Looking Back on 20 Years

I feel absolutely blessed to have had the opportunity to practive my profession as a registered nurse, a licenses nursing home administrator, and a co-owner of Cedar Hill Continuing Care Community.

Judy Brogren and I took a giant step when we purchased the old 31-bed Cedar Manor Nursing Home. We had both worked in the private as well as the public sector of long-term care. Many times we both felt those to whom we were responsible did not consistently make policy decisions in the best interest of resident care.

If there is one practice that I believe helped us to survive and be successful here at Cedar Hill it is to always ask the follow question when deliberating major decisions: "Is this decision in the bes interest of our residents?" This has kept us focused on our mission which is to provide quality care and service in a loving and comfortable environment.

I can truly say that I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of being an entrepreneur and community developer as well as facing the daily work challenges. It has been exciting and tough, rewarding and at times frustrating. But it has never ever been dull or routine. It has been my life and it is still a very important part of my life. I have never regretted the decision to purchase Cedar Manor because I kept my vision on what this community could become in my mind's eye.

Most of all, I have been blessed to know that in working with our staff, our rehabilitation team, our doctors and our other consultants we have been able to give residents high quality care in a comfortable and loving environment. We have made a positive difference in the lives of many many people - residents, family, employees and the Windsor Community.

I look back with gratitude for the positive impact Cedar Hill has made in my life. I look ahead to continuing success in the years to come. And this year, I'm enjoying celebrating 20 years of service. On June 26th, Kirt and I grilled up teriyaki sirloin steaks for our employees. We had a lot of fun as you can see from the pictures below. On July 25th, many of our business associates and long-time friends will join us for an evening celebration. And on September 13th, we'll have our annual family picnic and celebrate with our families and residents.

Thank you for all your support, friendship and business over these two decades.

- Mary Louise Sayles

Village Notes

Many of us enjoyed the annual Father’s Day Car Show and the “older” cars and trucks. The show always brings back good memories. As one resident summed it up: “These cars don't seem that old to me. I remember driving and riding in them.” See the photo of one grand car below. 

On Memorial Day, Mickey Lorimer and I went to the celebration in Cornish Flat, N.H. Town residents, the school and the scouts put on a program of music, singing, speeches and readings. We then enjoyed that traditional Memorial Day feast of hot dogs, salad and ice cream. A truly old-fashioned celebration that we enjoyed.

In June our book club read Pinecones by Mary Summer Rain, From Beginning to End: Rituals of Our Lives by Robert Fulghum, and “The Book of Useless Information.”

 Our music club had been listening to 33 rpms of music by Glenn Miller, John Denver and "The Sound of Music." Ray Jacobs will share his country & western RPM collection with us next.

 Our restaurant trips have included Dimmick's Choice and the Crown Point Country Club. We are considering The Weathervane next. 

Our Milk Shake delivery continues. I tried some diversity with Root Beer Floats and Ice Cream Sodas: Everyone said “Back to the shakes. “That included Chef Jerry, who after sampling one, said “Don’t change a thing.” 

On July Fourth, we will have a cookout and are looking forward to trips to the Windsor bandstand concerts this summer.

Lucylee Gingras, Village Activity Director

Health Care Center & Victorian House

Bikers, Poker & a Moose

 The Motorcycle Poker run in late June was a hit with residents and family. Lellan Freeman and Roberta Mullar judged Cedar Hill’s pick of the best bike.  We had fun sharing ice cream and punch – and watching a quite interesting unexpected guest: A moose walking through the Cedar Hill parking lot.

 The Biker Event followed our much anticipated Father’s Day Car Show organized by Theresa and Dennis White. See one of the stunning cars in the photo above.

Everyone enjoys the outdoor activities we host or travel to during these warm months of the year. We will take a Sunapee Lake Cruise July 23rd and have a July picnic. Families, come join our Thursday lunch BBQs.

This year we are enjoying the state and national well-contested elections. In July, we are starting once-a-month Presidential Election Discussion and Vermont Governor Election Discussion. We are inviting all gubernatorial candidates to come to Cedar Hill and one will be here July 25th. These discussions will take place until October when we will have our own election for President and Governor and compare it to the real election in November.  (Of course, all residents who can vote do. We order absentee ballots as well as take any residents who want to the polls.)

On July 18th our Friday Happy Hour will be Luau style. Families and friends are always invited to join. We uncork at 3:30 pm.

The Cedar Hill Activity Staff

Events for Cedar Hill Families and Friends

Father's Day Car Show: Another great car show this year. See that beauty above. We can't wait for next year.

Annual Family Picnic - 20th Anniversary: Cedar Hill turns 20 this year and we will celebrate that feat Saturday afternoon, from noon to 3 pm, September 13th at Cedar Hill with our annual Family Picnic. Families, please bring a side dish. We'll supply the rest.

Friday Happy House: Thanks to all the family members who joined us and brought "supplies" for our Friday Happy Hours at the Health Care Center and Victorian House and at The Village. Everyone enjoys these relaxing social hours. And as they say, the more the merrier. Below, a Village resident enjoys Friday cocktail hour.

Thank you, Theresa White!

Few employers are as lucky as Cedar Hill has been to have an employee like Theresa White. She worked for Cedar Hill and its predecessor nursing home for 40 years. She led Cedar Hill’s housekeeping and laundry and maintenance departments and kept Cedar Hill as one of the cleanest nursing, residential and assisted living communities in the business. She cared deeply about our residents and helped start our Angel Hospice Program. She paid attention to the details.

On her last day at Cedar Hill before retiring, she and her husband Dennis led the Father’s Day Car Show, a tradition they started. They raised money for our Angel Hospice Program.

So we say good-bye to her as an employee, but we know she is just up the road.

We hope we see you around, Theresa!

Our LNA Classes

Three times as year we teach classes for students to become Licensed Nursing Assistants. We take up to 10 students per class. Cedar Hill pays for all the training and asks for a six-month commitment after graduation from our students. We interview our students and choose carefully, just as we would for any job.

Six students participated in our spring class and will take their graduation exam in July. You may see them working in our Health Care Center and Victorian House.

 Holding these classes costs time and money. Why go to this expense? Because we want our staff trained in our quality of care philosophy with high-level skills from the start.

 “Having an LNA class at Cedar Hill gives the students an opportunity to train here as well as feel comfortable with the residents here,” says Director of Nursing Gisele Zullo. “We can train current staff members who are not LNAS, but who want to become one.  We can assess our students to see if they fit within the environment and work well with our team and with our residents before we hire them.”

 All this adds to our quality of care. We will have our next class this fall. If you know of an exemplary LNA candidate please have them contact Staff Development Director Suzi Brown at (802) 674-6609 to apply for the next class. 

Spiritually Speaking

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds thy hands have made.

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

From the hymn “How Great Thou Art”

The beauty of the trees, the softness of the air

The fragrance of the grass, speaks to me.

 Words of Chief Dan George

You ask why I perch on a jade green mountain?

  I laugh but say nothing, my heart free like a peach blossom

In the flowing stream going by in the depths

In another world not among men.

Li Po

Nature and Creation are an integral part of spiritual traditions around the world. In the summertime I find a special closeness to God when I venture into the outdoors.  The warmth of the sun, the beauty of flowers in bloom and the touch of the wind upon my face are among the many ways I experience the blessing of Creation.

Sitting in a lawn chair under an apple tree recently brought to mind a childhood experience.  I was 12 years old and recuperating from a very serious illness.  I was confined to bed for several weeks, but when the month of June arrived it was warm enough that I was allowed to go outside, lay on a chaise lounge and rest in the fresh air.  What a blessing!  The images and memories of that first time out are still vivid; they still make me smile.

Many find God’s presence more real in nature than they do in a church or other spiritual “structures.”

For those who are will or physically handicapped, getting out into the natural world is much easier this time of year. I encourage you to find opportunities especially during these warmer months to get outdoors and experience the presence of God as expressed in the beauty and wonder of Creation. And to find ways to share that with your friends and family who are residents at Cedar Hill.

With Joy and Hope,

Pastor Connie

Tell a Friend!

Most of our residents come to us because someone told them about Cedar Hill. You too can help us spread the word.

If you know of someone interested in a continuing care community like Cedar Hill, please refer them to either Village Director Sue Spadaro at (802) 674-2254 or Victorian House, the Health Care Center and Teddy's Place Admissions Coordinator Kathleen Eames at (802) 674-6609.

In addition to our long-term residence services, we offer respite, rehabilitation and hospice services.

We welcome your calls.

Below see our newly decorated bus. Yes, you can see out the windows. Red the Cat checks out the undercarriage.

                                 The Care You Need, Whenever You Need It