Town Crier Articles

 

 

New Town neighbor, Kate Ritter, has taken a “Corona-cation” to Scotland.  She’s knitting sweaters of a Celtic theme (The one pictured is not her first.), while binge-reading and watching the series, Outlander, on Netflix.  Bonnie work, Sassenach!

 

On Monday, April 6 th , the New Town Book Clubs’ Little Library was installed and dedicated on the Elizabeth Davis Green across
from the pool. Although the Library won’t be open for donations until the pandemic recedes, it was decided to go ahead to the degree possible, in anticipation of better times. The Library is dedicated to Sharon Keith, former New Town resident and a founder of the Wednesday Book Club. Sharon and her husband Bob lost their lives following a car accident
last April.

 

In order to achieve safe social distancing, those at the dedication with me were limited to Lucy Painter and Daisy Henna of the Women Who Read (Thursday) Club, and Janet Hoffman and Betsy Darling of the Wednesday Book Club. All Club members were thanked for their generous financing of the effort.

 

Other “thank yous” went to

 

The ceremony ended with a final dedication to community, perseverance and hope. Grand Opening plans will be
announced as soon as possible. In the meantime, come check it out on a walk around the neighborhood!

 

Over a week before Governor Northam called for full quarantine restrictions throughout the Commonwealth due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our Edgeworth Park at New Town Assisted Living and Memory Care community, under the direction of Executor Director, Jennifer Henning, began procedures for battening down the hatches.  The facility had already been maintaining CDC flu precautions since October of 2019, and on March 9th, an email went out from the Director’s Desk to all resident families assuring them of the facility’s habitual use of approved disinfectants throughout the building and of the staff’s faithful adherence to all CDC and Virginia Department of Health guidelines.  A sincere appeal was also made at that time that if a resident family member was ill to refrain from visiting their loved ones.  On March 12th, the Executive Director sent two additional emails out, one to all employees and the other to all residents and resident family members.  The former enlisted all staff personnel to help keep the Edgeworth Park Family safe and fight to keep the virus out of the community, reminding them of their training and itemizing the procedures they were to continue to follow with even greater diligence; the latter reminding residents of handwashing hygiene and social etiquette when sneezing or coughing --and requesting that all family members refrain from visiting the community until further notice in an effort to limit potential exposure to the virus.  On March 17th, the Governor called for quarantine of all Virginia residents; and on March 18th, Edgeworth Park escalated the request that families refrain from visiting to the notice of a full prohibition to the site of all but essential employees and healthcare providers of compassionate care.

 

Further precautions were taken as the weeks of quarantine progressed.  Strict guidelines for screening staff and approved care providers were instituted at the front desk, staff received daily reminders as to the need for diligence in maintaining the best hygiene practices possible and the importance of social distancing, and nurses were directed to faithfully take resident temperatures, every day.   Unfortunately, additional precautions for the residents were more intrusive with the cessation of outside excursions, regularly scheduled group activities, salon appointments, and communal dining (the last requiring that all meals be served to residents in their apartments).  In instituting these changes and meeting all needs, Executive Director Henning shared that the biggest challenge has been in continually educating the staff as they are key in keeping residents and their fellow co-workers safe. Henning requested the dire necessity for their self-identification if they or a family member happen to come in contact with the virus or with someone who has.  Nurturing families through this crisis has also been difficult, as separation has been very hard on both the residents and those they love.  Understandably, realization of the gravity of the situation by the residents and their families has been slow but with it has come understanding, acceptance, and gratitude for what the Edgeworth Park owners, management team and employees have instituted for the safety of all concerned.

 

But most problematic during the quarantine has been the disruption in the otherwise fun and busy lives of Edgeworth Park’s residents.  Marketing Director, Victoria Bowen, and Activities Director, Kim Roberts, have worked very hard to make the effects of the quarantine less impactful on their residents and family members.  Not surprisingly, because of the separation and inactivity caused by the quarantine, depression and loneliness for the residents have been of great concern.  Consequently, concerted efforts are made, daily, to keep families connected and residents busy and entertained.  To “stay connected,” iPads have been distributed to employees and FaceTime and Skype sessions encouraged between residents and their families. Every day, the staff send personal messages and pictures to family members and pictures of their loved ones. Regular posts to Edgeworth Park’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn keep friends and family up to date on the excitement happening despite the circumstances. When possible, staff members accommodate family visits by way of a facility window. No less important are the creative ways in which the owners, management team, and staff members are keeping residents entertained and the community’s morale up.  A “Cheer Cart,” containing snacks, beverages, games, books, and DVDs, visits each resident apartment, two times a day. The activities team goes above and beyond their normal programming by giving simple shampoo and style salon treatments to those requesting the service, and favorite gatherings such as ice cream socials, Bingo, and wine-tasting sessions have been modified by holding them more often but with fewer attendees to comply with social distancing.  Walks and games in the enclosed courtyard and gardening are encouraged, as well.

 

While keeping resident and staff morale up has been priority, inventive ways to meet that need have not been found wanting.   Recently, a “Spirit Week,” was launched which saw a week jammed packed with silliness to keep spirits up and the blues away.  Specialty foods were used and “dress-up” by the staff and residents around a specific, daily theme--Pajama Day, Character Day, Wacky Tacky Wednesday, Throwback Thursday, Tourist Day—encouraged.  Adding to the festiveness of the week, a jelly bean count and raffle was also initiated. Was it a success?  Indeed, for while Edgeworth Park is a community offering assisted and memory care, it is first and foremost a family comprised of people and those who care about and for them.  There is a tangible sense at Edgeworth Park that everyone is partnering with each other to fight the threats of the pandemic, together--and goodwill abounds.  Family comes first; and in a crisis, family comes together, giving each of its members strength.   The well-being of the Edgeworth Park Family is paramount at Edgeworth Park, the key reason why precautions were taken early against the pandemic, efforts to cheer and sustain during isolation have been maintained, and unlike other similar facilities in our area, the decision to restrict new resident occupancies until the pandemic quarantine has been lifted was decided upon by both the community’s owners and management team. That decidedly speaks to “The Edgeworth Park Difference.”  All to keep the Edgeworth Park Family well and safe. 

 

Proper identification of Japanese Stiltgrass is crucial in the war against growth.  It’s lime-green leaves, four to five inches in length and half an inch wide, taper at both ends and should not be confused with Wavyleaf Grass, whose sheaths and stems are noticeably hairier than those of Stiltgrass.  Waveyleaf Grass is also an invader, though with somewhat weaker abilities, and eradication of the two would require very different tactics.  Stiltgrass is an annual plant, beginning its life cycle from a newly germinated seed each year. Waveyleaf grass, on the other hand, is a perennial that can reemerge from an established root system to spread its seeds. Recognizing these life cycle differences is key to establishing an effective control strategy for Stiltgrass.

 

This is Beau, our two-year old Golden Retriever rescue.   He enjoys long walks, a special squeaky toy, and meeting new neighbors--and their dogs.

 

Eight years ago, I was volunteering at a rescue shelter. The work was difficult and fast paced; however, one day, as I was racing down the hall, I stopped dead in my tracks for some unknown reason. I turned and saw that Gracie was at the front of her cubicle watching me. I told her I would be back the next day to get her. I completed the paperwork, paid the fee, and put her in my car. It was at that point I realized she only had three legs. Gracie lost her leg due to a staph infection when she was roaming in the Tennessee mountains.  When I later registered Gracie for a lost pet service, I had to identify a distinguishing feature. Walker Treeing Coon Hounds all look alike, so all I could think of was a white spot on her forehead. The clerk laughed and reminded me of her missing leg. My eyes didn’t see that. When you truly love an animal or person, they are always perfect in your eyes--as it should be.
Gracie has turned out to be the sweetest dog, not at all slowed down by having a missing leg.  Here in New Town, you will see Gracie being walked by Phil Roberts. Phil helped me with Gracie after my surgery.  The two have now forged a strong bond. They enjoy a daily walking routine, together.