Stories from St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care
Growing Excitement At the Bucyrus CampusWhile the outdoor garden beds at the Bucyrus Campus were covered in snow, two indoor Flex Farms hydroponic units inside its Green Corridor were hard at work on food production well ahead of the traditional planting season.
The new system, set up in late February, is growing greens, herbs and other plants for the kitchens at both campuses to use in meal preparation.
It’s the same system in use at Northcott Neighborhood House, which provides up to 25 pounds of salad greens every four weeks.
Once seeds, planted in seed trays in a separate grow light unit, reach proper size, the seedlings are transplanted into the root chambers of the units’ 6-foot grow walls. They receive nutrients and water pumped through the walls. An LED light tower stands in for the sun, providing a steady source of photo energy.
The Flex Farms system was created by Alex Tyink of Green Bay. Unlike most hydroponics systems, its vertical grow-walls close around the light tower, to maximize the amount of photo energy the plants receive, notes Katherine Keller. As manager of the new playgarden, Katherine oversees the Flex Farms system as well as the outdoor garden beds, and conducts lessons for the childcare classrooms to teach children where food comes from.
The grow walls will be opened only for planting, harvesting, and in between, for viewing the plants’ progress, regulating the water’s mineral content and pH level.
The Green Corridor is an interior hallway with windows looking out over the playgarden outside to the east. Windows along the hall’s other side look into the art room. Both children and adult clients will have plenty of opportunities to see where some of the fresh food for their lunches is grown… and to remind them of the daily miracle involved in food production.
As a mother and preacher’s wife, Annie lived a life of caring for others. Now dealing with progressing dementia, her conversations stop and start and memories elude her. But she hasn’t lost her purpose.
“Miss Annie is one of our client volunteers,” said Monica Yarn, director of Adult Day Services at St. Ann Center’s Bucyrus Campus. “These are clients who assist with activities under staff supervision. For Annie, it’s second nature to start wiping off tables or folding laundry. New memories fade, but she hasn’t forgotten how to help others.”
Client volunteer duties run the gamut from pushing wheelchairs and leading exercises to talking to someone who looks lonely. “We all need to be needed—and having these responsibilities makes clients realize they’re an important part of this world,” Monica said.
That’s the case with Charles Brown who kiddingly refers to Monica as “boss lady.” He explains, “If I can help somebody feel better, then I feel better, too.” A master at playing cards, Charles can often be found patiently teaching other clients the intricacies of Kings in the Corner, Crazy Eights or Spades.
St. Ann Center benefits from having these special people to call on. “Our client volunteers are always on the lookout for people in their unit who need assistance,” Monica said. “It’s wonderful for our staff to have extra pairs of hands and eyes when we need them.”
Someone Monica has come to depend on is Cathy Roza. A multi-talented client with more than 60 years of dance experience under her feet, she’s adept at everything from ballet to ballroom. “I especially love teaching the little ones how to move their bodies,” Cathy explained her passion for working with St. Ann Center’s childcare kids.
She’s also proud of a certificate St. Ann Center awarded her for her volunteer efforts. “I framed it and hung it on my wall,” she said.
Santa did a practice run at the Stein Campus one week before Christmas Eve. The jolly elf chatted with clients and distributed presents on a day filled with festivities.
The fun started in the morning when clients strutted their stuff in the annual Ugliest Christmas Sweater Competition. Everyone had a blast trying to out-tacky one another with cardigans, pullovers and sweatshirts adorned with bells, blinking lights and all manner of Yuletide trimmings.
Next, the adult choir performed a choreographed rendition of the holiday favorite, “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” Rumor has it, the group’s spirit made the green meanie’s small heart grow three sizes.
The man in red arrived right after lunch, with his favorite elf in tow. The duo visited each of St. Ann Center’s adult day care units, handing out close to 150 presents, selected specifically for them.
St. Ann Center would like to thank Santa’s helpers who made the gift-giving possible: the South Shore Yacht Club Women’s Auxiliary and We Energies employees.
It’s about to sound a lot like Christmas on Milwaukee’s north side on Wednesday, Dec. 22, during the Fourth Annual Caroling on North Avenue. The public is welcome to lend their voices to the seasonal event, sponsored by St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care and Business Improvement District (BID) 32.
Carolers will meet at St. Ann Center’s Bucyrus Campus, 2450 W. North Ave., at 9:30 a.m. and take to the street at 10 a.m.
Ald. Russell W. Stamper II of Dist. 15, BID 32 Board Chair Steven DeVougas and Sr. Edna Lonergan, president of St. Ann Center, invite residents and business owners from throughout the neighborhood to join in the fun family outing.
“Of the many ways we celebrate this festive season, singing together is one of the most unifying,” said Lonergan, a BID 32 board member. “It’s also the perfect way to show the community there are exciting things happening in the North Avenue business corridor.”
The tuneful tradition returns after a year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Carolers will meet at the Bucyrus Campus for hot chocolate and cookies. Song sheets and jingle bells will be provided. Singers will walk east on North Avenue past Fond du Lac Ave. to 17th Street, stopping to carol at businesses along the way, and then return.
If you’re interested in joining the carolers, contact John Jansen, Vice President-Grants, Community & Capital Development, at 414-977-5031.
Stein (Bay View / St. Francis)
2801 E. Morgan Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53207
Phone: (414) 977-5000
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Bucyrus (Park West / Lindsay Heights)
2450 W. North Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53205
Phone: (414) 210-2450
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