November Newsletter 2017

SHARON BEATTY & THE IDEAL JOB

“Keeping busy: This is a problem you’re glad to have.”
Michael Winslow

Come by the Activities Office and look for Sharon Beatty and see if she’s smiling. I’m guessing yes, because she may have found what is her ideal job. Sharon is the new Assistant Activities Director, working with Director Sue Arneson.

Sue (left) and Sharon

Sharon is something of an expert on jobs. Just look at this list of the ones she’s held since growing up in Colorado:

• She got a degree in Interior Design from Metro State (that’s officially Metropolitan State University in Denver) and that ushered her into her first career. The biggest challenge, she recalls, was getting the people who hired her to make up their minds. Then, along came a recession and most people made up their minds to put off decorating.
• That’s when Sharon went to work as a flight attendant, which brought her to Arizona to work with the old America West, and later with Southwest. Those jobs were, she remembers, “fun for a while.” Then came “that night.” Sharon says, “I was in charge of the crew on a late night flight from Phoenix to Reno. The Captain told me to prepare for an emergency landing—they couldn’t get the landing gear down. I’ll never forget looking down and seeing all the fire trucks and ambulances waiting for us. It worked out and nobody got hurt, but I kept thinking that as a single parent raising two kids, I couldn’t stay in a job where I was risking my life.”
• So Sharon took a job with Terri’s Consignment, then got the entrepreneurial itch and opened her own cupcake and cake decorating shop. That business was a success, but after four years, rent increases forced her to choose between relocating or closing, so she chose to shutter the shop and take a new job.
• By this time, residing in the far East Valley, she found work in Activities with a resort in Gold Canyon. That job worked out well, in large part because Sharon grew close to her boss. Then, after a year and a half, management decided to fire the boss and Sharon chose to quit. After all, she had a new granddaughter she wanted to help with.

A year later, Sue Arneson enters the picture. Sue knew Sharon’s old boss and the two made the connection. Sharon started at Silveridge in early October.

Speaking of her new job, Sharon said, “The only problem I’ve had is keeping the names straight. And people keep saying, ‘You know, there are a lot more people coming.’ Oh yes, I know.” But it’s working out. She seems to have found the right place:

“I never could decide what to do,” Sharon says, “but I’m here where everybody is so nice and I enjoy the entertainment and I love the parties.”

DOUG’S PROGRESS REPORT FOR OCTOBER

Last week I asked Doug how October had been going. He replied, “Twenty-five days in a row—that’s all you need to know.” In other words, he’s been busy hooking up residents and making sure everything is first-rate, and doing it all month. And no rest for Doug—the next couple of months his calendar looks even fuller.

If you haven’t already been hooked up, please make sure you’re on Doug’s schedule: just let the Front Desk know when you’re arriving and they’ll get you on his calendar.

If you haven’t been in the park, here’s why Doug is keeping busy…

The HD TV has been working for a while now and getting boffo reviews. As for the new internet system, Doug has completed the infrastructure, which means that the new internet service is being tested and finalized.

Doug reports that he’s initiated beta testing in both parks and that he will soon begin connecting more units. In order to make the process as efficient as possible…

Connections to the new high-speed internet will be staggered. Look for notices in your mailbox. That notice will tell you when you can get your modem registered to work with the new system and you can begin to enjoy the new internet service.

GET READY TO CELEBRATE

Hello my Silveridge friends. Welcome Back! As I embark on my 7th season as your activity director I am optimistic excited for our 2017-2018 season! Here’s hoping your summer was happy and healthy. It is always so much fun to hear you share your summer memories at our Welcome Back events.

Other than celebrating with family and friends (and enjoying our lake cruises), my husband Jeff and I travelled back to Mount Marty High School in South Dakota for my 50th Class reunion. Even though it was long ago, it seems just like yesterday when I walked the halls of my beloved Alma Mater.

Everything had changed; my classmates, the buildings, the teachers. Only one of the nuns who taught me was still alive. What a joy to see everyone! Even though we had all changed (a little rounder, greyer, and wrinkled) the one thing that did not change was the Benedictine feeling of love and service. One of the highlights was attending a special Mass for all graduates. Still etched on the church walls was the inscription “Ora et Labora”, Latin for pray and work.

I am grateful for is the education I received and for the sacrifices my parents made to send me there. For most of us our high school years lay the foundation for our adult careers. Many of you are still teaching and sharing your knowledge and experiences into retirement. Thank you for all our returning leaders and teachers who volunteer. Here at Silveridge we maintain a high standard of learning – whether it be in knowing what’s new in computers or learning a new pattern of stitching a quilt; it’s empowering to learn and achieve.

Welcome to our team two new teachers and classes: Zumba and Hand Building with Clay. There’s always room to learn a new exercise or craft to stay mentally and physically challenged! Do look at the Activity boards where class notes and signups are posted. Also catch announcements at Coffee and Donuts and on Channel 6.

Thank you so much for all the pre-orders you have sent in. You are keeping my new assistant Sharon and all our volunteers in the office busy! Let us all support and encourage one another through our journey this year.

Even though I do not remember much of Latin, I will always remember those words on the church walls.

It is my honor to be praying and working for you!

For a copy of the full printed version of the Sun, with all of Sue’s notes and updates, click below.

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