July 2008 It is good for us to be here! oon to be six score and five years ago, a small group of Sisters of St. Joseph Sbegan Saint Mary’s Home of Erie on the eastside of Erie in an area called Marvintown. Saint Mary’s East has continued to serve the needs of primarily seniors at that same location since September 21, 1884. In 2001 Saint Mary’s at Asbury Sister Phyllis McCracken, SSJ Ridge was born at our westside location and President/CEO currently the Carriage Homes are popping up at Asbury Ridge! Nearly 124 years after our founding we are making another major recommitment to the eastside of Erie and the people of God by embarking on an ambitious $21 million Nursing Facility Replacement and Renovation Project at Saint Mary’s East. You may ask, “Why”? I would answer, Saint Mary’s original primarily, to give our Nursing Residents an building, 1884 enhanced quality of life and quality of care; primarily, to enhance our Mission of loving to Inside this issue... care and fostering an atmosphere of community; primarily, to assist our team of employees in living out that Mission day by day. • Around Our Home • Centennials The Project will consist of: a 56 bed Nursing Facility addition; renovation, in • Volunteers phases, of the existing Skilled Nursing Facility; new therapy and hair care suites; • Special Friends new employee entrance and locker rooms; new dining areas and activity spaces; an enclosed courtyard; air conditioning of Saint Joseph Chapel; and a myriad of other technological and care based enhancements. At the completion of the project, each Nursing Facility Resident will have a private room, private bathroom and “European” shower. This will promote additional opportunities for resident privacy and a home-like environment. Continued on page two A sponsored ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania President’s Message (continued from page one) Board of Trustees Chairperson William Flaherty, Jr. Vice Chairperson Jane Kelsey Treasurer Thomas Elliott Secretary Chris Coughlin John Barber Rev. Thomas Brooks Skilled Nursing Facility at Saint Mary’s East will now Mary Ellen Dahlkemper Barbara Drew offer private rooms with “European” shower. Russell Forquer Mary Alice Glowacki Danny Jones Sister Joyce Lowrey, SSJ R. “Art” Lubomski John Marsden Carol Mingarelle Owen McCormick Sister Phyllis McCracken, SSJ Denis O’Brien Susan Sutto Kandy Susi James McNamara, Esq.* *Non-voting Board Member and Legal Counsel The Architects are Noelker and Hull of Chambersburg, PA and the Construction Manager and General Contractor is EE Austin and Son. These Mission Statement firms assisted us with the Asbury Ridge Nursing Facility and Assisted Living Founded by the Sisters of Project. St. Joseph and operated in the Catholic tradition, The East Project has a $24,285,000 Health Facilities Revenue Bond Issue Saint Mary’s Home of Erie from the Erie County Hospital Authority. $15 million is for the new is committed to an environment of loving to care construction/renovation and the remainder is to refinance Saint Mary’s 2006 where primarily seniors, auction rate bonds. We received Letters of Credit from Bank of America their families, staff and volunteers for the Project. The Trustee of the Bonds is Bank of New York and the participate in fostering an Underwriter was Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). Saint Mary’s will also put atmosphere of community. some equity into the Project. I would like to acknowledge the assistance of Vision Statement our Financial Advisors, Fairmount Capital, the Quinn Law Firm, Insurance Saint Mary’s Home of Erie, Management, Urban Engineers, our Board members, the Sisters of St. through partnership, Joseph, members of our Saint Mary’s Team, the church and local community networking, and referrals with the preliminary work. Emery Yeager is Saint Mary’s Construction will be a principal enabler Consultant. to primarily seniors in the Erie Community aiding them in living their lives in a respectful, dignified Continued on page three and fulfilled manner. 2 607 East 26th Street • Erie, Pennsylvania 16504 • (814) 459-0621 Ash Street East 28th Street Artist’s rendition of the renovated Saint Mary’s East Groundbreaking was held on June 9, 2008 and construction BEGAN on June 16, 2008. One need only pass by the area and you will be certain to note that BEGAN is the word! We ask for everyone’s patience and understanding during this time. There will be some temporary inconveniences – but please try to remember why we are doing this. This is an exciting time in our history as we once again touch into our roots and follow those wise women who served before us and, indeed, planted the seeds that we walk on today! On another front, you will notice that we have legally changed our name to “Saint Mary’s Home of Erie” from “St. Mary’s Home of Erie”. You will begin to see some redecorating of the East Nursing Facility Lobby and Building 3 Conference Room in the very near future. It is just that time in the life of both for a facelift. Bob Orton or myself will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the construction and Sister Mary will be happy to answer any resident care issues. It IS good for us to be here! We’re Saint Mary’s and we’re all about you! Sister Phyllis McCracken, SSJ President/CEO 3 607 East 26th Street • Erie, Pennsylvania 16504 • www.stmaryshome.org AROUND OUR Nursing HOME... Home Week The theme for the 2008 National Nursing Home Week observance was “Love is Ageless.” Nursing Home Week was celebrated nationwide May 11th through May 17th. National Nursing Home Week is an opportunity for the profession and individual nursing homes to bring into focus their residents, who mean so much to the community and their families, as well as caregivers who give so Cowboy Bob performs for Saint Mary’s East Nursing residents. much of themselves to help those in need of their services. “Caring for a Loved One with Dementia” Saint Mary’s sponsors Community Education Programs in 2008. Mercy Center Line Dancers entertaining the Nursing residents at Asbury Ridge. The Medical Director for the Gallagher Center at Saint Mary’s East, Dr. Dorothy Candib, MD, gave a talk on “Caring for a Loved One with Dementia.” This event was open to the public and is the first of four community events planned for 2008. Over 100 guests attended this free event. 4 607 East 26th Street • Erie, Pennsylvania 16504 • (814) 459-0621 Saint Mary’s 100 Centennials Pictured above (L to R): Sheila Sweet, Janet Hunter, and Margaret Giesler, Saint Mary’s at Asbury Ridge, Darcy Ginader with her daughter Sophia Ginader. celebrated her 100th birthday on April 5, 2008. Janet Hunter, Saint Mary’s East, celebrated her 100th birthday on April 16, 2008 with friends. Pictured above (L to R): Back Row: Amanda Dana, Laura Dana, Shirley Ames, and Shirleen Wolfe Seated: Irene Nick and Madilyn Coover Pictured above (L to R): Irene Nick, Saint Mary’s at Asbury Ridge, Back Row: Pat Buto, Tom Dombrowski, Ruth Dombrowski, celebrated her 101st birthday on April 26, 2008. and Kathy Nichols Front Row: Stephania Malek and Virginia Hopkins Stephania Malek, Saint Mary’s at Asbury Ridge, celebrated her 100th birthday on May 20, 2008. 5 607 East 26th Street • Erie, Pennsylvania 16504 • www.stmaryshome.org “Some Enchanted Evening” The fourth annual Senior Prom was The theme for this year’s Senior held for the residents at Saint Mary’s at Prom was “Some Enchanted Asbury Ridge on May 20th. The Senior Evening.” Prom is planned each year by the residents and includes a four course dinner followed by an evening of music and dancing. “Were On the Move!” Pictured left are Saint Mary’s East residents at Sally’s Diner near Presque Isle State Park and below are Saint Mary’s at Asbury Ridge residents at the Presque Isle Downs and Casino. Residents at Saint Mary’s enjoy an active lifestyle through many of the planned activities throughout the Erie community. 6 607 East 26th Street • Erie, Pennsylvania 16504 • (814) 459-0621 Embracing different Religions and Backgrounds Rabbi Leonard Lifshen, spiritual leader of Erie’s Congregation Brith Sholom, visited Adult Day Services at Saint Saint Mary’s East on April 30. Although Saint Mary’s is a Catholic sponsored facility, it embraces different religions and backgrounds. Rabbi Lifshen spoke to the Adult Day Mary’s Services clients about Passover. Residents Participate in Local Art Show Pictured above is Chuck Garnon in front of art work he entered into the Mercy Center on Aging Art Show. Snakes and Gators and Turtles, “Oh my!” Clients from the Adult Day Services at Saint Mary’s East are captivated as Mike Dohanic, Pennsylvania Reptile Specialist, shows off a few of his “pets.” 77 607 East 26th Street • Erie, Pennsylvania 16504 • www.stmaryshome.org In 2007, Saint Mary’s Home of Erie had 88 volunteers, who donated more than 4024 hours of service. More Volunteersthan 70 volunteersHonored and guests attended Saint Mary’s Home of Erie’s 2008 Volunteer Recognition Dinner. Receiving special recognition for completing 100 volunteer hours this past year were (Back Row, L to R) Saint Mary’s East Activities Director Diane Lutz, Shirley Cairns, Barbara Walk, Jeamer LaCour, and Saint Mary’s at Asbury Ridge Activities Director Dionna Durr. Seated, left to right, are Peggy Rusnak; Saint Mary’s President and CEO, Sister Phyllis McCracken, SSJ and Judi Gido. Not included in the photo are volunteers Shirley DiSanza, Rebecca Heidecker, and Fran Kowalski, who were also recognized for completing 100 hours of service.