January-March 2018 Newsletter Feature Story

January 1, 2018/0 Comments/in Bucyrus Campus, Newsletter, Stories /by St. Ann Center

Sister Act

Going to work is a family affair for Diane Beckley. As chief operating officer at St. Ann Center’s Bucyrus Campus, she oversees daily programming for nearly 300 children and adults, including her own sister, Menrose Johnson.

A lively 96, Menrose is one of the senior-most clients in the Simba adult day care unit. “I’ve been coming here since this place was built,” Menrose said about her Monday-Wednesday-Friday routine for the past two years. With a ready smile and tack-sharp mind, she’s quick to tell everyone within earshot that her little sister “is doing a very good job.”

Used to being busy, Menrose ran the historic Metropolitan Hall bar and restaurant with her husband, Aaron, for many years. An expert cook, she also contributed signature dishes to the menu of a restaurant owned by their son, Greg, with whom she now lives. “When Menrose first started coming to St. Ann Center, I knew we’d have to get her busy cooking right away,” Diane said.

As a result, “Cooking with Menrose” has become a popular intergenerational activity at the Bucyrus Campus. Adults and children circle up around the kitchen island in the Ubuntu Room as she takes them step by step through her recipes. So far, she’s demonstrated how to make spaghetti, banana pudding and her most in-demand dessert. “Everybody loves my peach cobbler,” Menrose said.

“A person shouldn’t just sit alone in the house watching TV. You have to get out and be with people.” – Menrose Johnson

This talented woman is also apt to become a fixture in the new Multi-Fiber Arts Room once it’s completed. The space will offer instruction in traditional handcrafts like knitting, crocheting, weaving, tatting and sewing. “I learned to make silk lampshades when I was a girl,” Menrose said, explaining the intricate stitches that go into their construction. She’d like to be able to pass along the time-honored technique to the next generation.

In fact, children are among the reasons Menrose likes coming to St. Ann Center so much. “I enjoy watching them play—they’re busy as little bees,” she said. “They keep me feeling young.”

Read all the stories of our joyful intergenerational community in the January-March Issue of Seasons of Life.

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Newsletter Story: Bringing Up Baby

October 12, 2017/0 Comments/in Newsletter, Photos, Stories /by St. Ann Center

Most kids have grandparents who spoil them. And Alexis Alloway is no exception. Just turned one year old, the precocious toddler is the apple of the eye of 18 love-struck adults, age 50 to 80-plus—all clients at St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care.

Alexis’ mom, Rosemarie, is the lead Certified Nursing Assistant on the Veranda Unit. “The clients I work with have known Alexis since before she was born,” Rosemarie said. “I brought my ultrasound in to show them.” Seven weeks after delivering, Rosemarie returned from maternity leave, bringing her newborn with her. Alexis was enrolled in St. Ann Center’s childcare program. “An important part of our mission is bringing the generations together,” Rosemarie said. “Since our clients got such a kick out of seeing Alexis, I started bringing her upstairs once a week so we could all watch her grow up together.”

As her first birthday approached, Alexis’ adult friends decided to throw her a party on the Veranda, inviting all the one-year-olds in her classroom. The bash included an intergenerational game of balloon volleyball, party hats and a potluck with adult- and kid-friendly dishes. Instead of buying presents, the clients made a mixed tape of songs for the toddlers to dance to.

“Babies have a natural way of brightening the day,” Rosemarie said with a smile. “I love being able to share Alexis with these wonderful people. And they have so much to teach her.”

A version of our “Bringing Up Baby” story was featured in our newsletter. Read all the stories of our joyful intergenerational community in the October-December Issue of Seasons of Life.

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October-December 2017 Newsletter Feature Story

September 29, 2017/0 Comments/in Newsletter, Stories /by St. Ann Center

Remembering Everyone’s Best Friend

St. Ann Center means different things to different people—from a day care to a place to get a massage, volunteer or learn to swim. But for Doug Burdick, it has been something else entirely…a second home.

Doug became a client at St. Ann Center Adult Day Care 24 years ago. He was among the first young adults in the program when the Stein Campus opened as an intergenerational facility in 1999. If there was any doubt about the wisdom of children interacting with adults, Doug put it to rest. “He was fabulous with the kids,” said Sandy Bonnier, lead CNA with the young adult unit. “He would hold and rock the babies and then get down on the floor with the bigger kids and play with trucks. Old or young, everyone was Dougie’s friend.”

A perfect example was the day Doug and other St. Ann Center clients went to a baseball game—the first time he’d seen Miller Park. He instantly endeared everyone in his section with the greeting, “Hi, I’m Doug. How about them Brewers?” Shawn Chilson, Stein Campus Vice President of Adult Services, who was chaperoning, remembers, “Somebody hit a home run, and Doug was so excited, he jumped up.” With that, the nachos that had been in Doug’s lap rained down on the fans below. “Instead of getting ticked off, the guy in front of him bought Doug another plate of nachos,” Shawn said.

“Doug had a way of getting people to laugh and remember what really matters.”– Shawn Chilson

One of the things that mattered a lot to Doug was sports. With the sports page tucked in his back pocket, he’d tell anyone within earshot about his beloved Green Bay Packers. He also engaged more than one Sister of St. Francis in a discussion about professional wrestling. Another love was music. A devotee of Elvis, Doug had the hip swivel down pat. He was an enthusiastic member of St. Ann Center’s adult choir and enjoyed performing in concerts for his family and friends.

The talent Doug was famous for around St. Ann Center earned him his nickname, “Huggy Dougie.” Mary Olson, a CNA in Shepherd House, remembers how he got it. “We were having a contest to see who could collect the most hugs,” she said, explaining players had to get a signature from everyone they hugged. “Doug ended up filling three cards!”

A couple of years ago, Doug started having trouble remembering things. As his health declined, he joined the clients in the Shepherd House memory care unit. Growing more and more quiet, he’d nap during the day. Eventually, Doug even forgot when the Packers played. In April, he was moved to a 24-hour nursing care facility. On his last day at St Ann Center, he gave out big hugs to everyone, and took the love and respect of his St. Ann Center family with him.

Doug passed away peacefully two months ago at the age of 60. During a memorial service held at the center, clients and staff alike remembered his ear-to-ear grin and most of all, his hugs. “Doug found his purpose here,” Sandy said, recalling how he loved helping her with activities and encouraging everyone to participate. “We’re richer for having had him with us.”

Read all the stories of our joyful intergenerational community in the October-December Issue of Seasons of Life.

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North Side Cleanup Makes Way for New Entertainment Venue

August 2, 2017/0 Comments/in Bucyrus Campus, Events, Newsletter /by St. Ann Center

A major soil cleanup on Milwaukee’s North Side will soon turn a long-vacant lot into a new community arts and entertainment venue. The soil remediation, set to begin in mid-August, will be done on a two-block parcel belonging to St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care-Bucyrus Campus.

To kick off the improvement project, St. Ann Center will host the Good Earth Celebration on Friday, Aug. 11, 10 a.m.-noon at the Bucyrus Campus, 2450 W. North Ave. Sr. Edna Lonergan, president and founder of St. Ann Center, will give background on the cleanup and redevelopment project that has been years in the planning. Jon Peterson, project manager with the U.S. EPA, will explain the positive environmental impact on the North Side neighborhood. The event will also feature performances by local entertainers and children from St. Ann Center’s day care program—a sneak preview of the type of performances planned for the Indaba Community Band Shell, scheduled to be completed by the outdoor concert season in spring 2018.

More than 9,000 tons of dirt affected by petroleum-based pollutants and metals will be excavated and trucked to a landfill by Dakota Intertek Corp. Remaining soil will be graded to form a contoured hill that will be capped by a synthetic membrane and clean soil—making it safe in accordance with federal and state requirements.

One side of the hill will be shaped into an audience area for 350 spectators, plus a large wheelchair-accessible seating area. The back of the hill will form a children’s sliding area. The band shell was designed to avoid noise pollution in the neighborhood. Its canopy and two wings, which accommodate accessible bathrooms, a green room and storage area, will contain the sound to the Bucyrus Campus. A lighted walkway leading to the band shell will provide a safe, tree-lined environment for concertgoers and neighborhood residents.

“The Indaba Community Band Shell will revitalize a long-revered American institution: free family concerts in the park,” Lonergan said. “It has the potential to become a mecca for the arts and entertainment throughout the North Side.”

St. Ann Center, an intergenerational day care for children, the elderly and adults with disabilities, purchased the 7.5-acre parcel in 2014 for $1 from the City of Milwaukee. An old neighborhood, the property was fully developed by 1894. Historically, the property use was residential, with a city tool yard on the west side and auto repair shops along North Avenue. Between 1951 and 1969, many on-site buildings were demolished to prepare for construction of the Park West Freeway. After the freeway project was canceled, the remaining buildings were demolished. The vacant land was a neighborhood concern until purchased by St. Ann Center.

“One of our Franciscan principles is to take care of the Earth,” Lonergan said. Besides being economical, the cleanup plan will protect the health of neighborhood residents. By limiting the amount of dirt removed, less gasoline, water and energy will be used to transport affected soil to a landfill. There will also be less dust, and less greenhouse gas will be emitted.

The cost of the cleanup project will be offset by $147,000 in grants from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and $400,000 in U.S. EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grants. St. Ann Center is working in partnership with Parklawn Assembly of God Church to raise money for the operation of the band shell. Those interested in contributing to the band shell can donate at: stanncenter.org/bandshell.

State and local official and community leaders will be on hand for the Good Earth Celebration, honoring the Earth and a new community gathering place.

Good Earth Celebration Program: 10 a.m. – noon

Welcome/background on cleanup process: Sr. Edna Lonergan, OSF
Recognition of partners: EPA, WEDC, DNR, City of Milwaukee, Dakota Intertek Corp., TRC Environmental Corporation, Parklawn Assembly of God
EPA remarks: Jon Peterson, U.S. EPA
Redevelopment Authority-City of Milwaukee remarks: David Misky
Announcement of Indaba Community Band Shell and Lighted Walkway project: Bishop Walter Harvey, Parklawn Assembly of God Church
Blessing of the construction site
Entertainment by local performers and St. Ann Center children

July-September 2017 Newsletter Feature Story

July 13, 2017/1 Comment/in Newsletter, Stories /by St. Ann Center

More than Meets the Eye

If you ask John Krall how he got so good at basketball, mini golf and bowling, he’ll gladly share his secret. “The trick,” he says with a smile, “is listening.”

A client at the Stein Campus, John has coped with dual disabilities since birth—cerebral palsy and blindness. Upbeat and engaging, he’s an obvious people person. “When we play a game that requires me to hit a target, the staff tells me where to aim,” he explains. “It’s a group effort.”

John, 54, came to St. Ann Center a year ago after 30 years of working with a vocational training program. “I enjoy the wide range of people here—from seniors to the little ones,” he says, adding he loves the sound of children having fun. He takes his role as their adult friend seriously. “When the kids join us for activities, they learn not to be afraid,” he says. “They come to understand that people who use wheelchairs are basically not that different from them.”

Challenging limitations has become a way of life for John. He participates in as many St. Ann Center programs as possible, from group games to drawing and sewing. An avid music fan, he plays hand bells and sings in the center’s choir. And if you sit in on Trivia Day, you’ll find him acing most every music-related question.

“The staff helps me when I need it, and they respect what I’m able to do on my own. Here, I’m a human being—not a disability. I feel like I can conquer just about anything.”– John Krall

Not one to stay in one place for long, John especially appreciates activities that involve exercise. “Having cerebral palsy, I need to keep moving as much as I can,” he says. Sessions with a St. Ann Center massage therapist and regular whirlpool baths help keep his tight muscles relaxed. John also finds spiritual support is readily available. “I go to the daily prayer service,” he says. “It’s nice to have a chance to be quiet and meditate in the middle of a busy morning.”

Known around St. Ann Center for his positive attitude, John is a one-man welcoming committee for new clients. “I just want to be as friendly to them as people have been to me,” he says.

Read all the stories of our joyful intergenerational community in the July-September Issue of Seasons of Life.

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