Community Updates Week of 9/21/2020

September 25, 2020: Update to Residents

Calm, Proactive Preparedness

A little inspiration for a Friday Afternoon

A joyful message of hope and beauty, more than 100 musicians of The Cleveland Orchestra and Cleveland Orchestra Chorus performed Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” from his Ninth Symphony in iconic public spaces across Greater Cleveland. Shared by Elisabeth Christman

Complimentary Parent Message to Kendal Early Learning Center

I am very happy with K—- being at Kendal ELC. These last few months have been very rough but I believe it all happened for a reason and she is where she is supposed to be. In just this short period of time that she’s been there I see such a difference in K— already. I’m very excited to see how she grows there. She is excited to come every morning and loves everyone there and that makes me so happy!! I really believe it takes a village to raise a child and I’m so thankful that you all can be a part of her village.

Lorain County Remains Level 2, Orange

Lorain County remained Level 2 this week, indicating increased exposure and spread. Lorain County citizens are instructed to exercise increased caution. This Level is being driven by a tight Intensive-Care capacity in county hospitals and continued positive COVID cases confirmed during outpatient visits. This change in Level does not impact any current protocols at Kendal at Oberlin.

Level One – Yellow, Level Two – Orange, Level Three – Red, Level Four – Purple.

Details Being Worked on the Adoption Bubble/ Maximum 4 People

The New Normal Planning Committee met on Thursday and are moving to an expanded Adoption Bubble with Maximum of 4 People as the next stage of progression. Thus far the almost 50 participants have shown excellent cooperation. With this transition to begin October 1:

• An important emphasis on being true to the bubble participants, recognizing safety to one another at all times;
• Bubbles are “family” and can be together without masks and spend time in and outside of Kendal together as one household;
• Allows for leaving initial bubble and joining another if you separate a full 2 weeks before joining a new bubble.

If you are new to join a bubble or are changing your bubble in some way, we ask you all to resubmit new paperwork based on applications that will be finalized by Monday afternoon so it can begin October 1. Questions may be forwarded to Anne Palmer.

Interest is Rising for the Use of the K-Car!

Many residents are aware we have outfitted our Kendal Prius for resident medical transport for with a plexiglass divider for added separation protection. We are doing the same for the K-Car. This will enable someone who rents the vehicle to be driven by another resident/family member as long as certain protocols are followed, which we are now producing in writing. Examples: enjoying the radio rather than conversation that could put aerosols in the air; passenger sitting in the back not the front for more separation; the vehicle must be aired out and cleaned thoroughly by Kendal staff between uses. For more information and to reserve the K-Car, please contact Ed Harder at 775-9832.

Oberlin Stage Left

Oberlin’s in-person start to the fall 2020 semester has allowed students in large ensembles to participate in socially distanced rehearsal-performances in Finney Chapel and Warner Concert Hall.

Beginning this Saturday, September 26, the first of those performances will be featured in weekly programs on Oberlin Stage Left, (live link for schedule) the conservatory’s web-based platform that debuted in spring. The initial episode, airing at 8:30 p.m. All degree recitals are broadcast live on oberlin.edu. This weekend, Oberlin Jazz students begin a twice-weekly series of live, socially distanced Jazz Forums on Tappan Square’s Clark Bandstand. Performances are scheduled for noon Fridays and Saturdays through October 24.

Raphael Jiménez leads a socially distanced rehearsal in Finney Chapel.

(photo by Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97)

80 in 8

Jim showing off his IRON LEGS on his birthday and at the Finish Line greeted by many admirers including Oberlin Community Services Director Margie Flood.

Fitness Center Update

The sign up links for the Fitness Center will come out on Sunday, 9/27, at 12:30. They will be NEW LINKS, so you have to use those. The old links will not work.

PLEASE ONLY SIGN UP FOR 2 LAP POOL DAYS. The Equipment room link and the Fitness/Relaxation room link have been combined into 1.

If you need help with sign up genius, please email JILL TVAROHA or call 775-9851. Please do not contact Laurie, Saun or Danna for sign up help. I will be available that day to help people get signed up. It is helpful to let me know ahead of time that you will be needing help.

Thoughts Shared by Thelma Morris

During these coronavirusy-filled days, more emergency ambulance visits have been observed around the Kendal community, especially around the independent living cottages. These EMTs are unfamiliar with our roads and parking areas including the twists and turns of Kendal’s walkways outside the cottages. Walkways and cottage entrances must be able to accommodate gurneys at least 7 feet long and 2 feet wide with a turning radius of at least 7 inches. In the dark of night it is especially challenging to push these gurneys, which require extra space to guide around blind corners.

Please be considerate of your neighbors. You may not need emergency transportation to a hospital, but your neighbor may. Check the access area and turning spaces around your door. Think four big boots accompanying a rolling gurney. Or…you may receive a visit from Facility Services staff with their yardstick. 

Dogs trained to sniff out COVID!

Travelers arriving at Helsinki’s airport are being offered a voluntary coronavirus test that takes 10 seconds with no uncomfortable nasal swab needed. And the test is done by a dog. —Shared by Mary Behm

Anyone up to getting their dog trained for this at Kendal? Could be worth a lot of $$$ in place of tests.

Celebrate Kendal and Harvest Moonrise

Come gather Thursday, October 1, at 7:15pm on Heiser Circle (keeping socially distanced) when we celebrate the Harvest Moon and share our gratitude for accomplishments during our sheltering in place. Make a poster to bring, telling us what you are most grateful for; supplies will be available in the Art Studio for your use from September 24 – October 1. If you have any questions, please contact Carol Harvey.

Kendal Enrichment: This is a fascinating Blog from a Kendal at Longwood Couple

For six and one-half (6½) years, Beth and Joe traveled “here and abroad” after their retirements and before moving into Kendal. During that time, they kept a travel blog with Beth as the author and photographer and Joe, proofreader and editor. “Beth tells our story of living for a few months at a time in different countries around the world, using photos and brief accessible narratives for each blog post.” Go on the journey with them as they share their adventures and experiences: simpletravelourway.wordpress.com/ You won’t regret taking the time to read about their adventures and in time move to Kendal (and now quarantined).

Q: What was the purpose behind starting your blog? What were you hoping to accomplish and who were you hoping to reach?

A: As we approached retirement, we were busy planning a number of years of continual travel with no base. We began our blog, “simpletravelourway,” to share our experiences with our family and friends — our 3 adult children, our siblings, former colleagues, school chums, etc. To our surprise, after a few years of blogging, we had 1,500 readers in 64 countries who followed our travels— some of whom became hosts, travel companions, and new friends.

Northwest Bank

We urge you to communicate the importance of this Kendal branch to Northwest. We would love to see some changed minds on this decision. Contact is Kevin Nelson, Ohio Region President, Northwest Bank, 457 Broadway, Lorain, OH 44052.

Buttonbush Bridge Powerwashing Project

Beginning Monday, September 28, Kendal will begin power-washing and then re-staining the Buttonbush Bridge. Please plan an alternative route next week. 

College Students Offering TV and Zoom Classes

Our students have returned and have created a few classes.

• WSCC Channel is 921, or 20-1 or 96-100 depending on your Cable Co-op Box.
• Need Tech Help?Then join Kennie on Fridays at 11:00am on Zoom when he can help you –Zoom number 916-6217-3903

Sundays at 3:00pm – Food Science with Golara – WSCC channel starting this Sunday!

• Sundays – 4:00pm – Soul Collage with Claire – Zoom number 923-1777-2301 PASSWORD – ArtTherapy: – Taught by Ursuline College student, Claire Donofrio. Claire is offering a 2-hour art collage expression time. Each class will have a prompt on which to focus your art expressions. Learn more about yourself. Art supplies can be provided if you contact Claire, or Michele Tarsitano-Amato. Claire is looking for participants to do one-on-one experiences in art for her clinicals. She has some open opportunities available on Mondays. If you are interested, please contact Michele.  

Today’s Statistics

Kendal at Oberlin (KaO)

Lorain County (as of 2PM)

Cuyahoga County

State of Ohio (as of 2PM)

September 23, 2020: Update to Residents

Calm, Proactive Preparedness

Stephens Care Center Indoor Visitation

Kendal at Oberlin is creating an indoor visitation station in the Education Center Conference Room for indoor visitation with Stephens Care Center residents. We are working on a timeline when this will be available. Reservations for this visitation station will be made using the same system for outdoor visitations. Additionally, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has issued indoor visitation guidelines for nursing homes. Kendal at Oberlin is working with LeadingAge Ohio to make recommendations to the Ohio Department of Health regarding indoor visitation. The State of Ohio has not yet authorized any indoor visitation, but we are informed that regulations on this topic will soon be coming. Thank you everyone, for your patience as we strive to keep our community safe and work with our different regulatory bodies to ensure good health and compliance.

Gas and Tire Air

If residents need gas in their vehicles or air in their tires, please stop by Facility Services between 8:30am – 9:30am or 3:00pm – 4:00pm, Monday-Friday. A staff member from Facility Services will be happy to help you. You will be charged the same price that Kendal paid for the gasoline.

80 in 8

Rumor has it that a particular “Kendal Youngster” with the initials of JLW is turning 80 and will finish his personal goal of 80 walked miles in 8 days, having been training most of this year. You might consider being around the Heiser Circle at noon on FRIDAY to witness the “finish” with a masked “cheer” of congratulations. He has put talk into action for both personal and civic benefit. We have approved two representatives from Oberlin Community Services to be on site for a 30-minute pass.

This Week’s Thursday Exchange with Barbara’s Guest

Lena Smart, daughter-in-law of Caroline and John Brandenberger, is a cyber security expert who is currently Chief Information Security Officer at MongoDB in New York City. She has graciously offered to give a brief presentation on cyber fraud prevention. Lena has prepared a meeting handout we will share with everyone. The meeting link is below for those not watching on KOTV.

Join Zoom Meeting  Meeting ID: 921 4392 7958. One tap mobile: +13126266799,,92143927958# US (Chicago)

Lorenzo’s Pizza Orders Delivered This Week

Look forward to deliveries on Thursday, Lots 9-10, apartments, and Phases 1, 2, and 3.

Johnny’s is Delivering on Thursday

September 24, at 10am. Set a time to be there at 10 😊.

Final Farmers Market

Reminder: This Friday, September 25, we will offer the Farmers Market from 1:30pm – 3:00pm. The season has come to a close, and this will be our final market for this year. Thank you all for your participation and cooperation to make this event such a success!

Celebrate Kendal and Harvest Moonrise

Come gather Thursday, October 1, at 7:15pm on Heiser Circle (keeping socially distanced) when we celebrate the Harvest Moon and share our gratitude for accomplishments during our sheltering in place.

Make a poster to bring, telling us what you are most grateful for; supplies will be available in the Art Studio for your use from September 24 – October 1.

All that week there will be tables in the Heiser Lounge where you can write down your thoughts and expressions of gratitude (You can bring your own writing instrument if you like.). Candles will be passed out to light the circle. Please bring your own chair if needed. If you have any questions, please contact Carol Harvey.

Heating Issues (correction)

The heating adjustments recently announced do NOT impact the cottages. This is for the APARTMENT and SCC only. The seasonal changes are always a challenging time to maintain inside temperatures to comfortable levels.

Northwest Bank

We urge you to communicate the importance of this Kendal branch to Northwest. We would love to see some changed minds on this decision. Contact is Kevin Nelson, Ohio Region President, Northwest Bank, 457 Broadway, Lorain, OH 44052.

College Students Offering TV and ZOOM Classes

We have exciting news! Our students have returned and have created a few classes for us to enjoy! There are even live Zoom opportunities to engage in. Here is a list of new stuff! 

(All classes started this week on Monday, September 21.) 

WSCC CHANNEL is 921, or 20-1 or 96-100 depending on your Cable Co-op Box.

NEED TECH HELP?

Then join Kennie on Fridays at 11:00am on Zoom when he can help you –Zoom number 916-6217-3903

WSCC-ONLY Viewing: (SCC TV Channel)

• Mondays 1:00pm – Beginner Spanish with Nicholas
• Tuesdays 10:30am – Violin Performance with Shannon Mustard
• Thursdays 2:00pm – Yoga with Alissa
• Fridays 10:30am – Weekly News Updates with Kennie
• Fridays 2:00pm – Music Jazz Performance with Nathaniel

Want to join a class via Zoom?

• Mondays – 3:00pm – Spelling Club with Delaney (spelling bee with the history and origin of a word) Zoom number 686-672-940
• Tuesdays – 2:00pm – Theater in Review! with Ashton (review of 3 different Broadway plays)
• Zoom number 932-8832-8645
• Thursdays – 3:00pm – German Club with Josh – Zoom number 957-0092-1424
• Fridays – 1:00pm – Spanish Club with Nicholas – Zoom number 596-104-4709 (if there are enough people interested, Nicholas is willing to run two different groups – a beginner and an advanced)

We have an exciting addition

Sundays at 3:00pm – Food Science with Golara – WSCC channel starting this Sunday! 

SPECIAL!!

Sundays – 4:00pm – Soul Collage with Claire – Zoom number 923-1777-2301, PASSWORD = ArtTherapy  

This course is taught by a Masters of Counseling and Art Therapy Ursuline College student, Claire Donofrio. Claire is offering a 2-hour art collage expression time. Each class will have a prompt on which to focus your art expressions. Learn more about yourself. Art supplies can be provided if you contact Claire or Michele Tarsitano-Amato.

Claire is looking for participants to do one-on-one experiences in art for her clinicals. She has some open opportunities available on Mondays. If you are interested, please contact Michele.   

Today’s Statistics

Kendal at Oberlin (KaO)

Lorain County (as of 2PM)

Cuyahoga County

State of Ohio (as of 2PM)

September 21, 2020: Update to Residents

Calm, Proactive Preparedness

League of Women Voters of Ohio

One more important program on voting will be presented by the League of Women Voters of Ohio and the Ohio Voter Rights Coalition on Zoom this month, set for 7pm and requires registration.

September 21 — Panel Discussion on Equitable Voter Access: The Long Road to Access – Are We There Yet? Register for this event here.

This Week’s Thursday Exchange with Barbara’s Guest

Lena Smart, daughter-in-law of Caroline and John Brandenberger, is a cyber security expert who is currently Chief Information Security Officer at MongoDB in New York City. She has graciously offered to give a brief presentation on cyber fraud prevention. Lena has prepared a meeting handout we will share with everyone. The meeting address is below for those not watching on KOTV.

Join Zoom Meeting – Meeting ID: 921 4392 7958, One tap mobile: +13126266799,,92143927958# US (Chicago)

Lorenzo’s Pizza Orders Delivered This Week

Look forward to deliveries on Wednesday, lots 1-8 and on Thursday, Lots 9-10, apartments and Phases 1,2, and 3. Staff orders could come either day since there are so few of them.

Johnny Comes Calling Next Week

You can still place your favorite beverage orders with Johnny’s on Tuesday for delivery on Thursday, September 24, at 10am. Call Terry at 440-774-8215.

Heating Issues

Our HVAC mechanic, Ted Hansen, informed us earlier today he had adjusted the boiler upwards in temperature to accommodate the weather cooldown we have experienced. This will make it warmer for our residents in cottages, in the apartment building, and in the care center. The seasonal changes are always a challenging time to maintain inside temperatures to comfortable levels.

Northwest Bank

Some of you have asked who is the best person to correspond with on our concern about Kendal’s Northwest Bank branch closing at the end of the year. Please write to:

• Kevin Nelson, Ohio Region President
• Northwest Bank
• 457 Broadway
• Lorain, OH 44052

What Being/Having an LGBT+Ally Means

Wednesday, September 23, at 3pm – Zoom & Kendal TV 95-101

Four Kendal at Oberlin residents will share personal stories of the significance of being or having an LGBT+ Ally. Postponed from June Pride month, we will gather electronically on Wednesday, September 23, at 3pm. Two ways to participate: Zoom or Kendal TV Channel 95.101.

The program will include Tina Graf (moderator), Barb Benjamin, Gary Olin, and Anne and Ed Wardwell. They will tell their stories for the first half of the program. Those on Zoom will be divided into smaller (6-8 person) groups for discussion and further sharing for the second half of the program. Important: Only those attending on Zoom will be able to be assigned (randomly) for small group discussion. The Zoom chats will not be broadcast on Kendal TV and so will be private for each separate six person Zoom discussion group. Please plan to Zoom and do participate in the small group discussion. Thanks!

All Kendal at Oberlin residents and staff are most welcome to participate. This is a program sponsored by the KORA LGBT+ Interest Group. For more information, please contact Tom Konkoly.

Join Zoom Meeting – Meeting ID: 960 0402 7498, No password is required. One tap mobile: +16465588656,,96004027498# US (New York) 

Barron’s Article: “College-Based Retirement Communities Have Been Upended by COVID. Are they still worth it?”

The writer of this article presented a very different focus to Kendal as she gathered her information to write her story. She had many questions focused on our COVID-free status of residents and the many ways residents have kept connected throughout the pandemic while remaining healthy and safe. We gave her many students to talk with, even outside the country whose experiences at Kendal were life changing. Very little information sent to her was used. It is my opinion she was not forthcoming on her real agenda to put this story together. I am sure all the communities that worked with her feel the same way. —Barbara Thomas

Morning Tennis Players have not let early morning temperatures hold them back. Monday it was 43 degrees when they met to play. This year they will miss year-round play at the College.

Today’s Statistics

Kendal at Oberlin (KaO)

Lorain County (as of 2PM)

Cuyahoga County

State of Ohio (as of 2PM)