health, to their marriage
and employment.
Staying active is critical.
A study at Hebrew University Medical Center and Hebrew
University Hadassah Medical School reported that seniors
who do any amount of exercise appear to live longer and have
a lower risk of disability. In addition, the benefits associated
with physical activity were seen not only in individuals who
maintained an existing level of physical activity, but also in
those who began exercising between ages 70 and 85.
“I wish I’d done this sooner” is still a popular phrase.
You may have heard the statistic that nearly 7 out of 10 Americans over age 65 will need long-term care, but more shocking
is that over half of all respondents in a recent study (55%)
stated that their greatest fear regarding a long-term care illness or event was being a burden on their family. In fact, they
reported being five times more concerned about being a bur-
According to the 2009 Independent Living Report by the ProMatura Group, LLC, research shows that when you become
part of an independent living retirement community, you’re
more likely to make new friends and try new things — most
report a better experience than they expected.
Want to know more about the benefits of Capital Manor? Call one of
our senior living experts at (503)362-4101.
VOLUME 9 - SPRING 2012
P
ETER STONE WAS BORN TO WORK WITH CLAY. IT JUST TOOK HIM 73 YEARS TO
DISCOVER IT.
At the tender age of 8, Peter’s parents enrolled him in the
Music and Art Foundation School in Seattle. For three hours
every Saturday, aspiring young artists ages 5 – 18 were turned
loose with a myriad of art supplies and lots of encouragement. “No praise was offered,” Peter says. “The adults would
say, ‘Have you seen these new pastels, Peter?’ or “We just
got some new watercolor paper in. Why don’t you give it a
try?’” Peter explored material and processes in this manner
for the next 10 years. “I discovered I was never happier than
when I had my hands in clay.”
He didn’t realize just how much the clay ran in his blood
until he gave it up. Peter had a massive heart attack,
which required heart surgery. His health insurance gave
him an ultimatum: move closer to a major hospital or find
new insurance. Peter and wife, Gwen, sold their beach
house to the next door neighbor on a handshake and
moved to Capital Manor.
Peter honed that happiness into a career. He studied art at
the University of Washington, and gained a teaching certificate upon graduation. He later obtained his Masters from
Reed College in Portland. He taught first high school and
community college art before settling in at Western Oregon
University for the duration of his career. “I taught it all – Art
History, beginning drawing, oil painting, Theory of Art; and I
enjoy many artistic media myself, including calligraphy and
photography. But I always come back to clay.”
Peter’s art has been shown around the world, often in one
man shows. His commissioned works appear all over Oregon
and Washington. He has stoneware, ceramic and welded
wire and glass reliefs at Skamania Lodge, Salishan, and Inn
at Spanish Head. His Memorial Wall Sculpture is featured at
Salem Public Library. Peter relished the creative license he
was given when Salishan commissioned his exterior ceramic
wall relief. “They told me ‘We have this wall where we’d like
to put a piece of work to move guests along the path to the
new Long House.’ No other direction, no budget, no timeline.
That was fun.”
Peter Stone glazes a mug in the Capital manor ceramics studio.
In the move, Peter had sold or given away most of his art
supplies. He no longer had a kiln, pottery wheel or even
any clay. He became depressed and gained weight. During an exam, his doctor asked him what was making him
so unhappy. Peter said “I haven’t had my hands in any
Upon retirement from WOU, Peter built a home on the bay clay for two years!” The doctor looked at him and said,
across from the spit at Salishan, with the entire first level as “Well, whose fault it that?”
his studio. “It was heaven,” he remembers. I could see the
ocean while working on my latest project. I would walk on Peter considered the doctor’s words, but wasn’t sure
the beach for inspiration and return to my studio refreshed.” where to start. One day while in the woodshop at CapiAnother place Peter gleaned inspiration was from traveling tal Manor, Peter noticed a corner where unfinished and
the world, and viewing the art of others, in museums, archi- unwanted projects gathered dust. Peter’s plan started to
tecture and landscape. It was on a trip to Poland where he come together. He called a former colleague and made ardiscovered his birthright. A customs agent looked at his pass- rangements to buy a kiln. He researched where he could
port, which listed his legal name, Peter Zdonkewicz. He said buy large quantities of clay and glazes. He approached
‘Do you want to know what your name means?’ and I said the Capital Manor management and offered himself as
‘yes’,” Peter tears up as he tells the story. “ZDON means my an instructor if they would turn that neglected corner
ancestors were ceramic tiles makers from about the twelfth into a clay studio. Capital Manor agreed. The room was
century – they used the earth to make their living. “‘WICZ’ in- plumbed and a sink, counter top and storage units were
dicates they originated in northeast Poland, near the Russian installed. Peter brought his own tools, lights and shelves,
border. After I learned that, I knew the clay ran in my blood which now hold mass quantities of brushes, clay and
and finally understood my love for ‘Adam’, the Hebrew word forming tools. (See PETER STONE, page 4)
for red earth or clay.”
join us
Your options. Your choice.
YOUR FUTURE
A Senior Living Event Series
SELL A BARGAIN
to get a bargain
Capital Manor is happy to announce that Scott Burns, nationally
author, finance advisor and syndicated columnist, will speak
“The single greatest error recognized
on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. Originally scheduled to
people make is being tied appear at Capital Manor in March 2012, Scott was unable to travel to
from his home in Texas due to illness that arose at the last minto their homes.” - Scott Burns Oregon
ute. He will provide an unbiased perspective on waiting to move and its
impact on both quality of life and the health of your pocketbook. Don’t
miss this frank and honest assessment of the benefits of living in a continuing care
retirement community. A wine and hors d’oeuvres reception will follow his presentation.
Seating is limited; please call to reserve your spot today.
503.362.4101
SALEM ART FAIR & FESTIVAL
July 20 - 22, 2012
Capital Manor Joins 2012 Salem Art Fair & Festival
as Bronze Sponsor
Capital Manor is pleased to announce its status as a bronze sponsor of the
2012 Salem Art Fair & Festival. Produced by the Salem Art Association as an
annual fundraiser, the lively art-filled festival has become one of the mid-Willamette Valley’s most anticipated summer events. It is held each year in beautiful
Bush’s Pasture Park.
The SAF&F includes a 200-booth Artist Marketplace, two entertainment
stages, hands-on arts activities for children and adults, demonstrations of
traditional arts, a Cultural Corridor, and 25 food booths. “Our residents have
a strong love and patronage for the arts already and enjoy this signature event
every year. It only made sense for us to be associated with the Salem Art Fair &
Festival,” said David Lewis, Executive Director of Capital Manor.
The Heart of Salem by Daniel Ng
Official Poster of the 63rd Annual Salem Art Fair & Festival.
If you’ve never experienced the SAF&F, we encourage you to attend this
year and combine it with a visit to Capital Manor. A limited number of guest
rooms are available at Capital Manor for our out of town guests. Call (503)3624101for more information.
3
1955 Dallas Hwy NW
Salem, OR 97304
address service requested
503.362.4101
www.capitalmanor.com
800.637.0327
PETER STONE...(continued from page 2)
Above the kiln, a collection of “kiln gods” gathers – comically fierce little figures that are said to protect pieces being fired.
Everyone who takes one of Peter’s classes makes their own kiln god.
Peter’s classes at Capital Manor - which he offers quarterly - fill up at once, and it’s easy to see why. Peter, the artist, has a
quiet, joyous way about him. In Peter, the teacher, that joy bubbles over. He can’t wait to share the clay with his students.
“He’s an excellent teacher,” says resident Don White. “Very knowledgeable and has great ideas he isn’t afraid to share.” Peter
may start a lesson on pinch pots, but along the way, he’ll discuss elements of design, color selection, symmetry, perspective,
and composition. It isn’t a rehearsed speech – the kernels of knowledge flow from him as easily as the clay takes shape in
his hands. The end result is much more than a piece of pottery. It’s the evidence of a birthright, and a symbol for the next
generation.
Spring 2012 Promotion
Second Person Fee Waived on Selected Residences
Select one of our beautifully renovated Villas or one bedroom Tower apartments and waive the
entry fee for the second person! Don’t miss this limited opportunity to save up to $39,000!
These limited time pricing incentives have certain restrictions and may be changed without notice. For more information, contact us at 503.362.4101.
Capital Connections is published four times a year by Capital Manor. Capital Manor is a continuing care, non profit
organization especially designed to meet the physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs of our residents and to
contribute to their health, security and quality of life. Comments may be directed to: [email protected]