Operation Chowhound consisted of flight missions to drop food to the Dutch people who were starving in the Netherlands during the Dutch Famine. These food drops were possible because of a truce between the German, American and British forces in response to Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands’ pleas for aid.

“I flew in my crew’s first and the last Chowhound missions,” said Ted. “We were all worried that the Germans wouldn’t honor the truce, but they did. So there we were, flying only 400 feet above German forces with their big guns in occupied Amsterdam. Some pilots flew as low as 50 feet. It was so flat in the Netherlands that no one was worried about mountains.”

Each plane held approximately two tons of food. Ted’s flight crew sent out 42 planes to various drop zones.

“Before we started the mission, we didn’t know what was going on,” said Ted. “My crew and I came across this big metal can of chocolate, and we were going to eat one piece each. We found out we were there for Operation Chowhound and decided not to eat the chocolate. The Dutch people needed it more.”

The Dutch people were so grateful for the food drops that they fashioned large ground signs out of flowers that said “THANK YOU BOYS” and “THANKS YANKS”. Ted knows that Germans also ate the food, and that’s fine with him. The Germans were starving, too.

Unfortunately, some of the Dutch people had been starving for so long that they had difficulty digesting the food. “If you’re starving, you have to re-introduce food to yourself slowly. Some of them died because they ate too much too fast,” said Ted.

Over the years, Ted has met people who received food during Operation Chowhound.

“Several years after the war, I met a Dutchman and asked if he had received food during Operation Chowhound,” remembered Ted. “He said no, but his mother had. He brought her out to meet me. She was so appreciative. I volunteer at the Museum of Flight and have met several Dutch people there, too. Their reaction is the same. They are very appreciative of those food drops.”

In the end, Ted is “glad we were able to do it. I’m also very appreciative that the Germans didn’t break the truce!”

Great Britain’s Royal Air Force also participated under Operation Manna.

“In 2010 when my mother, Mary Magnuson, made the decision to move to Wesley Homes, it was agreed that it was her best gift to her family,” recalled Wesley Homes Board of Trustees member Rev. Dennis Magnuson. “Over the last two years, the wisdom of her decision has been reflected back to me by other residents and their families. Whether a family member or a resident, they all agree that moving to Wesley Homes was the best decision they ever made.”

Dennis praised Wesley Homes for its dedication to residents. “It is great peace of mind knowing that my mother is in such close proximity to any help or assistance she may need in an emergency,” he said. “It is also a comfort knowing she is surrounded by friends every day. Wesley Homes has kept my mother active and engaged socially.”

Having experienced both independent and assisted living, the Magnuson family knows the level of commitment and dedication of Wesley Homes’ caregivers, staff and residents.

“This is a true community,” said Dennis. “From Home Health services at her home in The Terrace to bed-side care administered by the nurses in the Health Center, there is such a level of compassion and commitment to my mother’s well-being that I’d recommend Wesley Homes to anyone seeking a place to live.”

As a Board member for the last year, Dennis has had the opportunity to advocate for Wesley Homes and guide the mission within the community.

“This year I am serving as a 2012 Tree of Lights Ambassador, which gives me a chance to share the tradition of Wesley Homes as a place founded on generosity and philanthropy,” said Dennis. “As someone with such close connections to Wesley Homes, I am proud to participate in this yearly celebration of Wesley Homes and its mission to serve with love and joy. I see the mission at work in the nurses that care for my mother and the staff I work with in my role as a Board member.”

The annual Tree of Lights tradition allows the community and residents to celebrate their loved ones with pre-printed holiday ornaments while supporting the mission of Wesley Homes.

Through generous annual giving, Wesley Homes Foundation is able to fulfill many campus needs, from program necessities to supporting residents and staff who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Foundation could not provide this critical support without the help of our residents, friends, family and partners.

Gifts made through the Tree of Lights campaign can be directed to any Foundation fund: the Greatest Need Fund, Employee Assistance or the Circle of Concern.

If you have any questions about Tree of Lights or Wesley Homes Foundation, please contact Georgia Congleton at (206) 870-1262 or gcongleton@wesleyhomes.org.

What is the Circle of Concern? The Circle of Concern fund makes it possible for Wesley Homes to keep its commitment to provide housing for residents who have outlived their assets through no fault of their own.

This availability of financial assistance provides an immense sense of security and stability to all Wesley Homes Des Moines and Wesley Homes Lea Hill residents and their families.

“People who need financial help have a place to go to get it,” said Wesley Homes Des Moines resident and Bake Sale Chair Doris Barker. “All of the residents feel very comfortable that we have this resource if we should need it.”

No one expects to run out of resources; when it happens, it can be devastating. The Circle of Concern provides peace of mind to those who find themselves meeting financial hardship through no fault of their own, and we couldn’t do it without your help.

Approximately 50 residents and staff will bake, craft or volunteer for the bake sale, and Culinary Services will provide additional food. Others will donate funds. So be sure to stop by, and pick up your lunch, baked goods, handmade crafts and more.

Ingredients

10 ounces Cream Cheese

1/2 cup Sugar

1/2 cup Brown Sugar

16 ounces Pumpkin, Canned

1/4 cup Heavy Cream

1/4 teaspoon Rum Extract

1 teaspoon Cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon Allspice

3 Egg Whites

In a bowl, blend together cream cheese and sugar. Mix in canned pumpkin. Mix in extract and spices. Whip heavy cream. Whip egg whites to stiff peak. Fold cream and whites into pumpkin mixture until all are combined. Chill for a minimum of 2 hours. Makes 12 servings.

Note: Consumption of raw or undercooked meat, poultry, eggs or seafood poses a health risk to everyone, but especially to the elderly, young children under age 4, pregnant women and individuals with compromised immune systems.

Just over one in 10 grandparents (13%) provides care on a regular basis for at least one grandchild. Of those, 32% are providing care five or more days per week.

Topping the list of very important values grandparents wish to pass down are honesty (88%), good behavior (82%), self-sufficiency (70%), higher education (69%), and good health habits (68%).

The majority (62%) of grandparents have provided financial support or monetary gifts for grandchildren within the past five years. The total average amount provided over the past five years among this group for all grandchildren was $8,289 total, with more than half having given up to $5,000.

For tips on how you can make a difference in your grandchild’s life, visit Grandparents Investing in Grandchildren.

James Thuirer: Alki Tours Grand Prize

Marion Peterson: Anthony’s Homeport Des Moines Gift Certificate

Richard Mason: Copper Falls Restaurant & Bar Gift Certificate

Ed Palin: Copper Falls Restaurant & Bar Gift Certificate

And thank you to our friends at Anthony’s Homeport Des Moines, Print Time and Copper Falls Restaurant & Bar in Auburn for your donations to the Wesley Homes Des Moines and Wesley Homes Lea Hill open houses.

Reverend Dave Ernst, Wesley Homes Des Moines resident and Wesley Homes Lea Hill chaplain

Even at a young age, I was impressed with the life of Jesus, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to wear the black outfit. I remember attending a German-speaking Methodist church and seeing all those “old guys” in their 30s and 40s. I thought someone younger should be leading the church.

I thought about serving through music ministry, but I flunked piano! Well, I didn’t really flunk, but my instructor told me it was a waste of time for both of us if I continued. So I married Llew, who’s very musically inclined and is the musical director of the Padres [the Wesley Homes Des Moines men’s choir].

Reverend Norm Lawson, Wesley Homes Des Moines resident

My favorite part was the wonderful people of the congregations. They were so responsive and encouraging. That was just delightful!

Reverend Rollin Stierwalt, Wesley Homes Lea Hill resident

When I was a teen, the Methodist Church was in my family’s back yard. Once, the church couldn’t find enough adults to teach Sunday school, so some friends and I volunteered. That was the beginning of my passion.

When I went back for the church’s 100th anniversary, I saw a lot of the same people who helped teach Sunday school. I’m the only one of that group who went into the ministry.

Bishop Jack Tuell, Wesley Homes Des Moines resident

I entered the ministry because I felt called to it – to be able to give all my time to bringing people together in love and justice, which are gifts of God.

Reverend Marion Kline, Wesley Homes Des Moines resident

When the United Methodist Board voted to admit women as pastors in 1956, I was among the first group of 27 women nationwide to be accepted. Read more about Reverend Marion.

Reverend David Zaske, Wesley Homes Des Moines resident

Trees have always been a significant point of focus in my life. It was under this tree [at Ocean Park United Methodist Church camp near the mouth of the Columbia River] during an emotional closing program of a youth camp that I really saw the ministry as my life work. When I get to visit the camp, the tree is always visited. I made a point of showing it to my wife on our first of many visits there.

I will see trees of ten in my times of meditation. They sure are God’s gift to me.

Read about Reverend Dave.

Chaplain Mike Byrd, Wesley Homes Des Moines staff

My favorite part about being the chaplain at Wesley Homes is reading the Bible to people. I can offer them comfort when they walk in distraught so they can walk out with hope. Read more about Chaplain Mike.

Additionally, Chaplain Mike leads our Alzheimer’s Support Group and presents our Caring for the Caregiver seminar.

Thank you, pastors, for all you’ve done and continue to do.

Reverend Paul Beeman

Reverend David Biles

Reverend Lee Lee Castor

Reverend Paul Castor

Reverend Jim Elliott

Reverend David Ernst

Reverend Melvin Finkbeiner

Reverend Wayne Griffin

Reverend George Gullian

Reverend Ronald Johnson

Reverend Dorothy Kimbrell

Reverend Marion Kline

Reverend Stanley Kuntz

Reverend Norman Lawson

Reverend Clair Mitchell

Reverend Robert Ortmeyer

Reverend Sydney Saurlender – Missionary

Reverend Edmund Stanton

Reverend Ed Starr

Reverend Rollin Stierwalt

Reverend Troy Strong

Reverend Edwin Towle

Bishop Jack Tuell

Reverend David Zaske

I apologize if I have missed any of our resident pastors. Please contact Rachel at marketing@wesleyhomes.org, and I will add your name to our list.

Chris is very passionate about food. He has brought that passion to the food service industry for 36 years. In his career, Chris has worked for restaurants, large hotels, retailers and hospitals. He started his journey as a dishwasher when he was in high school in New Jersey; then he bused tables and finally made his way into the kitchen.

His next stop was as a cook in the U.S. Coast Guard, which is how Chris was introduced to the Pacific Northwest in 1981. After leaving the Coast Guard, Chris took his passion for food and his desire to further his culinary education to the Culinary School of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, New York. Once Chris completed his training at CIA, he came back to his new-found home in the Puget Sound area, and he’s never left.

Chris loves working in the Pacific Northwest and at Wesley Homes Lea Hill because both the position and the community are family-friendly, which means he can spend more quality time with his family. You may think that Chris, as an executive chef, naturally cooks at home. On the contrary – his wife and 15-year-old daughter do most of the cooking at their home. However, when Chris does prepare meals at home, he leans in the direction of his personal favorite – Asian/Pacific Rim cuisine.

“The community is very picturesque with Eby Lodge, the Village Homes and Brownstones,” said Chris. “Who wouldn’t want to work at such a beautiful and friendly place?”

Creating great food for the residents is another one of Chris’ rewards. He and his Culinary Services team love serving all of the residents of Wesley Homes Lea Hill.

Just because each residential accommodation has a kitchen doesn’t mean the independent living residents don’t get to experience the fantastic dishes that Chris and the Culinary Services team create. Chris estimates that all of the residents eat at least one meal a day in one of the two Wesley Homes Lea Hill dining rooms. This translates to approximately 400 to 500 meals served a day.

Another new member of the Culinary Services team and Chris’ co-worker is Director of Dining Services Abby Adams. Abby manages the front of the house, making sure everyone is served quickly and professionally. She is responsible for the service and presentation when residents come to meals in the three dining rooms at Lea Hill.

Sample some of Chris’ cuisine and see Abby’s beautiful presentation at Wesley Homes Lea Hill’s Harvest Moon Open House on Sunday, October 7th from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. in Auburn. They’d love for you to stop by and say hello.