Elly Swensen grew up in the small rural town of Swansea in Massachusetts. She is the middle child born to Antone and Margaret Farias, and has an older sis-ter and younger brother. Elly’s grandmother, Maria, came to the U.S. from Portugual and worked 2 jobs in order to save for a house. When she had saved enough, she purchased a farm; the same farm that Elly grew up on. The large 100-year-old family farmhouse Elly was born in was shared with 24 family mem-bers, including Elly’s grandmother, whom she was very close to. The farm was on 186 acres and they grew corn, potatoes, cucumbers and grapes, among other things. They had horses, cows, pigs, chickens and turkeys. Elly’s job as a youngster was to feed the chickens and turkeys. Despite living on a farm, Elly’s fa-ther was a welder and did farming on the side. He worked on ships during WW2. Antone also breed Beagles, and Elly was always given the runt to raise and care for. She had four dogs during her childhood which she loved very much. Elly’s favorite pastimes included roller-skating and ice-skating. She used the farms emp-ty silo to practice her roller-skating and, in the winter, the large pond on

Resident of the Month Elly Swenson

July 2019 LYNDEN MANOR

CONTACT LIST

ADMINISTRATOR

JD HARRISON

ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR/

ACCOUNTANT

JANICE GRAY

DIRECTOR OF RESIDENT SERVICES

HEATHER GLADWIN

RESIDENT RELATIONS DIRECTOR

JANET MORGAN

DIRECTOR OF FOOD SERVICES

TED HOWARD

ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR

JULIE JAKOBITZ

MAINTENANCE DIRECTOR

MARK WESTERHOF

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the property served as her ice arena. Her cousin would lend Elly her wind-up phonograph and she would perform to The Skaters Waltz. Elly’s boyfriend in high school was in the Navy and he had her picture on his locker door. One of his friends, John, saw that picture and declared that he was going to marry that girl. John began writing to Elly and they became pen pals. Never believing that she would ever meet John in person, she was caught off guard and uncertain when he wanted to meet. Hesitant-ly, she met him, and they went out on their first date to dinner at a Chi-nese restaurant for 75 cents. They were married 6 months later in 1956, while his ship, the USS Sa-lem, was still docked. John left for sea shortly after the wedding. Their first son was born in 1957 and in 1958, John left the Navy and they moved to Lynnwood, Washington where there were more opportuni-ties for jobs. Their daughter was born in 1958 and seven years later their third and last child, Jeffery, was born in 1964. Continue on page 2

A Manor of Speaking 905 Aaron Dr * Lynden * WA 98264

360-354-5985 Website www.lyndenmanor.com

Continued from page 1 While John worked first as a boiler man and later as a builder, Elly stayed busy with PTA, being head room mom and organizing parties and field trips, as well as taking the kids to extra-curricular activities. Every year they enjoyed taking a family trip to Seaside, Oregon where they loved to beach comb. Unfortunately, John and Elly’s marriage did not work out and in 1970 it dissolved. Elly went to work to support herself and her youngest son as a medical assis-tant to a pediatrist. She fell in love and married that pe-diatrist in 1971. His name was Duane and they were married for 44 wonderful years before he passed away 3 years ago. In the early years of their marriage, Duane encouraged Elly to go back to school. She earned her degree in fashion merchandizing and went to work for Candies Bridal in Alderwood Mall. Elly loved to cook and with her outgoing personality she also loved to host dinner parties for other doctors and their wives. Her other hobbies included drawing, including portraits, and writing poetry. Duane and Elly lived in Edmonds on the water and they enjoyed boating and fishing as well as beach combing. They went on cruises to the Caribbean and Alaska. Elly has been through wonderful times, but also hardship and tragedy. Through it all, she has stayed close to Jesus and He has got her through the difficult times. At four years old, Elly remembers seeing Jesus as the skies opened during a severe thunderstorm. That special encounter had a profound impact on her life. Being raised as a Roman Catholic it wasn’t until 1985 that Elly says she became a born-again Christian. Her personal relationship with Jesus is a very important part of her life and she enjoys reading the bible regularly and talking to others about God. When Duane passed away of a heart attack, Elly moved to be closer to her daughter in Ferndale and came to live at Lynden Manor in 2016. In addition to her three children, Elly has 7 grandchil-dren, and 22 great-grandchildren.

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Live Entertainment at the Manor in July

• 4th @ 2:30 - Allan & Carol Linde on vocals, guitar and fiddle for a patriotic celebration (D) • 12th @ 3:00 - Al Ulrich on vocals and slide guitar (A) • 19th @ 3:00 - Jean and the Band (A) • 20th @ 11:00 - Bellingham Youth Jazz Band (parking lot) • 26th @ 3:00 - Eric Hirst on the Saxaphone • Monday the 8th and 22nd @ 12:45 - Vicki on keyboard and vocals (L)

Dining News

Drink of the Month: Peach Tea on the rocks - regular or sugar-free

Dining Committee Meeting: June 11th @ 1:30 in the 3rd floor TV room

July Outings

2nd @ 11:30 - Silver Reef Casino

9th @ 5:15 - History Sunset

Cruise of Bellingham Bay

by Whatcom Museum

16th @ 11:30 - Picnic lunch

at Silver Lake

23rd @ 1:30 - Scenic

drive to Semiahmoo

30th @ 1:30 - Glen Echo

Gardens (minimal walking

required) Cost $10

Rosalee TerWisscha Bonnie Handerson

Resident Birthdays

Joan Scales 7/2

Marilyn Begley 7/11 Wilma VanderPol

7/18 Jon Taylor 7/23

Sharon Worthen 7/28

Staff Birthdays

Bethany Mock 7/5 Terry Traina 7/8

Mark Westerhof 7/23 Susana Marquez 7/25 Adilene Landa-Garcia

7/30

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Tri-County Low Vision Services Serving Whatcom, Island and San Juan Counties

Are you having difficulty with your vision?

If you have problems with your vision that make reading or daily activities difficult, there is a free

program that can help. You may receive special devices such as lights, magnifiers, telephones and watch-es with big numbers, or other useful items at no cost to you. We can also help with advice about different ways to do your daily activities that are more comfortable for

you.

Assessment and service are provided at no cost.

Call Mi- mi

Wheelchair and Walker Clinic

By

July 31st from 1-3 (Activity Room)

Enhance Your Health and Independence

Product Demonstrations, Information & Adjustments

Activity Calendar

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Activity Calendar

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Getting To Know The Staff

Featured Staff: Geri Benson

Administrative Secretary/ Head Receptionist

Geri is the first staff member you see upon entering Lynden Manor and has been for almost 22 years. She was hired just shortly after the facil-ity opening in 1997. Geri is friendly, helpful and dearly loved by all who know her. Her favorite part about working at the Manor is interacting with the residents. She considers herself a “big tease” and enjoys joking around and being silly with the residents. Geri grew up in Lynden and now resides on 12 acres on the Pole Rd. She has been married for 45 years and has 5 children and 12 grandchildren. Birthplace: Bellingham, WA Hobbies: Handiwork including: knitting, cross-stitch, embroidery and horseback riding Favorite Food: Lasagna, although she said she likes most food and isn’t picky Favorite Place: Woods Coffee at Boulevard Park. Geri likes to meet her daughters there and en-joys the peaceful atmosphere and walking along the boardwalk. Favorite Movie: Sound of Music because she had a part in the high school musical when she was young and it was great fun singing. My Hero: “My dad is my hero because he was strong, had integrity, a good work ethic and a dry sense of humor.” Not So Secret Talent: Singing - Geri currently sings in her church choir, but you can just about always find Geri singing when she is not at work… and sometimes when she is. Interesting fact: This past March, Geri went on a mission trip for a week to Omak, Wa. She helped build houses for those who lost their homes in last years fires. The trip was very meaning-ful to Geri and she enjoyed learning new skills and helping others who were in need.

Bellingham Youth Jazz Band July 20th @ 11:00am Held outside in the parking lot

Come hear classic American Jazz from the ’20s-’70s. This excellent full band has 22 students ranging from 4th-9th graders and is directed by musician, Mark Kelly.

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Welcome To Our New Resident

Phyllis Batterman Apt. #226

Birthplace: Everett, WA Occupation: Stay-at-home-mom Family: 3 children, 10 grand-children, 22 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren Hobbies: Sewing, cooking, painting, gardening, canning Travel: New Zealand, and the East Coast

Pet Policy

A friendly reminder to our resident pet owners and non-resident pet owners who bring their pets to Lynden Manor: • All pets must be on a leash when in the facility

and outside of individual apartments. • Resident pets are allowed at Lynden Manor with

prior approval and signing of a pet agreement. • The resident and/or family will be responsible

for all costs relating to care and maintenance of the pet.

• When residents are out of their apartments without their pet, confinement of pet in apart-ment is required.

• If you need help in the care of your pet while you are away, please make arrangements with family or friends. In cases of emergency, con-tact the business office for help with those ar-rangements.

Calling all resi-dents to do a sweep of their

apartments for all chinaware, glassware, and silverware belonging to the dining room. Short-ages in the dining room have led to this neces-

sary recall. If you need help transporting, please contact the front desk or dietary for pick-up.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Technology

Q&A Presented by Nicole and Nic Fink

July 11th @ 3:15 (Activity Room)

Come get all your questions answered regarding your TV

remotes, phones, computers,

pads, cameras, and others. Bring your devices or we can

come to your apartment.

Happy Lynden Manor Anniversaries to…

Ida VanderYacht who moved in 6 years ago on July 6th Sharole Green who moved in 3 years ago on July 19th Gene DeMaris who moved in 2 years ago on July 10th Pauline Brilman who moved in 1 year ago on July 6th

Dee Brown who moved in 1 year ago on July 6th Glen Huleat who moved in 1 year ago on July 7th

Amy VanEschen who moved in 1 year ago on July 10th

We wish you all a Happy Anniversary and many more Happy Years

here at Lynden Manor