If you think the idea of making a New Year’s Resolution has been around for a while, you’re right! We can trace it back to the Babylonians over 4,000 years ago. A common resolution then was to return borrowed farm equipment. The ancient romans ran with the idea as did medieval knights with the “peacock vow.” Americans in the early 1900s took a spiritual tack on self-improvement resolutions such as “build a stronger moral character,” or “develop more restraint in the face of earthly pleasures.”  Today, we have our own take on making positive changes in our lives.

Not surprisingly, the majority of responses were “I don’t make resolutions!” but some people still make the effort. Jo-Ann B. offered this: “My resolutions EVERY year are to be kind, stay healthy, be physically active, and engaged with life as a Vermonter, American, and world citizen.  The pleasure and privilege of another year to me are indeed a blessing and a gift.  As for sticking with these broad resolutions, I persevere and persist and remember that humor and a good laugh every day always help.”

Another realistic approach came from Candace P. “Hah! Every year I fail to get my Christmas letter to friends and family written and sent before Christmas. So, my New Year’s resolution is often to send a New Year’s letter in January. I fail more often than I succeed. If I’m lucky, my friends receive a Valentine’s letter instead!”

The Welsh Garden at Wake Robin has seemingly always been a fixture of Wake Robin’s landscape. It is situated on the back lawn, next to the Aquatic Center. During the last phase of renovation, there was much effort put in to protect the space from harm. This garden is not just meant to be beautiful or to be a space of reflection; it was built as a testament to a former resident.

The garden is named for Priscilla Welsh. She was well known in the community through her involvement with Planned Parenthood, Civil Liberties Union, the Unitarian Church, and as a partner in By-Gone Books. She was also well known for her love of flowers. She especially loved nurturing flowers around Wake Robin to beautify the public spaces for everyone. When she passed unexpectedly, one of her friends decided that there could be no better tribute than a beautiful space filled with flowers, shrubs, and benches.

When this area was created in 1999 – flowers and shrubs were transplanted from Welsh’s personal garden, as well as from the gardens of her family members. The centerpiece of this space is a stone fountain that circulates water as it passes through the irrigation system, keeping nearby plants watered.

Since its creation, there have been a few minor changes, mostly to make the space more accessible for those with walkers and wheelchairs.

This Wake Robin landmark remains today as a reminder to stop to smell the flowers. A magnificent gift to remember someone who was very loved and who appreciated upholding the beauty of Wake Robin.

The Jean Connor Library has gone through quite a few transitions through its existence at Wake Robin. It began with a basket containing a few books available for residents to borrow. It has now evolved into a library with over 4,000 volumes, 1,000 DVDs, and audiobooks.

A haven for all book lovers at Wake Robin, the library is named after one of the community’s first residents, Jean Connor. A librarian for 30 years before retiring, Connor was dedicated to the organization and functionality of the space. The library currently operates with about 25 resident volunteers and it’s their dedication that ensures the offerings are always evolving and growing. “It’s a big job with tracking returns, organizing shelves, overlooking donations, and considering new purchases,” says Pat D, the head librarian.  “While there is always a constant stream of donations from residents, there are also many new volumes per month added to the collection.”

The most recent transformation occurred during the renovation of the Community Center finishing in 2020. This construction created space for the addition of 750-1000 more books as well as enlarged areas for reading tables and comfy chairs. Resident committees such as the Nature Committee and the Racial Justice Committee were granted dedicated shelf space to house special topics.  A few shelves of children’s books await grandchildren of residents (these books are not usually expected to return).

Scheduled hours?  7 days a week, 365 days a year! If the Community Center is open, the library is also open for business.  Even through Covid, avid readers were offered their favorites by way of curbside pick-up.  Gratefully, the doors are once again open for all to enjoy this special place.

Article from Newsletter “News from Wake Robin” dated Fall, 1997.

What’s in a name?

by Cathy Y.

Naturalist and Wake Robin Founder

How did the name of Wake Robin–and the names of the many buildings in our community come to be? When the Founding Committee arrived at the decision that, indeed, there was to be a Life Care Community, they gave the naming responsibility to an ad hoc committee. Doro S., Fran A., Mary G., and I (all nature lovers) met, selected and finally proposed Wake Robin for its overall name, with the buildings to be named for a long list of our native trees. Linden, an important honey-producer (and another name for Basswood) was the last building to be named. For the cottages and apartments, we chose names of trees or bushes which grow on Wake Robin’s hillside or nearby.

Red Trillium and Wake Robin are identified now as one plant, but in the early days, settlers in Appalachia called all its family Wake Robins; there was the Large White, Dwarf White, the lovely Painted (at higher elevations) and the shy Nodding and small Toad Trilliums (The Latin word triplum or triple, is the base for Trillium with its three leaves, three petals, and three stamens). All varieties are found in Vermont, but at different elevations and in different habitats with the common Red and White (also named the Snow Trillium) the earliest to bloom.

The Red Trillium is synonymous now in my wildflower references to Wake Robin and it carries unfortunate nicknames–Birthroot, and Indian Balm (it was once used to stop bleeding externally and on snakebites) and also Wet Dog Flower and Stinking Benjamin referring to its odor. But because it and its lovely white relative are our most visible tenacious (their rhyzomes spread through rock walls and over forest floors) and beautiful reminders that spring has come again, the new beginnings and successful lives of the residents moving to this new facility seemed appropriated to correspond. Our nature-oriented committee felt that the bond between people and plants was indeed a strong one — with the carpets of Trillium, white and red, the name Wake Robin, could carry the message of spring throughout the year.

If you’re new to the community, the Gentry Gallery is a pleasant surprise to discover. It resides in the Community Center hallway north of the Maple Leaf dining room and serves as sort of an “art museum” bridge to the Linden Health Center. It’s a common sight to see a resident, and at times family or friends, stop right in their tracks because of a moving piece of work. Exhibits have ranged from quilt showings, wood carvings, photography, oil paintings, and watercolors. Most displays have been completed by Wake Robin residents.

The west side of the gallery offers a long stretch of wall, approximately 117 feet, to hang artwork, and that space comes in handy as it allows for large frames and canvasses. Across the hall, the showcase shelves are backlit and contain fascinating artifacts made up of resident collections. With 80 square feet available, past collections have featured a wide range of artisan pottery and tools from early American history. Currently the showcase shelves illustrate the history of the automobile with exquisitely made miniature models from the Ford Model T to the Thunderbird.

Setting up the exhibit

The gallery of artwork is curated by members of the Gentry Gallery committee. Often, they partner with resident artists who either have professionally exhibited work or have practiced their craft for several years. The showcase shelves are of a democratic variety: topics are announced to the community and then residents contribute items that match that theme. Themes are intentionally general so residents can get creative. About half a year ago, the theme was set to transportation, and the shelves featured a model sailboat, a black and white picture of a resident’s grandfather on a horse buggy, and someone’s running shoe. The Gentry Gallery committee labels each item, so residents know who brought in what, with amusing conversations usually ensuing from what was seen on the showcase shelves.

Next time you’re in the Community Center, make sure you to stop by and enjoy the art atmosphere created by the Gentry Gallery and its exhibits!