the monthly newsletter for rivercourt residences

Are You reAdY for Some BASeBAll?

The Red Sox home opener this year is Monday, April 11, playing the Baltimore Orioles. As much as we know the Boston Red Sox are the most storied franchise in baseball, and Fenway Park is the country’s most beloved ballpark, even after 115 seasons and thousands of games, there’s still quite a bit the average Red Sox fan may not know about his/her favorite team.

The Boston Americans were dubbed the Boston Red Sox in 1907 after a uniform change made red the official team color. Players wore red socks, so naturally the decision to change the team name was a simple one. However, the owner decided that “SOCKS” didn’t look good when spelled out on a jersey, so he shorted it to just “RED SOX” with the six letters evenly split down the middle.If you’ve ever been to Fenway Park you may have noticed a solitary red seat (Sec-tion 42, Row 37, Seat 21) in the bleachers. This is the place where Ted Williams hit a 502-foot home run on June 9, 1946, which is, to this date, still the lon-gest home run in Fenway Park history. But the legend goes a bit deeper. Sitting in that seat that day was 56-year-old Joe Boucher, a construction worker from Albany, NY. Legend has it that Williams saw Boucher dozing off under his straw hat and decided to teach him a lesson by launching a ball into the right field bleachers. The ball tore through Boucher’s hat and hit him in the head. Boucher joked that he was a Yankees fan (he was really a diehard Red Sox fan) and that he should take the home run as a sign from the baseball gods to never root against the Red Sox. The headline in the Boston Globe the next day read: “Bullseye! Ted Williams Knocks Sense into Yankees Fan.”The Green Monster has been a part of Red Sox history as long as Fenway Park has, and it was introduced in 1914 alongside the rest of the ballpark. However, why would the Red Sox even want a 37-foot wall in left field in the first place? The answer, it seems, is to keep cheap-skates from watching the game. According to the legend, the Red Sox owner was walking down Landsdowne Street in downtown Boston when he noticed that all the restaurants and bars lined along the street had an unobstructed view of

ContactsSharon Amadon ext. 242Executive Directorsamadon@rivercourtresidences.com

Rya Bennett ext. 234Resident Care Directorrbennett@rivercourtresidences.com

Kim Landi ext. 227Reflections Program Director klandi@rivercourtresidences.com

Karen McKenzie ext. 222Director of Marketingkmckenzie@rivercourtresidences.com

Trisha McCaig ext 223Office Managertmccaig@rivercourtresidences.com

Cheryl Young ext. 240Activity & Volunteer Directorcyoung@rivercourtresidences.com

8 West Main StreetGroton, MA 01450www.rivercourtresidences.comp: 978-448-4122 f: 978-448-4133

April/May 2016The

Leatherboard

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The Music and Memory program with the Groton School students ended in February. The residents made thank you cards along with pictures. The students brought sup-plies to make spring flowers with the residents. All the residents were given a group photo as a keepsake of the Music and Memory program.

Reflections’ Happenings

Our faithful therapy dog Mr. Wilson and his owners, Jay and Nancy surprised us all with handmade Valentine cards along with chocolate filled goodie bags!

Residents work on their St. Patty’s

Day door hangers

Reflections In, Out, and About

Music with Andy Ross got us all up dancing and singing!

Monthly luncheon trip to The Bootlegger. Pat was our CPC

Winner! (Clean plate club) Lois and Peter agreed there is always room for ice cream after a great

meal!

Bowling at Harvard Lanes, the big winner of the game was Weegie scoring a 90! Peggy came in a close second scoring an 88.

How many bowling shoes does Grace have?

The Easter Bunny made another visit

to RiverCourt! He is even more popular than Santa some say, and everyone loves to have their picture taken

with him.

Exploring the AreaGroton Historical Society & Museum172 Main St. 978-448-0092Kimball Farms400 Littleton Rd.,Westford 978-486-3891Gibbet Hill Barn, Trails, and Restaurant61 Lowell Rd.Fitchburg Art Museum,free passes available at front desk978-345-4207 Carter Myseum of Groton HistoryLone Lane 617-823-5757 The Natural Market148 Main St. 978-448-5075Bliss Bakery134 Main St. 978-855-7562The Herb Lyceum (New American)368 Main St. 978-448-6499Filhos Cucina (Italian)235 Main St. 978-448-5664Main St. Café(Friday Night Entertainment )159 Main St. 978-448-9634

Our very own chef extraordinaire, Rick Kendall, with our area food representative at the recent Food

Fanatics industry show in Boston.

Staff Profile: Sandra Leblanc, Business ManagerSandra Tourigny Leblanc was born January 5, 1968 at Leominster Hos-pital, Leominster, MA. She grew up on Shalimar Drive in Leomin-ster, the oldest of three children of Theodore and Joyce. She and her siblings, Christine and Shawn attended St. Leo’s Primary Catholic School and graduated in 1986 from Leominster High School. Sandy went on to the New England School of Accounting for a cer-tificate program and then to Mount Wachusett Community College, graduating in 1994. After steadily dating since 1990, she and husband, Norman, welcomed their first daughter, Justine Lindsay, in 1994. Two more daughters joined the family in 2008, as sisters Ashley and Cassandra were adopted from the Department of Fam-ily and Children. The girls are now 21, 17, and 13. In her free time Sandy loves to spend time with her family and do respite care for children in need. The family enjoys camping in their restored 1960s Shasta travel trailers at their favorite spots, Salisbury State Park, NH and Cold Springs Camp Resort in Weare, NH. Fishing, swimming, the beach, reading, and camping are activities Sandy shares as her favorites. Prior to RiverCourt, Sandy worked for an entrepreneur who owned thirty-two companies, and managed all the books for many years before she found herself in need of a change. Seeing the business manager position posted here, Sandy was confident she could bring her accounting and manage-ment experience to our table. Indeed, it has been a good fit for everyone. Welcome, Sandy!

Goodbye JimAn emotional and fond farewell was extended to Jim Henault for his years of service and commitment as Riv-erCourt’s maintenance and grounds director. We sent him off with his favorite chocolate chip cookies, banana breads, and a collage of pictures taken during some challenging and humor-ous times. We all wish Jim and his family the very best! •

Music is art and art is music and music

makes me want to dance and Dr. Seuss still

delights!

Assisted & Independent Living

Chester “Chet” Gapin-sky was born May 1, 1925 in Johnsonburgh, Penn-sylvania. Living, working, raising a family, and retir-ing there until he moved to RiverCourt this past December. Chet grew up with six brothers and six sisters, he was the seventh child born to Josephine and Joseph Gapinsky.

“There was always two to three kids in a bed growing up” he recalls. Today, his younger sister Agnes is the only surviving sibling and continues to live in Johnsonburgh. In a small town of 4000 everyone knew everyone. Chet and his siblings would walk to their school just a few minutes away from home. Chet got to know Dorothy in high school and the two corresponded during his years in the Navy. Chet recalls traveling all around the South Pacific during the years 1942–1945, until his discharge. Coming back home Chet returned to work in the nearby paper mill. He and Dorothy married in 1947

and raised three children, Chester Joseph, William, and Renee. As a proud dad, the emotions are still pres-ent as he shares the memory of losing his son William at the age of nineteen. Chet has always been an avid outdoorsman, enjoying fly fishing, bow and arrow hunting, and all outdoor sports. He continues, today, enjoying daily exercise classes, walks around the building, and is always ready for the next bowling match, card game, Trivia chal-lenge, or sing-along. Chet and Dorothy enjoyed 64 years of marriage. Chet remained in Johnsonburgh for several years after Dor-othy passed. He then made the decision to move north to be closer to his son and daughter as well as his six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, “and one more on the way!” He is very happy he did. Chet shares ,“the people here at RiverCourt are the nicest people I’ve met.” With his good humor, kind manner, and enthusiasm for life and family, Chet is a welcome member of the RiverCourt community.

Resident Profile: Chester Gapinsky

April BirthdaysDonald Stockwell April 16Dorothy Janel April 21Joseph Roche April 21Diane Clare April 22Lois Hecker April 23

May BirthdaysThomas Boyden May 1Chet Gapinski May 1Majorie Faunce May 10Virginia Kratkiewicz May 14Frances Gibson May 16Marily Matson May 16Lois Gilmore May 26 Happy Birthday

Ed DuBois

Norman Faunce Margery WilliamsMarion Stanley

Carol MorseEthel McCoy

Our St. Patrick’s celebration began with Brian Corcoran. There were green alligators and long necked geese, humpty backed camels, and chimpanzees, but we never did see any unicorns.Joe Foster played all the favorites of the day and we were treated to a performance by the Irish American Step Dancing Troupe to finish the festivities.

UpcomingSpecial Events and Entertainment at

RiverCourtClassical Pianist, Archie Richards ....................................................Tue, April 5, 2:30 pmVeteran’s Breakfast at the Senior Center ...........................................Thu, April 7, 9:30 amAmerican Legion Meeting at RiverCourt ........................................Thu, April 7, 7:30 pmArt In Bloom at the Fitchburg Art Museum ............................... Fri, April 8, 10-2:00 pmThe Traveling Boutique Clothing Sale ......................................Mon, April 11, 1–3:00 pmA Closer Look at France with Ron Falong ................................. Wed, April 13, 10:30 am “April in Paris” Theme Day ............................................................................ Thu, April 14April Birthday Party with Joe Foster ..............................................Tue, April 19, 2:30 pmBach’s Lunch at Indian Hill ...........................................................Thu, April 21, 11:45 amSilent Movie Night with Richard Hughes ..................................... Thu, April 21, 6:45 pmEarth Day Plantings with Girl Scout/PenPals ................................Fri, April 22, 2:30 pmART Matters, Rembrandt and Vermeer .......................................Tue, April 26, 10:30 amCelebration of Life Service ............................................................. Wed, April 27, 6:30 pmVolunteer Appreciation Tea .............................................................Thu, April 28, 2:30 pmA Midsummer Night’s Dream Ballet ................................................Sun, May 1, 2:30 pmDr. Crossman the Podiatrist is here ................................................................. Mon, May 2 Mother’s Day Breakfast at the Senior Center ......................................Fri, May 6, 9:30 amA Closer Look at Italy with Ron Falong ........................................ Tue, May 10, 10:30 am“Ciao, Italia” Theme Day ....................................................................................Thu, May 12May’s Birthday Party with Heather Marie .......................................Tue, May 17, 2:30 pm“Gay Nineties” Celebration at Groton Country Club ........................ Wed, May 18, noonBach’s Lunch at Indian Hill Music Center .................................... Thu, May 19, 11:45 am

Happy Birthday

Judy McDonaldAnna Gerace Vera Ianiello

What are Cataracts?A cataract is a dense, cloudy area that forms in the lens of the eye

National Eye Institute

Cataracts begin when proteins in the eye form clumps that prevent the lens from sending clear images to the retina. This cloudy area forms over a period of time and eventually will affect the clarity of your vision. According to the National Eye Institute over half of the people in the United States have cataracts or have under-gone cataract surgery by the time they are 80 years old. Cataracts can form in both eyes but generally do not form at the same time. There are also three different types of cataracts with the first being age-related, the second is called congenital cataracts meaning that they are present at birth or develop within the child’s first year of life. The third is called secondary cataracts. Secondary cataracts are caused by certain diseases such as glaucoma and diabe-tes. Long term use of different medications can also contribute to the development of second-ary cataracts. Cataracts can also develop after an injury to the eye as well as with radiation treatments for cancer. A few other underlying causes include; smoking and ultraviolet radia-tion (sun exposure).Factors that put you at an increased risk of developing cataracts include aging, alcohol, smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, previous eye injuries, and a family history. Symptoms that you may notice with cataract development include; • Cloudy or blurry vision. • Colors seem faded. • Glare. Headlights, lamps, or sunlight may

appear too bright. A halo may appear around lights.

• Poor night vision. • Double vision or multiple images in one

eye. (This symptom may clear as the cata-ract gets larger.)

• Frequent prescription changes in your eye-glasses or contact lenses.

You should discuss with your physician if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms. You can work to prevent the development of cataracts by;• Protecting your eyes from UVB rays by

wearing sunglasses outside.• Have regular eye exams. • Stop smoking.• Eat fruits and vegetables that contain

antioxidants. • Maintain a healthy weight. • Keep diabetes and other medical conditions

under control.

The Wellness Clinic is held every Friday at 1:00 p.m. in the Living Room on the second floor.

–Nicole Young R.N., CDP

The monthly Ladies Lunch Out group enjoyed selections at Mango Grill and the Devens’ Grill. Next month we plan on exploring the

menu at the Ixtapa Mexican restaurant.

Welcome New ResidentsAnn Marie Boyden–Apt. 201

Tom Boyden–Apt. 224Nancy Smith–Apt. 267

Welcome New EmployeesJames Capsalis–maintenance directorGail Chalmers–Reflections porterAbigal Fusari–serverAndrew Gingras–dishwasherMarcia Rhodes–serverLisa Tavares–resident assistantKendall Yates–server

Ryain

MarchNatalie Bergh

Natalie is a great worker. She never calls out and she

picks up extra time to help out with staffing. She is always, always

smiling. She never says no. She is very kind. She only has to be told once and always

follows through.

AprilRyian Vandal

Ryian is a hard worker who is always willing to lend a hand and go out of her way to help. She is outgoing, kind, and genuinely cares about

the residents. She always shows up to work early and goes above and beyond with her responsibilities. Her easy going personality and positive outlook create a

wonderful environment for the residents and other staff members

Employees of the Month

the ballpark. Determined not to let anyone watch his Red Sox for free, Tom Yawkey ordered the construction of a wall tall enough to stop passersby from stealing a peak at the “monster” part is fairly obvious. The left-field wall at Fenway Park is the highest in all of baseball at a record 37 feet. But why “green?” The original Green Monster was actually covered in advertisements until 1947, when it received a nice coat of Fen Green that is now known as “Monster Green.” A journalist later proclaimed it the “Green Mon-ster,” replacing its previous designation as “The Wall.” The origin of the wave is one of the great unknowns remaining in sports, and it may not even have started with baseball. However, the folks at Fenway Park seem to enjoy their version of the story. According to them, the wave owes its existence to a section of tightly packed seats behind home plate at Fenway Park. These seats are so close together (yes, they’re still there) that whenever a fan had to stand up to, say, get a beer,

everyone else in the row also had to stand. The fans in the next row, frustrated that they couldn’t see the game anymore, also got up. This created a domino effect with the entire section rising in rhythmic unison—thus, the wave was born. Believe it if you want to, there are certainly more far-fetched stories out there. But most importantly, we believe in the Boston Red Sox!

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Natalie