Thanks for the Memories Growing up in Beverly, I used to swim at Kennedy Park. From there, I could see the Washington and

Jane Smith Home, which became Smith Village. I had no idea I would one-day work here, but early on in my career I discovered that I enjoyed working with older adults.

By the early 1990s, I had specialized in geriatrics. At Little Company of Mary Hospital, I evaluated patients with dementia and served as director of their hospice program. I began treating Smith Village residents in 1997 and assumed responsibilities as medical director in 2000.

I still love working here, and I’m too young to retire. But I know I will benefit from no longer having to run between Smith Village, Little Company of Mary and my practice. I’ve accepted a position at Stroger Hospital which is closer to my home. I’m excited that I will continue to do what I enjoy most—treat older adults—but I will sorely miss the residents of Smith Village. I’ve come to regard you as an extended family, and your well-being still means everything to me.

To find a general practitioner, try asking a friend or one of your specialists. You can also access Little Company’s physician match program by calling 1-708-423-3070. Remember, it will take a while to get to know your new doctor and for him or her to get to know you.

May 2014

News to Consider May is Older Americans Month, an

observance directly tied to the passage of

the Older Americans Act in 1965. For a

nation once severely lacking in services

for the elderly, the legislation established

the Administration on Aging with the

authority to provide states with grants for

community planning and social services,

research and development projects, and

personnel training in the field of aging.

Smith Crossing resident Bernie Nash

played a pivotal role in the establishment

of the Administration on Aging. A retired

two-star U.S. Navy Admiral, Bernie was

named executive director of AARP in

1969, serving the emerging organization

for six years. He continued to work for

AARP in other capacities until retiring at

age 79 in 2001.

As Smith residents, Bernie and his wife,

Shirley, a former nursing home

administrator, continue to live by the

AARP credo: dignity, independence and

purpose. Smith Museum Talk Saturday, May 31—3 p.m. Community Hall Learn about the rich history of Smith Senior Living from Ken Jellema while viewing artifacts from the original Oakhaven Old People’s home. Ken recently discovered that Jens Jensen, who is considered “the dean of American landscape architecture,” supplied the landscape drawings for the original Oakhaven Old People’s Home.

Join us for Dr. Thomas’ farewell party, Tues., May 27, from 5 to 6:30p.m. in

Community Hall.

Nancy Graves gets her blood glucose levels tested by a representative from Little Company of Mary

Hospital at our recent health fair. The event attracted 175 attendees, provided valuable health tips and

featured a cooking demonstration of Mediterranean cuisine by Chef David Somerfield.

Cheers to 90 Years! Tuesday, April 29—10:00 a.m. The Village Players in Community Hall Friday, May 2 — 6:30p.m. Reception in Marketplace Cafe Chicago notables Jane Addams, Governor Charles Deneen, Senator Joseph McCormick, John G. Shedd and legendary attorney Clarence Darrow inspired the rich heritage of what is called Smith Senior Living. This colorful past is rooted in the founding of Oakhaven Old People’s Home, which welcomed its first 44 residents on May 1, 1924 and opened its doors on the site of what is now Smith Village.

Please join us in celebrating Smith Senior Living’s 90-year history. Stroll back through decades starting with the 1920s during a lively musical performance by the Village Players. Winners of cash prizes offered by the raffle to support Emilie’s Fund also will be drawn.

On Friday, May 2, at 6:30p.m. come to the Marketplace Cafe to savor a leisurely evening of sharing cocktails and sweet treats with trustees and VIPs, fellow-residents and staff members.

You can also view on Channel 66 all the festivities and the Village Players performance starting at 5:30.

Please RSVP by April 28 to the AL Reception Desk if you plan to attend.

The first of May gives each of us the opportunity to touch a moment of our community’s rich history. The resilience, fortitude and vision of Susie Woodman and Dr. William Gregg, founders of Oakhaven Old People’s Home, inspire us. It is an honor and privilege to carry-forward their spirit of pursuing a joyful life.Thank you for everyone who supported Emilie’s Fund by participating in our raffle.

Book Review: The Longest Ride By Monica Joria

Nicholas Sparks’ novel, The Longest Ride, opens with 91-year-old Ira Levinson driving into a

river and knocking his head into the steering wheel, which renders him barely conscious. He is

not surprised when his wife, who had died several years before, appears beside him, holding his

hand. They talk about their many happy years together.

Another character in the book is Sophia, a college girl who is being bothered by an old boyfriend

who has cheated on her several times. She wants nothing to do with him, but he is persistent.

Fortunately, Luke, a professional bull rider, saves her this annoyance. Luke has taken up bull-

riding to help his mother. His prize money will help save her heavily mortgaged homestead.

Luke and Sophia become very close and eventually fall in love. She begs him to quit riding after

he is nearly killed by a vicious bull, but Luke feels he must keep on riding for his mother’s sake.

Together, Sophia and Luke discover Ira’s partially submerged car. They rescue him and rush him

to a hospital where he survives for a time. When Ira dies, Sophia and Luke learn that Ira has

willed his estate to the couple that rescued him from the river. Ira’s wife had been an art collector

which made the estate extremely valuable.

The Longest Ride refers to the ride of a lifetime. Nicholas Sparks has written about 15 best-

selling novels. If the others are as interesting as this one, it is easy to see why they are best

sellers.

Resident Spotlight: LaVerne Wirtz By Sarah Jewett

LaVerne was born and raised in Chicago’s

Visitation Parish. She attended St. Cecilia

Grammar School and graduated from Harper

High School. After graduation, she worked

briefly for Wrigley, before finding a more

permanent work home. With the exception of the six months

spent working for Pacific Telephone Company in San

Francisco during World War II, LaVerne devoted 30 years to

Illinois Bell in Chicago. She enjoyed her responsibilities and

working closely with people.

LaVerne met her husband, James, right after returning from

California. The pair married after six months of dating. They

spent 56 years together before he passed away 12 years ago.

LaVerne notes that their marriage included the ups and downs

of most marriages, but she and James were good about talking

through their problems. James was a very caring man in his

own way. The couple raised five children. Sadly, they lost two

sons—James II and Thomas—to illnesses. Martin, Terry and

Mary Lou all live nearby, and LaVerne regularly enjoys

spending time with them. She is also the proud grandmother of

15 and great-grandmother of 10!

LaVerne enjoys watching TV. Her favorite program is Law and

Order: SVU. Though she insists that she has never been a very

social person, she surprises herself now; people here act

outgoing toward her, and she gives it right back! Ask her about

her favorite food and LaVerne responds, “Food!”

Let’s give LaVerne a warm welcome.

Musings On . . . Poetry By Sarah Jewett

Last month was National

Poetry month, which caused

me to consider that poetry is

so beautiful because it uses

few words to convey vast

amounts of meaning.

These words express a

multitude of emotion

depending on how they are

arranged. Poetry has come a

long way from the days when

stanzas contained rhymes and

followed strict rules of meter.

Now poets use free verse.

Our dear friend, Helen

Kutschke, had been writing

poetry for years! In addition,

Helen wrote several plays for

the drama club here. We lost

Helen last month, and we

share her poem in memory of

her talent. Read her poem

from top to bottom or from

bottom to top!

There is so much to remember

When life shifts from May to

December

Happy times and troubled

times, too

Your life is a story ‘tis true

Important to nobody—so it

may seem

Tho family members have

shared every dream

When I strolled in the park

with my fellow

I saw flowers that were pink

and some were yellow

Roses are red, violets are blue

I’ve heard it so often—it must

be true.

On the Road Again By Clare Moore

I wish all you music lovers could have joined me at a recent Southwest Symphony Concert.

Under the direction of David L. Crane, the 50-some member volunteer orchestra performed

with featured vocalist Helen Welch at the Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights. The

program, titled Got Rhythm, began with an orchestral medley of five Gershwin tunes, but from

then on it was all Ms. Welch with a fine selection of ballads and swing tunes.

Ms. Welch, an Englishwoman, came to the States in 2003 when she married. She lives in

Northeastern Ohio and sings all over the world. She is at home in both concert halls and

intimate club settings. Her voice—probably a contralto—is wonderful, as attested to by the

packed audience who paid her huge ovations.

Some of the tunes included: Misty, Someone to Watch Over Me, I Got Rhythm, Fever, and

Fascinating Rhythm, to name a few. The finale, which was dedicated to Ella Fitzgerald,

included: Summertime, A-Tisket-A-Tasket

and Lady Be Good. This artful combination

of Ms. Welch and the Southwest Symphony

celebrating its 50th year could only be

described as dynamic, fantastic and

wonderful!

Publication Credits Editor: Sarah Jewett Contributors: Tory Brigance, Monica Joria, Clare Moore and Michael Thomas, D.O.

A Moment’s Reaction A Photo Column By Tory Brigance

Table Games. Every other

Tuesday and on Sunday

afternoons, we like to play

dice and card games.

Often we play several

games for an hour or so,

then spend another five to

10 minutes just talking

and enjoying the afternoon. We always have a great time. So

come and join us. Sit, chat and have some fun!

Marge Reynolds, Laverne Stocks and Eleanor Murphy enjoy a friendly

game of cards.