Wake Robin

From left to right: Jen Powell , Cindy Yarnell, and Tenzin Tsephal.

We are extremely proud and pleased to announce that three Wake Robin nurses were recently recognized by The Vermont Health Care Association for their outstanding achievements in medical care. These awards are given to people working in long-term care communities who have displayed the highest levels of dedication and excellence.

There is the clinical side to nursing: being a good technician, following protocols, and solving problems. Each one of our award winners was cited for their experience, but even more so for the compassion, grace, and commitment they bring to the residents of our Linden Health Center.

Cindy Yarnell is the winner of this year’s Licensed Nurse Aid of the Year award. Besides the award, she has something of a longevity record, having served the residents of Wake Robin for 26 years. She is a topflight caregiver, mentor, and advocate. Heather Filonow, Director of Health and Resident Services, says: “What sets Cindy apart is her remarkable connection with our residents. She possesses an incredible memory for their unique likes, dislikes, care plans, preferences, and personalities. This insight allows her to deliver personalized care that enhances each resident’s well-being. She is a trusted presence and an invaluable resource.”

The award for MDS/Quality Assurance Nurse of the Year went to Jen Powell who only recently came to Wake Robin but has 30 years of experience in long-term care. MDS is the process by which nurses such as Jen conduct assessments, analyze data, and identify trends to come up with a customized plan for each person under their care. Heather comments: “She brings compassion and warmth to every interaction creating an atmosphere of comfort and trust for both staff and residents. Her clinical skill and insight are exceptional, but it’s her human touch that leaves a lasting impression.”

Working the overnight shift, providing supervision of staff as well as direct care, Tenzin Tsephal is this year’s Registered Nurse of the Year. He has been an integral part of the care team marked by his humility, grace, and compassion. Heather points out that: “Family members especially speak to the profound comfort and compassion Tenzin has provided during end-of-life care, when his presence becomes a source of strength and solace.” He is a true role model in long-term care.

Marked by heartfelt dedication to quality care, exceptional leadership, and unwavering professionalism, these three award-winning nurses are part of a much deeper care team at Wake Robin. Congratulations to all!

Many wonderful things have come to the U.S. over the years courtesy of France. A rather unique gift arrived at New York Harbor on February 3, 1949, when the freighter Magellan unloaded 49 antique boxcars, one of them destined for Vermont. Each boxcar was filled with remarkable gifts from the people of France as a way of saying “thank you” for the help we provided during and after WWII.

Earlier this month, the Wake Robin community was treated to a presentation by Brigitte Kibler Helzer who told the story of the journey of the Gratitude Train, or the Merci Train as it is usually called now, and how the Vermont boxcar ultimately survived. Brigitte was born in Alsace while it was under Nazi occupation. Her family’s emigration to the United States coincided with the shipment of the Merci Train to New York, and this amazing parallel is part of her life story.

The Merci Train was a heartfelt gesture from the citizens of France who donated thousands of gifts and filled 49 boxcars, one for each state (Alaska was not with us yet). The train was a response to the Friendship Train, which had delivered relief supplies from the U.S. to war-torn Europe in 1947.

Many of these train cars are still on display today as a reminder of this powerful act of international goodwill. The boxcars themselves had been used in both world wars and were themselves a type of survivor. The Merci Train was met with great fanfare upon its arrival in New York including a U.S. Air Force flyover and fireboat salutes.

So what happened to Vermont’s gift? When it first arrived in Brattleboro on February 10, 1949, it was welcomed with a ceremony before traveling to Montpelier, where gifts were displayed at the Vermont Historical Society Museum. The boxcar contained a variety of gifts including paintings, photographs, dolls in period costumes, commemorative medals, books, clothing, wind-up toy Renault cars, and even live trees. Many of these items were later distributed to towns, libraries, and museums throughout Vermont.

Today, the Vermont Merci Train boxcar is located at the Vermont National Guard Library & Museum in Colchester. All these years later, it is still appropriate to say, “merci beaucoup!”

Wake Robin is a member of SSAFE (Senior Stewards Acting for the Environment). We are one of 17 chapters nationwide. The organization empowers seniors to lead climate action in their communities, and advance clean energy, sustainability, and environmental stewardship.

What does that connection mean? Wake Robin residents have opportunities to learn ways to become more environmentally sustainable through SSAFE zoom presentations, online meetings, and a multitude of resources on the SSAFE website (SSAFE.org). Wake Robin residents share their outstanding environmental efforts with others by these same means. In June, we had a presentation from the Vice President of Operations and Development at RoseVilla, a Life Plan Community in Portland, Oregon. He described their forward-looking work on resilient campus planning and then provided a helpful question and answer session. He highlighted sustainability efforts and preparations to withstand large-scale environmental emergencies, sharing thought-provoking approaches. RoseVilla was founded in 1960 so Wake Robin certainly benefits from hearing from a community very similar to ours, with many common interests, and 30 years more experience.

The following week, our Dining Director, Kate Hayes, as part of a 5-member zoom panel of SSAFE dining directors, shared information with a wide audience about Wake Robin’s approaches to eating sustainably. Topics included plant-based availability, local vendors, gardens, challenges, what is and isn’t working, and opportunities.

Of note, a follow-up SSAFE working group highlighted the value of adopting many of Wake Robin’s approaches at other campuses. The connection with SSAFE, a non-profit nationwide organization, is in line with Wake Robin’s goal, “We will grow and harness brand distinction as a resident-driven community with a deep appreciation of our environment and a lifestyle that embraces aging.”

Dawn Duell in her previous roles at Wake Robin

As spring edges toward summer, we are in graduation season. We want to share a story of one of our own who liked to graduate so much, she did it several times!

Dawn Duell came to Wake Robin fresh out of high school. That was one graduation. She joined us in Dining Services and had a number of different responsibilities over five years. She intended to be part of our next training program for Licensed Nursing Assistants or LNA, but the start date was delayed. She took a brief break to start a family and came back to us in 2015 in the role of Dining Operations Coordinator.  According to Dawn, “I loved my position but my passion and love for nursing never went away.”

She researched what was required to get into a nurse education program and took online classes to take the prerequisite courses. Dawn learned Wake Robin had partnered with the State of Vermont for the Long-Term Care (LTC) Cohort Program, and she was eligible as a Wake Robin employee to be part of it. She won multiple grants and a Wake Robin scholarship to cover her training and then immersed herself in the pursuit of her goal.

Working a full-time day job, followed by evening classes and weekend clinical practicums, plus drive time to and from Randolph, Dawn flourished in the learning of her new career. She came back to Wake Robin as an LNA in our Linden Health Center to get some hands-on experience and also earned her Certified Practical Nurse designation. Another graduation. Shortly after, she became a Licensed Practical Nurse while still working here. Dawn continued her classes, earning the associate’s degree in nursing, generally recognized as Registered Nurse. On May 17 of this year, she was honored at one more graduation in recognition of this milestone.

Dawn says, “I absolutely would not have been able to accomplish this career without the support from the Wake Robin residents. The scholarship fund they contribute to has made a significant impact in my story.” An amazing personal drive led Dawn to a career she had dreamed about, and the support of the Wake Robin community helped her achieve it. Congratulations to our recent graduate!

Dawn with her coworkers at Wake Robin

Residents join together for the weekly Cup of Conversation

You have probably heard of the town-hall style meeting we have each week called Cup of Conversation. Its origin goes back to the beginning of Wake Robin while still under construction, as a means to keep everyone apprised of progress, changes, and updates.

These days, Cup is a forum for the exchange of information, and it is all over the map. We draw about 150 people as the live audience in our Meeting Room and more can join via the livestream camera. Meagan Buckley, CEO/President, presides at the podium with many guests over the course of the one-hour meeting. We get reports from various departments as well as announcements from committees and individual residents. After the meeting, we produce an electronic record known as “Written Cup” that serves as a summary of all that transpired. It’s fascinating to see the variety of issues addressed in one session.

At one recent Cup, details from a number of different sources were shared:

• The annual Pancake Breakfast for staff and residents celebrating the wonderful end result of the maple syrup production season.
• The schedule of maintenance from Environmental Services to service and repair heating and cooling systems in each home. There are 250 homes here.
• Announcement of the first session of the Russian Literature class.
• Part 3 of the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum Archaeology Series- Underwater Archaeology of Commerce: Steamboat and Canal Boat Wrecks of Lake Champlain.
• Scam of the Week identified by a resident who suspected something wasn’t right about the guy on the phone claiming to be from a prominent bank. The resident did not get fooled and reported the incident to the Vermont Attorney General’s office.
• Sign up for Green Up Day (statewide effort in Vermont to clean up roadside trash).
• An upcoming presentation from the Racial Justice Committee focusing on race and our criminal justice system. The speakers were two professors emerita from UVM.

From pancakes to racial justice…you never know where the next Cup will take you.

Wake Robin President & CEO, Meagan Buckley at the Tag Sale with Resident volunteers.

Saturday, June 7, 9:00 AM. You will want to put that on your calendar, so you don’t miss the next Wake Robin Tag Sale. This popular activity has happened every year since 1995 with only a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. It’s the biggest event run by the Wake Robin Residents Association, and it feeds the activity budget for the year.

The Tag Sale is planned out over a whole year with seven collection dates to amass the treasures. This is Reduce, Reuse, Recycle to the nth degree. Over 40 volunteers take part in sorting the merchandise, and there are teams of Gleaners and Wranglers to select and move the items. There are 17 leadership positions, team leaders, and even designated cookie-bakers! It’s a well-oiled machine that spreads out over the one third acre site, the Hornbeam garage.

All Hornbeam residents know that they will have to park elsewhere for about a week in preparation for the sale. The floor gets power-washed, and all the merchandise is laid out in 19 departments…furniture, gardening, books, lamps, art, kitchenware, and much more.

On that Saturday morning, shoppers will begin lining up before 7:00 for the 9:00 start. It only runs until 3:00 so get ready for some competitive shopping! We had roughly 1,250 customers last year, and the lucky ones are offered a fresh-baked cookie while in the checkout line. Over half of the items will be sold and the remainder will be given to local charities. It’s a clean finish to a huge undertaking.

A special treat this year for the stars of our Tag Sale (all the residents) will be the screening of a documentary shot at last year’s event. The title? Tag Sale!

Residents work closely with the Shelburne Food Shelf

When people talk to us about why they want to come to Wake Robin, one of the reasons given is that they are looking for a sense of community. Equally important are the facility’s ties to the broader community outside of where they live. As life situations change, many find themselves separated from the life they once led. There can be feelings of isolation.

A recent article in iAdvance Senior Care, an online magazine, featured interviews with three senior care facility CEOs, including Wake Robin’s Meagan Buckley. While there are differences among the facilities, there are common threads for the foundations of success. The bonds between residents, staff, leadership and the community beyond, create a nurturing environment essential for daily operations.

Many residents have previously supported their communities before moving here. “They have always wanted to be engaged and now is a time in their life where they can give more time and wisdom to the greater community – ultimately providing profound meaning,” according to Meagan.

All three executives recognized the value of connecting with the outside world to further build relationships. Meagan gave the Wake Robin Tag Sale as an example of a long-term event (over 30 years!) that provides an opportunity to draw community attendees. Last year’s tag sale brought almost 1,000 shoppers to our campus to interact with our residents and score some great deals!

Outside of our campus, some residents supported the Pierson library campaign, they sit on Shelburne’s finance committee, and volunteer at the food shelf and schools. Some residents even hold the title of Justice of the Peace.

Staying active and staying connected… These community partnerships enrich the lives of everyone involved.

Residents work together to create window inserts to use towards a community project.

What an appropriate time of year to tell you about efforts to conserve heat!

Wake Robin is well known as an environmentally focused community. We are a member of SSAFE (Senior Stewards Acting for the Environment) and there is a resident-run group  called the Climate Change Task Force. Reduce, Re-use, and Recycle are actions we take every day. It’s not surprising that some of our residents got involved with Window Dressers, a non-profit based in the Northeast that has a simple, inexpensive answer to keeping warmth inside the house.

Window Dressers began in Rockland, Maine with an insulation project at the Universalist Church. It worked so well that it quickly spread to other places. These are custom-sized pine frames wrapped in two layers of tightly sealed, clear plastic film and finished with a compressible foam gasket to function as interior storm windows. They fit inside the window frame without the use of fasteners. They are easily installed and removed.

That explains what they are, but how do they get built? This is where the volunteer labor comes in and how Wake Robin residents jumped in with both feet. The Window Dresser model depends on Community Builds to make the inserts in one marathon session to meet all the orders placed. Judy R. heads up the effort at Wake Robin and she went to a Build in Middlebury along with residents Jim W. and Maggie H. to learn how to do it. They set up their own Community Build in the Shelburne Town Hall and another 15 Wake Robin residents joined in for the workday last October. They made nearly 200 inserts!

Neighbors helping neighbors to save energy and reduce heating costs; a simple way of spreading warmth.