A Celebrity in Our Midst – DON LUSK

A Celebrity in our Midst – DON LUSK Resident Don Lusk is a veteran animator and director with one of the most wide-ranging resumes in the animation industry. He began his career at the Walt Disney studios in 1933 as an “in-betweener”, but soon rose to the position of Assistant Animator, working with some veteran an- imators. By 1938 he had become a full animator, lending his artistry to such classics as “Pinocchio,” “Fantasia,” “The Wind and the Willows,” “Alice in Wonderland,” Peter Pan,” “Lady and the Tramp,” “Sleeping Beauty” and “101 Dalmatians”. Too bad we’ve never heard of any of those films, right? Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnson, authors of the book, “The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation” said of Don: “The scenes of the glow- ing white fish in the Arabian Dance section of ‘Nutcracker Suite’ (Fanta- sia) amazed the whole Studio. No one had ever seen such a gossamer effect, and very few knew how it had been achieved.” Don Lusk, holding his After leaving Disney, Don went to work for Winsor McCay Award Trophy Walter Lantz (most notable for Woody Woodpecker). Don also animated for Chuck Jones on the 1962 feature “Gay Purr-ee”. Don then moved to Hanna-Barbera (most notable perhaps for The Flinstones and Yogi Bear). Don spent the next three decades there working as an animator, animation director and director before retiring in 1993. Don is now 101 and received this Winsor McCay Award as recognition for career contributions to the art of animation. Don is in impressive company, as the 2014 recipient of the award was Stephen Spielberg! Don remains one of the most accomplished and respected elder statesmen of animation. The Villas is blessed to have him as a resident and friend, because he’s also a heck of a nice guy! From the desk of the Executive Director Since we’ve had so many new resi- seeing the preparation and serving of approximately 500 meals a dents join us in the last several day is a monumental responsibility, but Salvador always has time months, I would like to take this op- to talk to residents about their food requests. I encourage you to at- portunity to explain the roles of our tend our Food for Thought Meetings, held on the 3rd Wednesday of managers and supervisors here at San every month. Clemente Villas. The first person you Barbara Tancredi is our Activity Director and puts together this probably met when you came to San newsletter that you are reading and the Activity Calendar. She is Clemente Villas was Stephanie Alter, happy to discuss any of your activity interests with you if there is our Marketing Director. Stephanie’s something you would like to see on the calendar. Patricia Men- primary responsibility is to work with doza oversees the housekeeping department and Anna Lombardi Karen Milroy persons interested in moving them- supervises the Front Desk staff. Nick Sgountzos is Director of Executive Director selves or their loved ones into the Vil- Maintenance. If you have a maintenance need, please have the re- e-mail: karen@san- las. If you have a friend or family ceptionist put it in the Maintenance Log Book so that the mainte- member you would like to refer to the clementevillas.com nance staff is apprised of your request. Villas, Stephanie is the person to con- On the weekends Elaine West fills in for manage- tact. Also, if you are interested in ment as well as marketing and oversees what she moving to another apartment, Stephanie is the most knowledge- affectionately calls “her weekend warriors.” As able about availability. the Executive Director I oversee all of the op- Jan McAlister is our Assisted Living Director and oversees the erations of the building and report to Aileen Wellness Department. Jing and Amelia are her right-hand “men”, and Paul Brazeau, the owners. I maintain with Amelia overseeing the care service program and Jing over- an open-door policy and am always happy seeing the running of the Med Room. If you have any questions re- to address any of your concerns. I also garding your health or your care, please see one of these three remind you that we have a Town Hall employees. Maria Nemeth is our Business Office Manager, and Meeting on the first Thursday of each she is the person you go to if you have a question about your bill month where you have the opportu- or accounting issues. Salvador Caballero is our Food Service Di- nity to meet and interact with the rector, which means he oversees all of the kitchen and dining room managers! operations. His is the largest department in the building, and over- Purposful Aging Employee of the Month By Arline Phipps, resident San Clemente Villas By Diana Sanchez Sometime children, all of whom had always lived around my 80th at great distances from me; take time to birthday, my eld- manage my own life better, rather than est, Steve, flew to spend so much time doing volunteer MARCH down to Florida work; glean the most important memo- Yaneth Oseguera from Philadel- rabilia from the large accumulation I had phia for a few been carting from pillar to post with me days' visit with for years; write more poetry; and main- me. He brought tain optimum physical fitness. Once Arline Phipps with him an started, I found that listing these goals agenda of sev- became easier and easier. Reviewing eral items, this list now accuses me of how short I among them: to check my driving. I was have fallen of achieving my goals. In my Yaneth (the “y” is pronounced like a soft “j”) unaware that that was his plan when he bedtime prayers, the Lord is subjected to is our employee of the Month for March. asked me to drive to our dinner out one petitions for another tomorrow, to make Yaneth has been working at the Villas for eight evening. When we arrived safely home, a bit more progress toward fulfillment of he confessed his purpose and told me my intentions. years. She started working in the dining room that I was fit to continue behind the The structure afforded by participation but her attention to detail with resident care got wheel. in two writing groups since moving to her promoted to Med-Tech four years ago. Out- On the following evening, pen and the Villas has helped me write many lit- side of work she enjoys spending time with her notepad in hand, he took a seat opposite tle vignettes about my life. A major ac- me and announced, “Tell me what your complishment has been to tell my family. Yaneth has a 12 year old son and an 11 goals are.” I was stunned and felt chal- husband's story, from my point of view, year old daughter. Together they enjoy the out- lenged. When I told a friend about it, she as a Christmas gift to my grandchildren, doors, especially the beach. At work she enjoys scoffed, “Goals? What goals can we some of whom never knew him. All of have at our age?” I began haltingly: for the other goals are works in progress, talking with the residents and is always amazed my children, write down some things leading me to believe I still have much by their life stories and of course their wisdom. about my life story; seek a deeper spiri- to live for. tual life; get to better know my grand- Page 2 SAN CLEMENTE VILLAS BY THE SEA • WWW.SANCLEMENTEVILLAS.COM Resident Focus - Jim & Joyce Ekstrom Jim was born October 19, 1925 in Duluth, Minnesota. Canada and Mexico. His father was H.B. Ekstrom, a contractor, who built After traveling the homes and passed this trade along to his son. Jim’s couple settled down mother Hilda, was a mid-wife. Hey, did you know that in Las Vegas, Ne- Jim grew up with our resident Aris Peterson? How is vada. They bought a that, you ask? Well, it’s because Aris is his sister! Jim beautiful 3,000 and Aris had a good childhood. In fact, there were 11 square foot home kids in the family. Jim was the 10th, and Aris was the with a view of the baby! Vegas city lights by Joyce was born June 9th, 1928 also in Duluth Min- night and the moun- nesota. When Joyce was in high school she took piano tains by day. They and organ lessons from the church organist who also went on to live there owned a local mortuary. Nobody could afford an organ, for 18 years. This Joe and Joyce - Just 'A Few Joyce as a young woman so Joyce went to the mortuary to take her lessons and to brings us up to the Years Ago' practice. They told her that if anybody comes in to look present. Their at a body, to just go into a hymn. They also told her that daughter Debbie Peterson (a regular here at the Villas vis- she had a great audience, dead bodies, so no complaints. iting Aris) said to her parents, “Come on out to San Well, it wasn’t long before Joyce was offered to take Clemente”. The couple decided they didn’t want to pur- over the organist job at her Lutheran church. Joyce also chase a house and go through the whole upkeep, shop- tells of when was 16 and heard that a little band combo ping, cooking and cleaning thing. Not only that, they needed a piano player.

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