Around New Market
In our February newsletter, we promised to give you some ideas about things to do in New Market. Whether you’re a local looking to take more advantage of our town’s offerings, or just have come to town to visit, we think you’ll be charmed by spring and summer in the Shenandoah Valley.
If you’re just getting to know New Market, a self-guided walking tour of the historic downtown area is a great start. The local Chamber of Commerce and Town Hall each offer free copies of a Town Walking Tour Brochure. The brochure is also available for download on the town’s website, and will guide you through a pleasant site-seeing tour. To get your own copy, visit www.NewMarketVirginia.com/visitors.
For locals or those of you who’ve already seen New Market’s highlights, the seasonal Farmer’s Market is another good option. The Market opens in May and operates every Friday from 2-6 P.M. This year’s season starts on May 19th, and will last until the weather cools off in October. You can find local produce, baked goods, meat, and more at 277 Old Cross Rd., which is behind the old Wine Cellar building and near 7-11.
The New Market Rebels also begin their baseball season in May. On May 30th, they’ll host a “Meet the Rebels” picnic at 6 P.M. The picnic is held at the Rebel Park Picnic Shelter, and will give fans a chance to interact with players and team staff. The Rebels offer many themed nights and special events throughout the baseball season, so be sure to cheer for our home team.
From the annual Cross Roads Fest to Civil War reenactments and the community pool, there is much more to explore around town this summer. We’re always happy to provide suggestions, but the town website is also a great resource. Stop by NewMarketVirginia.com and make your plans to visit. We hope to see you soon!
Activity Spotlight: Stirring Up Memories
Do you remember Pudding Pops? The dessert made its debut in a Jell-O recipe from 1967, and was especially popular in the 1980’s and 90’s. On a warm April afternoon at the Terrace, a group of our residents pitched in to make a batch of their own frozen treats.
Preparing an old-fashioned recipe has all sorts of potential benefits for residents. Some participants might remember Pudding Pops specifically, and recall other times and places when they encountered the dessert. Others could be reminded of ice cream cones, chocolate, or just the feel of a cold refreshment. The process of stirring the pudding, scooping it into cups, and adding popsicle sticks might bring up memories for other residents.
Of course, no single activity will stimulate memory for all residents, and that’s okay, too. Most of our pop-makers were still able to enjoy pleasant company, the sweet smell of pudding, and, eventually, the taste of a delicious Pudding Pop. We loved introducing this new activity to our residents, and look forward to telling you about more fun and stimulating times at the Terrace.
Shenandoah Terrace News
If you’ve been following Shenandoah Terrace for long, you’ve seen our excitement at every stage of its development. This month, we’re proud to update you on the continued growth of our memory care community. In May, we will welcome our 18th resident.
We’re pleased to have increased our residency so quickly, and happy to be serving a wonderful group of residents. But, we’re not finished growing.
We appreciate your support as the Terrace has taken shape, and will keep you updated as we continue to help our community thrive.
Tips for Visiting The Terrace
In the months since Shenandoah Terrace opened, we’ve enjoyed welcoming residents and visitors to our new community. Visiting family or friends with memory care needs is not always easy. To help facilitate even more fulfilling visits going forward, we’d like to share some helpful tips for preparing to visit the Terrace.
The Alzheimer’s Association is a good resource for information but the best resource is the staff at Shenandoah Terrace. The staff is not only available to the residents but also to you. And they are here to support you with the many changes that accompany dementia. To prepare for a visit, they suggest some of the following strategies and steps:
- Take at least five minutes before a visit to consider topics of conversation or activities you’d like to do. The visit may not follow your plan, but preparation can make things smoother.
- Expect periods of silence and tell yourself that you can comfortably handle them. Long pauses in conversation can be less awkward if you know they are likely coming.
- Plan your visit for a quiet, comfortable space in the community. A shaded porch, peaceful room, or a setting you think your resident will enjoy will get your visit off to a good start.
- Sitting and looking through a photo album may be a comfort and a way to strike up conversation.
- Remember the person you are visiting is not the person they once were.
- The more information you can share about your family member’s past will be helpful in their daily care.
- Be flexible and prepare to find small successes in the visit to appreciate. Holding hands in silence can make for a good visit. Looking at a flower or sipping milkshakes together can, too.
We hope you find these suggestions useful. In upcoming newsletters, we’ll share specific suggestions for visits themselves. But, please feel free to ask us for visiting tips in the meantime. Our staff is knowledgeable and always happy to help.