Saturday, June 27, 2020

Our New Normal

Leadership For The New Normal: Are You Ready?

Oh, the joy!  We were so happy to be back with our friends at the AoA this week.  It was different, with only 1/2 of the group at a time, but it still felt wonderful!  Zooming with the guys who were at home helped keep us connected.  All in all, our "new normal" (almost) felt like old times!  Here's a peek at our week!

With only 8 associates scheduled for each day, it's easy to arrange the tables for safe social distancing, and everyone has their own table.  Once we got set up, everyone in the Tuesday/Wednesday group (T/W group) helped wiped down their own tables.


The Thursday/Friday group (Th/F group) also had plenty of room for safe distancing at their tables.  We only have 6 in this group.  Abraham and Chloe will hopefully be back soon! 


We were happy to see that our friends had not forgotten how to use their "whole hands" when using cleaning wipes!  Good job here, Drew!

 
Wearing face coverings didn't seem to bother our guys.  When they are at their tables, they may remove them.  The rule is, "If your feet are walking around, you have to cover your face."  Here, the T/W group practiced keeping a safe social distance while putting together their own supply bags.  Tracy from Parks & Rec was with us for most of the morning on Tuesday, and she helped distribute supply items.  Thanks for your help on Tuesday, Tracy!  We appreciate the extra set of hands and eyes! 


The Th/F group also practiced keeping a safe distance when they assembled their supply bags.  We're so proud of everyone!

 
We plan to continue to Zoom with our at home friends on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  On the top row in the middle of this picture, you can see the T/W group at AFCC and some of our friends from the Th/F group checking in from home!  Laura's mom, Lisa, Bette Faye, and Becky joined us, too!


Our joy in dancing came back with us!  The T/W group was dancing to "Best Day of My Life" during our Zoom with the Th/F group!  It felt strange at first to be dancing with the tables up, as we usually dance before putting them up for the day.  Just one of a number of changes for our new normal.


When we Zoomed with the T/W group on Thursday, the Th/F group was getting down to "Make Some Noise."  In both of these dancing pics, everyone was staying in their personal "dance zone," which is the area behind their individual tables.


It's great to see Patrick and Sam back in dance mode!


Time seemed to have stood still in our room.  When we got back on Tuesday, our calendar board was full of March information.


Over on this side of the room, Sam got busy removing the kites and leprechauns that we left up when we went home on March 13!


Devin can be seen in the back of this picture taking down our "Happy 4th Anniversary" banner that was up when we left!  Meanwhile, Drew and Xavier were busy coloring some new decorations that would go up soon.


By Friday, we were on the way to having a colorful, summertime theme in our room!


Choice Time remained pretty much the same, which was comforting.  Laura was checking out PBS Kids on the internet while Cameron tackled a new, and challenging, puzzle.


We also picked up where we left off with our study of the 50 states.  This week we studied California, the 31st state to enter the Union.  Here, the T/W group was watching a Homeschool POP video about the Golden State.  We learned that over 300,000 people flocked to California during the goldrush around 1849, but a few years later, many of them left with less wealth than what they had when they arrived.  😕😧


When the Th/F group watched, we also learned that the grizzly bear is the state mammal of California, and is represented on their flag.


We were happy to see that our guys were ready to get back to our "brain" work, too.  Xavier, who was wearing his mask while at his table because Lisa was nearby assisting him, worked on his California map skills page.  Look at how neatly he has his things arranged!


Alexis helped Drew with his California assignment by outlining areas for him to color on the pages for his folder.  Drew then colored inside the outlined areas.  He did a particularly good job on the flag's bear!


  Devin, Kate, and Annmarie worked on an assignment about baby sea animals.  This one wasn't really too hard, but it was fun.  The pictures were so cute!


Remember the herbs (parsley, rosemary, and thyme) that Liz and her mom planted in our pots when they went down to AFCC during quarantine to check on our garden area?  This week Liz clipped some beautiful, fresh parsley for us to use in our homemade Ranch dressing!  💚


Our cooking theme this week was a mashup of National Parchment Day and the fact that Ranch dressing was invented in California, our state of the week!  We made the most delicious homemade Ranch dressing after learning that it was first created (invented?) on a real ranch near Santa Barbara in 1954.  For Parchment Day, we wrapped  ham slices that we had on hand, pineapple, and honey-glaze (homemade, too) and baked it until heated through...it smelled, and tasted, delicious!  We learned that en papillote is a technique the French contributed to the culinary world.  It means to cook something wrapped in paper, and the result is sealed in flavor!

Drew was our honey-glaze chef on Friday!  


Before we dug in, we got a picture of our homemade Ranch dressing and hot-out-of-the-Nina parchment ham and pineapple packs!  (We had a lovely salad to accompany the Ranch!)


Here, Kacie shows our African violets that are blooming like crazy after spending quarantine at Carol's house!  We first got these from Kacie's mom last year, and we never saw this many blooms on them before.  Carol must have given them lots of attention while stuck at home for 3 months!


Liz was back in our garden area putting fresh hummingbird food in the feeder on Wednesday afternoon.  We sure hope the hummingbirds we've had for the past 3 years make a return.  We saw a lot of songbirds at our feeders this week, but so far, no hummingbirds.


We celebrated National Bomb Pop Day this week.  It was sure hot enough to enjoy a popsicle!  Kevin went with the traditional red, white, and blue Bomb Pop, while Kacie and Laura chose a fudge/banana combo.  😋😋😋


On Friday morning, the humidity was a little less oppressive than usual, so Kate suggested we get out early for a socially distanced walk, which we thought was a great idea!  Masks were optional, as everyone was able to keep safely separated.


The T/W group couldn't use the gym this week due to the floor being polished, but the Th/F group was able to get in on Friday afternoon to shoot hoops and kick balls around.  We only had 5 on Friday, since Devin was out of town, so they had plenty of room to keep a safe distance and get exercise!


That's a wrap on our first blog since reopening the AoA in our "new normal."  It was challenging getting our story told since we did the same activities with the different groups on different days.  Taking pictures began to feel like deja vu!  But we're sure you get the idea.  We had a super return to the AoA!  Here's what we'll be doing next week:

Tuesday/Thursday:  We will Zoom with friends at home each day at 10 a.m. for social time and a mini-lesson.  We'll talk about folk tales as we celebrate Paul Bunyan Day.  We'll also create the July calendar and make a summer craft.  Lunch on your own.

Wednesday/Friday:  We'll learn about the 32nd state, Minnesota, and celebrate with Bundt cake for dessert, since the Bundt pan was invented there.  We'll also have a pre-Fourth of July celebration to include hot dogs, baked beans, and Caesar Salad for lunch.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend,

Lisa, Carol, Nan, and the AoA Gang





Saturday, June 20, 2020

Heading Back...With Caution!

Welcome Back - Ocean Mental Health Services
This week we are excited to announce that the Arc of Abilities is reopening on June 23, with lots of adaptations so that everyone will be safe.  For now, we will only have 1/2 of the gang each day, meaning each associate will be back for two days each week.  Everyone will have their own table to allow for social distancing, we will do health screenings upon arrival, wash our hands frequently, and take no field trips, among other precautions.  But it's a start, and we are looking forward to it!  

This will be our last blog post featuring what our guys are up to at home during quarantine...or at least we hope it is.  The COVID-19 situation remains ever-changing and unpredictable, and we know a return to home quarantine could become necessary again in the future.  😔  So, at least for now, we'll be back to highlighting our AoA adventures beginning next week!

Meanwhile...



June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month!  The Arc of Abilities is known for an affinity for celebrating all kinds of "food" holidays, but our guys truly love their fruits and veggies.  We focused on vegetables, and "fruits" that are actually vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and more...ask a botanist!) during our Tuesday Zoom.


  After learning the difference between fruits and vegetables, we played veggie Bingo and then and asked for pictures of our guys enjoying their veggies.  Check these out!

Sam says the highlight of his Zoom sessions has been our many Bingo games!


Laura's family has a small garden, growing all kinds of "fruits."  They are about to reap some fresh and healthy goodness!  Let's hope the critters don't get them first! 


Wonder what they will make with these tomatoes?  Salads, sandwiches, pasta dishes...so many possiblities!


We learned during our lesson that flowering plants produce fruits!  Therefore, Laura will soon be enjoying zucchini fruit!  Fruits contain seeds and develop from the ovaries of flowering plants.  Not all "fruits" are sweet and juicy!


Sam's family receives a delivery of fresh fruits and veggies twice a week!  These look delicious and of course, nutritious!


Our MG friend Linda send another update about the Botanical Garden at Freedom Park.  There are veggies and fruits there, too!  She said the radishes are huge and very spicy.  These that she pulled up were as big as apples!  Linda says they are "beyond" harvesting and she will pull the rest of them up the next time she checks the garden.  However, if you go before then, and want to harvest some, just remember to slice them very thinly for your salads, because they are HOT!  🔥


The pole bean plants are climbing the trellis.  Since they grow on a flowering plant, they are technically fruit!  Linda also reports that garlic and onions can be harvested now, and spinach should be ready next week, but the lettuce is quite bitter, having grown too tall.  The zinnia seeds have sprouted, and if you find them, you will also see a big round oregano plant nearby.  Linda says to clip some and sprinkle it on salads or scrambled eggs!  Thank you, Linda, for providing these excellent updates!  We're so happy to see the garden flourishing during these trying times.


Sometimes we get vegetables from produce stands or the market, as in the case of Alexis this week.  Here, she's enjoying a plate of heart-healthy veggies with her lunch.


Kevin's mom sent this photo and said he may not look like it here, but he absolutely loves veggies.  This is him about to chow down on one of his favorites, zoodles, aka, a fun and tasty way to prepare zucchini!  😋😋😋


Some of our friends took advantage of the warm weather (before all the rain came this week) to spend time in the water.  Cameron and his dad Brian look sooo relaxed as they float around the pool!


Cameron keeps the relaxation going out of the pool, too!  Ahh, summertime!


Kate and Devin got together for some pool time fun.  They had their goggles on for some serious swimming, too!


Can't you almost feel the spray from the sprinkler as Annmarie and her niece Dani hang out together?!  That looks so refreshing!


We had some walkers this week, including Liz's dad who joined Liz and her mom for a walk down to the bridge at Freedom Park with Liz, Rose, and Annabelle.  This was Sunday and the weather was beautiful!


Liz spent some time visiting her Aunt Anne this week and got to take her aunt's dogs for a walk at a very pretty Pole Green Park in Mechanicsville.  Meet Rose's brother Hank, and their mom, Hannah!


Alexis and Lisa walked around Colonial Williamsburg last Sunday with Lexi's cousins Haley, Scott, Kelly, and John.  Duke of Gloucester Street has been repaved during the quarantine.


We had a special guest for Thursday's Zoom session.  Susan Harmon, president of James City County Rotary, and financial consultant at Merrill-Lynch, joined us to present a lesson on spending money wisely and understanding the difference between needs and wants.  We enjoyed her presentation and learned a few things, too.


But the highlight of our visit with Susan was when she presented The Arc of GW with a $5,000 donation from the James City Rotary!  Thank you, James City Rotary, for your continued support of The Arc of GW.  We appreciate you!  


Kate was in the kitchen again!  Not sure what she was cooking...could it be spaghetti?!


Kate also got to hang out with her cousins, Ashley and Katy this week.  We know she enjoyed that!


Laura has been working on a puzzle that makes a picture of the AoA gang when we went to the pumpkin patch in Surry.  Your friends are always with you, Laura!


Laura has also been practicing wearing a mask.  This is a great photo, Laura, and we are proud of you!  When we return to the center next week, we know you'll set a good example for all of us!


Sam and his dad were spotted wearing masks with their hoodies on, too.  While being safe and considerate of others, they also look, to Sam, like Ninjas...haha!  Sam loves it!



Patrick has been sporting his Arc gaiter when he's out and about.  We're proud of you, too, Patrick!  Laura and Patrick serve as good reminders to all of us to bring our face coverings next week!


And speaking of next week.... Here's what you need to know as we return to our regular programming at AFCC.  Well, make that as we return to our "new normal" at AFCC!

Our plans are to follow the same plans for both groups.  

Tuesday/Thursday:  We will focus on the procedures and guidelines we have to follow for our safe reopening.  We'll also work on updating our room by taking down March and Winter reminders and updating the calendar to June!  Lunch on your own.

Wednesday/Friday:  We will resume our study of the states with California, which was number 31!  It's Parchment Paper Day, too.  For lunch, we will use ham we have in our freezer to make honey-glazed ham and pineapple parchment packs served with a side salad and breadstick.  Ranch Dressing was invented in California, so we'll also attempt to make a homemade version for our salads!

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 10 a.m., we will Zoom just as we have for the past 3 months.  That way, we will still have time to spend all together, until we are, literally, all together! 💻

Finally, we wish all of the dads, grandpas, uncles, and caring friends who love our guys so much a very Happy Father's Day!

Lisa, Carol, Nan, and the AoA Gang

Happy Father's Day (SVG Cut file) by Creative Fabrica Crafts ...