In December 2010 we broke ground for the St. Francis Manor renovation and remodeling project.  As we celebrated this new year, we announced another milestone – 75 percent completion!

Evidence of giving is truly all around us.  In November, residents enjoyed the newly remodeled dining rooms for the first time; the social center has been renovated with access to our new commercial-sized kitchen; and Administration has now moved to the East Wing featuring new conference rooms and offices.

At St. Francis Manor we strive for excellence. Making a continued effort to keep up with new technology and advances in care is one of the reasons we are the highest-rated skilled health care facility in Poweshiek County. That is why we have started a whirlpool fund through St. Francis Manor Foundation. With our ongoing renovations to our facilities, we plan to install four new whirlpool bathing systems, one on each wing.

“The whirlpools will be a benefit to the residents; our goal is to improve the quality of care,” says Dianna Hoye, Administrator, RN. “And having more available whirlpool units gives frequent access to all residents.”

Donations to this cause have already been made by the Brownell Family Foundation, the Claude W. Ahrens Charitable Trust, Ramsey-Weeks, Wes and Marilyn Finch, and Mary Russell totaling almost $45,000.

All donations to St. Francis Manor Foundation are tax deductible. Contact us at 641-236-7592 if you have any questions about St. Francis Manor Foundation and our current efforts towards the campus renovation and remodel.

Please download our brochure HERE for more information and to learn about the whirlpool’s long-term benefits.

Kristen Jennings leads Seeland Park fitness class

Exercise – Daily exercise will help keep your heart healthy.The American Heart Association recommends at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity per day. Choose to participate in an exercise class, bicycling, dancing, walking or swimming to get the heart pumping and improve heart health.

Monitor body weight – Extra weight can be very hard on the heart. To maintain a healthy weight be conscious of portions or the amount of food you are taking in.  For example, a meal should consist of no more than 2-3 ounces of meat and ½ cup of pasta.  Dietary fiber is also a very important component to a heart healthy diet.  Foods that are high in fiber are vegetables, fruits, nuts, and whole grains.  A diet high in fiber will help to prevent inflammation in the arteries and also fill you up!

Relax - Work on avoiding excess stress by using relaxation techniques.  One way to relax the body is by taking deep breaths periodically during the day.  There are other ways to lower stress levels such as meditation, yoga, or through prayer.  Any of these can be effective in lowering your stress level.

Signs & Symptoms – Study the symptoms of a heart attack so you can act quickly if they happen to you. Some of the symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, jaw pain, neck pain and sudden weakness or lightheadedness. If you feel these symptoms, immediately call for an ambulance.

KNOWLEDGE MAKES THE HEART GROW STRONGER!

Please participate in The American Heart Association’s Wear Red Day on Friday, February 3rd. We are asking Seeland Park residents to also wear their RED to our heart-healthy fitness classes on the 5th at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. See you there!

by: Kristin Jennings, Fitness Specialist

Winter to many retirees means warm weather – our friends Frosty and Joan Mitchell are now joining the ‘snow birds’ in Florida year round as they announced their move from Grinnell. They did not leave without saying goodbye andfurther impacting our community. Please read their story in this issue.

Dion

Make a stop at the doc. Be sure the doctor is aware that you want to start an exercise program, and ask if there are any concerns that you need to be aware of.

Keep your chin up! Set realistic, short and long term goals on how to attain a healthier lifestyle.

Progress reports. Be aware of how you are feeling during the workout, the amount of energy you have during the day and any changes in your sleeping patterns. All of these can be positively affected when implementing exercise into your daily routine.

Put your best foot forward. Be sure you have proper footwear before starting a new program. If your shoes aren’t suitable for exercise you run a higher risk of injury.

Eat breakfast EVERY DAY!

Take the stairs. It’s a great, low impact exercise that burns calories quickly.

Add it to the list! Exercise should be a part of your daily routine, write it down just like any other appointment or task, and then make it happen!

Strength training is a MUST! By building muscle you are boosting your metabolism, even if it’s only once a week, you will see the benefits.

Let your brain keep up with your fork. Take at least twenty minutes to complete your meal. That is how long it takes the brain to recognize the stomach is full, and it prevents overeating.

Get the max effect! While exercising with cardio equipment, avoid leaning heavily on the handrails, it decreases the amount of calories burned during a workout.

Spice it up! While preparing a healthy,low-fat and low-calorie meal use a lot of spices and seasonings to enhance the flavor of the meals; leaving you feeling satisfied.

Make a dash to the department store! Take advantage of busy parking lots during the holiday season, park far away and get some extra steps in. But bundle up in case it is chilly out.

Take ten! When lacking the time or motivation to complete your normal exercise routine, commit to ten minutes. Ten minutes is much better than ZERO minutes!

Cut the caffeine! Too much caffeine can decrease the burning of stored fats.

Tackle your total body when working out! Cardiovascular exercises, core, upper and lower body strength training, flexibility, and balance are all essential to a balanced fitness routine.

Water is King! The body needs a minimum of 64 ounces of water daily to keep you properly hydrated.

No matter what, keep your tummy tight! Whether you are walking, lifting weights, or doing jumping jacks, keep your abs pulled in.

It’s fun to be fit! Choose exercises that you enjoy, you will be more likely to stick with your program if you like what you are doing.

If you plan to booze, don’t plan to lose! Alcoholic beverages are loaded with calories, try to limit your intake if you want to lower your jean size.

Pick up the pace! When you are walking, bend your elbows, this will make your arms swing faster and in return increase leg speed.

Make a plate of art! When selecting foods at a holiday party, pick foods that are bright in color, and small in portion. Rather than eating one large slice of pie and a plate of meatballs, try to sample bite size portions of several food offerings.

Keep it interesting with intervals! While walking for exercise, include brisk walking segments, followed by a slower pace to use different energy systems.

Get fit with a friend! Commit to an exercise program with a friend, this way you can hold each other accountable to complete the program each day.

Pack a snack! During the holidays people are always on the go, bring a healthy snack along to keep you from being tempted by the mall food courts and fast food restaurants.

… And one extra tip…

Do your best! Don’t worry if you can’t do it all, pick the things you can do and make goals for yourself! Have a Happy Holiday and a Blessed New Year!

Dion Schrack with Frosty and Joan Mitchell

Former long time Grinnell residents, Joan and Frosty Mitchell, made their exit from Grinnell by providing the entrance to the remodeled and enlarged St. Francis Manor Health Care Center. The $10,000 gift is a thank you to the area citizens as the Mitchells begin their permanent residence in Stuart, Florida.

The Mitchells purchased radio station KGRN in 1959 and moved from Des Moines to Grinnell with their three small daughters, Mianne, Debra and Dorea in 1960. KGRN became the home office of Mitchell Broadcasting Company, which grew into several Midwestern AM and FM radio stations and ownership of the Iowa Hawkeye Sports Network.

The Mitchells have a long history of health care involvement in Grinnell. Frosty was instrumental in the merging of St. Francis Hospital and Community Hospitals into the building of Grinnell General Hospital.

In the late 1960’s, St. Francis Hospital was located on the present St. Francis Manor site and Community Hospital was on the site of what is now Grinnell Regional Medical Center.

After this merger of hospitals, Frosty was chairman of the fund raising drive to build Grinnell General Hospital.  After the drive’s success and Grinnell General Hospital was constructed, he served as Chairman of the Board, and the new facility was opened, and the St. Francis property was transformed into a nursing home facility.

The Mitchells and their daughters funded “The Mitchell Meditation Room” in the most recent expansion of Grinnell Regional Medical Center. The room known as the “Grace Place” serves the hospital patients, employees and visitors as a chapel.

Joan was an early member of the St. Francis Manor board serving for 10 years from October 1983 to October 1993 and during that time was President from 1991 to 1993. It was during these years that the board of directors worked with Executive Administrator Dion Schrack to develop the Seeland Park retirement community.

In describing her service at St. Francis, Joan Mitchell said, “Of all the state-wide and local boards and commissions that I have been privileged to serve on, St. Francis Manor touched my heart the most. Those early years of financial and facility struggles were difficult, but we were working with a young, energetic and determined executive administrator [Dion Schrack] and the other outstanding individuals on the board who made our growth possible, to today looking at the expansion and state of the art facility, that soon will be the envy of the nursing home industry in Iowa. I am grateful and blessed to have been a small part.”

When asked for a comment on their gift, Frosty Mitchell said, “I was always so proud of Joan’s participation at St. Francis. Grinnell has been good to us and our family. It was a great place to be in business and to raise and educate our children, and call home for over fifty years. This gift is another gesture of our belief in helping financially with healthcare, education and churches while in Grinnell. As we leave our legacy, it is best stated in the words that will be in the new entry way of St. Francis Manor: ‘Through these doors, pass the world’s greatest people… Grinnellians and their friends.”

Activity Directors Courtney Michalek and Jessie Schaffner lead the Veterans Day Program with prayers, poetry and explained the history behind Veterans Day and how it began. While taking a moment of silence to remember our Veterans  that have passed, “Taps” played and Corporal Justin Goodrich presented a flag to Mim Peters. Bob Peters, her husband who passed away this year, was a WWII Veteran. Playing music from each branch of the military, those with loved ones lost and those alive who served stood for the branch they served. The program concluded with the singing of the National Anthem and God Bless America.

Many Seeland Park members and families of St. Francis Manor residents brought in war memorabilia for attendees to view. Special thanks to the activities department for coordinating this event and to those who made and served a variety of tasty food.

Staff and residents alike enjoy the camaraderie of finding a costume for Halloween day – even some residents can’t pass up the opportunity for a good costume. Probably most creative costumes were the trio of Katchup, Mustard and Chips – Courtney Michalek, Julie Underhill and Jessie Schaffner.

Click here to view photos.

Holly Freese is an LPN at St. Francis Manor. Originally from Colo, Iowa, she now lives in Kellogg, Iowa. Holly’s duties as a floor nurse include passing medication, doing treatments, charting and assessing residents.

The employee star is nominated quarterly by St. Francis Manor Staff. It is to be a person who exhibits quality, care and exemplary work. A committee reviewed and chose the most qualified candidate which was Holly for third quarter. Prize is one full day off work with pay!

Winner of first quarter was Cassie VanDee, LPN and second quarter was John McCulley.

Read the whole story in our November 4th Newsletter HERE.

Wes Finch serves on the St. Francis Manor Foundation Board and has been a Board member and past chair for Grinnell Regional Medical Center. He also served on the GRMC Foundation Board. Marilyn Finch is a past chair of the St. Francis Manor Board.

“I’m interested in healthcare. As you get older, you realize how important it is,” says Wes. “I was able to see the completion of the Paul W. Ahrens Fitness and Rehabilitation Center when I was on the board, and now I’m excited to see this project at St. Francis Manor be complete.”

Wes and Marilyn and also Wes Finch Auto Plaza have contributed in many community development efforts, including both the Grinnell Community High School and the Paul W. Ahrens Fitness and Rehabilitation Center.

“When people step up to the plate and give, it makes it easier for everyone to be involved,” says Wes. “Give money to a worthy charity. Do estate planning. Talk to someone. There are so many things available to do, and many people might be surprised to find they can participate in charitable giving at little or no cost to them.”

This donation of stock by Wes and Marilyn Finch completed the need for two additional whirlpools. Other donations to the whirlpool fund include $10,000 by the Claude Ahrens Charitable Trust, $10,000 by the Brownell Family Foundation, and $5,000 by St. Francis Manor Resident Mary Russell. A need still exists to replace the two outdated, existing whirlpools.

With this donation, Wes and Marilyn have now given over $17,000 to the St. Francis Manor Foundation.

Since 1946 many have tried to beat this record. Earlier this year, Our Iowa Magazine announced their ‘Tallest Corn’ contest. Inspired by the idea, Seeland Park hosted a campus-wide tall corn contest this year.

Wednesday, September 28, was a beautiful sunny afternoon for judging at Seeland Park Community Garden. The Mayor of Grinnell, Gordon Canfield, was the official judge and measured each corn stalk. Each of the six contestants had their picture taken with the mayor and their larger than life stalk of corn. First Place went to the team ‘Golden Girls’ (Priscilla Anderson, Carol Jordan, Eleanor Osland and Rosie Schrack) who won $25 Grinnell bucks.

The Golden Girls original mission for planting the corn was to cover up some electrical work in the center of their back yards. “This corn became the talk of all in the Retirement Center, and soon men were seen measuring the stalks as they grew. When they realized there was a contest going on, they became even more excited,” said Carol Jordan.

The Golden Girls: Eleanor Osland, Priscilla Anderson, Rosie Schrack and Carol Jordan.

Second Place went to George Durand who won $15 Grinnell Bucks. Third Place went to Larry Rosenow who won $10 Grinnell Bucks. All other participants received sacks of candy corn. The measurements were close with the largest being 12 ft 11 1/4 inches, others following at 12’8″, 12’7 1/4″, 12’4″, 12′ even and 11’11 1/4″.

“I understand that about 50 people in Iowa County participated in the contest this year. If you multiplied that by Iowa’s 99 counties, that would be nearly 5,000 entries,” said Dave Rasdal of The Cedar Rapids Gazette.

We wonder if they counted all the independent contests like the one at Seeland Park how much higher the number would be? What can we say? Iowa truly is the tall corn state!

View all the photos from the Tall Corn Contest HERE