Happy New Year!

We have a great vision for Wesley Homes in 2012. With new energy and significant goals, we are looking forward to an exciting year. We are updating systems and programs to ensure that we provide high quality resident- and client-centered care. Through the development of a new campus and Lea Hill Health Center, the creation of new services and the expansion of current programs like Home Health, we are expanding our services to serve more individuals and their families throughout King and Pierce counties.

Given the current economy, we are continuing to develop diversified revenue sources and be prudent stewards of the financial resources we have. Donors who share our vision to expand the Wesley Homes mission to more seniors are critical to making this happen. With the help of people like you, we will be able to create new and innovative programs, construct new campuses and add skilled nursing beds to our Lea Hill campus.

Having strong leaders and quality staff also contributes to our success. Employees are our most important asset. Without them, our vision for 2012 will remain just a vision. Hard work and good customer service will help enhance our marketing and sales efforts. The implementation of more advanced technology systems will help us grow and be more effective so we can provide a higher level of care and be more cost efficient. Lastly, development of our staff to achieve outstanding customer service will ensure that our organizational culture personifies the mission of Wesley Homes.

This is not an easy vision to fulfill, but we will attain these goals with your help. We have been truly blessed throughout the years here at Wesley Homes. I thank you for your continued prayers and support as we begin 2012!

Kevin Anderson

President and CEO

Wesley Homes

Over 130 elder care providers attended the SASH Spring Luncheon, which raised over $2,000 for the Senior Services Meals on Wheels Program.

“Our annual Spring Luncheon is a favorite in the local community because of the beautiful setting at Wesley Homes, the fabulous food that is prepared by Executive Chef Chuck Chalfant and the incredible opportunity to connect with outstanding elder care providers from all over the area,” said Rebecca Bomann, CEO and Founder of SASH. “Add to this the privilege of benefiting such a worthy cause as the Senior Services Meals on Wheels Program, and it makes for a fun and memorable event.”

“We love doing this luncheon with SASH – every year it goes off without a hitch, and everyone is so energetic and eager to network with each other,” said Christine Tremain, vice president of Marketing and Development  for Wesley Homes. “This event has more smiles, laughs and hugs than any other networking event I attend. Wesley Homes is honored to partner with SASH in hosting the Spring Luncheon, and we look forward to continuing this partnership for many years to come.”

“It was a truly wonderful luncheon,” said Jane Conrad, Senior Real Estate Specialist for John L. Scott. “As always, I met great people and learned so much about senior resources.”

The SASH Program was founded in 2005 by Rebecca Bomann after she helped her grandfather sell his home. As a real estate professional with a background in social work, Rebecca believed there should be a less stressful and more dignified way for seniors to sell their homes.

Seniors and their families interested in learning more about the SASH Program’s private, custom-designed senior home sale service can visit our website or call 888-400-SASH for more information.

Participating chefs are members of the Compass Group, the culinary providers for companies around the area like Microsoft, Boeing, Qwest Field, Seattle Art Museum and Benaroya Hall. Also demonstrating will be Wesley Homes’ very own Ultimate Chef, Chuck Chalfant.

Ultimate Chef is also a great chance to get to know Wesley Homes — one of Puget Sound’s premier retirement communities. So be sure to complete your Ultimate Chef experience by viewing our apartment homes and cottage homes, meeting some of our residents and seeing our beautifully landscaped campus. What a great way to enjoy your day! We hope you and your friends will make plans to join us! This will be a popular event, so be sure to RSVP soon by calling 206-824-5000.

If you’re still not convinced you should attend Ultimate Chef, how about getting the chance to win a $200 gift card to Trader Joe’s?  One lucky attendee will win! Recipe cards will be provided for everyone so you can try the fabulously fresh recipes from each of our chefs.

The fun starts at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011, in The Terrace Auditorium at Wesley Homes Des Moines. So join us, learn new ways to cook flavorful meals and sample the delicious preparations from some fabulous chefs.

Call today to make your reservation: 206-824-5000.

• Indicators show that our economy is recovering
• Home prices are beginning to stabilize
• Washington was “late in” and will be “early out” of the recession
• We must absorb the inventory of foreclosed and distressed properties for a complete recovery
• There is pent-up demand
• Current home prices and interest rates make home buying affordable
• Your home is still a sound investment
  • $100,000 in 2000
    • Purchase of a Washington home is worth $120,428 today
    • Invested  in the S&P 500 Index Fund is worth$68,689 today
    • Put in a mattress is worth $77,574 today
    • Homes are selling if they are
      • Priced competitively
      • In good condition and show well

“It is a price war and a beauty contest”

• Homes that are “staged” by a professional will sell on average in 29 days or less
• One alternative to a traditional home sale is a sale through SASH
  • www.sashprogram.com or 1-888-400-7274
• Easy Transitions by Benevia is a program through Wesley Homes to help incoming residents navigate the moving process
  • www.benevia.com or 1-888-236-3842

Thank you to our presenters: Robert Kuehn of Fulcrum Capital, Al Franzen of Windermere Real Estate , Nancy Colson of Windermere Real Estate, Edi Keech of Staging Puget Sound, Rebecca Bomann of SASH and Linda Kladnick of Benevia.

The panel of local professionals includes:

Al Franzen, Windermere Real Estate (Des Moines)

Nancy Colson, Windermere Real Estate (Auburn)

Edi Keech, Staging Puget Sound

Rebecca Bomann, SASH (Sell A Senior’s Home program)

Eric Rovner and Linda Kladnick, Easy Transitions by Benevia

Bob Kuehn, CFA, Fulcrum Capital

Locations:

Des Moines: The Terrace Auditorium

Wednesday, March 9

2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Lea Hill in Auburn: Assembly Room

Wednesday, March 16

2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

CALL TODAY! RSVP to 206-824-5000 and bring a friend!

Refreshments will be served.

Liberia. Congo. Zambia. Wesley Homes resident Dave Zaske is a well-traveled man. He’s been traveling with church mission teams for 12 years. He recently spent eight days in Port-au-Prince, the capital of earthquake-ravaged Haiti.

“There were 10 of us who went down there. We worked on the damaged house where our United Methodist mission was staying. We tore off plaster, made a new driveway and made a new parking lot,” said Dave.

“We also worked with the children. We had 38 shirts left from Vacation Bible School, and there were coincidentally 38 kids in Haiti. We took them health kits that contained toothpaste, wash cloths, hand towels, combs and fingernail clippers,” said Dave. The kits were put together by churches in the Pacific Northwest.

The supplies were needed in a country where recovery has been slow. There are still tent cities, portable toilets, open sewer trenches and crowded conditions.  “There are a lot of damaged buildings that are empty and buildings that have fallen down,” said Dave. “Some houses and buildings were built stronger than others, so there are no areas that are untouched.”

The physical evidence isn’t the only mark left by the 2010 earthquake. “After the earthquake, our translator found dead children in the rubble,” said Dave. “It is still very emotional for him to talk about.”

Recovery may take years, but the healing has begun. “People are happy and hopeful. The children play well together,” said Dave, “but help is still needed. These people are worthy of help. They’ve had a poor history, and that’s not their fault.”

Dave enjoyed the comforts afforded him in Haiti. “They fed us well and treated us well. I had a nice bed and the best pillow I’ve ever had,” said Dave. “I also had cold showers. I didn’t like that!”

Before coming to Lea Hill as chef, David worked for the Native American Indian Tribe casinos located on the Kitsap Peninsula. He was involved in cooking for 800 to 10,000 customers a day. It was there that he learned the art of cooking salmon, crabs and clams for large groups. Several years later he became a sous-chef at the Federal Way Black Angus restaurant, where he learned the art of cutting and cooking steaks for the twelve different recipes they used.

He now lives for (what he claims is) a three-minute walk (run?) from his job here at Lea Hill, down to his apartment. Coming up the hill might take a little bit longer. If the weather is bad, he concedes to driving his car.

His usual day begins in the kitchen with his cooks and staff, checking supplies, writing orders and reviewing upcoming menus. He then checks his email messages from residents and follows up with calls to each person. Finally, the food is prepared, and the executive chef demonstrates how the plate of food for service should look. Everyone gets a taste and gives an opinion on each item.

There are times when he must meet the needs of vegans who cannot eat dairy products, meat or eggs. He has to find a way for grains, tofu, greens and vegetables to be made palatable by the skillful additions of spices such as turmeric, paprika and garlic. There are other times when unexpected guests arrive, expecting to be fed, and he must concoct an acceptable dinner menu. When trying new recipes, such as an eggplant dish, he makes only a few servings. If they are “sold out,” he makes more the next time.

Computer software converts the number of servings planned and the recipe Chef Dave wants to use into the proper adjustment of the amount needed for each item in the recipe. The kitchen is kept scrupulously clean with all the cooks wearing hair nets and vinyl gloves. When fried country steak is ordered, it comes from the freezer already breaded but raw and frozen. It is placed in a special oven that combines moist and dry, heats and is ready to serve in eight minutes. Hamburgers are always cooked on a grill.

His working day on special occasions, such as the annual Open House at Lea Hill, may start as early as 2:00 a.m. There are special breads to be made, samples for the guests to taste of dishes served in the dining halls and an array of desserts and other refreshments that will be needed at several stations in the building. This is in addition to preparing regular meals for the residents. Thanks, and three cheers for our proficient executive chef who keeps us healthfully fed!

By Betty Sperline, Wesley Homes Lea Hill resident

Circle of Flowers quilters: Harriette Fredenburg, Evelyn Joneson, Wilda McOmber and Sue Peto

For the second annual Tree of Lights Quilt Drawing in Des Moines, the Wesley Homes Needle Crafters have outdone themselves. This year’s “Circle of Flowers”, the beautiful red and white quilt that has graced the lobbies of The Gardens, The Health Center and The Terrace, was hand embroidered by residents of The Terrace and The Gardens.

“Last year, we raised $700.00 for the Circle of Concern,” said Donna Wilson, co-chair of the Needle Crafters. “We don’t have a target of what we want to raise. We just do what we can.”

A few years ago, the Needle Crafters voted to support the Circle of Concern. They participate in other activities to raise funds during the year, but the Tree of Lights Quilt Drawing is becoming a tradition for the holidays. The “Circle of Flowers” quilt was sewn by several of the Needle Crafters and combined by Sue Peto, co-chair of the Needle Crafters. Other members of the Needle Crafters are Doreen Vinton, Jo Brown, Jean Witt, Marian Johnson, Hazel Douglas and Velna Steiner.

The fabric of the “Circle of Flowers” won’t shrink or run because the ladies pre-washed the material, which means the special embroidery in the center of the quilt will retain its color and shape.

The Tree of Lights Quilt Drawing will be Friday, December 3rd at 6:30 p.m. in The Terrace Auditorium, so be sure to buy your $1 raffle tickets before then. You may purchase as many tickets as you want to help support the Circle of Concern. Of course, donations to the Circle of Concern are always welcome to meet the needs of residents who have outlived their resources.

Shoveling snow is an extremely strenuous activity, especially if there’s a lot of snow or if the snow is wet and heavy. Be careful to not overexert yourself. To prevent injuries when shoveling snow:

• Stretch for a couple of minutes before shoveling to loosen up muscles.

• Pace yourself to prevent overexertion. Start slow and give yourself a chance to warm up.  Once you are warmed up, maintain a steady pace to reduce stress on your body.

• Lift smaller amounts when snow is heavy and wet.

• Breathe in while lifting and out while throwing.

• Keep your feet shoulder width apart for balance.

• Hold the shovel close to your body for better leverage and less strain.

• Push snow rather than lifting it when possible, especially when the snow is heavy.

• When lifting a shovel full of snow, bend your knees, keep your back straight, tighten your stomach muscles, and lift with your legs.

• Avoid twisting your body when you throw the snow from the shovel.

• When shoveling stairs, stand lower than the step you are shoveling and pull snow toward you until you reach the bottom step. Then scoop, lift, and throw snow more easily.

• Take breaks from time to time to give your muscles a chance to relax and avoid muscle strain.

Snow blowers make clearing snow much easier than shoveling it.  However, like any machine, snow blowers can be dangerous if operators don’t take adequate safety precautions. To be safe when using a snow blower:

• Clear the area of any debris before you begin snow removal.

• Direct snow away from people and vehicles.

• Don’t exceed the blower’s capacity.

• Always stop the engine before cleaning snow from blades or chute.

• Never put your hand in the discharge chute. When the engine is turned off, clear away snow or debris with a shovel handle.

• Shut off engine and remove the spark plug wire before making repairs or mechanical adjustments.

• When clearing slopes, work up and down the slope, not across the face.

• Never leave a running snow blower unattended.

• Always handle and store gasoline safely.