Message from Rob Whitten, President of JGS Lifecare

July 14, 2023

Dear Residents and Families,

I hope everyone is enjoying the warm summer weather. The month of June flew by at JGS, culminating in the highly anticipated 42nd Annual JGS Lifecare Frankel-Kinsler Classic Day of Tournaments on June 26th.

The Frankel-Kinsler Classic has always been a terrific fundraiser for JGS and this year proved no different. The day consisted of a variety of activities including golf, bridge, mahjong, canasta, tennis and pickleball tournaments. In total, there were 200 participants and the event raised over $111,000! These funds will help us purchase new furnishings for our resident rooms on campus.

This incredible day would not have been possible without the dedication of the Frankel-Kinsler Planning Committee and the 30 volunteers who helped out at the tournament. They ensured the day was a huge success. I would also like to thank Susan Halpern and Lisa Beth Perlbinder for putting in countless hours behind the scenes. Clearly, their hard work paid off!

Sincerely,

Rob Whitten

JGS Lifecare’s 42nd Annual Frankel Kinsler Classic Day of Tournaments Rallies Wide Range of Support for the Care of our Elders

July 13, 2023

JGS Lifecare hosted its 42nd Annual Frankel-Kinsler Classic Day of Tournaments at Twin Hills Country Club in Longmeadow, under beautiful skies on June 26th. Drawing over 200 guests attracted to golf, tennis, pickleball, card-playing tournaments, and a celebratory awards dinner, the event raised over $111,000 to support senior care at The Leavitt Family Jewish Home, Ruth’s House Assisted Living, Sosin Center for Rehabilitation, Wernick Adult Day Health Care, Spectrum Home Health and Hospice Care, and Genesis House.

“We’re overwhelmed by the tremendous show of support from businesses and individuals throughout Western Massachusetts, said vice president of development and communications Susan Halpern. “Event proceeds will help replace tired and worn bedroom furnishings with new nightstands, bureaus, armoires and headboards. The upgrades are intended to elevate residents’ comfort, joy and well-being in their private spaces.”

Co-Chairman, Brian Zippin, welcomed participants at the awards dinner and thanked all sponsors and tournament participants for their support.

Dr. Stuart Anfang, chairman of the JGS Lifecare board of directors, offered his greetings and gratitude to all supporters and attendees, and provided an update on recent achievements at JGS Lifecare. He shared his excitement that planning is underway to bring the household model of care, known as the Green House Model proven so successful at Sosin Center for Rehabilitation, to residents of the The Leavitt Family Jewish Home. He asked that people mark their calendars for the JGS Lifecare Annual Meeting to be held Tuesday, October 10th, where more details will be shared about these exciting new plans. He also announced that on Thursday, September 14th the community will be invited to join JGS Lifecare in celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Ruth’s House Assisted Living Residence, with public announcements forthcoming.

Israel Schepps awarded tournament prizes and Susan Halpern announced raffle winners.

Event Sponsors include The Haberman, Katz and Webber Families, Harry Grodsky & Co., Inc.; Steven & Georgianne Roberts; HUB Retirement & Wealth Management formerly Epstein Financial Services; Liberty Bank; PeoplesBank; The Albert & Judith Goldberg Family Foundation; Alekman DiTusa LLC; Century Investment; CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP; Donna, Emma & Joely Frankel; Kaste Industrial Machine Sales, Inc.; Spartan Auto Care Centers; and Westfield Bank.

“As an organization whose majority of funding comes through Medicaid, the Frankel-Kinsler Classic is an enormously successful and fun way for us to engage the community to provide fiscal resources to help us maintain our quality of care and enrich our programming,” commented Halpern.

2023 Frankel-Kinsler Classic Golf Tournament Champions:

• Low Gross – David Ference, Joe Westcott, Eric Devine and Joe Gozzi
• 2nd Gross – Rick Rabideau, Pat McGovern, Ken Ferris and Al Lomaglio
• Low Net – Frank Marci, Chuck Harding, Random Draw 1 and Random Draw 2
• 2nd Net – Peter Vangsness, Scott Feinstein, Bill Gates and Kevin Harkness
• 3rd Net – Gary Weiner, Robert Girvan, Andrew Callery and Kent Griffiths
• Closest to the Pin – (hole 3) Joe Gozzi with Hole in One; (hole 9) Suzanne Osofsky at 10’; (hole 13) Joe Gozzi at 10’1”; (hole 18) Rob Whitten at 2,4’’
• Closest to the Line – Men – Joe Westcott
• Closest to the Line – Women – Sue Kline
• Longest Drive – Men – Dr. Vincent Guardione
• Longest Drive – Women – Flava Cote

Summertime at JGS Lifecare

July 17, 2023

July on the JGS Lifecare campus is brimming with activities. Our residents always enjoy the friendship and camaraderie of visiting the JNH coffee shop. The ice cream can’t be beat and the conversation inevitably turns into something fun and entertaining. You never know who you will meet!

Pet visits bring joy to our residents and staff. Our four legged friends simply make us smile, and their hugs feel so good!

Joe, one of our volunteers, always seeks ways to bring a smile to our faces. Take a look at the photos of Joe playing games with our residents. Thank you, Joe!

We welcomed new entertainers to our campus. “Musically Married” is a husband and wife duo who play wonderful Broadway hits. Residents loved hearing them sing. Also on the music scene: jam sessions with our new instruments. Music brightens the day for us all of us.

Competition is fierce this month with our bowling tournaments. We have very skilled players! Other summer activities included our festive July 4th celebration on the patio, compete with red/white/blue yogurt parfaits. Residents have also enjoyed tasty BBQ’s, along with refreshing root beer floats. Some traditions never go out of style.

Seasons of Life

July 13, 2023

Take a look at an insightful reflection article written by Mary-Anne Schelb, Director of Business Development at JGS Lifecare. Mary-Anne reminds us, in her trademark down-to-earth way, to take time to be ourselves. Very good advice indeed!

Seasons:

And I don’t mean Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall. I am referring to the seasons of life. Seasons of friendship, seasons of career, seasons of family. You get it.

We all know the saying friends come into and out of our lives for a reason a season or a lifetime. Really the same thing happens in all we do. Getting married, you become someone’s wife or husband or partner. You have children and you are mom or dad. You get a career and you are someone’s employee, or boss. Even C-suite employees report to someone. If you are a business owner, you may have a board of directors you are in step with – or you are answering to your customers or clients. Some of these will be for a reason – for a season or maybe a lifetime.

As the years pass and your children go through grade school, high school then college, the time comes when they graduate, are technically considered adults and they go out on their own. Mom’s and dad’s – yet proud, sometimes become saddened with their kids leaving the nest. Empty nest syndrome is a real thing and it is ok to feel sad, but…  (you knew there would be a but! 😉  do not lose yourself in this sadness! Try to replace the sadness with excitement that your kids are going forth into the world with all you have taught them, all you have shown them. Our job is to guide them and encourage them to become successful and contributing members of society.  (Sometimes that works, sometimes it does not,) Children have choices. They have the ability to choose just like you do. Let them live. Let them experience, and I dare you to do the same!

Whether you are still “mom and dad” – or now may be part of the sandwich generation and you are caring for your own mom and dad – or you are finding you are identifying too much with a job, take a deep breath – close your eyes, and picture the perfect you! Connect with your higher self (that perfect version of yourself) and move towards that. One small step at a time still moves you forward.

Don’t get lost in someone else’s dream, make sure you are living your own. And if you are? Kudos to you! We are very few and far between – so I ask this of you – reach out to a friend you see may be in need…  give them a hug, spend some time, lend an ear…  Talk to them about the wonderful person you know they are, and remind them – not to get lost…

We are all in this together.

Mary-Anne Schelb is Director of Business Development for the Western Mass Region of JGS Lifecare/Legacy Lifecare. She is deep-rooted in the community building and fostering relationships to shape genuine bonds and levels of trust that her professional connections have come to rely on over the years. Mary-Anne truly enjoys helping people with any and all of their eldercare needs as well as nurture self-care through her own personal path to better health and wellness as a Holistic Health Practitioner.