INFORMER Friday, June 21, 2019

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Author Connie Osborn Goes to Conference

Grinnell author Connie Osborn spent an enjoyable day at the

annual conference of the Iowa Chapter of the American

Parkinson’s Disease Friday, June 14. The event was held at the

Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines and featured

information sessions and vendor tables.

Osborn had her own table to promote her new book “Jon and

Nana Connie Get the Wiggles.” Osborn wrote the book to help

children understand the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, an

ailment she’s been living with for 30 years. Connie was assisted

with the writing, editing, illustration, and visual construction by

a number of local supporters, including Karla Cornish, Judy

Hunter, Betty Moffett, Yusuf Demirci, and Alesia Lacina. Total

Choice Shipping & Printing completed the production and binding. The book was funded by the

Grinnell Community Education Council and the Grinnell Area Arts Council.

Table posters for the event were produced by members of the Grinnell College CNA internship

class which recently concluded at the Mayflower community. Mayflower staff accompanying

Connie to the conference included Chery Nelson, Activities Director; Holly Thomas, RN;

Jeremy Innis, CNA/RA; and Christine Anderson, CNA.

Osborn, a retired high school science teacher, was thrilled to have book buyers ask for her

autograph, and she’s been appreciative of and inspired by the many people who have supported

her over the challenging last three decades.

- Bob Mann, Sales and Marketing Director

Steve Langerud Attends Regional UCC Conference

Mayflower Community Executive

Director Steve Langerud attended the

Joint Annual Meeting of the Iowa,

Nebraska, and South Dakota

Conference of the United Church of

Christ Friday, June 14. The session was

held in Omaha, NE and included

additional members of the Grinnell

community.

The Mayflower Community, a 285-resident senior living and healthcare organization located in

Grinnell, IA, was established in 1950 with the support of the United Church of Christ (formerly

the Congregational Church). The founder, retired Conference Minister Royal Montgomery,

worked his way around the state of Iowa seeking financial assistance for an “endowed boarding

home” for retiring pastors. Royal’s dream was to enable pastors who had given their lives in

service to others to be able to access affordable housing after retirement. In the late 1940s and

into the 1950s, Congregational pastors had limited pension programs and lived in parsonages

that had to be vacated upon retirement.

Former Mayflower Trustee and retired Grinnell College President George Drake recalls this

situation well, as his grandfather retired from Congregational pastoring during that period.

Drake’s grandparents found it financially necessary to move in with their adult children, a

situation that Drake’s grandfather found frustrating. However, as a young man, Drake, loved the

opportunity to live in close proximity with his grandparents in order to get to know them better.

To this day, The Mayflower Community remains a “ministry” of the United Church of Christ. As

the Mayflower became financially solvent, all money ties between the aforementioned and the

UCC ceased. As of now, the two entities are good friends and share ministry opportunities

whenever possible. The Mayflower is ecumenical in its ministry, welcoming new residents

without regard for their denominational or spiritual ties.

- Bob Mann, Sales and Marketing Director

Pictured below at the Conference are (front row, left to right)

Dorothy and John Noer, Mayflower residents; Jim Judkins, LISW,

mental health counselor from Ames IA, formerly of Grinnell; and

John Saxton, former Mayflower chaplain, Grinnell; (back row, left to

right) Steve Langerud; and Chris Burtnett, pastor of the

1st Congregational United Church of Christ, Algona and former

Mayflower Trustee.

Salsa Lessons: Come One, Come All! The Mayflower will be hosting four Salsa dance lessons for residents,

employees, friends, and community members every Tuesday from July 23 to

August 20. Taught by Salsa expert Silvia Ardila, the classes will be held on the

Buckley patio each Tuesday from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM.

Participants will learn “Basico” footwork and beginning partner turns and spins

to the beat of today’s popular salsa music. All skill levels are welcome and no

partner is needed – just wear comfortable clothes and shoes. The class will

culminate on August 20 with a Salsa party, which will include a dance lesson at 5 PM on the

Buckley patio, followed by a special Venezuelan-themed dinner.

Salsa is a popular form of social dance with Cuban folk roots. Different regions of Latin America

and the United States have distinct salsa styles of their own, including Cuban, Puerto Rican, Cali

Colombian, L.A., and New York versions. Salsa dance socials are commonly held in nightclubs,

bars, ballrooms, restaurants, and outdoor festivals.

Silvia Ardila began salsa dancing in her native Caracas, Venezuela. Upon moving to San Juan,

Puerto Rico, she joined one of the area’s top salsa academies as a trainer. She regularly attends

Puerto Rican Salsa festivals and performances to expand on her repertoire of steps and turns.

The cost per session is $5. There’s no need to come to all the

lessons. Montgomery Lounge will be the alternate site should

inclement weather arise. If you’d like to attend the Venezuelan

dinner – limited to residents and their guests – the cost is $10

for the first 100 who make reservations. Sign up for the dinner

by contacting the Mayflower kitchen (641-236-6151,

extension 216).

Learning new things, community building, enhancement of

touch, and socialization opportunities are GREAT for brain

health, which is why this is a DON’T MISS Mayflower

community event. And don’t forget, it’s just plain fun!

- Bob Mann, Sales & Marketing Director

NEIGHBORHOOD LUNCH GROUPS: Mondays at 12 noon in Buckley Dining Room

June 24 Buckley 1st, Harwich Terrace South, Edwards, Montgomery

July 1 Buckley 3rd, Pearson, Watertower 1st

July 8 Buckley 2nd, Watertower 2nd & 3rd, Harwich Terrace East

July 15 Harwich Terrace Southeast, Harwich Terrace North, Altmeier

Welcome Sarah Pfennigs as the New Editor of

the Mayflower Informer

Elizabeth Haas, our beloved Informer editor, has transitioned out of

her role. Local freelance writer Sarah Pfennigs will be your go-to

source for all things Informer from this issue on.

Sarah grew up in Grinnell but has lived in Arizona and Alberta,

Canada; in fact, she’s a dual citizen. She comes from a long line of

writers. Her dad, John Breemer, was the editor for the Grinnell-

Herald Register for over 30 years, and her mom, Alice Breemer (who lives in the Montgomery

building) is a retired grant writer. Sarah is enthusiastic about continuing Elizabeth’s excellent

reporting and is hoping to offer some of her own original content to the Informer once the dust

settles.

In her spare time, Sarah is an avid chef, true crime aficionado, wine enthusiast, and full-time dog

mom of an 80-pound hound mix named Truman. She also works part-time at Bates Flowers by

Design here in Grinnell. You can reach Sarah for Informer questions, insights, and concerns at

spfennigs@mayflowerhomes.com.

Johnny Khuu Wraps It Up

Johnny Khuu, the Mayflower Community’s resident intern, is moving

on. A dessert reception will be held for him following the noon meal

in Buckley Dining Room Friday, June 28 from 12:50 PM to 1:30 PM.

In order to immerse himself in the Mayflower community, Johnny

moved into a campus apartment and began volunteer work with a local

non-profit organization and the Mayflower Community in May 2018.

During his tenure, Johnny coordinated a number of independent living

resident events and served as driver of “Lester the Bus” for

excursions.

A political science major, Johnny is about to realize his dream of working on the campaign of

one of the 2020 U.S. Presidential candidates. Which one? Come to the reception and ask him!

- Bob Mann, Sales & Marketing Director

As we make this editorial transition, it’s important to note that we’ll be cutting back

to one publication per month in July, August, and September.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR JULY SUBMISSIONS ARE IN NO LATER THAN JUNE 28!

THANKS!

Mayflower Wellness Month Session #4: Yoga

Therapy The fourth information session in the series of four presentations

regarding “healthy minds/healthy bodies” at the Mayflower

Community will feature Jackie Hutchinson, a local licensed

physical therapist. She has specialty training and experiences as a

licensed craniosacral therapist.

Entitled “Letting Go of Everything That No Longer Serves You:

Mindfulness Yoga,” the session will discuss how yoga practice can

work to open the body and mind to accept new ideas, emotional

patterns, thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Specifically, the goal of yoga therapy includes reducing the symptoms of suffering, managing the

symptoms that cannot be reduced, improving life function, and shifting attitude and perspective

in relationship to life’s challenges.

The public is invited to this one-hour program hosted Thursday, June 27 at Mayflower Health

Center (2nd floor, Carman Center, 600 Park Street, Grinnell) from 2 PM – 3 PM. The program

will include question-and-answer time.

This session follows the successful presentations regarding craniosacral therapy by Jackie

Hutchinson, “Mindfulness” by licensed acupuncturist Danielle Sadler, and “Food as Medicine” by

hospitalist Jennifer Paisley, M.D. and organic farmer Andrew Dunham.

- Bob Mann, Sales & Marketing Director

Single Stream Recycling Changes As of June 28, 2019, the City of Grinnell will no longer do curbside pickup of

recycling. The Mayflower Community needs to be aware that the City will no

longer pick up the red bins from the patio homes or the recycling cans from

the two recycling areas on the main campus.

Mayflower has received permission from the City to keep a second dumpster in the brick garage

on Mayflower Lane to collect single stream recycling. We already have one dumpster for

carboard only. The City will empty these dumpsters once a week.

It will be up to each individual Mayflower resident to take their recyclables to the garage and

deposit them in the appropriate dumpsters. Facilities staff will continue to pick up paper and

carboard from the campus building trash areas. Each dumpster will be labeled with a sign listing

what recyclables are accepted by the City.

Access hours for the brick garage are usually 7 am to 8 pm daily, the same as the campus

building unlock and lock up hours. Please DO NOT put garbage in either dumpster. If

you have any questions, please contact Erin Gersdorf.

From Africa to Georgia: Daniel and Sarah Zagami to Speak July 9

July 9 Chapel speakers will be Daniel and Sarah Zagami. The Zagamis

are currently serving in Clarkston, Georgia as missionaries to

refugees.

Daniel was deeply involved in refugee literacy in the south African

country Lesotho before meeting Sarah during their time at a Chicago-

based graduate school. They were called to Madagascar in 2008 and

together facilitated a church planting strategy and initiated a Malagasy

missionary training platform in the capital city.

The Zagamis spent a decade in Africa, but Sarah developed an eye

infection which prompted the family to return to the United States. She plans to have laser

treatment for her glaucoma this summer, but for now the couple is raising their three children

and continuing their missionary work in Georgia.

Please come introduce yourselves to the Zagami family Tuesday, July 9 (10 am) after their MRA

Chapel appearance in the Carman Center.

– Sarah Pfennigs, Informer Editor

The family of Lorene Morrison would like to thank her Mayflower family for all you have done for Mom over the last 15 years, and especially the last two while she lived in the Health Center. Mom was fond of each and every one of you and appreciated all you did for her.

We also appreciated all the kind words, prayers, and gifts made in Mom’s name to the Human Needs Fund at Mayflower

We will keep many fond memories of those times spent with Mom at Mayflower.

Thank you! - Becky & Gary, Terry & Sonja, Jack & Jackie, and Tom

Spiritual Life Program Transitions and Plans

As you may know, at the end of June, both Director of Spiritual Life Christine Tinker and

Chaplain Len Eberhart are retiring.

Beginning in July, Pasha Buck will be leading Sunday worship in Carman Center, first

Wednesday of the month Communion in the Carmen Center, and visitations with Mayflower

residents. Tuesday Chapel services will continue as always. Thank you, Pasha.

We look forward to the transition process and your ideas and input.

Steve Langerud

July is Social Awareness Month by Sarah Pfennigs, Informer Editor

What does “social awareness” mean, anyway? In a nutshell, it means nurturing

yourself and your relationships, but that can be an awfully tall order some

days. Between our troubled political climate, health and money concerns, and

the general pulling and pushing of daily life, just existing sometimes feels

overwhelming. And considering the aforementioned, there’s never been a

better time to be kind to yourself and others.

Social support is so important to emotional, spiritual, and yes – even physical – well-being. It can

help you weather all of life’s storms, from losing your keys to a death in the family. Think about

how you feel when even a seemingly trivial annoyance occurs. Let’s take the lost key example.

At first, it’s irritating. Perhaps your blood pressure rises or you become tense in your neck,

shoulders, and back. If those keys still don’t show up, you might get emotionally stressed. What

if I’m going to be late? People will be disappointed. How am I supposed to get to my doctor’s

appointment?

If you feel unable to reach out to someone for help - say a neighbor, a friend, or family member

- that anger, stress, and worry can stick with you, even after the keys are recovered. Add that

to all of the other local, national, and international concerns we’re bombarded with on the

daily…? It’s enough to make you never want to get out of bed.

Healthy relationships are really important to good overall health. Research shows that people

who have a strong social network tend to live longer, have healthier hearts, respond better to

stress, and even boosts your immune system. And “strong” doesn’t mean you have to have an

army of friends, despite what Facebook wants you to believe. Just a few dependable, loving, and

enduring relationships can make all the difference.

It’s important to remember that social support can take different forms:

• Emotional support refers to the actions people take to make someone else feel cared

for. Cooking a meal for a friend, inviting someone you’d like to know better to tea, sharing

your favorite book with someone you know likes to read, or simply taking a walk with a

neighbor who’s feeling lonely are all great ways to support a person.

• Instrumental support refers to the physical stuff: Money, housekeeping, and general

chores. Not everyone can lend money or clean someone’s house from top to bottom,

but calling in favors from others and making it a group effort can go a long way. If you’ve

got a car, offer a ride. If you know someone is having trouble making ends meet, invite

them to dinner. If someone is physically ill or injured, offer to help them make

appointments.

• Informational support means you’re helping someone else connect to valued

resources. If you’re skilled at computers, help a friend who’s wary connect to the internet

or social media. Share important articles, engage in conversation about what’s happening

in the world, or offer to lend your newspaper or books when you’re done with them.

“Lasting Love: The 5 Secrets of Growing a Vital, Conscious Relationship” by Drs. Gay and Kathlyn

Hendricks, cite the following concepts as instrumental to attain healthy relationships:

• Become a master of commitment. Be aware of what, exactly, you’re committing to

so that you can realistically follow through.

• Make commitments you can stand by. It’s important to be honest about your

limitations, needs, and skills. Being a good listener, not over-promising, and empathy are

all hallmarks of an enduring relationship.

• Break the cycle of blame and criticism. We’re all so different, which makes life

grand. Don’t expect that everyone will live and abide by your rules. Being open-minded

and empathetic to others’ struggles, joys, losses, and triumphs is an admirable gift to the

world.

• Stop trying to “fix” everything. Believe it or not, when conflict, depression,

hopelessness, or anger arises, it doesn’t mean the person is broken. People don’t usually

respond to “hey, you really shouldn’t feel that way” or “at least you don’t have to worry

about __________.” Acknowledge that there’s an issue without blaming the person

who’s troubled or shifting the focus to yourself. Listening goes a long way. Sometimes you

just need to sit with someone so they know they’re not alone.

• Try to understand verbal, non-verbal, physical, and non-physical appreciation.

Getting a compliment might feel great to you, but uncomfortable to another. Not

everyone loves hugs, and others might love to be held. Learn to navigate your

relationships with open eyes and ears.

- Sarah Pfennigs, Informer Editor

Documentary & Discussion Saturdays at Keisel Theatre

The plush Kiesel Theatre in the Mayflower Community seats 55 comfortably in reclining theatre

seats harvested from the local Strand Theatre during its remodeling. The seats have cup holders

for your favorite beverage and have been completely refurbished (which means that none of the

gum you put under your seat when you were dating years ago is still there!). Our theatre boasts

a 10-foot screen, surround sound, and a T-Coil system.

During the “school year,” the Mayflower Residents Association movie committee chooses and

shows a variety of full-length entertainment films on Saturday afternoons. And viewings are

always accompanied by freshly popped popcorn and cold soft drinks.

This summer, during the hiatus of the movie committee, a series of movies will be shown on

Saturdays as part of the “Mayflower Summer Film Series.” Recently completed was the

enthralling – but tragic – two-part PBS series, “The Dust Bowl.” The film schedule this summer

was created to encourage and promote lifelong learning, a hallmark of the Mayflower

Community we’re very proud of.

With the exception of War on the EPA, all others will show at 2 PM.

The upcoming schedule for the rest of the summer is as follows:

June 22: War on the EPA – SHOWING 3:30 PM

June 29: Luis Argueta’s Immigration Trilogy, abUSed: The Postville Raid

July 13: Luis Argueta’s Immigration Trilogy, Abrazos

July 20: Luis Argueta’s Immigration Trilogy, The U Turn

• Selva Lehman will be the discussion leader for all three films in this trilogy •

July 27: Reconstruction Part I (America after the Civil War)

August 3: Reconstruction Part II (America after the Civil War)

August 10: League of Denial (The NFL’s concussion crisis)

August 17: Hunting the Nightmare Bacteria (The rise of deadly drug-resistant

bacteria)

August 24: Racing Extinction (We are in danger of losing 50 percent of all species)

The Mayflower is proud to offer Luis Argueta’s Immigration Trilogy June 29, July 13, and

July 20. The film’s discussion will be led by Selva Lehman.

Luis Argueta is a Guatemalan-American director and producer. He’s been telling

transnational immigrant stories since 1977.

June 29 - abUSed: The Postville Raid

This is a documentary about the effects of U.S. immigration enforcement

on immigrant children and families. The perversion of the U.S.

Constitution, the rule of law and due process, and the human face of

immigration are revealed through the gripping personal stories of the

individuals, the families, and the town that survived the most brutal, most

expensive, and largest immigration raid in the history of the United States.

July 13 – Abrazos

Abrazos tells the transformational journey of a group of U.S. citizen

children, sons, and daughters of undocumented immigrants who travel

from Minnesota to Guatemala to meet their grandparents – and in some

instances, siblings – for the first time. Abrazos resonates with the lives

and family histories of every American citizen, no matter where they

come from.

July 20 – The U Turn

The U Turn tells the story of a group of Guatemalan immigrant women

and children who lost their fear of speaking out regarding the abuses and

atrocities committed against them at Agriprocessors, Inc., a plant in

Postville, IA. Thanks to the solidarity of the community that accompanied

them and to the U-visa, their lives were transformed.

JUNE BIRTHDAYS

1st Dick Weeks 7th Sue Ramsey 14th Gerald Guenther

1st Joy Anderson 8th Marie Eisenman 29th Karen McNally

3rd Suzanne Schwengels 9th Bob Anderson 30th Luther Erickson

4th Rosey Mathews 10th Mary Margaret Ashby

5th Bev Anderson 10th Marian Tonding

6th Bob Grey 12th Ed Phillips

6th Bob Dimit 12th Peg Kolpin

BETWEEN THE BOOKENDS

Nine-year-old Emma is an aspiring actress with a role on a hit TV series. Unfortunately, the excitement and wonder of her rising star is dimmed by the “encouragement” of her mother Paige – the ultimate stage mom. Emma’s aunt and Paige’s older sister Whitney – a psychiatrist – is troubled by what she considers to be the exploitation of Emma as she watches her niece’s childhood get whittled away by the demands of stardom. Tragically, an accident puts Emma in a coma with a severe head injury and costs Paige her life, leaving the child to survive without

her mother. As Emma emerges from her coma, it’s clear there are no traces left of the girl she once was, and together, she and Whitney must close the door on the past and look to the future together. It’s illuminating to share the arduous and often stormy journey Emma and Whitney embark upon. Like many storms, sometimes the clouds have silver linings and rainbows eventually appear. Put Silent Night on your reading list if you enjoy tales of sacrifice, redemption, and family drama.

New Library Acquisitions:

Finding Dorothy by Elizabeth Letts LP

Target Alex Cross by James Patterson LP

The Endless Forest by Sara Donati

The Dawn Watch by Maya Jasanoff

On the Podium:

The Sacred Balance by David Suzuki

Readers, our library listings are now online in the MRA Directory. Simply sign in to the website, click on the Resources tab and then the Library Listings option.

- MRA Librarian, Robin Estes

UPCOMING EVENTS

Retirement Party in Honor of Christine Tinker, Len Eberhart, and Pat Conn, Wednesday, June 26, from 2-4 pm, Buckley Dining Room

A Matter of Balance at 8:45am, Montgomery Lounge, June 7-August 2

Book Club Friday, June 21, at 1pm, Game Room: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. July 19: This Blessed Earth by Ed Genoways. All are welcome!

Documentary & Discussion Saturdays, 2pm, Keisel Theatre: June 8 & 15: The Dust Bowl A film by Ken Burns (pts 1 & 2); June 22: War on the EPA (FRONTLINE)

ACES Wednesdays, at 10am at Drake Community Library: June 26 & July 3: Habits of Survival of Black Men at Grinnell College with Professor Kesho Scott

Wellness Information Sessions Thursdays in June, 2-3pm, in the Carman Center

SE*ED: Senior Education Program Mondays at 10am, Drake Community Library: July 1: Piloting the King with Ron Strauss, Ret. Airline Pilot

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES

Theraband Mon, Wed, Fri 11am Beebe Activity Room

Senior Strength Mon, Wed 2:15pm Sports Center

Women’s Table Tennis Monday 4pm Table Tennis Center

Walking Warriors Tues, Thurs 8:15am Buckley

Chair Yoga Tues, Thurs 11am Montgomery Lounge Game Night Wednesday 6:30pm Anchor Room

Koffee & Konversation Friday 9:30am Buckley Dining Room

Senior Strength Friday 11am Sports Center

WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Sunday Worship Sunday 10am Carman Center

MRA Chapel Tuesday 10am Carman Center

June 25: Len Eberhart; July 2: Father Epping, Catholic Priest; July 9: Daniel & Sarah Zagami Evening Worship Wednesdays 6pm Beebe Activities Rm

Unitarian Service 2nd & 4th Sunday 10:30am Montgomery Lounge

Eucharist (BCP) 1st Sunday 3pm Fireside Room

Spiritual Life Program Transitions and Plans

As you may know, at the end of June, both Christine Tinker, Director of Spiritual Life, and Len Eberhart, Chaplain,

are retiring. We thank them for their service and leadership. Beginning in July, Pasha Buck will be leading Sunday

worship in Carman Center, first Wednesday of the month Communion in the Carman Center, and visitations with

Mayflower residents. Tuesday Chapel services will continue as always. Thank you, Pasha. We look forward to the

transition process and your ideas and input. - Steve Langerud