The Bishop Drumm Beat May/June 2019 Bishop Drumm Retirement Center Reverence, Integrity, Compassion, and Excellence “Mail Call” for our Medal of Honor Veterans ur staff and residents on campus veteran groups, corporations, hospice centers, participated in a Medal of Honor special education classes, police departments, “mail call”. This campaign started even from those who served alongside our three years and was designed to recipients. It was an overwhelming outpouring of recognize our Medal of Honor gratitude.” recipients. Currently, there are “These guys love getting the letters, you can see it Oonly 79 Medal of Honor veterans living today. in their faces when they’re given their bundle. But With National Medal of Honor Day being on March the real value in this project is giving citizens the 25th the campaign was for people all across the chance to research their exploits and sacrifices, country to send in letters or notes of appreciation and express gratitude to them and their fellow and write a personal thank you to these veterans veterans.” for their service and heroism. We sent our letters and they were delivered in person to 28 recipients One of the Medal of Honor recipients we were at an event, held at Arlington, Virginia. Those assigned to write letters to, Thomas Norris said, recipients who were unable to attend received “it’s really moving. I’m in awe because you just their letters in the mail. don’t expect this kind of response from people you don’t know. I’m very honored that people To participate, we were assigned our three recipients, took the time, they have my heartfelt thanks.” one for each building on campus. They were as follows: A former Navy SEAL, Norris rescued two pilots, who were lost in enemy territory, after their Howard Lee, (US Marine Corp- Lt. Colonel) aircraft went down in Quang Tri Province Vietnam McAuley Terrace in April, 1972. Clinton Romesha, (Army Staff Sergeant in Iraq Thanks to everyone who participated. Let’s & Afghanistan) continue to honor them and we will plan to Martina Place remember them again at next year’s event. Thomas Norris, (Navy Seal in Vietnam) Bishop Drumm Care Center The organizer, Janice Stange is a motivational Mail Call speaker and singer. She was the first person to organizer, perform the National Anthem in all 50 states! Janice Stange. Janice said, “the outpouring support for our veterans was incredible. Letters were sent from all ages: elementary students to senior citizens, Reverence, Integrity, Compassion, and Excellence Friendly Faces Easter Fun Around Bishop Drumm The Easter Bunny visited all three buildings and kids enjoyed an egg hunt in the courtyard on Easter. There were plenty of smiles from kids to our residents and their AMALIA CALDERON families. The kids had fun hunting for eggs too! Amalia is the housekeeper for Martina Place; and what a wonderful housekeeper and person she is!! Amalia is originally from Mexico. She lived in California when she first came to the States and then moved to Des Moines, Iowa where she has lived for 15 years. Amalia has two children; a son, who lives in California and a daughter here in Des Moines, Iowa. Amalia also has a granddaughter that lives here in Des Moines when she is not attending college at the University of Northern Iowa. Amalia has been at Bishop Drumm for seven years and loves the residents like family. Thank you Amalia for your service and genuine love for the people here at Bishop Drumm. Thank You Ardie! Big Thanks to Ardie for the donation of “Cushions” to the Martina Place Front Porch! The cushions are wonderful and add color and beauty to the front of Martina Place. The Resident’s love them and have been enjoying sitting out on the porch enjoying the weather and the people going by. Bishop Drumm | The Beat Father Tom DeCarlo The Guild Garage Sale The Guild group consists of volunteers who initiate to Retire fundraisers throughout the year to support various projects, Fr. Tom announced at Easter that he will be retiring needs, and activities at Bishop Drumm. Some of their this summer. We are sad to see him go but forever fundraisers include; pizza parties, champaign cake sales, grateful for his 26 years of ministry on our campus. bingo, and candy cart offerings that residents can purchase. The group also meets for lunch 3 times a year at McAuley Please join us as we celebrate the Terrace making various crafts for sale. 50th anniversary of his ordination Beginning May 2nd and running through September The and his retirement. Guild will hold a garage sale every Thursday. Please note the Please no gifts or cards. new Garage Sale time will be 8:30am-12:30pm. The sale is located in the garage located behind McAuley Terrace and Sunday, June 9 near the back portion of Bishop Drumm Care Center. Items 3:00 to 6:00 pm they accept as donations include kitchenware, clothing, and McAuley Terrace Dining Room furniture. They will not take mattresses, old electronics, or children’s car seats. Check out all the items at the garage sale every Thursday starting with May 2nd. For item donations, call Bishop Drumm for more information. Pictured below is a recent Guild meeting with board members in attendance. There Are Poets Among Us Resident’s at Bishop Drumm Care Center wrote Haiku poems for National Poetry Month in April. Little tiny ants Digging in the muddy dirt Having lots of fun See the birds flying Soaring higher and higher Oh so beautiful Reverence, Integrity, Compassion, and Excellence Happy 80th Anniversary Bishop Drumm Bishop Drumm celebrated an early 80th Anniversary with our residents, families, and staff. Heather our Executive Director and April (Director of Mission Integration-Chaplin) talked about our history and upcoming celebrations. There were plenty of historic photos and articles to look at and of course, some great food. We concluded with a special prayer and toast! Stay tuned! We will have our major community celebration on July 9th at 4pm! Bishop Drumm | The Beat Happenings at SUPPORT McAuley Terrace GROUPS Independent Living What’s new? Our Director of Mission Integration, April, has started a new book club with our residents. The Spirit of Grief Support Aging Book Club had their first meeting and it was a great success! Group Resident Support Group was started by the residents and is First Wednesday of each month, led by the residents. They gather bi-monthly to support each at 1pm other through anxiety, depression, sadness, loneliness or Bishop Drumm Chapel whatever else they would like to discuss. The Bishop Drumm Beaters beanbag baseball team has started their Spring season. We have three new members and they are doing very well. UPCOMING HAPPENINGS Caregivers The buzz has started about our Senior Prom. This year’s Support Group theme is a Derby Prom. Stay tuned for photos in our next Third Tuesday of each month, newsletter. It is always a great time! at 1pm Martina Place Assisted Living and McAuley Terrace are teaming up for some fun outings this Spring and Summer. Johnston Senior Center Among them are a visit to a local winery, Neal Smith Nature Preserve, I-Cubs baseball game, going fishing and much more. Explore Our World The Explore Our World program in April celebrated all things California. And what better way to celebrate than to have a special performance by the one and only, Judy Garland (a.k.a. Preshia Paulding). What a fabulous tribute facebook.com/BishopDrummCHI/ performance! instagram.com/bishopdrummCHI/ Like Bishop Drumm Retirement Center on Facebook and Instagram!.