I wanted to take a few moments to comment on the wonderful summer we had at Bartlett Woods. The beginning of summer was busy with home improvements. Melina, our gardener, worked hard to make our gardens spectacular with pure artistry. They were a sight to behold!

 

As the Executive Director, I had a board approved wish list of improvements that needed to get done. I had five projects that I was hopeful would be completed before winter. To my surprise, all five of the vendors we hired were anxious to get started and we had everything finished before the 4^th of July! These projects included a newly paved parking lot, new signage, a roof repair, new awning, and front and back brick patios. The building and grounds have never looked better!

 

Having these projects accomplished earlier than planned was very exciting because we had been planning a 20^th Year Anniversary Party to be celebrated on July 18^th. The party was open to families, board members, and the cottage owners. The food was catered by our own Chef Aaron Prescott and our wonderful kitchen staff. Everyone was dressed festively as they mingled both inside and out. Delightful jazz music was provided by the Extension Chords from Camden-Rockport School and enjoyed by all.

 

In addition to celebrating Bartlett Woods’ 20^th year, we celebrated several staff and residents tenure. We have four residents that have called Bartlett Woods home for more than 10 years. Mike Fletcher, Maintenance Director, has been employed for 20 years and received a special award for all of his dedicated service. Linda Mann, Librarian, has volunteered in our library one day a week for 13 years. Everyone received a special recognition and award.

 

In August, the Board of Directors and I treated our staff to a celebratory luncheon at Point Lookout Resort. It was our way of saying “Thank you” for all of their hard work and dedication over the past year. It was a glorious day with beautiful ocean views and really good food. I say it again and again, I can’t believe how lucky I am to work with so many extraordinary people in our quest to make Bartlett Woods truly special.

 

Thank you!

You are above and beyond AWESOME!!!

 

Bartlett Woods had a secret admirer today that left May Day Baskets for everyone and they were beautiful!

The baskets were received as folks came down to breakfast and the day was full of smiles, memories, and happiness.  Everyone had a story to tell about the May Day’s they had experienced as a child.  The stories were told as if they had just happened and were fascinating. They were told with so much excitement.   This was all due to a small little basket made from wallpaper scraps, paper flowers, and candy.

Someone saw a May Basket and wished his wife a Happy Birthday because he remembered the two days were one and the same.

Speaking as a nurse, there isn’t a pill that can bring this much joy to the faces that I witnessed today.  Everyone had a good day, today…….

What are you doing next May 1^st?

But, shhh, don’t tell the commercial marketing companies.  Let’s keep it traditionally quaint.

May Baskets were made and delivered by Barbara Moores.  Barbara works in our dietary department.  Thank you, Barbara!

 

May Day was also celebrated by some early European settlers of the American continent. In some parts of the United States, May baskets are made. These are small baskets usually filled with flowers or treats and left at someone’s doorstep. The giver rings the bell and runs away.

‎Wikipedia

A Forgotten Tradition: May Basket Day: NPR History Dept.: NPR

Linton Weeks April 30, 2015

May Basket Tales 

Through the 19^th and 20^th centuries, May Basket Day celebrations took place all across the nation.

Writing in the Humboldt, Iowa, Independent in May 1976, the local extension home economist reminisced: “What a gallant occasion Mother made of May baskets. Lists were made and rewritten. It became almost as exciting as Christmas.” Her family used old milk cartons for containers and they made popcorn and Boston cremes for each basket. People in her community returned May baskets to their owners at Halloween.

The Taunton, Mass., Gazette in May 1889 told the story of a young man who got up very early and walked a mile and a half to hang a basket on his sweetheart’s door, only to find another basket from another beau already hanging there.

 

Fade Away

Eventually, May Basket Day — like the spring flowers arranged in the baskets — began to wilt and droop. Though vestiges of the sincere ceremony still pop up on the Internet, the in-real-life event has pretty much evanesced.

Read more at https://www.npr.org/sections/npr-histiry-dept/…/a-forgotten-tradition-may-basket-day

 

Bartlett Woods’ continues its sponsorship of free documentary films on Saturday, May 12th, 2PM at The Strand Theatre, 345 Main Street, Rockland. The one-day-only screening of Cyber Seniors is a co-presentation between Bartlett Woods Retirement Community and The Strand Theatre.

“We are delighted to be back at The Strand to co-present another special film,” confirmed Mary Eads, Executive Director of Bartlett Woods. “We hope that seniors, their families, caregivers, friends, and healthcare professionals will join us. We love the idea of helping to bring the generations together, and are impressed that this fun and inventive film was created by teenagers. Thank you to The Strand for joining us in this effort.”

Cyber Seniors is a humorous and heartwarming documentary feature. It chronicles the extraordinary journey of a group of colorful senior citizens as they discover the world of the Internet through the guidance of teenage mentors. Their exploration of cyber-space is catapulted to another level when 89 year-old Shura decides to create a YouTube cooking video. A spirited video competition for the most “views” evolves as the cyber-seniors’ hidden talents and competitive spirits are revealed. Cyber-Seniors provides insight into the wonderful things that can happen when generation gaps are bridged, proving you are never too old to get ‘connected’. The film runs 75 minutes.

Admission is by donation, and donations will benefit the Bartlett Woods Fundraising campaign and The Strand Theater.

After Party: Following the screening, the public is invited to a pie and coffee After Party at Bartlett Woods, 20 Bartlett Drive (off Talbot Avenue) in Rockland. We hope to see you there!

 

It’s SPRING and I can hear the birds outside of my office window!

 

I want to share with you some of the plans we have been busy making.

 

Melina, our gardener is back and we look forward to the long awaited fresh flowers that she ensures surround Bartlett Woods each year.

 

Chef Aaron has been giving us lots of fun dining experiences over the month of March with plans of continuing the trend into April.  We recently enjoyed Italian ravioli day in our beautiful dining room which consisted of different varieties of ravioli accompanied by special sauces that residents were able to customize to their liking.  Salad and homemade garlic bread were included in the buffet as well as desert which I was too full to sample but was told was memorable.  A couple of weeks following ravioli day the dining room was transformed to mimic a New York deli where all of the fixings were laid out and everyone was able to create or order their own unique sandwich.  We have been promised many more special menus in the upcoming days and very much look forward to it.

 

The activities department has been busy making plans for the summer season with some really big shows, talks, and musical entertainment.  Karen and Darlene have scheduled a 21 piece jazz ensemble and hopefully the weather will give us a beautiful day to host an outdoor event.  We are most excited for a mystery dinner theater group that Karen is looking to schedule as a surprise event for our Bartlett Woods residents.

 

Today, we are looking forward to Mimi Edmunds, Documentary Producer, who will be speaking about her documentaries and the time she spent working with the “60 Minutes” broadcast.

 

Lastly, as always, we are anxiously waiting for DORMANS to open so we can enjoy our favorite coastal sweet treat!

 

Remember our art exhibit is still available for viewing every day from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm through June 2018.

 

Please stop by and say hello!