Programs & Activities
Get ready to live life to the fullest!
Today’s seniors are more active and engaged than ever before. Residents at Brightondale and Meadowood Shores are involved in a host of activities that encourage healthier, dynamic lifestyles. We offer a wide variety of events from educative presentations, live entertainment, outings to theaters, community tours. Interest groups such a Bible study, book club and men’s group establish lasting relationships. Residents also give back to their neighbors by volunteering within Brightondale and Meadowood Shores and the greater community.
Upcoming Programs & Activities
Programs Team
Su (Susan) Stigney
Director of Programming
Su (Susan) Stigney
Director of Programming
A little about your job…
It is a job that is never the same from day to day. The job has a great amount of variety.
The purpose of my job is to help meet the leisure needs of the residents and to assist them to find connection and purpose with our SilverCrest mission of R>E>S>P>E>C>T>!
What sparked your desire to work in a senior living community?
I do not remember what first sparked my desire to start working in senior living, but I do know why I stay. The people, the staff, the mission.
How do you decide which activities and programs to offer?
My formula is: Resident interests/ requests, time of year, availability, as well as trying to balance in the Phases of Wellness.
What are your residents top 3 favorite activities?
Hard for me to pick, so I asked my residents …
- Table Games (Bingo, Cards, Crosswords, Rummikub, etc.).
- BIG Community Events like the outdoor events such as the dog races, concerts, and theme events.
- Class of …/ New Residents Welcome Event to connect new residents with each other and answer questions about the community.
What were your two best attended, most fun events over the past two years?
- ON SITE Billable Events during a time when we were unable to go on an outing to restaurants or other locations (which is one of their favorites things to do), we ordered in, with great interests to do it monthly.
- Our last Elegant Dinner Theme “Mediterranean Cruise “
What is your favorite activity to participate in with residents?
There are so many. Fitness is one of the top ones, but I also love the adventures we have had on outings.
Are there programs the residents lead themselves? If so, what are they?
Absolutely! Different neighborhoods within our community will have different levels on independence abilities. We encourage independent and leadership as residents wish and are able. The following groups that offer the best independent opportunity are table games (like Rummikub, cards, etc.) as well as some worship groups, gentlemen club, puzzle groups, fitness groups, coffee socials, etc.
What sets your programming apart from the competition?
My Team and SilverCrest!
More About Su…
Here are two of my favorite quotes:
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, & Discover!” ~ Mark Twain.
“There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle” ~ Albert Einstein.
Favorite Movie?
Field of Dreams
Favorite Book?
Love reading and read a variety of books, but only one that I go back to on a consistent bases and that is the Bible.
Favorite Sports Team(s)?
To watch Twins baseball or the Olympics. To participate I enjoyed volleyball & softball.
Top 2 favorite bands?
“Mercy ME” best Faith base band, or the bands of the 70’s Bee Gees, Fleetwood Mac, Boston, etc.…
Top travel destination on your list?
Norway, New Zealand, and Ireland.
If you could have a superpower – which one would you choose and why?
Super-Enhanced Senses with ability to turn off or on as needed, and with the ability to replicate what is learned by this power. It would be a great skill to help others for good?.
Tell us one thing about yourself that would surprise your residents?
During my college years I was asked to compete in the Miss Honey Queen contest. I won regional and came in 2nd in the State competition. p.s. My Dad raised bees, so I knew a little about bee, the honey process and honey health benefits.
Do you have a favorite resident memory or story? If so, please share?
After working here so many years, I have many wonderful resident memory / stories. Here are two that come to mind.
- Carol had been a clothing designer (mainly wedding dresses) and pattern maker in her professional life. We arranged a modeling show and brought friends and family in to watch. Carol’s selections were stunning! The joy that was felt by all that afternoon was amazing!
- Throughout the years working with residents and expanding their abilities and interest in Technology has brought me many wonderful memories.
- The first one was in one of my 1st years’ working here, I lead classes for both Independent and our Assisted Living. It was one of the Assisted Living residents who, after the 3rd class, asked her family to buy a desktop computer for her, as soon as possible, as she was having so much fun and felt so connected.
- Around 2015, I had the opportunity to connect with a very driven High School senior that wanted to bring High School students in to mentor seniors on a 1 to 1 technology based on an international program called Cyber Seniors. Blue Cross Blue Shield also partnered with the project and created a documentary.
- During the recent Covid -19 shutdown more seniors wanted to stay connected with loved ones. As I assisted with their technology needs, joys, laughter, and learning was shared as they enhance their skills with their technology of choice. It was heartwarming. Even residents, who thought that they would never need to do a video chat, came to love them.
Lisa Jackson
Programming Coordinator
Lisa Jackson
Programming Coordinator
A little about your job…
Patricia Anderson
Programming Coordinator
Patricia Anderson
Programming Coordinator
A little about your job…
I started in 2015. In the past 6 years, I went to another job, but came back because the people were especially great at SilverCrest and Brightondale.
How do you decide which activities and programs to offer?
I focus on memory care, and we get to know the residents by asking the residents what they prefer, observing activities that residents enjoy, and asking families about what the resident identified with in the past. We write this in a profile page. With this information, we see what the best individual and group programs are and then schedule the Programming Calendar.
What were your two best attended, most fun events over the past two years?
Recently, our team planned a Halloween party that both Reflections residents and assisted living residents had a great time at. Our programming department team worked really well together, using the strengths of our team and helping each other with our professional areas of growth.
Are there programs the residents lead themselves? If so, what are they?
In our Reflections Neighborhood (memory care) most activities need at least set up from staff. However, currently we have several memory care residents that enjoy jigsaw puzzles and do them together in their free time.
What sets your programming apart from the competition?
Our team makes time for one-to-one activities with residents. Staff is also very good at working as a team to provide an environment where all residents feel “extra special”.
More About Patricia…
I enjoy and am passionate about eldercare! I have also learned from decades of Minnesota winters with the support of my dear husband, Mark Anderson, an author and writing Teaching Specialist at the University of Minnesota. We have a cat named Joe Meower, after the baseball player, Joe Mauer. I graduated form Bethel University with a BA in Elementary Education. I also graduated from St. Catherine University with an AA in Occupational Therapy Assisting. I love to ski, swim, walk, bike, and canoe. And, create artwork with paint and collage. My life Motto? I aim to be a caring, competent and confident person.
Favorite Movie?
Groundhog Day
Favorite Book?
A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L’Engle
Favorite Sports?
Baseball and Track and Field. I enjoy watching the Minnesota Twins, Olympic Track and Field, and South St. Paul High School Track and Field
Favorite Music
Folk Music! Nanci Griffith, Alison Kraus + Union Station
Top travel destination on your list?
Florida, California, and Pennsylvania to see cousins and Aunts and Uncles
If you could have a superpower – which one would you choose and why?
I would be a “Wonder Twin”, having cooperative superpowers with others!
Tell us one thing about yourself that would surprise your residents?
I earned All-American honors in track and field in college.
Do you have a favorite resident memory or story? If so, please share?
Listening to a Reflections resident talk about life. She said she supposed that at some point that she “ would go back where she came from”.
Charles Kraus Schlichtmann
Bus Driver
Charles Kraus Schlichtmann
Bus Driver
A little about your job…
I Drive people to appointments, scenic drives, shopping, taking residents for walks, and visiting them.
What sparked your desire to work in a senior living community?
I enjoy helping people and making somebody smile.
How do you decide which activities and programs to offer?
Discussions with Su and the management team
What are your residents top 3 favorite activities?
Scenic drives, visiting and walking
What were your two best attended, most fun events over the past two years?
Christmas Eve, visiting during the holiday
What is your favorite activity to participate in with residents?
Singing on the bus
What sets your programming apart from the competition?
I would go to any extreme to make somebody’s day brighter.
More About Charles…
My wife and I both come from families of 8 children. We like to share and help people. We currently have 2 dogs, Laela and Tucker. They bring our family a lot of joy.
I have always lived in the area and have loved coaching kids for many years.
Favorite Movie?
Brian’s Song
Favorite Sports Team(s)?
Vikings
Top 2 favorite bands?
Eagles and Tim McGraw (Humble And Kind)
Top travel destination on your list?
Estes Park, Colorado, and Grand Canyon
If you could have a superpower – which one would you choose and why?
Be able to heal the sick
Tell us one thing about yourself that would surprise your residents?
I was good looking once.
Do you have a favorite resident memory or story? If so, please share?
Meeting Lauretta & sharing stories & beliefs
Mark Schlichtmann
Bus Driver
Mark Schlichtmann
Bus Driver
What sparked your desire to work in a senior living community?
Retired businessman looking to help community
How do you decide which activities and programs to offer?
Programs determined by director
What are your residents top 3 favorite activities?
Any scenic drive or bus activity
What were your two best attended, most fun events over the past two years?
White Bear Lake Pontoon ride
What is your favorite activity to participate in with residents?
Scenic lake or river drives
Are there programs the residents lead themselves? If so, what are they?
They sometimes know more about the scenic location than I do. Fun to have them narrate the history and nuances of the location
What sets your programming apart from the competition?
It is spontaneous. I go with the flow 🙂
More About Mark…
I have a life motto that comes from a quote by Winston Churchill. We all experience stress and anxiety in our lives, and I found this message to be so true and a way to disarm those feelings of stress and anxiety. The quote goes like this…” When I look back on all these worries, I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which never happened.” We often anticipate a much worse outcome for difficult situations and find out on the other end that we were able to manage it just fine. I am sure you all can relate.
Favorite Movie?
Legend of Bagger Vance
Favorite Book?
Memorial Day-Vince Flynn
Favorite Sports Team(s)?
Minnesota Vikings
Top 2 favorite bands?
U2 and Cold Play
Top travel destination on your list?
Siesta Key
If you could have a superpower – which one would you choose and why?
The ability to read minds and anticipate a person’s issue or need. sometimes people cannot communicate or are afraid or embarrassed to say what they want or need. If I knew I could save them the anxiety that would be my superpower.
Tell us one thing about yourself that would surprise your residents?
I wanted to be a teacher and coach growing up. I became a business professional which i do not regret, but always wondered what that other road would have been like.
Do you have a favorite resident memory or story? If so, please share?
We were on a pontoon ride one beautiful summer morning. The weather was perfect, the scenery was outstanding. We were about 1.5 hours into the 2-hour ride and one of the residents decided he needed to get up and relieve himself. There were no restrooms on the boat but that did not matter to him. He was perfectly comfortable taking care of business on the back end of the boat. I convinced him to get back into his seat and politely asked the captain to cut the ride a little short, so our resident did not have an accident. He obliged and we were able to get back to the dock and nearby restroom with no incident. A little drama to an otherwise wonderful trip for those residents.
Programs & Activities Photo Album
