Touchmark on Saddle Drive - December 2013 Newsletter
1. EVENT{FULL}
Monthly updates from your {FULL} Life community
Club thrives on books and lively discussions
Classic novels and modern
ones, mysteries, biographies,
short-story collections,
histories, and best-selling
authors have all been part of
lively discussions on every
topic imaginable for a strong,
core group of Touchmark
residents.
For the past five years, about
15 have gathered biweekly
for Book Club. They are
retired teachers, veterans, an
attorney, librarian, physician,
airline stewardess, chemist,
firefighter, and builder.
“We are a very compatible
group who share the experience of reading together and are very serious about books,” says the club’s
leader Peg Weedman, who is also the youngest member at age 80. The retired nursing
(cont.)
Sharing the warmth and love with children
The Quilting
Group made
25 tie blankets
to donate to
Shodair Hospital.
Residents
delivered them
to the hospital,
where the
blankets go
to children in
the psychiatric
treatment units.
TOUCHMARK ON SADDLE DRIVE
Issue 12, 2013 | page 1
October 2011
2. (cont.) home administrator explained that in
addition to reading for entertainment, they often
read books to educate themselves or prepare for
traveling.
Weedman owns a Kindle but prefers reading
printed books. A third of the group is blind or has
other vision problems, and they enjoy their books
on tape, while another member is learning how
to read Braille. They frequently use the services
of the Montana Talking Book Library. Residents
also order books from the Lewis & Clark County
Library and visit the Bookmobile, which makes
frequent stops at the retirement community.
“I’m pleased so many with sight troubles are still
able to read,” Weedman exclaims. “We talk about
books just as often as we talk about anything.”
The Book Club’s most active member is former
librarian Ellie Furbush, who is 94 and reads
for several hours every day. Weedman says she
always has profound things to share with the
group.
During the summer months, the group
independently reads whatever they enjoy most.
During the academic year, they read together,
and their first book this fall is the Great Gatsby,
the novel featured as part of the Library’s Big
Read.
“This is an intelligent group that is not afraid to
talk. We have varied conversations about what’s
going on in the world,” says Weedman. Recently,
the physician recommended a historical book to
stimulate discussions.
Weedman’s favorite classic is To Kill a
Mockingbird, the novel Harper Lee published
in 1960. She says it is “the most wonderful story
about the South, racism, and the law.” A visit
from a member’s daughter (and public defender)
shed new light on many aspects of the book’s
legalities.
Touchmark’s Book Club also enjoys authors
and writers as guest speakers. Most recently,
award-winning mystery writer Leslie Budewitz
of Bigfork came for a book reading and signing.
A lawyer and prolific writer, Budewitz writes The
Food Lovers’ Village
Mysteries, set in Jewel
Bay, Mont.
With dozens of books
and topics on their
want-to-read list, this
book club plans to
continue reading—and
discussing—thoughtprovoking works. (The
book club was featured
in the Independent
Record. Check out
the fun photos on the
Independent Record’s
website: http://helenair.
com/news/local/gallerytouchmark-book-club/
collection_2d1bfdf64e49-11e3-8767001a4bcf887a.html#0.)
TOUCHMARK ON SADDLE DRIVE
Issue 12, 2013 | page 2
3. Artist joins team
Marge Coalman, EdD
Vice President of
Wellness & Programs
Celebrating the
possibilities
“‘Why not’ is a slogan for an
interesting life.”
– Mason Cooley, professor
and aphorist
Year’s end brings a time for
reflection and shared memories.
All of the holidays and holy
days for people of faith have
celebratory events and traditions.
Often the gifts of the spirit,
friendships, family relationships,
victories, and losses are
remembered.
Team member Sarah Geisler has recently joined Touchmark
in the bistro. Sarah, who was born in California, moved to
Helena after living in the Reno, Nev. area to be near her
mother and younger brother.
Sarah attended Truckee
Meadow Community
College, where she studied
Fine Art. Two samples of
her artwork are pictured.
Residents and team
members have been
impressed by Sarah’s talent.
Her love for the arts also
extends to music: She has
played jazz trombone for
more than 12 years. Two
other fun facts: Sarah enjoys
Chinese food and escargot.
Stop by and meet her!
As 2014 approaches, many
ponder, “What’s next?” Perhaps
the better question is, “Why not?”
Things on the bucket list might be
due for a move to the action list.
Healthy aging means nurturing
curiosity, passion, and
imagination. Lifelong learning,
community service, volunteerism,
adventures, and new beginnings
are characteristics of Touchmark
champions.
To learn more about champions
and share your individual talents,
strengths, and skills, contact a
member of the Full Life team.
Continuing to grow and succeed
in self-determined goals is the
essence of active aging.
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October 2011 | page 1
Issue 12, 2013 | page 3
4. EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Contact a Full Life team member for additional
details, including registration, transportation
information, and participation requirements.
Friday, Dec. 13, 2:30 pm
Christmas Time Tea and Treats. Forum.
Sunday, Dec. 1, 1:15 pm
Bus leaves for Cohesion Dance Project of the
Nutcracker on the Rocks at the Helena Civic
Center. This new show in town brings a twist
to the holiday favorite. Please sign up. Cost:
$25 per ticket.
Saturday, Dec. 14, 1:30 pm
Student Piano Recital. Forum.
Thursday, Dec. 5, 10 am
Bus leaves for Festival of Trees at the Helena
Civic Center. This extraordinary event has
become a tradition of Helena’s holiday season
while raising funds for children’s programs
at Intermountain. Touchmark residents will
have a chance to preview the decorated trees
before the actual start of the event. No charge.
Sign up.
Monday, Dec. 9, 9:30 am
Bus leaves for Wreaths Across America
Ceremony at the Montana State Capitol
Rotunda. Across the country at the same
time, volunteers will post wreaths for each
service branch along with an MIA flag. Please
sign up. No charge.
Tuesday, Dec. 10 through Thursday,
December 12
Creche Exhibit. Share and feel the true
spirit of Christmas as you view a spectacular
collection of nativities from all over the world.
Lobby.
Wednesday, Dec. 11, 7 pm
The Helena Xpress Singers will give a holiday
concert. Forum.
TOUCHMARK ON SADDLE DRIVE
Sunday, Dec. 15, 1 pm
St. John’s Lutheran Church Choir will
perform traditional holiday hymns. Lobby.
Tuesday, Dec. 17, 6:45 pm
Bus leaves for Live! at the Civic’s Craicmore:
Celtic Yuletide Celebration. This concert will
feature holiday songs along with traditional
Scottish and Irish music. Sign up. Tickets:
$25.
Thursday, Dec. 19, 2 pm
Senior Medicare Patrol presentation. This
statewide program helps educate consumers
on health care waste, fraud, and abuse as well
as investigates cases. Forum.
Friday, Dec. 20, 3 pm
Operatic Songs for Christmas by Harlan
Reidmohr. Followed by an eggnog and cookie
reception. Harlan is a student opera singer at
Montana State University and the grandson of
Touchmark resident Larry Reid. Forum.
Saturday, Dec. 21, 7 pm
Helena Christmas and Holiday Light Tour.
Please sign up.
See the full calendar of events online:
TouchmarkHelena.com/pdf/communityevent-calendar.pdf
Issue 12, 2013 | page 4
5. Snapshots capture the fun
Residents have been
taking part in a variety
of fun events, including
music by a local high
school jazz band, donning
Halloween hats during
a fitness class, moving
to the music during the
Dance for PD® class, and
celebrating Veteran’s Day.
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October 2011 | page 1
Issue 12, 2013 | page 5
