Celebrations honor veterans at Wesley Village senior living campus in Shelton

Crosby Commons resident and veteran Ed Nobile admires the World War II display at the Stratford Veterans Museum.

SHELTON - Members of the Wesley Village senior living campus recently recognized veterans with  events at Crosby Commons, Wesley Heights, and Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center. 

The Shelton communities organized celebratory luncheons, patriotic entertainment, and heartfelt tributes to show appreciation for veterans’ sacrifice and service.

Gathering spaces across the campus were decorated in red, white, and blue. Community chefs took great care in preparing special menus and dessert offerings for the day. 

Residents and team members dressed in patriotic attire, and flags were flown with pride. 

Wesley Heights resident Beverly McNichol, left, shares a smile with Lead Resident Services Coordinator Donna Brice. 

Bev is a “Cadet Nurse” who attended nursing school during World War II when there was an incentive for women to assist in the national nursing shortage during wartime. 

At Crosby Commons, residents were honored at a special pinning ceremony, during which veterans were presented with a certificate of thanks and a military pin. 

Christine Thibault and Coast Guard veteran Denise Giattina of Compassus led the ceremony with Crosby resident and Navy veteran Father Steve Krugel, who offered an opening prayer.

Crosby residents also received a personal tour of the Stratford Veterans Museum with volunteer Bill O’Brien. They enjoyed the history, stories, and dedication to preserving the memories of Stratford veterans. Along for the tour was Crosby Commons' own Stratford veteran Dick Millward. The group admired the museum’s display of ceramic red poppies, inspired by a 2014 art installation of over 800,000 ceramic poppies at the Tower of London. Several symbolic poppies were purchased and gifted to Crosby Commons' veteran residents during the community’s Veterans Day luncheon. 

“Our veterans continue to mention how special it was to be recognized for their service during the various Veterans Day events,” said Crosby Commons Activities Director Lauren Donovan. “It is truly a privilege to honor them and an amazing display of community when we all come together for this important occasion.”

Wesley Heights residents and team members gathered for a ceremonial luncheon with a patriotic-themed menu and piano performance by resident Carol Osgood. 

Veterans were honored with a military hat noting their branch of service and along the community’s Veterans Wall of Honor, an inspiring display of photos and details recognizing each veteran. 

Residents and team members led the ceremony with words of gratitude, support, and patriotism.

Bishop Wicke Health & Rehabilitation Center hosted a Veterans Day ceremony with a presentation by centenarian John Kopchik, who shared poignant memories of serving in the U.S. Navy. 

Bishop Wicke Administrator Debra Samorajczyk led the ceremony, which brought together residents and patients, team members, and families for words of appreciation, patriotic songs, and a celebratory cake. Veterans received military hats that noted their branch of service before retiring the colors.

About Wesley Village: The Wesley Village senior living campus at 580 Long Hill Ave. offers a continuum of care: independent and assisted living, enhanced assisted living, early memory support/memory care, skilled nursing, and short-term rehab. 

The campus is part of United Methodist Homes, a local not-for-profit organization with a 150-year legacy of caring. 

To learn more about the Wesley Village campus communities of Crosby Commons, Wesley Heights, Lifestyle Transitions, or Bishop Wicke Health Center, visit our website or contact Megan Guastaferri at 

203-447-5454 or mguastaferri@umh.org. To become part of the Wesley Village team, visit our website at: https://www.umh.org/career-opportunities-at-umh.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes. 

Crosby Commons residents in Shelton enjoy variety of summer activities

Residents Eileen Keogh and Jon Krijgsman

SHELTON - Summer may be winding down as the new school year starts, but Crosby Commons residents are making the most of it and enjoying summer bucket list favorites both indoors and out. 

With trips to the shore for lunch, entertainment on the patio, Chef Hector’s famous smash burgers off the grill, yard games, and ice cream truck visits, Crosby residents had no shortage of opportunities for classic summer fun. 

“Residents love our annual outings to Captain’s Cove in Bridgeport and Riley’s By The Sea in Lordship for a glass of wine and a fresh seafood lunch outdoors on the patio,”  said activities director Lauren Donovan. “We have several residents from Stratford who love heading to Riley’s and stopping at Boothe Memorial Park rose garden on the way back.” 

“We also make a trip to Pepe’s in Fairfield every year for the fresh tomato pie, which is another resident favorite. It wouldn’t feel like summer without visits like those.”

Resident Steve Pecylak and Director of Spiritual Life Crista Hernan (with Boo) enjoy a Midsommer celebration.

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The senior living community, part of the Wesley Village campus, also hosted a few unique summer socials, including a strawberry festival, a Swedish Midsommer celebration, and a “Party Like a Pineapple” day. 

The festival featured homemade strawberry pie made with the Jones Family Farms' strawberry festival recipe, homemade strawberry shortcake, live entertainment, and an array of berry-themed treats. 

For the Midsommer celebration, resident Rita Lund made traditional Swedish cookies, the Crosby chefs prepared a Swedish meal, and residents crafted seasonal floral crowns. “Party Like a Pineapple” day was a celebration of all things summer, with reggae music and dance, a Dole Whip culinary demonstration, homemade pineapple upside-down cake, pineapple salsa, pina coladas, and a visit from “Little Miss Pineapple,” two-year-old daughter of Executive Director, David Fife.

The summer’s outdoor entertainment series included favorite performances by the bands, Over Easy and the Boogie Boys, as well as a performance by professional musician and vocalist Stephen Bennett, the son-in-law of a Crosby Commons resident. 

Patio entertainment came with an ever-changing menu of summer cocktails and mocktails such as strawberry-basil lemonade and root beer floats, and sing-a-longs around the campfire with homemade s’mores.

In early September, a week-long celebration in honor of National Assisted Living Week is planned. The week runs from Sept. 8-14.

“Our summer programming is always well-received,” said Donovan. “Crosby residents look forward to sharing their interests, ideas, and requests for favorite trips or events, and everyone comes together to enjoy them.” 

For more information about life at Crosby Commons, please contact Rhonda Stasulli at 203-225-5024 or rstasulli@umh.org.  

About Crosby Commons & Wesley Village: Crosby Commons offers independent and assisted living options at the Wesley Village senior living campus located at 580 Long Hill Ave. in Shelton. 

The campus is part of United Methodist Homes, a local not-for-profit organization, and offers a continuum of care: independent and assisted living, enhanced assisted living, early memory support/memory care, skilled nursing, and short-term rehab. 

To learn more about Crosby Commons, Wesley Heights, Lifestyle Transitions, or Bishop Wicke Health Center, visit our website or contact us at 203-225-5024. 

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Crosby Commons in Shelton to host 'Taste of Italy' open house

Crosby Commons is located on the Wesley Village senior living campus. The property can be accessed via Asbury Ridge Road off Long Hill Avenue. However, the exact location is 580 Long Hill Ave., Shelton.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Wesley Village in Shelton partners with Plumb Memorial Library to promote reading

Joseph Cappella from Plumb Memorial Library helps resident Ed Nobile look up information about the fire department on the computer./ Contributed photo

SHELTON - “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body,” English writer Joseph Addison said.

“Exercising the mind is as valuable as exercise is for the body,” said Lauren Donovan, activity director at Crosby Commons. 

“At Crosby Commons, you will find the library across the hall from our Wellness Center, a fitness and therapy space available to residents,” she said.

Donovan and resident library manager Audrey Kaszuba contacted Plumb Memorial Library to explore opportunities for collaboration.

Crosby Commons is now a pilot project for the library, based on an expansion of its Homebound Program.   

Representatives from the library will visit Crosby Commons once a month to share resources, book recommendations, and upcoming program ideas.

“We have residents who love nothing more than to cuddle up with a book,” said Kaszuba. “The project was designed to help engage those folks with a program tailored to their interests.” 

Recently representatives from the Lions Low Vision organization visited Wesley Village to share information and resources available to individuals with limited or no vision.  

“The library has apps to download free audio books,” Donovan said. “Accessibility to these resources is important and may help rekindle someone’s love of books. We’re very proud of our Crosby Commons library; its a valuable resource offered to residents in the community.”

Residents recently visited Plumb Memorial Library. The building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, is an architecturally distinguished Richardsonian Romanesque building. 

Built in 1895, the library was named in memory of David Wells Plumb, a local businessman and philanthropist who spearheaded the initial concept and subsequent vote to establish a public library in the winter of 1891. 

Along with a review of the library’s books and resources, residents learned more about upcoming library-sponsored educational programs, movie nights, book signings, and more.  

For more information about Plumb Memorial Library visit www.sheltonlibrarysystem.org.  

For more information about the benefits of reading for seniors, see “Rediscovering the Benefits of Reading with your Aging Loved One” or visit our website, www.wesleyvillage-ct.org. 

About Wesley Village: Wesley Village senior living campus is located at 580 Long Hill Ave. and is part of United Methodist Homes, a local not-for-profit organization. 

The Wesley Village campus offers independent and assisted living, enhanced assisted living, early memory support, skilled nursing, and short-term rehab. 

To learn more about Crosby Commons, Wesley Heights, Lifestyle Transitions, or Bishop Wicke Health Center, visit our website or contact us at 203.225.5024. 

To become part of the Wesley Village team, visit our website at: https://www.umh.org/career-opportunities-at-umh.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

 

Crosby Commons nursing assistant in Shelton honored with prestigious award

Elizabeth Garcia

SHELTON - Elizabeth “Liz” Garcia, Certified Nursing Assistant at Crosby Commons Independent and Assisted Living Community at Wesley Village, was recently honored by the Connecticut Assisted Living Association with the 2023 Outstanding Resident Service Award. 

The award was presented by Christopher Carter, President of CALA, at a special ceremony at The Water’s Edge Resort and Spa in Westbrook.

Garcia has been part of the team at Crosby Commons for 13 years, working as a CNA and providing exceptional care to residents. She was nominated for the award by Crosby team members for her professionalism, kindness, and caring spirit, and her commitment to supporting each resident’s health and independence and dignity.

“She is consistently dependable and comes to work ready to assist co-workers and residents with a good attitude and a sense of humor, which is much appreciated,” said Danita Alberti, Registered Nurse and Director of Carelink Nursing Services at the community.  “Liz’s approach to serving residents is focused on cultivating relationships and helping each individual maintain their independence. Residents often request to have her assist them with their daily care routine, which speaks a great deal of their respect for her.”

Along with Garcia, longtime Crosby Commons team member and housekeeper Terri Moffat, was also nominated for outstanding resident service award. While she was not an award recipient for 2023, Moffat has been a loyal and dedicated part of the Crosby team for 38 years, shaping the culture of the community with her commitment to serving residents and collaborating with her team.

United Methodist Homes, the senior living provider organization which manages Crosby Commons, received three additional awards from its Farmington and Newington communities in recognition of outstanding team members and residents. 

Overall a total of four CALA awards, including Garcia’s, were won across the organization for 2023. 

Crosby Commons & Wesley Village: Crosby Commons is located on the Wesley Village senior living campus at 580 Long Hill Ave., Shelton and is part of United Methodist Homes, a local not-for-profit organization with a nearly 150-year legacy of caring. 

The Wesley Village campus offers independent and assisted living, enhanced assisted living, early memory support, skilled nursing and short-term rehab. 

To learn more about Crosby Commons, Wesley Heights, Lifestyle Transitions, or Bishop Wicke Health Center, visit our website or contact us at 203-225-5024. 

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Residents of Wesley Village in Shelton pack food at church in Easton

SHELTON - Residents from Wesley Village senior living campus joined Covenant Church of Easton for a recent Feed the Hunger Packathon, a food packing event in which participants produce thousands of nutritious meals that will be distributed to children and families in need across America and internationally. 

The event was hosted by Covenant Church and organized in collaboration with Feed the Hunger, a ministry of global partners that seeks to feed the spiritual and physical needs of at-risk children.  Eleven residents and two Wesley Village team members participated with a group of over 100 volunteers from the church to help pack nearly 25,000 meals to be distributed around the world. This was the first event of its kind at the church.

During their two-hour shifts, teams of volunteers assembled four ingredients: a carbohydrate (rice or pasta), a protein (soy or dehydrated pinto beans), dehydrated vegetables, and vitamin powder. 

These ingredients, which together provide complete nutrition, were packaged in six-serving meal packets that were weighed, sealed, and boxed. Wesley Village volunteers assisted with packing ingredients, creating labels, and assembling meal packets, which will be distributed overseas to refugees and needy children through Christian partners, and also given out domestically through food pantries and supplemental food programs at certain schools.

Crista Hernan, Director of Spiritual Life for United Methodist Homes , the not-for-profit mission-based organization which manages the Wesley Village senior living campus, reflected on how important it is to have purpose and feel that life is meaningful, regardless of age or personal circumstances. “This was a fantastic opportunity for Wesley Village residents to serve others according to their own abilities and be part of a bigger mission – feeding hungry children," she said. "It warmed my heart to see their smiles when they realized their participation was vital in reaching Packathon goals.”

Wesley Village residents from both Crosby Commons and Wesley Heights senior living communities volunteered during the March event, including Penny Alexander, Norma Fitzgerald, Doris Giammatteo, Audrey Kaszuba, Connie Koskelowski, Rita Lund, Kevin O’Brien, Eleanor Scanzillo, Gloria Stefano, and Ruth Wakeley. Hernan and Andrea Hyde, Activities Director at Wesley Heights, also attended the event and coordinate transportation for residents.

Wesley Heights resident Connie Koskelowski enjoyed her job of labelling and filling packets of non-perishable ingredients, which would be sent to children in need in Ukraine or a camp for refugees in Bangladesh. “We were all given gloves and a hair net to keep everything sanitary and by the end of the day we had boxed 24,000 packets ready for shipment, said Koskelowski. “It was an incredible experience. I feel blessed to have been able to participate and be part of this “mission trip” with over 100 other volunteers.”

For Rita Lund, a Crosby Commons resident, volunteering at the Packathon was an enjoyable and educational experience. “I saw all the organizational aspects required – number of people, sources of financial support, kinds of foodstuffs offered, distribution of jobs and workstations, and all that was needed to produce the thousands of nutritional packets we assembled. With my volunteer assignment of labeling packets being straightforward, I also enjoyed the chance to visit with the other volunteers and find out more about those I was working with,” Lund said.

Fellow Crosby Commons resident, Audrey Kaszuba was impressed by the organized assembly lines and the amount of people helping at the event, many of them teens and families working together. “It was my humble pleasure to be part of this. What better way to help than feeding the hungry and less fortunate,” she said.

Hernan and the group from Wesley Village shared their experiences with the rest of the community after returning to the campus that day and throughout the week. Residents were thrilled to hear about the event and expressed continued interest in similar opportunities for upcoming weeks. 

“Creating opportunities for residents to connect to things that give their lives meaning is foundational to spiritual wellness and always at the forefront of resident life at Wesley Village and my work here at United Methodist Homes,” said Hernan. “Many thanks to everyone at Covenant Church of Easton for this wonderful experience. We hope to do this again!”

About Wesley Village: Wesley Village senior living campus at 580 Long Hill Ave., Shelton is part of United Methodist Homes, a local not-for-profit organization. The Wesley Village campus offers independent and assisted living, enhanced assisted living, early memory support, skilled nursing and short-term rehab. 

To learn more about Crosby Commons, Wesley Heights, Lifestyle Transitions, or Bishop Wicke Health Center, visit our website or call  203.225.5024. 

To become part of the Wesley Village team, visit our website at: https://www.umh.org/career-opportunities-at-umh.

About Feed the Hunger: Founded in 1968, Feed the Hunger is a Christian ministry with a mission to feed spiritual and physical hunger, especially for at-risk children.  

Using reliable global partnerships, they identify vulnerable children at risk of starvation or malnutrition, provide immediate nutritional resources, and invest in their long-term success through education and spiritual growth. Food packed during a Packathon event is distributed overseas to refugees and needy children through Christian partners and is given out domestically through food pantries and through supplemental food programs at certain schools. 

Currently the ministry maintains 55 global partners in 26 countries (including the US) and has packed over 40 million meals and counting while serving over 13,000 children in Feed the Hunger programs. 

For more information about Feed the Hunger, visit feedthehunger.org.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Wesley Village in Shelton celebrates birthdays of 2 centenarians

Larry Meehan

Norma-Jean Moore

SHELTON - Wesley Village Senior Living Campus recently celebrated birthday milestones for two centenarians, Larry Meehan and Norma-Jean Moore, both residents of Crosby Commons Assisted Living Community. 

Family members, friends, and Crosby team members gathered throughout February to send happy birthday wishes to these special individuals.

 

Meehan, who served as a firefighter for several years in Bridgeport, was surprised with a parade of local fire trucks, lights flashing and sirens blaring, driving by the community’s front entrance for the occasion. 

With the help of Lisa Bisson, Director of Community Outreach for the campus, Meehan also received a birthday visit from several members of the Bridgeport Area Retired Firefighters Association, who presented him with a special plaque in honor of his service to the community and his 100^th birthday milestone.

 

Moore is well known as Crosby Commons’ “artist-in-residence." 

Many of her paintings are displayed outside her apartment and several were showcased in the community’s weekly activities calendar in honor of her birthday. 

She enjoyed visits with family and friends, flowers, balloons in all her favorite colors, and a birthday cake detailed with songbirds. A lover of sparkles and all things jeweled, Moore was also presented with a rhinestone tiara adorned with the number 100, which she wore throughout the day.

 

“One hundredth birthday milestones are some of the most special moments we share together as a community here at Crosby Commons,” said Activities Director, Lauren Donovan. “The opportunity to celebrate everything a resident has accomplished, and the uniqueness of their life is just as meaningful for the residents and their families as it is for our team.”

 

About Wesley Village: Wesley Village senior living campus is located at 580 Long Hill Ave. in Shelton and is part of United Methodist Homes, a local not-for-profit organization. 

The Wesley Village campus offers independent and assisted living, enhanced assisted living, early memory support, skilled nursing and short-term rehab. 

To learn more about Crosby Commons, Wesley Heights, Lifestyle Transitions, or Bishop Wicke Health Center, visit our website or contact us at 203.225.5024. 

To become part of the Wesley Village team, visit our website at: https://www.umh.org/career-opportunities-at-umh.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.