A GARDEN WATERFALL
There is a secluded space
In the well scaped garden
Where one can seek respite
After a pain wracked day.

A welcoming bench to rest an aching back
Fronting a graceful sculpted slated waterfall.
Three wide mouthed apertures splash water
Into a small pond
Host to colorful lilies and flora
And rainbow trout swimming aimlessly about.

The chirping of birds, the whooshing soft breeze,
And the swashing lap of waters
Stir a galaxy of the senses
And awaken a dream like reverie
Wherein one encounters a soothing inner peace,
With cheer in today, and more hope for tomorrows.

Stella Salerno
August 2010

Angela Valenza

Hello, my name is Angela.  I came here over 14 years ago after losing my husband.  At the time, my family lived far away.  My nephew, who was like a son to me, never pushed me to come to Dominican Village – I made that decision all on my own.  The people here were all very nice and really took me out of my shyness.  This move changed me considerably.

I believe that it is important to always remain positive.  It is a choice we make every day – our attitudes and our faith in God can all impact how people perceive us.  Sometimes, if I get discouraged, I look around this world and realize how very fortunate I am.  

I enjoy my time here – participating in most of the programs and several of the group activities.  I try to attend every meeting that I can because, even at 99 years old, I am still always learning something new.  As a matter of fact, I just recently learned a new card game which is very interesting.  I volunteer as a Bingo coordinator - Bingo is just a wonderful social night!  I am also a member of the Women & Wisdom group, which meets once a month.  I’ve enjoyed painting, which I never did before I came to Dominican Village . I always did a lot of walking near my home in Rockaway, so I participate in the exercise classes here to stay active.  I love to sing and dance at events in the Helen Butler Hall.

I’ve been here for 14 years and have enjoyed every bit of it.  I hope to never leave!

The Chat Group

On the second floor of Assisted Living a chat group meets after dinner in the comfortable Lounge.

On any given evening 6 to 12 residents sit in wingback armchairs and sofas set in a rectangle. The group meets for two hours plus and includes men and women.

Initially, the residents met informally to pass time before bedtime. From the ensuing camaraderie evolved a more permanent open-ended group chatting on news of the day, reminiscence   of past, family events, health concerns, philosophical and religious issues etc.

The group is a garrulous one with a humorous, informative, educational and critical tenor in discussion and an ability to tolerate occasional periods of silence. As is usual in a group there are some who tend to observe with only a smile or comment.

In this small company of residents there is evidence of caring and concern for each other  and acceptance of individual differences. The residents find the group not only a means of socialization amongst peers, but also a dynamic mechanism for developing friendships where one finds amiability, affection, neighborliness and love.

Stella Salerno

Lloyd Chadwick

Having lived in my beautiful home in Remsenburg for 53 years I decided one day that I needed to go to a place where everything is taken care of. I no longer wanted to mow the lawn, shovel snow, care for the garden, cook and clean. Unbeknown to me, my two sons were worrying about me being alone and were thrilled when I told them that I was looking for a very special place to live. My son suggested that we visit Dominican Village and I made the decision at my first visit. To me the ambiance was beautiful, residents and staff friendly and a quiet campus where I could enjoy a long walk.

One of my great joys in life is to give to others especially to children. My wife convinced me one Christmas to make a set of trains for our two boys. Over the last 40 years I’ve made 60 sets of trains which I have given to children in the neighborhood and when they grew up to their children. Our front door was always open to the children in the neighborhood. My wife was an excellent baker and I have kept her recipes so I am now making apple and tart cherry pies.

You can find me gardening in Dominican Village’s memory rose garden or borrowing a book from Dominican Village’s library or reading the New York Times on the computer in the computer lab. Although I still miss my wife very much I am very happy with my new home and family at Dominican Village. I hope you’ll come and visit Dominican Village if you come during the holidays you’ll find one of my train sets under the tree.

Angie D'Aquisto

I just wonder how my life would have been if I hadn’t moved to Dominican Village. My story is a bit unique because I never saw Dominican Village until the day I moved in. For twenty years I lived in Florida after a long career at Farmingdale University where my greatest joy was to be with the students. They even invited me to all their parties. Quite unexpectedly I became ill while in Florida and my family literally moved me from the hospital to Dominican Village to be closer to them. At the time I was angry at my children. But have since forgiven them. My life at Dominican Village has become even more active! Now I help at Bingo four days a week, frequent the Dominican Village library for my leisure time reading, play cards and games each evening, enjoy the 13 ½ acres where I sit and ponder nature. I even joined the painting class and gave them as gifts to my family, were they shocked! Nothing but nothing surpassed my love for music and dancing, I’m the first one on the dance floor at our celebrations. As a tour guide to prospective residents I let them view my apartment so they can see how they too can fit all of their precious belongings into the spacious apartments. I love life and people and this is how I handle it when faced with a situation. I look up to the heavens and say to God "I did my best, I’m giving this one to you to handle".

Now I have to go to my balcony and have my morning cup of coffee.

Marie McAlinden

I moved here 8 years ago. I was so impressed with Dominican Village with its beauty and cleanliness and the surrounding area.
The activities here are tremendous; I couldn’t begin to mention all of them. We have bus service 7 days a week and all kinds of exercises. I play canasta, pinochle, rummy, Bingo, poker and cribbage. I belong to the book club. There is enough activity to keep me busy 6 days a week; Sunday is my day of rest.
To have cleaning service when our bathroom is cleaned, rugs vacuumed, kitchen floor washed, what more can we ask for? I thought after 60 years of cooking I had enough, that was the end of my cooking. I am finally a lady of leisure.
The residents here are friendly. We try to help one another as a result we make many friends. The saying" When you’re here, you’re home" is so true. We are also staffed by Dominican Sisters and lay people.

I hope the Lord lets me stay here until He calls.

Edwina and Steven Stanley

We lived happily for 30 years on Shelter Island and our children lived in Manhattan and Virginia. Over the years, we made some very good friends and enjoyed a very active social life. Although most of our friends, including ourselves were "snow birds" and when we had to give up driving the days seemed to drag. That was when we decided to change our lifestyle. Our children were also nudging us to make the move. As our son so aptly put it "It is time to get off the rock; it’s too long a trip from the city".

Although, we had never been to Dominican Village we had heard a lot about it from our friends who lived there. So one Sunday we decided to go to an Open House and thought it was beautiful. We were very impressed with the cleanliness, the friendliness of the staff and residents. Again, our children kept chiding us, "Don’t wait too long, make a decision".

One year ago we moved into Dominican Village, our lifestyle has changed dramatically. We now have many companions. The gift we both received is the wonderful people we have met and enjoy. It is just wonderful not to have to care for a home, worry about mowing the lawn, shoveling the snow and time does not drag on anymore.

Halloween

Hi, my name is Therese and I’ve happily been a resident of Dominican Village for over three years.  

Thursday and Friday last week were busy days here with almost everyone getting his or her flu shots in one of our activity rooms.  Bingo had to be moved, so some residents went to Tanner Park for coffee, cake and bingo. Others stayed here, but the card games went on as usual.  

On Saturday, we had Open House, so visitors came in for a look around. First, they talked with staff and residents, and then they toured the grounds looking at all the facilities and some of the different types of apartments. They finally ended up with coffee and cookies and questions in our private dining room. At 3:30, we had our communion service, run by staff members in the downstairs activity room.  Upstairs, on Saturdays and Sundays, we have four different movies in matinee and evening sessions. 

Sunday was a big day for the children of the staff. They came trick-or-treating between 1-3 and then they had a special party in one of our activity rooms.  Some of the children from Kindertown, next door to Dominican Village, also came over. They were all dressed up and had a great deal of fun. They came as pirates and ninjas, all kinds of puppies, and princesses with paper wands.   One girl came all in red and another came with big hair and a hairpiece that matched her dress.  It was great!  I gave each of them a Babe Ruth candy bar with a quarter attached. 

Wednesday was the big day in the Helen Butler Hall - our Halloween room was decorated in orange and white, with black spiders, ghost napkins, and autumn leaves. The music was wonderful - all the old songs and dances, and the leader wore a black and gold coat with feathered hat. He had just celebrated his 50th birthday! All the dressed-up contestants formed a circle and danced. The winners were Judge Judy, the Wicked Witch, and the Princess with her dragon. Our next big affair is the Holiday Shopping Spree on Saturday in Helen Butler Hall with over 50 vendors. Two of my friends are coming, so it should be interesting!