2017 in Review The Ridgewood at Shenango Valley A Senior Living Residence Winter 2018 Winter 2017 By Samantha Solyan, Administrator This fall, I gladly accepted the position of Administrator of The Ridgewood at Shenango Valley and thank the Board of Trustees for placing their confidence in me. I have served the residents here at The Ridgewood for eight years, first as a personal care attendant and later as a Licensed Practical Nurse. In 2016, I attended administra- tor training for Personal Care Homes and am happy to put my education and experi- ence into practice to better serve our residents and families. This past year, we celebrated milestone events – our 15th annual Christmas Tea and Family Picnic. These events provide opportunities for residents and their families and friends to enjoy traditional gatherings. Our Chef, Vicky Pregi, and her team do an amazing job of preparing feasts for everyone to enjoy. In 2017, we also hosted our 15th annual Strawberry Festival and Auction – an event designed to attract people to our campus to enjoy its beautiful gathering spaces both indoors and out. In addition, this event raises funds to support our benevolent and unfunded care, for residents at The Ridgewood at Shenango Valley that may not be able to cover all of the costs of their care during their years of residency. Since its inception, this event has been a huge success due to the support of our staff and volunteers. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our volunteers and staff. Many family members and friends of The Ridge- wood at Shenango Valley give of their time to support our many activities and events. The “Red Coaters” from UPMC support our three main events faithfully every year. As for our staff, we could not do all that we do for our residents without the dedication and commitment displayed by our staff. I am grateful for their compassion and care. In closing, I look forward to 2018 as we celebrate our 20th anniversary. We have much to be grateful for over the years and we have a bright future as we prepare to serve the next generation. I look forward to the challenge and welcome your comments and suggestions as we continually strive to provide quality services for those who make The Ridgewood at Shenango Valley “home.” Dates to Remember 2nd Annual Calendar Tea - January 30th Sweethearts @ 90 - February 14th The 16th Annual Strawberry Festival & Auction - June 10th The 16th Annual Family Picnic - August 5th The 16th Annual Family Christmas Tea - December 9th Partners in Senior Care, Inc. - Board of Trustees Mr. Jonathan Bailey Ms. Sally Kaiser Ms. Marianne Stoneburner Mr. Robert Beach Mrs. LuAnn King Mr. Jeffrey A. Wallace Dr. Victor Colaiaco Mr. Larry A. Redfoot Atty. Terry Wheeler Mr. David D’urso Mr. Glenn Riley Mr. Chris Wright Newsletter Team Rita Clemente, Vice President of Community Outreach Samanthat Solyan, Administrator Diane O’Brien, Vice President of Charitable Giving Vicky Pregi, Chef Jennie Kather, Marketing Specialist Sarah Chosky, Activity Director Dawn Hartman, Development Specialist If you’d like to receive a copy of this newsletter via email please write to Rita Clemente at [email protected] and you will be added to our electronic mailing list. Questions or comments can also be emailed to Clemente. Residents in The News! Margaret (Maggie) Reel has lived at The Ridgewood at Shenango Valley since July 2016. Margaret was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA and later moved to Hermitage, PA. Margaret was married to her husband Carl Reel for 24 years. She has two children – one son and one daughter, three grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Margaret played the organ and piano for First Presbyterian Church of Sharon, PA for 25 years. She enjoys classical movies, music, church, and her family and dog Max. Richard Dean Hughes is from Seneca, PA. He moved to RWSV late in 2017. During his lifetime, Richard was married three times. He has three sons with his first wife and four step children with his second wife. At the age of 12 Richard took over his family farm, milking eight cows, feeding pigs and gathering eggs all before school. Richard worked for GNL in Oil City, PA, and later for Vanhuffle Tube after they bought GNL for a total of 38 years. Richard enjoys going to the casino and dirt track racing. Dot Mae Richards is from Hermitage, PA. Dot has been a resident since June 2017. She was married to her husband William “Bill” Richards in October of 1953 for 42 years prior to Bill’s passing. Dot and Bill had two sons and four grandchildren. Dot enjoyed working at Westinghouse in the sales department. Her husband was 3rd generation owner of Victor Printing. Dot enjoys playing cards and golf and she loved to dance in her earlier years. She has made friends at The Ridgewood and enjoys socializing with them. Nancy Ann Wilson is originally from Pittsburgh, PA and has lived at The Ridgewood at Shenango Valley for nearly three years. Nancy’s husband was Harry Wilson. Nancy and Harry have three children – two sons and a daughter, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Nancy worked for Mercer County Women’s Jail for ten years and women’s retail at Kaufman’s for many years, before becoming a stay at home mother. She volunteered for many years at a food pantry. Nancy enjoys listening to church music and, “Anything that gets me out. I like to stay busy.” Staff in The News! DAN CONLIN, COOK Dan Conlin is in the spotlight this year. Dan joined the team at The Ridgewood at Shenango Valley in May 2017 as a fulltime cook. It didn’t take long for Dan to fall in love with the residents and he loves building rapport with each of them. Prior to working at RWSV, Dan worked as a massage therapist and Poly-stenog- rapher and he managed The Lighthouse for 10 years. Dan is from Hermitage where he lives with his 12-year-old daughter Aleena. He enjoys caring for and spending time with his daughter. When asked what he enjoyed most about his job, Dan replied, “I have learned their personal preferences, and I love cooking meals for them. Serving them is my privilege.” 3 15th Annual Christmas Tea 15th Annual Christmas Tea Thank you to these individuals, churches and businesses who generously gave monetary and in-kind donations in 2017 to benefit the residents at The Ridgewood at Shenango Valley: 360 Care Mr. Ed Colt Mr. Jeff & Mrs. Ellen Johnston Ad Dimension Cottage Gardens Mr. Richard Joseph Aflac Dairy Queen - Greenville Joy Cone Company Anderson Coach & Travel Davevic Benefit Consultants, Inc. Mrs. Sally Kaiser Ms. Sandra Andrusky Ms. Jennifer Davis Mr. Todd & Mrs. Jennie Kather Mr. Rudy & Mrs. Patti Arensberg Diamond Pharmacy Services Mr. Joseph & Mrs. Pamela Kerola Arnett Carbis Toothman LLP Donna’s Diner King’s Jewelry Art and Frame Gallery Ms. Laurie Dornak Mr. Brian & Mrs. Luann King Miss Betty Lou Artman Eat’n Park Mr. Gerald & Mrs. Margaret King Mr. Robert Beach Elder Sales & Service, Inc. Kiwanis Club of Greenville Mr. Larry & Mrs. Kathy Beckstein Elite Island Resorts Ms. Genevieve Knight Ms. Tessa Begley Erie Otters Hockey Club Mr. Stephen & Mrs. Robin Knight Mr. Bill & Mrs. Renee Bercury Erie Zoological Society Mr. Michael Kosmowski Senator Michele Brooks Mrs. Marge Fenton Ms. Betty Kuster Bruster’s Mr. Wayne & Mrs. T. L. Fetsko Mr. Tom Kuster Mr. Kurt Bucheit Mrs. Teresa Findley Mr. Gary & Mrs. Cynthia Lisac Buhl Community Recreation Center First National Bank of PA Lock, Stock, and Barrel Buhl Mansion Five Guys Long John Silvers Mr. Robert & Mrs. Barbara Burak, Jr. Forever Broadcasting Representative Mark Longietti Burich Amoco Service Goodrick Family Foundation Mr. Mark & Mrs. Debbie Lucas Mrs. Cindy Burich Gordon Food Service Mahoning Valley Scrappers Mr. Charles & Mrs. Janet Byrne Ms. Marilyn Gozik Mr. Brian Mailliard Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh Greenville Savings Bank Mr. Michael & Mrs. Karin Maniche Carnegie Science Center Greenville Symphony Ms. Carolee Mastrianno Ms. Mickie Chapman Mr. Gary & Mrs. June Gulla Mr. Michael & Mrs. Denise McAskill Ms. Sarah Chosky Hermitage Agway Ms. Donna McCullough Mr. James & Mrs. Lynn Chuey Hermitage Bakery McGonigle Ambulance Service, Inc. Mr. Robert Clarke Hersh Exterminating Service, Inc. Ms. Mimi Mentrek Mr. William Clarke Hospice of the Valley Mr. Richard W. & Mrs. Joan P. Merz Mr. Don & Mrs. Rita Clemente Jai Alai Mr. John & Mrs. Mary Ann Mooney Dr. Victor & Mrs. Andrea Colaiaco Mr. Lenny & Mrs. Tammy Hause Muscarella’s Café Italia Ms. Marie Namey Mr. Glenn & Mrs. Susan Riley The Cornerstone 1908 Restaurant Mrs. Diane O’Brien RLPS Architects The Herald Ohio Wine Producers Mr. Tom & Mrs. Laura Robinson The Record Argus Ms. Morgan Oliver Mr. John & Mrs. Cheryl Rose The Winner Olympic Fun Center Rose/Harnett Family Foundation T. J. Kavanagh Foundation O’Neill Coffee Company Ms. Lois Runninger Turner Dairy Farms, Inc. Mrs. Karol Patton Mr. Malcolm & Mrs. Susan Sagherian UPMC Horizon Mrs. Lynne Petro Mr. Stephen & Mrs. Cindy J. Saluga Jr. Mr. Karl & Mrs. Carol Vitovic Ms. Marjorie Petroski Sam’s Club #6327 VNA Alliance Home Health Care Philadelphia Candies Ms. Suzan Schreibman Services Mr. Duane & Mrs. Maria Piccirilli Sheetz Ms. Carol Walker Pittsburgh Pirates Shenango Valley Cinemas Mrs. Doris Walker Pittsburgh Steelers Mr. Leo & Mrs. Trudy Smargiasso Mr. Raymond & Mrs. Adalie Walker Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Mr. Christopher Smerglia Mr. Jeffrey & Mrs. Brenda Wallace Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium Ms. Samantha Solyan Mr. D. Michael & Mrs. Barbara Walton Powell Enterprises Ms. Nora Songer Wendy’s Ms. Vicky Pregi St. Paul’s Mr. Terry Wheeler Primary Health Network St. Paul’s UCC, Hermitage Mr. Thomas “Chip” & Mrs.