Trumpet provides lifetime of memories

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

By STAASI HEROPOULOS

EAST LONGMEADOW - Phil Estabrook, 85, has marked and saved Tuesday nights on the calendar in his room at East Village Place assisted living community - Tuesday evening is when he plays the trumpet with a community band in Wilbraham.

"When you get 16 guys together in a band, they can make some noise so you're better off if you're in an auditorium," he said.

Estabrook has been playing the cornet or trumpet for most of his life. He was born at home in North Adams. His mother had a friend who was unmarried and had no children. Estabrook was like a son to her.

"If I wanted something she'd move heaven and earth to get it for me," he said. "She indulged the heck out of me."

The woman was Mary Louise Ashton and she loved music. She was a piano teacher and her father played the cornet. When he died, she gave the instrument to Estabrook.

"It was an old one, but a good one. It had rotary valves instead of what you see now, which are piston valves," he said.

Estabrook began playing the cornet in the fourth grade and continued on through high school. He was always in the band, taking lessons, perfecting his technique, and keeping his eye on a young lady who played the violin a few rows away - a girl named Jacynth.

"We were both in the orchestra and she kind of took my eye. I was in math class with her too and I couldn't keep my eyes off her. We were married for 59 years," said Estabrook.

When Estabrook graduated from high school, World War II was raging and after working briefly in sales, Estabrook entered the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. The academy had no band, so Estabrook played the bugle as he trained for war.

After he graduated from MassMaritime in 1944, Estabrook served as an ensign on the Arcturis, a ship that supported amphibious assaults by delivering trucks, food and supplies to American troops.

When the war ended so did Estabrook's tour of duty, and he went back to playing the trumpet in community bands.

"If you were in the forties you liked big bands, we knew all the musicians like people know vocalists now," he said.

No matter where he worked or what his family was up to, Estabrook played in the band, sometimes performing in concerts for up to 800 people.

Today Estabrook just practices with the band in Wilbra- ham - there are no performances, just rehearsals with other men who come from as far away as New Hampshire to play together.

"To still be able to play for two hours it's like trying to run a marathon," said Estabrook, who still practices every day in his room.

"You got to practice; you have to build your lip muscle. If you're going to play a brass instrument you got to have what we call chops," he said.

Music has given Estabrook two great loves - his wife and his trumpet. Jacynth died five years ago. Now, with memories of their days in band together, Estabrook continues playing the songs he and his wife first learned in high school.

"It gives me great joy - I'm glad I can still do it."

 

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EAST LONGMEADOW, MA

At East Village Place, an assisted living and memory care community managed by Watermark Retirement Communities, people are encouraged to express their spirit, vitality, passions to express their true selves. And the culture isn't just for residents, it's for associates as well. Recently, Watermark Retirement Communities recognized five associates from East Village Place with express your Self awards. These awards acknowledge associates who, by expressing their passion, creativity, leadership, compassion and more, make a vital contribution to the community of East Village Place.

Steve MacNaught, maintenance assistant and van driver from East Longmeadow, received an award for express your Compassion. MacNaught's ability to listen, laugh and care for residents has made him an invaluable member of the team. He also teaches one of the most popular courses for Watermark University, called Journey Back in Time. He picks a year and the class discusses what was happening in the world, what cars were driven, costs of common items and much more.

Pat Pietras, a Certified Nursing Assistant from Chicopee, received an express your Devotion award. Her thoughtful personality and ability to provide care with a sense of kindness is unmatched. Residents often speak of her attention to detail and her commitment to making sure the resident's dignity and spirit are elevated with every encounter.

Dee Chlebus, Activities Director from Chicopee, received an Ambassador Award. Chlebus ensures that all residents feel included and have fun, regardless of their physical or cogntive disabilities. She truly listens and is incredibly creative in building programs to fit residents' individual needs.

Jeff Ross, Food Service Director from Springfield, received an award for express your Innovation. Ross has made the Watermark philosophy and mission his own and offers the best quality food and customer service possible. The quality, presentation and customer service provided in the dining room has exceeded all expectations.

Buddy the dog from South Hadley received the Pet Ambassador Award. Buddy, a 10 year old collie/shepherd mix, is always able to bring a smile to everyone's face. Daily, Buddy walks the halls with his owner, Executive Director Pam Skiba, and stops by to see all the dog lovers in the community. He stops by the programs and makes special "get well" visits to any resident or associate who is under the weather.

"When people are empowered to express themselves – their true selves – at home and at work, they make meaningful connections and Watermark communities are formed," said David Barnes, President of Watermark Retirement Communities. "By fostering this culture for our associates as well as our residents, we create vibrant, fun, creative, successful communities. The express your Self awards are as unique as the associates receiving them."

Buddy Skiba received the Pet Ambassador Award.

 

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Republican, The (Springfield, MA)

October 29, 2008

Edition: Final
Section: METRO SOUTH PLUS
Page: SP1

'University' Offers Brain Stimulation
Author: STAASI HEROPOULOS; STAFF The Republican (Springfield, MA)

 

EAST LONGMEADOW - Dr. Eugene Beauchamp is a learned man. He has earned advanced degrees in medicine, has been a general surgeon in Springfield, and has saved lives.

Now the 81-year old resident of East Village Place in East Longmeadow has begun studying again - at Watermark University.

"It's something to do and keeps your brain working so you don't think today was yesterday or two weeks ago," he said.

Watermark University is what East Village calls its new academic program for residents of its retirement community. There is a full faculty of volunteer "professors" that includes members of the staff and East Village residents. They're looking for community volunteers as well.

More than a dozen classes are offered in the university's course catalog for the fall semester, including Brain Trivia, Jamaican Cooking, Current Events, Pottery, Carving and Woodworking.

"Doc" Beauchamp has signed up for Arm Chair Travel, Brain Trivia and Wood Working along with golfing and bowling on the WII video game system.

"I don't want to sit there like a bump on a log. I don't think I'm a bump yet," he said.

This is the first-ever semester at Watermark University. East Village focuses on keeping its residents physically and mentally fit - "developing the brain's plasticity through physical and mental challenges," said executive director Pam Skiba.

"We lift weights to strengthen our muscles, and our stimulating, challenging Watermark University courses are like lifting weights for the brain," she added.

At the beginning of this semester, course instructors handed each student a syllabus outlining the course of study, assignments and expectations - just as when they were back in college.

Classes meet once or twice a week through December. Each student will have homework and earn a certificate when the course is over.

Dee Chalebus, activities director, teaches Brain Trivia, challenging her students to unscramble words and do word searches as part of her curriculum.

"I try to keep them as stimulated as possible. I hate to see residents sitting around sleeping and not engaging," she said.

There are many benefits of keeping the mind active, said East Village marketing director Jessica Szczepanek.

"Keeping active and learning new things can prolong your brain capacity and zest for life," she said.

"You are actually improving the health of your brain by continuing to try and do new things and using all parts of your brain to do that - the creative, emotional and intellectual sides of your brain," Szczepanek added.

Eighty-year-old Catherine Howard is taking courses in painting, knitting and crochet. She's aware of the benefits of staying active, and the risks of sitting around doing nothing.

"You deteriorate and become no, no," said Howard. "You have to keep your mind active, even if you can't exercise. It's good to learn something new every day."

The students at Watermark University will conclude their fall semester soon - and will be waiting eagerly to begin their new course of studies in the spring.

Staasi Heropoulos can be reached at heropoulos@verizon.net

(COLOR) Catherine Howard, 80, is studying painting, knitting and crochet at Watermark University.

(COLOR 2 - PAGE SP5) Dr. Eugene Beauchamp, 82, a resident of East Village Place in East Longmeadow, has begun studying again at Watermark University.

Copyright, 2008, The Republican Company, Springfield, MA. All Rights Reserved. Used by NewsBank with Permission.

 

 

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Edition: Final
Section: METRO SOUTH PLUS
Page: SP1

Seniors Draw on Life or Creative Artwork
Author: STAASI HEROPOULOS; STAFF The Republican (Springfield, MA)

 

EAST LONGMEADOW - The 1900s were busy, historic times for America - and the people who live here. People like Doris Messenger, Connie Stockwell, and Bill Scheumann.

Each had their own special life and accomplishments - and each now lives at East Village Place, an assisted-living community in East Longmeadow.

They were among the top five winners in a recent art contest, where residents could express themselves in any art medium to reveal, describe and interpret their lives using water color, photography, wood, pen and ink, and knitting.

Messenger won the contest with an essay about her life.

"It was about my whole life, really," she said. "The theme is who was I - and I started out with who was I at 17, then graduated from high school and on."

The residents, their families and visitors voted for the winners from among 37 entries.

The top five winners are sent to Watermark Retirement Communities - East Village's corporate parent in Tucson, Ariz. - where they'll compete against entries from seven other Watermark assisted-living facilities from across the country.

The 13 winning entries will appear on an Expressions calendar that Watermark will publish and distribute nationally to all of its communities.

"Not only do the people here get it, they give it to their families and show it off. But it also goes to the other communities which are spread throughout the country," said East Village marketing director Jessica Sczcepanek.

"It's a creative outlet for them," she said. "A lot of the residents did this artwork before they retired and we want to give them a chance to do that while they're here."

Scheumann is a woodcarver. He created his first piece when he was 9 years old. These days the retired mechanical engineer and West Point graduate carves mostly animals - birds, swans - and even a Santa Claus. The pieces adorn his apartment.

"I enjoy it because I can do it when I want to and stop when I want to. It was relaxation and accomplishment of a certain task - being able to design it and make it."

There is much that these people have accomplished, much that they want to talk about and express through their favorite artistic medium.

"It's a way for people to express themselves where they can share their feelings and thoughts," Sczepanek said. "Times are very different now than when they were painting or writing 20 years ago. It's a great outlet for the feelings that they have."

Stockwell is a painter and writer. She uses few words to express her whispered thoughts and memories. She's been a national finalist for each of the last two years, but that doesn't matter as much to her as the chance to express her feelings.

"I write about what's in my soul," she said. "It doesn't matter at all whether I win or lose. It's relaxation. I do it to accomplish something."

(COLOR) The top five contestants in an art contest at East Village Place in East Longmeadow were, standing from left, Suzanne Clifford, Bill Scheumann and Doris Messenger; and, sitting, Connie Stockwell, left, and Helen Hart.

(COLOR 2 - PAGE SP5) A watercolor of cut flowers by East Village Place resident Helen Hart.

(COLOR 3 - PAGE SP5) East Village Place resident Connie Stockwell painted this watercolor of a green egg in a nest.

(COLOR 4 - PAGE SP5) A carved owl by East Village Place resident Bill Scheumann.

Copyright, 2008, The Republican Company, Springfield, MA. All Rights Reserved. Used by NewsBank with Permission.

 

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