Happy St. Patrick's Day - Windows March 2022 - Westminster Towers
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Windows
March 2022
Vol. XXXIII No. 3 1330 India Hook Road, Rock Hill, South Carolina 29732
(803) 328-5000
Happy
St. Patrick's
Day
Welcome March!
It is finally spring time! We are excited this next month to be
offering more outings, socials, and music programs. Did you know
our newsletter is named after the glorious windows that light up
community spaces on each floor? Well, it is true! Spring begins this
month and with Spring comes all the colorful flowers. Now that we
can go out more on bus trips, come with us as we ride to lunch or
shopping to look at the flowers in the area. March is a great time to
start going back outside for fresh air and enjoy life outside the
Towers.
March stands for the third month in the year but it is also a verb and
a command. "March your way to victory!" "March is my favorite
month because it is when we start seeing Spring blooms in the
garden." "Son, I want you to march into the kitchen and apologize to
your mother." There are many ways it can be interpreted. Let us
march ourselves into March with a smile and open hearts to
experience new things and enjoy those around us.
Sara Curry
Life Enrichment Director
2
The pool is OPEN
Benefits for swimming at the tones muscles and builds improving flexibility
pool. providing good low-impact
strength
therapy for some injuries and
Swimming is a great workout provides an all-over body conditions
because you need to move your workout, as nearly all of providing a pleasant way to
whole body against the your muscles are used cool down on a hot day
resistance of the water. during swimming. being available in many places
– you can swim in swimming
pools, beaches, lakes, dams
Swimming is a good all-round Swimming has many other and rivers. Make sure that the
activity because it: benefits including: environment you choose to
keeps your heart rate up but being a relaxing and swim in is safe.
takes some of the impact peaceful form of exercise
stress off your body alleviating stress
builds endurance, muscle improving coordination,
strength and cardiovascular balance and posture
fitness
helps you maintain a healthy
weight, healthy heart and
lungs
3
Sue Nazak
March Wellness Committee
By: Wendell Anderson
March is nutrition
March, as the first month of
spring, brings anticipation of
awareness month. Be
new life and beauty in nature alert to what you are
and renewed outdoor eating! Green leafy
activities. But it can also Deborah, the judge and veggies and fruit
remind us of an army leader of Israel at that time,
marching forward in battle sang a powerful song which
should be in your diet
and suggest the challenges of includes those strong words every day in order to
life! According to the after the defeat of their maintain your health.
encyclopedia, Wikipedia, the enemy, the king of Canaan.
name March (Martius) is
Now that days are
named from Mars, the As we move on into this new warmer and sunnier
ancient Roman god of war. It spring season here at the get outside and take in
was the first month of the Towers, we need to take some vitamin D. A
earliest Roman calendar and Deborah’s words seriously.
the beginning of the season We are facing, or may face,
walk in the fresh air
of warfare each year for the physical, emotional, financial, and sun is more fun
Roman armies. family and spiritual than popping a pill to
I recall my days in high school, challenges. Behind them
get the benefit of this
which was a large school with often will be the formidable
band as a major extracurricular foe, Satan. We will need to vitamin. If walking is
activity. The band was made march on in God’s strength as not something you can
up of many members and, in Christian soldiers, praying for do, sit in the sun. This
addition to concerts, we and supporting each other. If
marched in special parades we are trusting Christ as our
month eat healthy and
and at football games. The Savior and Lord, our ultimate be happy.
dress uniforms and marching victory is secure, and He will
were always military style. All never leave or forsake us.
of this reminds me of the Let’s remember the challenge
familiar hymn, “Onward – “March on, my soul; be
Christian Soldiers,” and also a strong!”
statement from the Bible book
of Judges, “March on, my soul;
be strong!” (Judges 5:21b,
NIV).
4
MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR
Mieke and Bill Van De Nobelen
In 1979, Mieke and Bill Van De Nobelen moved to America from their country of Holland,
from a city called EINDHOVEN, about 1 ½ hours south of Amsterdam.
They settled in California, living in Anaheim and Santa Barbara.
Bill was a plant manager for a company that made rims for cars. Mieke took care of a large
estate in Santa Barbara and their second home in Florida. She did everything, but no
cooking.
In 1972 they met when Mieke was dancing in a Ballroom dance demonstration and Bill was
in the audience. They dated for 3 months. When Bill got tired of coming and going to her
house, he said “Let’s get married.” And they did!.... on Nov. 20 of 1972. She was almost 19, he
was 23.
Their 50th anniversary will be Nov. 20, 2022. They are planning a trip to Holland to visit in
April. Traveling is their favorite hobby. They have been to Europe, Hawaii and Japan to
mention a few.
In 1996 Bill moved to York, SC to open a new company. Mieke stayed in California as she
wasn’t ready to leave her job. For four years Bill flew back and forth to see her and In 2000
she moved to York. The transition from the West Coast to the East Coast was complete.
Retirement time came and they chose Westminster Towers. They are happy here and are still
getting settled.
We’ve very glad to have them. They are a very enjoyable couple. Stop for a chat at their
apartment. If you knock on their door, you will be welcomed with a smile and asked in for a
chat and to have a beverage and probably a treat!
Nancy Preston
5
B
A
C D
Happenings
around
C. Our Westminster Towers
the Towers King and Queen for 2022
were Sarah Jefferies and
What Happened in February?
Robert Calhoun. We had a lot
E
A. At the top left we have of fun voting on who was
Ruth Page crowned as our
going to be our king and
Westminster Princess. Not E
pictured is Ray Damron as our queen. E. As a surprise, Laurie Neal
Westminster Prince. came to play the violin for
D. One of the games we Towers and Manor residents
played at our Valentine's Day during lunch.
B. Starting from left: Betty
party was stack the
Love, Nancy McDuffie, and
Imogene Blackmon enjoying sweethearts. Our winner with
some fun and games at our 45+ hearts was Ruthann
WMT Valentine Party. Poore.
6
Westminster Towers
Winter Olympics
A. At the bottom left we have Ginny Van Hove showing off her archery skills.
B. 3rd floor Black Bears showing off their spirit!
C. Ice Jenga contest! 6th floor against 4th floor
D. Ed McPoland, Buzz Benson, Nancy Anderson and Jody FitGerald battle for Gold.
E. The Winter Olympics Finale - Thank you to all who participated!
B
A C D
7
“I THINK HE LIKES YOU” However, he kept his Bible up
by Nancy Anderson to hide his face as we started
down the street. He must have
thought that, as the officiating
I had graduated from high pastor, he should not be
school in Ludington, Michigan, involved in such frivolity! But
and was heading to West there he was.
Suburban Hospital in Oak Park,
Illinois, to begin nurses’ training.
My parents were moving back to He was also there in the get-
upstate New York at the same together at a home following
time, so the church where we had our horn-blowing trip. At one
been active held a farewell party point, another friend came up
for us. It was also a welcome to me and whispered in my ear,
reception for a new assistant “I think he likes you!” “No way,”
pastor by the name of Wendell I thought almost immediately.
Anderson, who had recently “Why would a seminary to Ecuador to work for the
graduated from seminary. I graduate serving as a pastor summer in a mission hospital. We
barely remember what he looked want to relate to someone just were miles apart – both literally
like, and I have no idea what was in my second year of training?” and figuratively. One day,
going on with him, as I was But, sure enough, he seemed to however, he felt prompted to
focused on having a good time be near me every time I turned write to me in Ecuador, but I had
with my high school friends and around! And then he offered to already left when the letter
classmates. take me back to Oak Park, as he arrived. It took a long time for it
was going home to visit his to catch up with me back in the
Two years later, however, I was mom in nearby Joliet on States, so he thought I was simply
Monday. I had to get permission ignoring him. But when I did get
back in Ludington to be a bride’s
it, I called him at Princeton and
maid for one of those high school from the hospital to be gone
invited him to Philadelphia,
friends, and Wendell was the one extra day, but it was
where I was living and working,
pastor officiating at her wedding. granted, and so I made the trip
to see pictures of my trip. He
Following the ceremony and with him. (I later learned that
came three days later; three
reception, a few of us put the he had purposefully arranged
weeks later we were engaged,
newly-weds in a car, which had that visit so we could get and three months later we were
been decorated with streamers, acquainted.) married – back in Ludington,
tin cans and a “Just married” Michigan, where it all started!
sign, to drive around town horn That started a rather rocky “on
blowing and celebrating. I was in again, off again” relationship You know, I think he still likes
the middle of the back seat, and for the next several years. He me – at least he has stuck
there was a space for one more had entered Princeton Seminary faithfully by my side for 59 years
person. Wendell was standing to study for a master’s degree in and counting. He truly is my
there, and we encouraged him to New Testament Theology and, Valentine!
come with us, which, to my after my graduation, I had gone
surprise, he did.
8
When the dining team gets involved, life erupts with joy. Residents from the Towers and
the Manor greatly enjoyed coming to the 50's Sock Hop.
Participants enjoying the opening ceremony for the Westminster Winter Olympics.
9
Imposition of Ashes
March 2, 2022
Janey Wilson, Rector of the Rock
Hill Episcopal Church of Our
Savior, will be presiding at the 3PM
Episcopal Communion Service on
March 2. At the conclusion of the
service, 3:30PM, she will be placing
ashes on the forehead of residents
that wish to partake in Imposition
of Ashes, an ancient Christian rite,
shared by many Christian beliefs.
Ash Wednesday marks the
beginning of the 40 days penitential
season of Lent and preparation for
Easter Sunday. If you want to
receive the ashes mark, come either
to the Communion Service or to
Heritage Hall at 3:30PM. You will
be reminded that dust thou art and
to dust we will return!
-Ed FitzGerald
March Church Schedule
A weekly church service will be held in Heritage Hall on Wednesdays at 3 PM . We
will be welcoming different pastors from local area churches each week to give a
sermon.
3/2 Rev. Janey Wilson—The Episcopal Church of Our Savior
3/9 Al Ward - Zion Presbyterian Church
3/16 Tony Caruso- Chaplain for Riverview Hospice and Palliative care
3/23 Jeff Bryant - Westminster Presbyterian Church
3/30 Dr. Mel Wines - Ebenezer Presbyterian Church
Be sure to check the bulletin board and the weekly newsletter for updates/changes.
All faiths are welcome!
10Health Center
Resident Spotlight
by: Ryan Troutman
Alan Kukla was born near His Aggies did not win, but He loves the outdoors and has
Cleveland, Ohio but moved to Alan has fond memories of all fond memories of traveling
Soda Springs, Idaho before he the tall buildings on his first throughout the Alaskan
was able to establish his trip to the Big Apple. wilderness.
Buckeye roots. He would
return to Ohio years later as a Chemistry was always a Mr. Kukla’s first wife and two
farmer after a long career as a passion for Alan, and he credits young children tragically
chemist with British Petroleum his father for his thirst for passed away in a car accident.
(BP). knowledge in the industry. Mr. Alan later met and married
Kukla received his Sharen and was married for 38
Sports were always a big part undergraduate, master’s years before she passed away
of Alan’s life growing up and degree and PHD from Utah from cancer.
he started playing football in State. He lived in Logan, Utah
high school. A coach once told for nearly a decade before He said she was the first to
him to focus more on accepting a job with BP near initiate a date request and that
basketball to help preserve his Anchorage Alaska. Sharen proposed to him. His
body from the rigors of high He worked for BP for over 30 stepdaughter Cyndi lives in
contact football. He did not years, and was responsible for Rock Hill and assisted with
quite give football up fixing issues with hydrogen Alan’s move into the Towers.
completely, and actually spent sulfate, a chemical dangerous Alan enjoyed woodworking
some time on the Cleveland to humans. Through his and has a photo of a rocking
Browns football team’s practice research and organic chemistry horse he made for his
squad. Mr. Kukla attended background he was able to grandchild. In his spare time,
Utah State University in Logan, help stop the production of the you can usually see Mr. Kukla
Utah and played a year of dangerous chemical. tuned into some of the old
football and basketball. e says While in Alaska, Alan spent his westerns on the television. He
one of his favorite sports free time hunting for moose has a lot of life experience, and
memories was traveling with and fishing for salmon. we are very fortunate to have
the team to Madison Square Mr. Kukla as a part of the
Garden in New York City to He once held the record for the Westminster Towers family.
compete in the National largest caribou, a record that
Invitational Tournament. he says now has slipped from
first to “only” the 15th biggest *Mr. Kukla did not want his picture
caribou hunted. taken for article.
11Employee Spotlight
Elaine Thomas
Last month was our Dietary/Food Service Workers Week during which we recognized our Food Service Workers who
make our meals, snacks and sometimes special-events refreshments. During the Covid pandemic they have worked
under continually difficult circumstances. Yet the smiles remain behind the masks. The extra helping hand is there for
heavy trays, serving, seeking, sorting, cleaning up, sweeping, mopping — all the unseen things which make a
smoothly run restaurant or dining hall the warm, welcoming place to gather—all HERE at The Towers.
Who is the driving force behind these multi-faceted dining services at West- minster Towers? You’ve seen her at
the helm. Before the Covid Pandemic, she was the one at the entrance of the Dining Hall with the warm, welcoming
smile, ready to take your pick-up order or show you an available table.
Since the mandatory masks policy went into effect, you’ll recognize her by the wide-open, sparkling eyes brown
eyes, the chic, new hairstyle and the bright colors, so becoming to her wardrobe. She brightens up the atmosphere and
fills in at any small aperture in the well-regulated routine of The Towers’ dining services. She is a well-established,
service-oriented member of the staff, whose duties have been widely diversified during the twenty years she has been
working at The Towers. She has become almost an institutional icon, serving the whims and whimsies of all of us
residents- most of whom are grateful; some disgruntled; all catered to royally.
Her name is ELAINE THOMAS. She has seen Westminster Towers change in many ways during her time of service.
She is responsible for serving residents, supervising special party events, overseeing serving staff and scheduling, not
to mention reporting to the Accounting Dept.
Elaine was born into a family of five girls and five boys. Her Mother died when she was a very small baby, and she
was raised by a faithful great- grandmother, Grammie, and later by her grandmother, Big Mama. Through marriage,
Elaine is the mother of three daughters, Jasmine, Alain, and La’Davia. She has five living grandchildren (3 girls and 2
boys).
When asked about some of her childhood memories, she recalls getting her GED diploma when she was fourteen
and going to work immediately. She recalls “Big Day” at church when everyone brought lunch baskets in the trunk of
their cars, parked in the church parking lot after services and ate delectables from their individual car trunks. She
learned that gambling was a big NO-NO. She observed that “the greatest aroma of all is a pot of beans on a coal-
burning stove.” (No argument there!). God is right, so keep on DOING right.
When one makes a mistake, learn from it, and “do differently next time.” Avoid bitterness of heart. (Wise woman!)
“Elaine, what is your biggest regret?”
“None. Everything happens for a reason. Have faith and keep on doing what is right in God’s eyes.” (How many of us
strive to do that?) Her current goals are to be “strong as a woman”. She desires to “keep her faith, to show love out of
love, avoid bitterness of heart and to remain independent as long as possible.”
For recreation she likes to write poetry about her feelings and the days’ events.
Cooking is her hobby at home. Her specialty is cooking pastry from scratch as birthday treats for friends and family.
Elaine learned early in life that switches from bushes become common instruments of punishment when mischief or
rebellion raised its head. (Her Grandmother MUST have shared that information with my own mother. Oh, HOW IT
SSSSTUNG!!!) Where does she see herself in ten years? Sitting on her front porch, she hopes, surrounded by her
grandkids. Such is the idyllic dream after a life of service to others.
Elaine, thank you for all the little and big things you do for us every day, as you guide and lead the kitchen service
crew. Our days are more satisfactory and enjoyable because of you, and our souls are fed as well with your
faithfulness and humility.
Submitted by Carole Partridge
12Poems by Earl Wilcox
Did You See the
Moon Last Night?
Spring Fog
When it first peeked over the house
on the corner, as I was walking out Was fog created for poets?
to see the crape myrtles up close, Mysteries, fantastic images
catching a first glimpse
evolve from fog in a nether-
world, the same sphere
of their fuzzy
where poets discover shapes
new growth this spring. only they can see.
Little wonder
the ancients believed Today’s Carolina fog looked
the moon to have Nothing like a cat softly treading
magic powers as it On my car, nor caused worry
certainly does on me about birch posts rotting
each time it flares in such weather. No Sandburg
or Frost-like fretting for me
in its spring fullness.
and two teen girls riding
to high school in a tiny car.
Spring Rhythms On the cusp of becoming
Drivers, the girls talk
Of low and high beams,
In late April carpenter bees bore
Notice critters’ eyes glaring
Hole after hole in the stud planks
At us from murky ditches.
Of my pergola, roaring & buzzing
My noggin as if to dig me a new On the road side
Eye or ear—saw dust mingled with a homeless woman
brain matter. Yesterday the first appears to bend over
Hummers, zooming almost loud a dead cat.
As bees, circle round and round In a car.
Fetching sweet sugar water from
In a car designed
A red plastic dish, sharing not
For rabbit races, we travel
One nectar-drop with a mate. at snail speed
Today’s sure sign that spring’s
In full force. Carolina Wrens Near the valley where
Twitter loud enough to drown The school sits layers
Upon layer of gray-green
Out bees and birds, catch me grout greets us.
Off guard, whip by my hoary At the drop-off point,
head. the girls fade into the fog.
Squinting & addled, I see their I urge my car to be brave,
Tiny nest stuffed in a Christmas turn up my radio,
Cactus, unfurling fuchsia blooms wait for a brisk, cheerful
Bach fugue to blow away the fog.
As if today were December, not
The first day of May. Spring gifts
Galore—holy lollapalooza.
13In Loving
Memory:
Lib Hutchinson
J.B. Kiser
Bonnie Sallis
Joann Twedt
14Honoring Those Who Give
Endowment Fund General Fund Employee Assistance Fund
Jim and Kack Hardin Juanita Eising
In Honor of: Joann Twedt Mike and Judith Honeycutt
Billy and Florence Plyler Ed McPoland
In Honor of: Fay L. Reynolds,
In Honor of: Joann Twedt James Pinochet, Lloyd and Joann
Carol Nash Hare Twedt and Frank Polito
Charles Ives
15Final Thoughts
We are looking for articles
about Westminster Towers
Westminster Towers, an residents and happenings
extension of the ministry of around the Towers!
Westminster Presbyterian
Church, was founded on the Entries can be submitted Windows Committee
theological principles and directly to Sara Curry or Linda
Lenz or can be emailed at
meets every 3rd
values of the Presbyterian
Church in America. Our scurry@westminstertowers.org Friday at 2:00 pm in
mission is to provide services the downstairs art
that inspire, encourage, and Deadline for entries for April is
March 15th.
room. We discuss the
empower seniors, while
demonstrating the love of current month's
Christ to support individual Newsletter Committee windows as well as
well-being. Members: the following month.
Committee Chair: Linda
Lenz
Westminster Windows is Any ideas are
published monthly for the Members:
Lou Ardrey, Joy Taylor,
welcome and anyone
residents, staff and friends of
Westminster Towers Nancy Preston, Pinky is welcome to attend.
continuing care retirement Funderburk, Barbara
community. Gladden, Mary Alice
Mitchell, Carole Partridge
Submissions and column ideas Submissions for the
Residents’ Association
are welcomed in writing to the
President: windows are due
following members of the
newsletter committee
Spencer Anderson every month on the
(submissions will not be 15th.
President and CEO:
returned, and they will be used Jim Thomason
according to space availability
and content appropriateness). Windows Editor/Director
of Life Enrichment:
Sara Curry
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