Millbrook, NY – A new tie or a new rake may top the list of gifts many kids will give their fathers on June 20th. However, experienced fathers at The Fountains at Millbrook, a popular Hudson Valley retirement community, are shifting the focus of the holiday to what lasting gifts fathers can pass on to future generations.

Staff of The Fountains at Millbrook, 79 Flint Road, recently sat down with eight dads in residence to ask their opinions about fatherhood.  Following is their advice for young fathers today.

	“Give them lots of love, some discipline and patience. Don’t give them too much; have them earn it. – Alex Strem, raised one daughter in Austria and New York
	“There has to be a husband and wife commitment to raise a family. Fathers should get involved in their children’s activities, like homework. If you commute to work, stick to a schedule.” – Gary Hansen raised two children in Suffern, NY [Gary is currently the President of the Fountains at Millbrook Resident Association]
	“Be patient. Do everything to love your children. When they grow up, they will respect you.” – Louie Serenate, raised two daughters in Rochester, NY. [Recently crowned King of the Celebration of Aging, sponsored by the Office for the Aging.]
	“[Fathers should be able to look back and say:] We taught you the right way to live, now you go and do it.” – Erwin Kraft, raised four children in Mahopac, NY
	“Be respectful. Listen. Don’t be too overbearing. Set high standards – according to age. Teach respect toward others. Teach good manners. Take responsibility for proven wrongs. Try not to criticize wearing apparels. Value their opinions and judgments. Point out the value of money, and if they desire something of value, they should earn it. Make certain they are aware of past history and patriotic values. Guide them in educational values. Encourage their dreams if possible. Include religious beliefs or observances.” – Ray Anderson, raised one child in Carmel, NY
	“Teach [your children that] with every right there is a responsibility. “ – Keith Wintenberg, raised four children in Waverly, NY
	“Be calm and think about what you want to say before you say it.” – John Debell, raised three children on Long Island, NY

 

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Millbrook, NY – The Fountains at Millbrook, 79 Flint Rd., will host its inaugural Artist Salon at 3pm on July 22. The Fountains Artist Salons are community events offered in collaboration with the Barrett Art Center and will feature an ongoing series of Hudson Valley artists.

 

According to Christine Owen, salon coordinator for Barrett, the Artist Salon format differs from an art exhibit, in that its purpose is to provide a venue for the community to gain knowledge about the artist. The format usually includes a reading or visual presentation by the artist with a question and answer period to follow.

 

At the July 22 salon, Hudson Valley artist and art educator Ellen Metger Oshea will present slides and discuss different elements of her work.

Having studied with Hudson Valley painter Alex Martin, New York City’s Stuart Diamond and Philadelphia’s Tim Hawkesworth, O’Shea has evolved from academic landscape oil painting to printmaking and mixed media collage works.  Her most recent work is inspired by the landscape and developed to express the feeling of place through exquisite compositions and brushwork.

Salon space is limited. Reserve a seat by calling The Fountains at 1-845-605-4673 by July 20th.

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Book signing event to be held June 29

Millbrook, NY - Joan Weisman, a resident of the Fountains at Millbrook, 79 Flint Rd., has announced the publication of her latest book, William in America, with drawings by Sarah Chamberlin Scott. William in America is Joan Weisman’s fifth book for young people. The paperback middle reader (ages 10 to 13) sells for $9.95 and is available from Merritt Bookstore, Amazon. Com and Pea Pod Press.

According to Weisman, 89, William in America is a piece of historical fiction. The story begins to unfold in 1935, when a small group of Jewish children are rescued from Nazi Germany and brought to an orphanage in New York. The boy in Weisman’s story, Wilhelm, changes his name to William when he is placed with a Michigan family.

In the story, William struggles to become part of his new family in America while his letters to his own parents go unanswered. He is distracted from his worries by learning to play baseball with his foster brother, Bernie. The story includes the non-fictitious character, Detroit first baseman Hank Greenberg, and includes actual facts about the great slugger during his years with the Detroit Tigers.

“I have always loved children and their books. As a teen baby sitter, as a Head Start teacher, and now as a grandparent, it has always been my joy to tell stories and to read to children. For me to want to write to children was a natural,” Weisman said. The author and her husband, Arthur, lived in Michigan before they came to Millbrook.

Weisman was a featured writer at the Millbrook Book festival in May. She will be featured at a book signing event on Tuesday, June 29th at 3:30 PM in the Fountains auditorium. Fountains residents and children from the local area are invited to hear the author read excerpts from her book. Copies of William in America and other books by Weisman will be available for purchase, and the author will be available to autograph copies. For reservations, call The Fountains at Millbrook at 845-677-8550.

 

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Her sage advice to young moms was "Keep a steady routine and consistency. In our home everyone ate dinner around the dining room table and that is where the children learned to love each other and to lean on each other.”

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Six Senior Women at The Fountains at Millbrook

Offer Words of Wisdom

 

Millbrook, NY, April 21, 2010 – Six local moms with years and years of experience are among 150+ mothers nationwide who are speaking out in time for Mother’s Day. Even though they raised their own children decades ago, the sage advice of these moms is just as meaningful today as it was some sixty years ago. In between managing today’s hectic family schedules, working, carpooling, cooking PLUS diaper changes, young moms in 2010 can use all the advice they can get.

 

The collective advice ranges from tips on raising kids to advice for the moms’ personal lives. For example, Millbrook resident Alma Corcoran, who raised nine children in Poughkeepsie, advises: “Keep a steady routine and consistency. [In our home] everyone ate dinner around the dining room table and that is where the children learned to love each other and to lean on each other.”

 

Other local mothers’ advice includes:

 

“Be there to give comfort, guidance, encouragement and stability.Family is much more than a word – it’s a feeling of warmth and love that neither time nor distance can diminish.” -Dorothy Visca, raised 3 children in NYC, S. Carolina and Westchester County.

 

“Teach them to have respect for others; that is the most important thing.” -Mary Gannon, raised one son in Colorado.

 

“Save for the baby prior to having it, for the child’s education. Stay healthy! Be sure to spend lots of time with them.” - Vera McCormick, raised 2 children in Long Island, NY.

 

“Take care of the baby with warmth, love, and devotion. Teach good manners, respect, & read to them. Don’t forget your husband! And keep them away from computers!” -Constance Alvarez, raised three children in Brooklyn and Bronxville, NY.

 

 “Enjoy your children. Include them in EVERYTHING. Let them know they are important. Read to them.” -Mable Mihaly, raised 3 children in Ohio and during summers in Virginia.

 

All six of the local senior mom experts interviewed for this project reside at The Fountains at Millbrook, the full-service retirement community located at 79 Flint Rd.

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Watermark Retirement Communities Reappointed as Manager for Fountains Portfolio

Watermark Retirement Communities, Inc., formerly Fountains Retirement Communities, has been reappointed as manager for 16 retirement communities previously managed by Sunrise Senior Living, announced David N. Barnes, President/CEO of Watermark Retirement Communities.

“Watermark was the obvious choice for managing the Fountains portfolio because we know the communities so well,” said Barnes.

After selling 18 properties within the Fountains brand to Sunrise in 2005, Fountains Retirement Communities was renamed Watermark Retirement Communities. Over the past four years, with his partner David Freshwater, former Fountains CEO, Barnes has grown Watermark’s management portfolio to 11 communities plus three home health agencies in six states. The addition of the Fountains portfolio brings Watermark’s total managed communities to 27 in 16 states.

“We very much look forward to the coming weeks and months as we personally welcome back so many former residents and associates into the family of Watermark communities. It feels like we’re putting the band back together,” stated Barnes.

Watermark Retirement Communities has owned and operated successful, innovative senior housing communities for more than 20 years. According to Barnes, Watermark is committed to creating extraordinary communities where people thrive and a culture where everyone is encouraged to express their creativity, passion and inner child – to express their true selves. As a result, Barnes says, Watermark communities are full of spirit, character, compassion and adventure.

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