Volume 14 | Issue 6/7
June / July 2020
Moosehaven News
Heart of the Community
American Pride 4th of July
at Moosehaven is cancelled
and will not be rescheduled.
Upcoming Events
  • Our Activities Departments are working hard to keep residents active and engaged! Fun activities like Bingo, Corn Hole, Ice Cream Socials, Friday Social Hour and more are held while observing all the precautions of social distancing and limited crowd size.
Share Your Moosehaven Memories!
Social media has become the mainstay of any organization to promote who they are, what they do and for whom it is done. Moosehaven has such a wonderful history of people, places and events, and we love sharing it with you.

Do you have old photographs of a trip to Moosehaven...perhaps from a personal tour, a Florida Days visit, a facility dedication or ground breaking ceremony? If you do, please scan the photographs and send to me; I'd love to share the memories on our Facebook page! Each week we have a Throwback Thursday post and welcome your input.

If you haven't liked our Moosehaven Facebook and Instagram pages, you're missing out on all the fun! We share stories and pictures of resident activities, campus happenings and fun, fun, fun.

Please visit www.facebook/cityofcontentment and www.instagram/themoosehaven

To send photos of your past visits to Moosehaven, please forward to mmathews@moosehaven.org.

As always, we thank you for your support of the mission that is Moosehaven!

Marina Mathews, Editor
Director of Communications & Events
Look Who's Talking
Simply Helen
Helen Taylor, Executive Director
I’m writing my first article as Moosehaven’s 13 th Executive Director, and, I must admit, I’m excited and challenged at what is on the horizon. Of course, I didn’t expect to be in the midst of a global pandemic, but here we are.

Since March, we’ve dealt with new challenges presented to us on a daily basis. These challenges have consumed much of Moosehaven Leadership’s time as we respond to constant changes. Thank you to all of our leadership and staff for going the extra mile with the added duties that keep us in compliance with the health care regulations. Also, a big thank you for their due diligence in taking the necessary precautions to help keep our campus a safe environment. 

We realize taking care of our residents' physical needs is not enough. Their social well being is also very important. While daily activities have changed, our care and commitment has not changed!  Our Covid-19 Task Force team meets regularly to evaluate the risk and benefits of how we can safely enhance the activities and the way we are delivering services.    

Some of the most difficult challenges for many of our residents (nothing life-threatening) are cancelled off-campus trips to the local Lodges and Department Stores, having no visitors, and not commingling with residents in other buildings. This means no special events, (picnics, dances, etc.) that bring residents together throughout the campus.   

A special thanks to our residents! Through it all, they’ve been wonderful! Most can’t say “thank you” enough for the safety and security they experience each and every day and for all of the special things we do to enrich their lives.
 
 As we continue to pursue our new normal, please know that Moosehaven is committed to continue our efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19. The safety and well being of our residents and staff is our primary concern.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers and for the many comments on social media showing your appreciation for Moosehaven and our efforts in keeping our Senior members safe!

On another note…

Last year one of my articles was titled, “Together We Thrive!” After watching our 132 nd International Convention on June 25 & 26 th , we see now more than ever how important that phrase is.  In the article, I mentioned the banner “Together We Thrive” was hanging at one of the local churches that has been in Orange Park for many years and was, at one time, a thriving church. They have the same problem we and many other organizations have - dwindling membership.  

Thanks to someone who decided to acknowledge the problem, discuss the problem and recognize, we either “change or die,” they did something about it. While I’m sure it wasn’t easy breaking away from tradition, they swallowed their pride, set aside their differences and focused on what really mattered. They joined forces with a church that is growing by leaps and bounds.   

I believe your vote to adopt “One Moose” unleashed endless possibilities for the Moose! 
There’s sure to be many growing pains along the way, but we are Moose, we are ONE and “together we can!”

On behalf of Moosehaven, I’d like to thank all of the delegates who voted for “One Moose.” You, like the church, set aside traditions and customs and focused on what really matters – Mooseheart and Moosehaven !

Simply Helen


Bill's Board
Bill Tippins, Director of Operations
It was a blisteringly hot day in South Georgia. The thermometer read 97degrees, but the weather man said it felt like 103. I don’t know how he knew that, but I think for once he was right. When it’s that hot, there is only one place to go. So I went fishing. Not get in the boat and run 90 miles an hour down a lake and stop somewhere and stand on the bow of the boat in the hot sun fishing. No my kind of hot day fishing is different. I found myself not far from the Fruit Cake Capital of the World on the Canoochee River. I spent the day standing under the shade of an old red cedar tree with cypress knees all around fishing in the dark ice tea water. I fished all day and hadn’t caught much but used up all my bait. I wasn’t really ready to leave, but with no bait, I turned to go. Right there behind me was a great big rattle snake with about a dozen rattles. The snake had a huge frog in its mouth about half swallowed. I thought to myself that frog would make good bait. I reached down and grabbed the snake right behind the head and I pried that frog loose from his mouth and put him in my bait box. Now I wondered out loud, “what am I gonna do with this snake; I don’t want him to bite me.” After a few seconds of looking at the snake with his mouth wide open, I had an idea. I pulled my flask of Jack Daniels out of my back pocket and I poured about two ounces down that snake’s mouth. Well the snake’s tail started to shake all those rattles and his eyes bugged out and then he just went limp. I threw the snake off in the bushes and grabbed my frog from the bait bucket and went back to fishing. About 20 minutes later I felt something hit my knee high rubber boots so I looked down. There was that same snake looking up at me-- with two frogs. This is a true story, I swear.

If you believe that you probably can’t tell the difference between lightning and lightning bugs. Anybody who knows anything about me would know when I got to the part where I turned around and saw a rattle snake that is where the story would end, with only a brief mention of how to climb a red cedar tree without getting splinters. My fear of snakes came to me naturally as an inherited trait.

About 1955 my father and grandfather were in a flat bottom aluminum boat floating down that same ice tea water in that same Canoochee River near that same Fruit Cake Capital of the World. They had a couple of shot guns with them in case they had problems with snakes. They were enjoying the lazy trip easing along in the shade of the overhanging branches when all of a sudden a snake dropped out of the tree right in the middle of the boat. They both knew exactly what to do; they picked up their shotguns and fired a couple of rounds each at that snake totally eliminating any trace. Coincidentally they also blew a large hole in the bottom of the boat that immediately filled with water and sank.

At least one of these stories is true. I don’t know what fear of snakes and fishing in South Georgia has to do with anything, but I hope it made you smile at least a little bit. Keep your sense of humor no matter what else is going on and everything else does not seem so bad.

Stay safe and take care of each other.

Bill Tippins
Suzie Says
Suzanne Hopkins, Director of Resident Services
I am excited to begin a new journey with Moosehaven as the Director of Resident Services as Helen Taylor moves to her new role as Executive Director. I have worked at Moosehaven as the Social Services Director since 2007 and love it.

I grew up in a small town, one of 5 children. I have always enjoyed helping others. I attended Southern Illinois University for my 4 year degree and earned my Masters Degree at Southwestern Seminary in Texas. I originally planned to do foreign mission work.

I met my husband, Tim, at grad school and he planned to be a youth minister. We worked with teenagers in his ministry for years. My first social work position was in Titusville, FL at Jess Parrish Hospital. My first position in Long Term Care was in 1999 at Mariner of MacClenney.

After working in several other communities and facilities, I can say with absolute certainty that Moosehaven operates the way Long Term Care should be. We pay for hearing aids, glasses, dentures, copays, etc. There are no worries for the residents and our fraternity is very generous to us.

I look forward to working with my new department and continuing to work with Helen and her team.

Suzie Hopkins

Moosehaven created a Visitor Zone for our residents and their friends and families. Visitors may arrange scheduled visits, which adhere to all social distancing mandates, while allowing 'face-to-face' social interaction. Our primary goal is the safety and well being of our residents, and this includes their physical and social well being.

If you would like to visit with a Moosehaven resident, please contact the resident directly so they can make arrangements for the visit.
Up Close And Personal With
Raymond and Virginia Winkler
Rachel Meierdierck, HCC Receptionist
This month we get up close and personal with Ray and Gina Winkler. Ray was born in Chicago, IL and Gina in Maywood, a suburb of Chicago. Ray and Gina eventually moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan where they lived for about 37 years and raised their family.

Ray was the only child of Anton and Frances Winkler, and Gina’s mother and father were Roy and Margaret Haupt. Ray attended Morton Junior College for 2 years. He also took courses at Northwestern University where his major interest was psychology. Gina graduated from Proviso High School.

Ray and Gina met when she and her mom were out shopping at the shoe store where he worked. Ray recalls it was an extremely busy day and the store was packed, but Gina caught his attention. Another salesman asked her if she noticed Ray across the way and Gina replied, “Yes.” The man then said “Well, he wants to know if he can have your phone number.” Gina quickly said, “If he wants my number, he’s going to have to get it himself.” And he did! Things were so busy, however, Ray wrote the number on the bottom of a shoe box and at closing had to search for it, as it had been returned to the shelf.

Ray and Gina were married in 1953, and this year they will celebrate 67 beautiful years together. They have four children, Diane, Donna, Daniel and Douglas. Each is married with children of their own. All together, they have 10 grandchildren and “12 plus” great grandchildren. Gina says the “12 plus” is because there is one in the oven!

Ray and Gina love to travel. They have visited all 50 states, many in their camper. While the kids were growing, visiting the states was an every-year vacation tradition. The Winklers have also done a lot of cruising. Gina estimates they’ve taken somewhere around 30 cruises. They both agree that one of the most impactful destinations was called Fanning Island. This was an excursion they enjoyed while visiting Hawaii. They described the island and islanders as crude but friendly. They believe these travel experiences allow a person to appreciate all the blessings we have here in America.

Ray was in the US Army from 1953 to 1955. During his service to our country, he was able to visit Germany and Paris. After his service, Ray worked in sales for Gates Rubber for 30 years. He retired from Gates Rubber in 1985. They worked at various positions over the years. He was the Recreation Director for the city of Walker, Michigan for 5 years. Ray was an usher at the Chicago Theater. They sold fresh cut Christmas trees in Florida shipped from Michigan. They both worked as extras on the TV show “Roseanne”. They both worked at Disney, and Ray worked a couple of off seasons at Western Electric.

Ray and Gina have a huge love and fond memories of the 15 years they worked together for the Major League Baseball Spring Training Camp. Their stories include fun, excitement and baseball royalty, such as Frank Robinson! Gina is most proud of her creation and running of a Diners Group while they were living in Indialantic, Florida. The group only met once a month and began with a mere 2-3 couples. Gina had reason to be proud! Eleven years later, the small Diners Group she started had bloomed to a whopping 50 plus members.

Ray joined the Moose at his mother’s urging in 1950 and has earned his lifetime Moose membership. He and Gina have always felt gratitude for the sincere acceptance anytime they’ve visited lodges around the country. They had visited the Moosehaven campus 3 to 4 times over the years and always loved it. In the summer of 2017, one of their daughters suggested some type of assisted community. Later that year, a hurricane forced them to evacuate. The scare of the hurricane combined with their daughter’s prior suggestion gave them the idea to look at Moosehaven through new eyes.

Ray and Gina knew immediately this is where they wanted to be, so they made an appointment with Marina to begin applying. They said, “The day we came to Moosehaven we felt like we were home. And this is home.” During the current world crisis, Gina stated that Moosehaven and its caring leadership and staff make us “feel safe and secure.” The Winklers enjoy continually being active by travelling on their scooters all over campus to get fresh air, fishing when possible and joining the off campus trips. Ray plays the piano and the organ for other residents, and Gina likes puzzles. The duo are ballroom dancers as well!

Ray and Gina have similar sentiment on advice for our next generation. “Understand that you yourself must learn the basics of life, such as how to have a conversation, read, write, spell properly and even sign your name. So get your nose out of your phone/game/computer and start a conversation with a person face to face!”

Rachel Meierdierck
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JUNE & JULY RESIDENT BIRTHDAYS

Bell Coolidge
Beverly Davis
Robert Coleman
Dan King
Charles Smithers
Virginia Winkler
Arnie Love
MaryRose Donovan
Pam Shook
Delmer Teske
Lois Woodward
Marge Glens
Avis Ferguson
Frances Votino
Ed Layton
Ann King
Sylvia Mosley
Carolyn Cox
Harry Gilpin
Bonnie Landry
Pat Layton
Connie Athey
Mary Winbolt
Charles Caswell
Marilyn Coleman
Doris Nissen
BIRTHDAYS CONT'D

Norm Vertigan
Linda Reynolds
Sandra Jones
Lenore Simon
Gifford Nevins
Barbara Anderson
Dolly Van Horn
Ruby Lee
Elsie Weakley
Jack Ely
Lee Heckle
Marlys Shallbetter
Bill Glassman
Maggie Lazuka
Art Thomson
Janet Bult
Sharon Sanders
Barbara Duty
Charles Lusk
Emma Pearson
Sharon Hann
Jean Lemon
Marge Justus
Janette Sparrow
Gary Wagner
Cliff Athey
Margaret Longuil
Lillian Turner
Cliff Miller
Victor Vuyosevich
Dixie Zellner
Gary Anderson
JUNE & JULY ANNIVERSARIES

James & Lynda Daniels
Neal & Norma Hawkinson
Jerry & Glynda Wright
Howard & Carol Ann Olsen
Thomas & Melanie Piper
Douglas & Janet Myers
Bill & Trudi Puda
Richard & Linda Darling

Did You Know...?
  • We currently have 119 men and 175 women living at Moosehaven

  • We currently have 44 married couples living at Moosehaven

  • Our oldest resident is Rodney Krug at 98!

  • Our youngest resident is Corey Werrbach at 63!

  • Our longest married couple is Jack & Louise Purtee at 74 years!
We would like to thank Ruth Warren and Kathleen Cochran for donating their time and energy to make masks for our healthcare team. Ruth made 95 masks and Kathleen made the delivery to our gatehouse. Thank you so much ladies!

A shout out to the ladies from North Carolina Morganton 1382, Marion 1428 and Roxboro 2248 Chapters, for their generosity in making cloth masks for our residents. We appreciate your time, effort and skill ladies!

A big thank you to the Women of the Moose Chapter 1063 in Lakeland, Florida for the donation of two (2) Android tablets to our campus. These tablets are used with our residents in Nursing to allow for visiting with families and friends via SKYPE, FaceTime and other social programs. We appreciate your support!

A big thank you to the Women of the Moose Chapter 1194 in Front Royal, Virginia for the donation of four (4) Android tablets to our campus. These tablets were used in drawings for residents to win to allow for visiting with families and friends via SKYPE, FaceTime and other social programs. We appreciate your support!