THE TM 911 Franklin Street Weekly Newspaper Michigan City, IN 46360 Volume 37, Number 2 Thursday, January 21, 2021 Stories From the Front Lines by Kim Nowatzke Editor’s note — This is the fi rst in a series of articles over the next few months exploring life in LaPorte County since the COVID-19 pandemic. As we begin the new year, there’s no denying how COVID-19 impacted, infl uenced and infi ltrated 2020. The many ways it affected our everyday life, health and health care, economy, careers, family life and so much more. The Beacher spoke with four area residents – all essential workers, three of whom contracted the virus — to hear their COVID-19 stories. With candid honesty, these locals shared their journeys and especially their hopes for 2021. Senior Life During A Pandemic In her job at Rittenhouse Village at Michigan tential families and residents about Rittenhouse, City, Stefanie Olson, 50, can certainly be consid- including the benefi ts and features there. ered an essential worker, as COVID hit the senior “Limitations of one-on-one contact for on-site population, particularly those in long-term care or tours and keeping 6 feet apart have been challeng- assisted-living facilities, the hardest. In her past 10 ing at times when many need to capture the whole years as a senior lifestyle counselor at Rittenhouse, feel of the package using all their fi ve senses,” Olson and with 22 years of experience in marketing for as- said. “However, with some creative juices and fl exi- sisted-living facilities, 2020 brought on novel chal- bility with shoppers, the job still gets done. We have lenges for the LaPorte resident. been able to capture our culture with virtual videos, Olson’s job includes educating and informing po- Continued on Page 2 Stefanie Olson, Rittenhouse Village at Michigan City senior lifestyle counselor, stops to take a photo with resident Dick Santa visits with residents at Rittenhouse Village at Michigan City. Glassman in pre-COVID times (2019). THE Page 2 January 21, 2021 THE 911 Franklin Street • Michigan City, IN 46360 219/879-0088 Beacher Company Directory e-mail: News/Articles - [email protected] Don and Tom Montgomery Owners email: Classifieds - [email protected] Andrew Tallackson Editor http://www.thebeacher.com/ Drew White Print Salesman PRINTE ITH Published and Printed by Janet Baines Inside Sales/Customer Service T Becky Wirebaugh Typesetter/Designer T A S A THE BEACHER BUSINESS PRINTERS Randy Kayser Pressman Dora Kayser Bindery Delivered weekly, free of charge to Birch Tree Farms, Duneland Beach, Grand Beach, Hidden Shores, Long Beach, Michiana Shores, Michiana MI and Shoreland Hills. The Beacher is Hope Costello, Jacquie Quinlan Production also delivered to public places in Michigan City, New Buffalo, LaPorte and Sheridan Beach. John Baines, Karen Gehr, Dennis Mayberry Delivery and professionally, the isolation from family, friends Stories… Continued from Page 1 and the scared feeling of knowing people who have suffered from the virus or even passed away.” interviews with residents and team members.” Olson contracted the virus at the end of July, de- And, Olson and other Rittenhouse team members veloping a bad case of COVID pneumonia in both found new, innovative ways to carry out the social lungs. aspects of lifestyle programming. “I was not hospitalized,” she said. “I actually was “We simply get creative in the ER twice, but refused to bring joy and laughter to be admitted. I really had to our residents no matter bad anxiety being away what is thrown our way,” from my husband (Christo- she said “Since we could pher) and son (Grant, 16), not bring in outside en- who truly were my rocks tertainers in our building, and inspiration. It was we have tapped into our truly a scary moment, and talented team members to with the Grace of God I got help fi ll in with some fun through it!” social activities. It’s been Olson considers herself so successful. It’s now a “proud and humbled,” as normal practice, due to an essential worker, to be high demands, that our grouped in with people con- residents look forward to.” sidered medical heroes. Some of the new activi- “I have always admired ties include: playing Com- the medical fi eld: doctors, petition Wii Bowling with nurses and CNAs. How- the maintenance director; ever, after being treated for the chef creating easy and a serious virus, and watch- tasty snack demonstra- ing my mother go through tions; game nights; crafts it not once, but twice (the times; and fun discussions Stefanie’s family has been essential to her during COVID. Here, she is doctors were shocked), I on a variety of topics by the pictured with her husband, Christopher, and son, Grant. will never forget the com- managers. passion that was given by the frontline heroes in Olson’s key to maintaining a positive outlook has the medical community, including the EMS to the been education and awareness. ER,” she said. “Those in the medical fi eld are seri- “I have learned that knowledge, keeping positive ously my heroes, champions and guardian angels.” and being creative are the key to success,” she said. Olson received the fi rst dose of the COVID-19 “I also have learned that with the great team that vaccine Jan 7. we have at Rittenhouse, we can get through any- “I’m thrilled about the opportunity to make a differ- thing together. ence to keep our community safer by doing my part,” “Thinking outside the box can be overwhelming she said. “This new development has given me hope at times with all the elements of balancing mul- that things can get back to a more normal basis.” tiple needs; however, when accomplished, it’s very At Rittenhouse, Olson hopes 2021 will be about rewarding. It’s all about keeping our residents, fam- “getting back to some normal activities – opening ily members and new residents safe, and keeping back up with gathering, events, open houses, enter- those around comfortable by meeting their immedi- tainers and on-site tours. Our building is known for ate needs with a friendly smile or listening ear to the ‘fun’ place to live because we are always having show compassion during challenging times.” fun events where we invite the community to join The hardest part of her COVID journey, Olson us, like our annual Antique Car Show and Valen- admitted, has been “100 percent, both personally tine’s Bazaar.” THE January 21, 2021 Page 3 Family Essentials Life as essential workers is nothing new for Mich- School of American Music igan City resident Kristi Paull and her family. For Family Concert Series the past year, the 52-year-old family nurse practi- tioner has worked in a Westville internal medicine offi ce as a primary care practitioner with the col- “A Valentine Serenade” laboration of a physician. Before that, she worked in intensive care as a registered nurse for 29 years. Sunday, Feb. 14, 3 p.m. EDT Her 25-year-old son, Scott, works as a volunteer fi refi ghter and a police offi cer, while her 22-year-old daughter, Nena, is an essential worker at a grocery Converge Community Church store. Both live with their mother. Kristi’s signifi - 601 W. Buffalo St., New Buffalo, MI cant other for the past three years, Greg McBride, Free admission • Donations accepted is a registered nurse. Facebook Live School of American Music FEATURING Kim E. Jones Matt Daniel Bill McMurray Soprano Tenor Baritone M.C. “Messiah” M.C. “Messiah” M.C. “Messiah” and MCCMF and MCCMF soloist soloist soloist In 2019, Kristi Paull and her signifi cant other, Greg McBride, enjoy time together at Devil’s Lake in Oregon. “I have worked in health care in a hospital my whole life. I have always known the sacrifi ce of working long shifts, night shifts, weekends and Guest Artist: Lisa Kristina holidays. My children have been raised in this en- Charles Steck Accompanist vironment,” Kristi said. “Being an essential worker Trumpet, LCSO and M.C. meant a lot of things – it meant we were at risk, “Messiah” but it also meant we had jobs and still could pay our bills. It was now that I realized the community Social distancing and Masking will be observed needed the essential workers more than ever. Not Concert Co-sponsored by School of American Music and only had health care changed, but our world had the Pokagon Fund changed.” At the start of the pandemic, Kristi faced day-to- Visit schoolofamericanmusic.com for tickets day changes in treatment recommendations from the Indiana State Health Department and Centers COMING UP: for Disease Control. SAM Family Concert: “COVID-19 was something new to us. It was “With a Youthful Spirit” something we never had to worry about before. Since we are all essential workers, it was three times as Sunday, March 14, 3 p.m. EDT challenging to not infect the whole house, especially Converge Community Church with me being of the age group with asthma that 601 W. Buffalo St., New Buffalo, MI seemed higher risk for contracting COVID-19 and Featuring music for Flute & Harp, String Quartet and having a poor outcome,” she said. “We did what ev- Woodwind Quintet eryone else did – stocked up on food for two weeks, Special Guests: Members of the Northwest Indiana Youth Symphony Orchestra and guests bought more cleaning supplies and made sure we had essentials. Cleaning and assessing for possible Visit schoolofamericanmusic.com for more details Continued on Page 4 THE Page 4 January 21, 2021 symptoms and test- Stories… Continued from Page 3 ed positive.