The Informer

November 24, 2023

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Informer Updated Distribution Schedule

The monthly edition will be distributed on the last Friday of each month. This is the last twice-monthly edition. Submissions will still be due, now to Joni Schmidt the Friday prior to publication. A memo will be sent via email regarding future editions of The Informer.

Also to note, after the last December 2023 edition, The Informer- articles, editing and publication- will be fully under the direction of Joni Schmidt. Please send all information and inquiries directly to her.

90's Party at Mayflower

Independent living resident John Noer adroitly led the activities as the Master of Ceremonies. Community Life Director and Supervisor Leslie Jaworski and Tracy Woolfolk were assisted by residents Dorothy Noer, Bonnie Lipton, Pat Lipton, and Janice Logan. 

The event featured a walk down memory lane with polka-party music, party balloons, sweet treats at each table, delicious cakes, chex mix, coffee, and iced tea. The refreshments were provided by Mayflower’s foodservice department.

The featured year was 1933, the birth year of the newest members of the “90s and Above Club.” A challenging fill-in-the-blank word game focused on 1933. The event honorees included Mayflower residents from independent living, Beebe Assisted Living, and the Health Center. 

It was a fun event. As for the word game, no clear winner surfaced- but, as we all know, in this special group, EVERYONE is a winner!

Leslie Jaworski, Mayflower Community Life Director

Mayflower New Menus!

Starting Dec 1^st we will be rolling out our new menus for the Dining rooms. You will notice lots of new updates to the current options available to you. We used resident comments and order history to help decide what items should stay and what items should change.

With the new updates to the menu, there will be a small increase in price to help with food cost and labor inflation. We are doing our best to keep your meals affordable and high quality.

1^st Change will be the salad bar. There will now be entrée salad options like chicken salad, egg salad, ham salad, and tuna salad available on the salad bar for you to enjoy on a croissant. 2 of these options will be available at a time. There will also be a build your own side salad option with multiple different toppings. We will still have one vegetable and one fruit salad option as well.

2^nd Change is how the grill rotation will be working. Instead of the grill changing 3 times a week, there will only be one change per week. We have also updated the grill to include an additional variety of entrée options.

3^rd is the Homestyle changes. This is our normal update of the menus that we do every couple years. We try our best to keep a good variety for everyone.

Please be patient with our staff as this will be new for us as well but we are looking forward to the changes and the service that we can provide to everyone at the Mayflower. 

-Jacob Staroska, Foodservice Director

UnLOCKINg the Power of Philanthropy:

Place These Gifts Under Your Tree …. A Year from Now

This is not an “early shopping” challenge but a challenge of sorts.  Would you make 2024 the year you explore and create “legacy gifts” for Mayflower and other favorite charitable organizations? Consider this approach ……

With a joyous holiday spirit, think about the charitable organizations you regularly support and which ones are your favorites. What makes them a favorite?  Why do you want the good works of these favorites to continue beyond your lifetime? Take several moments to celebrate your favorite organizations and the impact you are currently having on the people they serve.  

Then, consider how Legacy Gifts might fit your circumstances.

• Legacy gifts might be made during your lifetime.  If you direct one or more lifetime gifts to a fund like Mayflower’s “Human Needs Endowment,” they become legacy gifts that “keep on giving” indefinitely beyond your life.  Also, lifetime legacy gifts will likely provide you with the greatest tax savings. 
• Legacy gifts might be part of your estate plan via your will or trust, a life insurance policy, retirement plan, or another vehicle. Charitable estate provisions are flexible: easily adapted to meet changing family circumstances while still providing the support you want for your favorite organizations
• Or, your best legacy plan may include lifetime and estate provisions.
•  Legacy gifts are not defined by a minimum dollar amount or percentage of your estate. Often, people determine the size of their legacy gifts with one of these strategies:
• Think about “replacing” the annual support you have provided Mayflower throughout your lifetime. For example, if you have been giving $1,000 per year, consider that your legacy gift of $20,000 (invested at 5%) will give Mayflower earnings of $1,000 year after year beyond your lifetime.
• Or, consider the total value of your estate right now and imagine this amount of money being distributed today between your heirs (children or other individuals) and favorite organizations. What amount or percentage would you direct to your heirs, and what to charities? Use these thoughts to update your estate plans accordingly. 
• All legacy plans can include instructions to Mayflower on how you want your gifts applied to their work.
• Next, I would like you to share your thoughts with me or one of your professional advisors.  We will help you explore the best timing for your legacy gifts and the best assets to give away. In doing so, you will maximize the benefits you provide to favorite organizations and ensure that personal and family needs are never compromised. 
• Then (figuratively), wrap your gift plans in beautiful paper and bows and place them under your 2024 holiday tree. After that, please deliver them to your favorite organizations, who will surely want to celebrate you and your giving spirit.  

To explore a legacy plan, please get in touch with me directly at 515.210.6603 or dlockin@mayflowerhomes.com. Or, Joni Schmidt knows when I will be on campus next and can schedule our visit.



Christmas blessings,

-Doug Lockin, CPA, Mayflower Gift Planning Specialist

Transportation Services

Residents,

We appreciate your interest in enhancing our independent living transportation services by attending the table talk on Friday, November 17^th. During that time, several suggestions were given that we should begin to incorporate into our transportation schedule at NO-charge. 

Weekly transportation schedule

Tuesday Errands at 1:30 p.m. (banks, post-office…)

Pick-up at 1:30 BB circle and Pearson.

Wednesday Bucket Course at 10:00 a.m.

Pick-up at 9:30 at BB circle and Pearson.

Wednesday Grocery Run at 1:30 p.m.

Pick-up at 1:30 at BB circle and Pearson.

MISC monthly transportation for local events

Grinnell College Sports, Music, and Arts

Seasonal bus rides

Seasonal events

Local restaurant dining

Please refer to December’s campus calendar on-line for transportation updates. A paper copy is provided in Pearson Business Office upon request.

Weekly campus lab draw process will begin Tuesday, December 5^th.

Contact Joni Schmidt at 641-236-6151 Ext. #100 or e-mail jschmidt@mayflowerhomes.coms to schedule.

Items required for your lab draw:

Copy of physician’s order (standing order and any new orders)

Copy of insurance (first time and/or if you have an updated card)

Beebe Assisted Living Activity Room on the second floor is the location for the scheduled blood draws.

Tuesday lab tech draw times through UPGRMC

6:30 a.m. fasting

12:30 p.m. non-fasting 

Please wear a mask if you are not feeling well or reschedule.

Contact Joni with any questions, concerns, or future ideas.

-Kellie McGriff

Art and Music at Mayflower

In recent days, Grinnell’s Mayflower Community has hosted a Grinnell College volunteer leading an art project and numerous musicians….including some with dogs.

Gracie Strong is a student at Grinnell College who comes periodically to the Mayflower campus to guide residents in original art projects.

Recent musical performers included David Gray and his therapy dog Belle. Abe Goldstien played a little jazz accordion for a Thursday night Lyceum program. Jerry Beauchamp and Myrt Evans played dueling accordions. Valier Wedgeworth played flute accompanied by her therapy dog Zumi.

Mayflower Event with InterGen Grinnell

It is the Grinnell College student organization's mission to coordinate intergenerational activities. On Sunday, December 3^rd, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, activities will be held in the Carman Center. 

The Too Many String Band and college student musicians will play. Round tables will be set up along the outsides to promote inter-generational discussions. Dancing will be available in the open area. All Mayflower residents are invited. Refreshments will be available. 

Building Bridges Through Listening

Join us on Monday, December 4^th, for “Building Bridges Through Listening,” a dialogue session that will allow Mayflower residents to engage with Grinnell College students about the College/Town divide and how to bridge it. The dialogue will be facilitated by the Listening Project, a community-based organization that brings students and community members together to talk about issues of importance to the broader Grinnell community.

Because of the limited facilitation capacity, it would be best to keep the number of Mayflower resident participants to 20. Please RSVP to 641-236-6151 Ext. 100 if you would like to attend.

Ryan Solomon, Grinnell College

No Room in The Inn

Grinnell community members, including Mayflower residents, are invited to display your special nativity sets for the annual “No Room in the Inn” event. 

The viewing will be held Friday, December 1^st from 3:00 to 7:00pm at the St. Mary Parish Center, 1002 Broad Street. There is no admission charge. Refreshments will be served. Donations will go to St. Joseph’s Family Shelter, MICA, and area Ministerial Associations. For information call Lynn Cavanagh (641-236-6882).

Transition Treks

Mayflower Independent Living Transitions

Moved Within the Mayflower Campus:

• Carol Grant from Buckley #320 to Buckley #314
• Bob and Pat Larson from Grinnell to Buckley #308
• Mary Schuchmann from 531 State Street to Buckley #218
• LeRoy and Ruth Van Maanen from Lynnville to Buckley #209
• Vicki Vinall from 528 Mayflower Lane to out-of-town
• Ed and Esther Atkins from Watertower Square to Health Center
• Brice Hughes and Jonna Jensen from Burlington, IA, to 916 1^st Ave.
• Charlene Vanderveer from Grinnell to Buckley # 215

Kiesel Theatre Afternoon

Movies at 2:00 pm



November 25^th: Angel (2006). A teenage girl with a vivid imagination knows what she wants and fearlessly goes after it. Angel Deverell (Romola Gari), a grocer's daughter, fantasizes about living in the town mansion, Paradise House. She interests a London publisher (Sam Neill) in her romantic novel, and he manages to turn the over-the-top melodrama into a bestseller, allowing Angel to buy Paradise House and pursue the man of her dreams, a painter (Michael Fassbender), struggling for his big break. NR. English subtitles. 119 minutes.

December 2^nd: A Lesson Before Dying (1999). Grant Wiggins (Don Cheadle) has become resigned to racial injustice in the South. Returning to his hometown with a college degree, he teaches in the one-room school of his youth. Grant is encouraged by two local women to visit the town prison. There, he meets Jefferson, a simple young man who has been convicted of a murder he did not commit and is sentenced to die like an animal. It falls upon the teacher to enrich a life he cannot save and, in so doing, somehow redeem his own. PG 13. English subtitles. 101 minutes.

December 9^th: Elizabeth the Golden Age (2007). When Queen Elizabeth’s (Cate Blanchett) reign is threatened by ruthless familial betrayal and Spain’s invading army, she and her shrewd advisor (Geoffrey Rush) must act to safeguard the lives of her people. But when a dashing seafarer, Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen), captures her heart, she is forced to make a tragic sacrifice for the good of her country. PG 13. English subtitles. 115 minutes.

December 16^th: Father of the Bride (1950). Spencer Tracy is the father, and Elizabeth Taylor is the bride in this lively Vincente Minnelli-directed classic. Here comes the bride, and there goes Dad’s wallet and everyone’s heart. Sparkling fun! NR. English subtitles. 94 minutes.

December 23^rd: Holiday Inn (1942). Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire sing and dance into your heart in one of the most timeless holiday classics. Crosby plays a song-and-dance man who leaves showbiz to run an inn open only on holidays. Astaire plays his former partner and rival in love. They find themselves competing for the affection of the same lovely lady (Marjorie Reynolds). Tis the season for one of the most sensational musical comedies of all time! NR. English subtitles. 101 minutes.

December 30^th: Bernard and Doris (2008). Inspired by the true story of tobacco billionairess Doris Duke and her devoted Irish butler Bernard Lafferty, stars Susan Sarandon and Ralph Fiennes. After failed relationships with her previous waitstaff, Doris meets Lafferty, fresh out of rehab, without a penny to his name. She takes him on as her butler, and he is in the unenviable position of convincing the notoriously demanding Duke to keep him in her employ. R. English subtitles. 109 minutes.

Book Reviews

The Rising Tide (A Vera Stanhope Novel #10)

Ann Cleeves

Fifty years ago a group of teenagers spent a weekend on Holy Island, forging a bond that has lasted a lifetime. They return every year to celebrate their friendship and remember a friend they had lost. Now, when one of them is found hanged, Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope is called in. Vera knows she must discover what the friends are hiding to solve the mystery.

Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America

Heather Cox Richardson



Heather Cox Richardson is a professor of history at Boston College and an expert on American political and economic history.

In 2019, she launched a daily Facebook essay providing the historical background of the incessant torrent of news. This essay has turned into a daily newsletter with millions of readers.

Now, in this book, she explains how, over the decades, a small group of wealthy people have made war on American ideals. It helps us understand how we got to this point, what our history tells us about ourselves, and what the future of democracy can be.

Mayflower Residents Association

President Gerry Guenther is announcing upcoming MRA meetings:

• MRA Council Meeting – Monday, November 27^th. 1:00 pm. Carman Center. All are welcome. Only members of the Council are eligible to vote.
• MRA Town Meeting – Monday, December 11^th. 1:00 pm. Carman Center. All residents are members and are invited to attend and vote.

Resident News

The next Wine and Cheese event will be on Friday, January 26, 2024. 4:30-5:30 pm. Buckley Dining Room.

Honoring Our Veterans

On Monday, November 13^th, the Community Life Department of Grinnell’s Mayflower Community commemorated Veterans’ Day with a program honoring veterans. A Vietnam War veteran, Resident Don Schild, delivered the keynote address. Dot Anderson provided the piano accompaniment.

Dot played a medley of military hymns. Flowers were presented, hymns were sung, and a reception followed.

Mayflower residents who were honored included:

• Airforce – Ed Adkins, John DeRooi, Paul Munyon, Paul Torno
• Army – Don Schild, Sandy Beyer, Jack Gustafson, Harold Kasimow, Leo Lease, Gordon Packard, Shirley Parrott, Rick Ramsey, Kent Rasmussen, Montie Redenius, Harry Scurr, Linda Stole
• Navy – John Graves, Leo Lease, Lyle Roudabush
• Veterans’ Spouses – Bev Anderson, Esther Adkins, Sue Ahrens, Joan Brand-Landkamer, Alicemary Borthwick, Nadine Brouwer, Jean Carpenter, Gloria Clay, Doris Cline, Jo Entwisle, Wilma Graden, Marge Graves, Walda Gustafson, Addy Hanson, Nancy Hendrickson, Katie Hoisington, Barb Lease, Lolya Lipchitz, Helen Lippincott, Phyllis Munitz, Nedra Neville, Karen Packard, Carmen Raffety, Sue Ramsey, Suzanne Redenius, Carolyn Roudabush, Jeananne Schild, Karen Stevenson, Sharon Torno, Deena Wellborn, Arloene Yungclas

Leslie Jaworski, Mayflower Community Life Director 



Book of Poetry Released at Mayflower

On Monday, November 20^th, an event was held in the Beebe Assisted Living Activities Room at The Mayflower Community to introduce a book of poetry compilation. The works were by late resident, Gene Rohr, and collected and printed by current resident, Tom Moore. Gene was a member of the Mayflower Poetry Club. Member Tom invited other members to gather to receive copies of “Foot Prints,” the special book, which Tom organized and had printed.

At the gathering, members read their favorite selections of Gene’s poetry. The event marked the fulfillment of the legacy of Gene’s poetry.

-Leslie Jaworski, Mayflower Community Life Director

Booklist

Lust & Wonder by Augusten Burroughs

A Girl from Yarnhill by Beverly Cleary

The Rising Tide by Ann Cleaves

The Exchange by John Grisham

Last Night in Twisted River by John Irving

Fever Season by Jeanette Keith

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

Women and Children First by Gill Paul

Democracy Awakening by Heather Cox Richardson

Footprints by Gene Rohr

The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese

Heritage Park Old Fashioned Christmas Program

Lower Blue Point Church (Poweshiek County Fairgrounds).  Sunday, December 3^rd.  3:00pm. Special entertainment by Shults & Company will follow the service. This is an opportunity to step back in time and celebrate Christmas the old-fashioned way! 

The acoustics at the Lower Blue Point Church are excellent, and it’s a unique experience to sing in this space! For those who wish to come early, the Malcom No. 6 School will be open at 2:00 p.m. for visitors.

Advent at the Mayflower

During four Thursdays for the season of Advent, the Bible study discussion group will continue meeting in the Fireside Room from 11-11:45 am.

We will be using the four appointed scriptures for Advent. Printed copies of the lessons will be available if you don’t wish to bring your Bible.

Since we meet on Thursdays, I took some leeway in changing the official dates. This way, we can still get the four lessons in before Christmas.

Anyone is welcome to come to celebrate Advent in preparation for the Christmas season—November 30, December 14, December 21, and December 28. 

I have four battery-operated large, beautiful Advent candles, three purple and one pink for use during this event.

-Rev. Anne Sunday

Birthdays

Dona Emmert on December 1^st

Bonnie Schlesselman on December 4^th

Mary Schuchmann on December 7^th

Gaye VanHamme and Nancy Cadmus on December 8^th

Judy Nehring on December 14^th

Marge Graves on December 16^th

Lorna Caulkins on December 17^th

Gerry Adams on December 20^th

Jenny Erickson on December 21^st

Char Vanderveer on December 22^nd

Becky Neal on December 28^th

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