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Bartels Spa Day is August 11
"Homecoming Week" Festivities at Bartels
Bartels Event Recognizes 276 of Employee Service
Bartels Entrance to Change Due to Construction
"Gadgets & Gizmos" Teaches Value of Universal Design
Bartels Welcomes New Members to Directors, Trustees
"Going Green" Saves Green at Eisenach Village
iseanch Village Hosts First Construction Open House
Memory May be Improved Using Simple Tips
Eisenach Village Open House Offers Sneak Peek to Public
The Messenger Goes Green!
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Pamper Yourself at Bartels Spa Day
Makeup, skin care, massages and facials are on the agenda, but this isn’t the grand opening of the newest salon, it’s the Spa Day at Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community.
On August 11 from 1:30 until 3:30 pm the Good Shepherd Chapel will be transformed into a spa experience with makeup and skincare from Waterloo Younkers Clinique, manicures and facials from the College of Hair Design, accessories and gifts from Meyer Pharmacy, bath and body products from Jordan Essentials, massages from Katie Schutte, and Scentsy Wickless Candles.
“Everyone needs pampering in their life,” said Bartels’ Vice President of Marketing Heather Johnson, who organized the spa day. “This Spa Day will give Bartels residents and staff and members of the Waverly community let go of their stress, treat themselves, and try new products and services.”
The free event will also feature refreshments and soothing music to set the mood for the afternoon of relaxation and shopping. Guests should enter through the new main entrance on 20th Street NW.
For more information, contact Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community at 352-4540 or visit www.bartelscommunity.org. |
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Homecoming Week at Bartels! |
| Bartels celebrated Homecoming Week May 17-21 with festivities for residents, families, staff and the community. |
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The week kicked off with a century birthday party, honoring residents who were 100 years old or older as well as residents with birthdays in the month of May. The Good Shepherd Chapel was filled with around 90 guests, including Waverly Mayor Bob Brunkhorst. Mayor Brunkhorst signed a proclamation declaring the week of May 17-21 to be "Aging Services Week." Nora Bruns played piano, and staff even got into the action by dancing the chicken dance and the hokey pokey. |
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On Tuesday, children from St. Paul's Lutheran Elementary school came to Bartels to help plant flowers around the campus. The children planted hundreds of flowers in the courtyards in Evergreen Arbor, Woodland Terrace, and outside the Droste Ice Cream Den near Big Ed's Duck Pond. |
| Also on Tuesday, residents, families, and staff enjoyed an art show in the Good Shepherd Chapel. The show featured art created by Eichhorn Haus, Linden Place, and Woodland Terrace residents and as well as Bartels staff. A selection of hors d'oeuvres and sparkling wine added to the festive atmosphere. |
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On Thursday, residents and staff celebrated Homecoming Week with a lunch time parade through Woodland Terrace, Evergreen Arbor, Linden Place, and Eichhorn Haus dining rooms.
Each department or floor contributed a float to the parade, and Woodland Terrace Second Floor was voted best float for their entry "There's No Place Like Home" which included the characters from the Wizard of Oz including Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, the Scarecrow and even Toto. |
| The Bartels Maintenance Department dressed up as the "Defenders of Bartels" with knight costumes and a giant dragon. |
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The final event of the week was the Homecoming Dance, featuring square dancers who wowed residents and visitors with their quick feet and spinning dance routines. Some staff even got in on the action with a improptu square dancing lesson. For more information about Homecoming Week or other activities at Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community, call 352-4540. |
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Bartels Recognizes 276 Years of Employee Service
Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community hosted a reception for 23 staff members with a combined 276 years of work at Bartels.
Twelve staff members were honored for five years of service: Renee Heine, Jennifer Averhoff, Tanya Beine, Briana Brunner, Sandra Freerks, Maria Kratchmer, Tracy Myers, Sonia Eggleston, Kerri Bottema, Nancy Fisher, Sarah Bibler, and Barbara Lovejoy-Hess.
Two staff members were honored for ten years of service: Jane Wolf and Kimberly Butler.
Three staff members were honored for 15 years of service: Sharon Reay, April Epley, and Donna Kittle.
Six staff members celebrated over 20 years of service at Bartels: Karla Happel, Gary Carlson, Janet Waidelich, Angela Brown, JoAnn Myers, and Linda Hirsch. They have worked at Bartels for between 21 and 33 years.
Longtime chaplain Pastor Keith Tomlinson, who retired from Bartels last year, was the guest speaker for the evening. While reminiscing about his own 21 years of employment at Bartels, Pastor Keith reminded the staff and guests in attendance to come to work prepared to be entertained, prepared to be a Shepherd, and prepared to be inspired.
“I encourage you to come to Bartels prepared to be entertained,” said Pastor Tomlinson. “Come to work each day prepared to laugh at the unexpected, and sometimes ludicrous, things that happen as you interact with the residents. The work you do at a care center can be back breaking, heart rending, never-ending, but it can also be entertaining and joyful.”
For more information about Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community, call 352-4540 or visit www.bartelscommunity.org. |
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Bartels Entrance to Change Due to Construction
Beginning May 1, 2010, the main Bartels (Woodland Terrace) entrance on 5th Avenue Northwest will be closed due construction of the new skilled nursing expansion. The main entrance will be permanently relocated to the Evergreen Arbor entrance on 20th Street Northwest.
The expansion was made possible by a generous grant from the Bolger Foundation, and will include new social areas including a large open dining and lounge area, therapy room, and a new, dedicated skilled nursing entrance.
For more information, contact Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community at 352-4540. |
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“Gadgets & Gizmos” Teaches Value of Universal Design
Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community will host an educational workshop entitled “Gadgets & Gizmos,” on Tuesday, April 27 at 2:00 pm in the Eichhorn Haus dining room. This informative, hands-on workshop will address universal design- products that are designed for ease of use in the home. The program will be presented by Janet Brown, who has previously presented “Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate?”™ and “Memory: Am I Losing My Mind?” ™ at Bartels.
“Gadgets & Gizmos” introduces participants to universal design,” said Brown. “I bring two suitcases full of everyday objects. One is designed the old way, and one that is designed a little better. I try to teach participants to look at their homes more critically to see what components could or should be replaced.”
Attendees will participate in the interactive workshop and will receive take-home books to help them analyze their own gadgets and gizmos.
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“As individuals age, once-simple tasks can become daunting, or even impossible, without the proper assistive devices,” said Heather Johnson, Bartels Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “For most of us, we don’t know that products from potato peelers to scissors to mousetraps are available with universal design in mind and this workshop will introduce them to an easier way to live.”
Mark your calendars now for this free event open to the public. Coffee and desert will be served. Space is limited. For more information or to reserve your place, please contact Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community at 352-4540. |
Janet Brown will present Gadgets & Gizmos at Bartels on April 27. |
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"Going Green” Saves Green at Eisenach Village |
It is hard not to think “green” this time of year. The grass has returned to its lush spring condition, the trees are beginning to unfurl their leaves, and early flowers of many types dot lawns and pots everywhere. However, there is another reason to thing “green” this time of year. With Earth Day coming and sweltering summer heat just ahead, Spring is the perfect time to think about energy efficiency.
“There are a number of factors that contribute to energy efficiency in a home,” said Eisenach Village Construction Supervisor Wayne McFarland. “Insulation, air infiltration, proper sizing of heating and cooling units, windows, and appliances- it all adds up.”
When construction began on Eisenach Village in Spring 2009, many energy-saving elements were incorporated to save money for residents and lessen the environmental footprint the development would have.
Eisenach Village resident Kirsten Hafermann said she didn’t think too much about energy efficiency before moving into her new home in December. She was more interested in the peace of mind of living in a maintenance-free community, but she has been satisfied with the appliances and heating so far.
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| Kirsten Hafermann, shown in her living room in Eisenach Village, has been pleased with the energy efficiency of her Eisenach Village home. |
“I think it’s wonderful that if something happens with the appliances or the heat or air conditioner it is taken care of,” said Hafermann. “And they just lowered the maintenance fee. That’s nice too.”
Hafermann was pleased with her utility bills in January and February, and she said she will continue to watch and compare the costs with her previous home.
“In the old house, the bills in January and February were high,” said Hafermann. “In the new house they were lower.” |
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Eisenach Village features environmentally friendly, energy efficient spray foam insulation expands to 120 times its liquid volume to seal crevices and hollow spaces that could otherwise result in energy loss in the homes. The airtight seal created by the insulation also creates a quieter, healthier interior atmosphere where noise and allergens have difficulty penetrating.
“We chose the insulation for a variety of factors,” said McFarland. “It is better than fiberglass or cellulose products in preventing air infiltration that leads to heat loss and better for soundproofing. We have been able to insulate the homes as a complete envelope rather than leaving a hot or cold attic space where heat is lost in the winter and gained in the summer.”
Heating and cooling are usually a big portion of energy expenditures, around 46 percent according to government estimates, so lowering those costs can make a big difference in a home’s bottom line. When systems are not sized correctly, it can lead to inefficient operation, frequent breakdowns, and an overall higher cost to operate. Eisenach Village worked with Waverly Light and Power to determine the best sizing for heating and cooling units, just as other Waverly residents can do find out their home’s needs.
“Our furnaces and air conditioners are sized according to the square footage of the homes,” said McFarland. “Waverly Light and Power did an energy audit which really took the guess-work out of the decision. We knew these systems would be right for our unit.” |
| The spray foam insulation used in Eisenach Village expands to 120 times its original volume, sealing any unwanted cracks or air pockets. |
Older systems are often oversized and less efficient because older homes had less insulation, less energy efficient windows, and overall more heating/cooling loss. When simple upgrades such as adding new windows, caulking, weather-stripping, and insulating are done, even an older home can often reduce its energy loss and need a smaller HVAC system.
Even the windows in a home can affect its energy efficiency. Older windows can be drafty for reasons including improper installation or improper or deteriorated caulking or weather stripping. Energy Star qualified windows, doors, and skylights can reduce energy bills by up to 15 percent, according to the Energy Star website. The Energy Star is a government-backed symbol to help consumers identify energy-efficient products that offer savings on energy bills without sacrificing performance, features, and comfort.
The appliances in Eiseanch Village homes are also Energy Star rated for energy efficiency.
“Energy efficient appliances were something we decided to spend a little extra money on because there were so many other energy saving touches already incorporated into the homes,” said Eisenach Village Options Specialist Jen Wells. “There are so many great energy efficient appliance options out there right now that it was easy to pick the perfect ones for our units.”
For more information about energy-saving features of Eisenach Village homes, please call the Eisenach Village Sales Office at 352-1258. For more information about energy efficiency or the Energy Star program, visit www.energy.gov or www.energystar.gov |
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Bartels Welcomes New Members to Directors, Trustees
Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community is pleased to welcome one new member to the Board of Directors and two to the Board of Trustees. Rich Carlson, President of First National Bank, has joined the Board of Directors, and Lois Coonradt and William Hamm have joined the Board of Trustees.
“As always, we are honored by the caliber of community leaders who are willing to donate their time and skills to Bartels,” said Bartels President Debra Schroeder. “Our Board of Directors and Board of Trustees have the expertise and passion to continue Bartels’ tradition of excellence.”
Carlson brings years of experience in both banking and nonprofit leadership to the Board. He moved to Waverly in 2007 from Clinton, Iowa.
“Bartels is known as a great organization in the community,” said Carlson. “It is well managed and well respected. I hope to quickly learn more about the organization and bring my background in banking and nonprofits to the Board of Directors.”
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| Rich Carlson, President of First National Bank |
Coonradt, whose father A.H. Niewohner helped to establish Bartels in the 1950s, looks forward to serving on the Board of Trustees in order to further enhance and perpetuate the rich legacy of the Bartels Community.
“Bartels has grown far beyond our wildest dreams way back when,” said Coonradt. “I hope to enhance and support the continuing progress of the organization.”
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| Lois Coonradt |
Hamm is a 1966 Wartburg graduate and was interim President at Wartburg College from July 2008 to July 2009. He will bring his years of senior-management experience to the Board of Trustees.
“I have a long-time attachment to the Waverly community,” said Hamm. “I am a life-long Lutheran and lived in Waverly off and on for the past forty years.”
For more information about Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community, call 352-4540 or visit www.bartelscommunity.org. |
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| Dr. William Hamm |
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Eisenach Welcomes Public for First Peek Inside Homes
Eisenach Village hosted a construction open house with home tours on Sunday, November 22 at the Eisenach Village site. For the first time, members of the public were able to tour homes under construction at Eisenach Village.
“We were thrilled with the turnout to this construction sneak peek,” said Mike Cooley, Eisenach Village Sales Manager. “Around 100 people from Waverly, Shell Rock, Tripoli, Waterloo, Cedar Falls and surrounding communities came out to tour the homes.”
The open house spotlighted four homes featuring different floor plans and different phases of construction. Guests inspected and marveled at the quality design and workmanship highlighted in Eisenach Village.
Incentives are available for those wishing to buy into Eisenach Village, and lots can be reserved now for home construction beginning in spring 2010.
For more information, contact the Eisenach Village Sales Office at 319-352-1258. |
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Memory May be Improved Using Simple Tips
Though some seniors may feel that memory loss is their burden to bear, a recent Bartels workshop showed that memory is imperfect at all ages.
Janet Brown of the Iowa State Extension service presented the entertaining workshop “Memory: Am I Losing My Mind?” at Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community, and discussed the types of memory loss that are normal with aging.
“As you age, about 15 percent of your memory is affected by normal aging,” said Brown. “Physical limitations as well as mental or emotional concerns may affect memory.”
The three components that affect individuals’ ability to remember information are attitude, interest, and attention, and physical or environmental concerns can affect any of them. Individuals with a positive attitude about the information they are hearing are more likely to remember it. Topics that interest us are more likely to be remembered, and information presented in a distraction-free environment is more likely to take hold.
Some normal age-related memory changes include slower thinking, trouble paying attention, more clues required for information recall, and less use of memorization techniques such as association and repetition. Individuals who are concerned about their memory loss are encouraged to speak with their physician.
Other factors that may worsen seniors’ memory include anxiety, fatigue, stress, depression, grief, illness, medication, or physical impairment.
“Dehydration is often overlooked when we think about memory loss,” said Brown, “but a two percent drop in hydration can begin to impair your memory. It is important to stay hydrated for your physical and mental health.” |
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Eisenach Village Homes Take Shape
Above: Maynard Anderson stands just outside the front door of his new home in Eisenach Village.
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Maynard Anderson stood in his new living room for the first time on a recent August morning. The sky was still visible through the roof trusses and the walls still show two-by-four studs, but his Eisenach Village home is quickly taking shape.
Anderson, who plans to move into Eisenach Village this fall, decided in March to make the new community his home.
Anderson is anxiously awaiting the many comforts and amenities offered by Eisenach Village, but his choice to move to the active adult community also allows him to remain close to Wartburg College, where he taught music and humanities for over 35 years, and to his two children who live in the Cedar Valley.
“I’m looking forward to having no more snow to shovel, no more lawns to cut, and no more stairs to climb,” said Anderson. “I’m also glad I will still be able to be a part of the Wartburg community.” |
Above: Maynard Anderson (left) and Eisenach Village Sales Manager Mike Cooley review the layout of Anderson’s new home while standing in what will be his living room. |
Eisenach Village is located just north of the Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community campus and west of the Wartburg College campus on 20th Street NW.
Anderson’s new home is the Aboreta design, one of the six floorplans available in Eisenach Village. All floorplans feature a unique “pinwheel” shape that gives the look and feel of a single-family home in a four-plex design.
Anderson was an Eisenach Village Charter Member since December 2008 before committing to purchase his new home. Charter Memberships allow prospective Eisenach Village residents to receive priority information and selection in the new community for a small refundable fee. He is now preparing his 3rd Avenue NW home for sale and working with Jen Wells, Eisenach Village Interiors Specialist, to finalize the flooring and finishes for his new home.
For more information, contact the Eisenach Village Sales Office at 319-352-1258.
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The Messenger Goes Green!
As a part of Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community’s continued effort to reduce the amount of paper used in production of the Messenger, Bartels switched to electronic publishing beginning with the June 2009 edition. The Messenger and calendars are available online at www.bartelscommunity.org or delivered directly by email if an email address is provided. Printed versions of the Messenger and activities calendars are still available for Bartels residents.
The Messenger also switched to a shorter format beginning in June. The shorter version focuses on resident activities and upcoming events rather than recapping past events. The full edition will still be published four times per year in July, October, January, and April.
It covers important events with photos and more detailed information, as well as information regarding honor and memorial gifts.
If you have questions about the Messenger or would like to sign up to have it delivered by email, please call 319-352-4540 or email jpeloquin@bartelscommunity.org. |
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