Booze and Tattoos Leads to Lots of Laughs at United Helpers in Canton

CANTON – The laughter and cheering could be heard as soon as one walked into United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care on Friday afternoon. The cause for celebration though wasn’t an overly competitive game of bingo or even a concert featuring hits from Elvis or Johnny Cash, rather it was a special event called ‘Booze and Tattoos.’

Activities Director Dawn Kimble said she wasn’t sure what to expect when approached with the idea, but it didn’t take her long to realize this wouldn’t be the last time they hosted such an event.

“It’s certainly different from what we normally do,” she said. “As we were setting up residents were coming out of their rooms and we actually had a line of people waiting for tattoos at 1:30.” The event was slated to begin at 2 p.m. 

As one could expect, the tattoos weren’t real, but for the residents in attendance that didn’t matter. Beverages served included NA beer, sparkling grape juice, and wine.

“Sometimes we’re lucky if we have 10 people come out of their rooms for an event, but today, I think we had pretty close to 30 people here,” Ms. Kimble said. “We use music all the time to help bring people back to the good ole days, but I think the opportunity to enjoy a drink with their friends and maybe get a tattoo really resonated with them. I have no doubt that at least a few of them were transported back in time to a Friday night at their favorite watering hole.”

The idea for ‘Booze & Tattoos’ came from United Helpers Board of Trustees Member Marti MacArthur, who saw a posting on Facebook that had gone viral from when a senior care facility in Florida had hosted a similar event.

In an email sent to United Helpers CEO Todd Amo, she wrote, “Would we be allowed to do this anywhere? It looks like they had so much fun.”

Mr. Amo then forwarded the email to Ms. Kimble, who placed an order for temporary tattoos and began planning for the unorthodox festivities.

Flowers, butterflies, turtles, hearts, dragonflies, and more were among the tattoos available, and while most residents chose to have tattoos placed on their hands or arms, one resident had a tattoo of a butterfly placed on the small of her back, and another had a firefighter’s helmet placed atop his head. 

“While events like this may not be for everyone,” Ms. Kimble said, “People don’t want to stop living their best life just because Father Time may have forced them to slow down a little bit.”

Ms. Kimble said there were more than enough tattoos left over to host a similar event again in the future. “There’s little doubt in my mind we’ll do this again,” she said.

Wishbook Funds Bring Bowling to RiverLedge

Audrey McGrath was among the first to try our the EZ Bowler.

OGDENSBURG – Thanks to a donation from the United Helpers RiverLedge Campus’ Wishbook residents will be able to enjoy the sport of bowling without even leaving their home.

Funds from the Wishbook were used to purchase an “EZ Bowler” bowling ramp. Audrey McGrath was among the first residents to check out their new toy.

“I always loved to bowl,” she said. “This ramp will help make bowling fun again. I can’t wait for the days we have bowling as an activity.”

The EZ Bowler is a ramp designed to make bowling easy for people with disabilities or those in wheelchairs. The ramp is easily movable so it can be lined up with the pins. Bowlers then place the ball atop the ramp and let it fly.

Each building has its own Wishbook account which is used to purchase items that enhance the quality of life for residents. The United Helpers Wish Book program raises funds and helps to offer friends, visitors and family members the opportunity to enhance the lives of residents by helping to grant a wish.

For further information on how you can donate to the Wishbook program or inquire on purchasing a Wishbook item in honor or in memory of someone, please contact the Society of the United Helpers at 393-3074 ext. 4230.

Milligan Neighborhood Wins RiverLedge Holiday Decorating Contest

OGDENSBURG – To help create a festive environment for the people living at United Helpers RiverLedge Campus a holiday decorating contest was held with the staff in each neighborhood decorating their part of the building. Each neighborhood’s effort was judged and the Milligan Neighborhood was declared victorious. From left, showing off their decorating chops are staff members, Amy Deloney, Lori Hilborne, Amber Evans, Brook Duprey, Helen Paquette, Cody Porter and Adrienne Danenberger. 

Maplewood Residents Enjoying Summer Activities

CANTON - Residents of United Helpers' Maplewood Campus have been enjoying a busy couple of weeks as summer begins to wind down.

Last week a group of more than 30 residents, volunteers and staff made the trip to Clayton for a dinner cruise on the St. Lawrence River. This trip was funded through the EQUAL funding grant secured by Maplewood's ALP. In addition to dinner on board the ship, entertainment was also provided. 

This week, the residents enjoyed a special visit from Cubby T. and Cuddles the Clown.

The clowns put on a show for the residents, as well as children from the Canton Day Care Center. 

In addition to an hour of laughs, the children and residents were each presented with balloon, sword, hat, flower, bracelet or animal.

To view additional photos from each of these events, visit their respective albums on Facebook using the links below.

Cruise & Clowns

Maplewood Residents Enjoy Picnic With Day Care Children

Maplewood residents participated in a picnic lunch on Thursday with children from the Canton Day Care Center.
The residents and children enjoyed hot dogs, chips and pasta salads, while also sharing in laughter and conversation.
To view an album of photos from the picnic click here.

U.H. Residents Enjoy Day of Fishing on the St. Lawrence

OGDENSBURG - Resdients of Maplewood and RiverLedge came together Monday for a fishing trip along the shores of the St. Lawrence River.

Roughly one dozen residents participated in the fishing adventure, casting their lines into the river from the city docks.

Following a morning of fishing, they were then  treated to a picnic lunch inside the city's visitor's center, which also overlooks the river.

An album of photos from the trip can be seen at the link below.

fishing pics

Society of the United Helpers pays tribute to Shirley Wells

CANTON – A former resident of United Helpers Maplewood campus was remembered on Friday at an event that friends said was a fitting tribute to the woman they knew.

The first annual Shirley Wells Memorial Concert was held at Maplewood, as residents were joined for the concert by Society Board Members, United Helpers Administrators and even members of Ms. Wells’ family.

“We’re having a concert today to celebrate Shirley Wells,” said United Helpers Development Director Lori Smithers. “She was involved with many things in the community and had a longtime, deep love of music.”

Board member Marti MacArthur was a close friend of Ms. Wells and spoke prior to the beginning of the day’s performance.

“Shirley was always interested in music and sang in a choir of some sort her whole life from early on until a few months before she died, when she was still singing in the Presbyterian Church choir,” she said. “Playing piano all her life, she played for several organizations, including the high rise building in Canton, church services at United Helpers and for the Order of the Eastern Stars, of which she was a member.”

Ms. MacArthur said though, Ms. Wells most enjoyed playing for children and specifically her students at Banford Elementary in Canton.

“Shirley probably liked playing most for her kindergarten classes, when she was a teacher, as she played songs for them all day, many of which she made up herself.”

Ms. Well’s love of music occasionally took her out of the north country, but Ms. MacArthur said she always returned home to Canton and the home which she built with her husband John and bequeathed to the Society of the United Helpers upon her passing.

“Shirley grew up going to many big shows in New York City, but always supported all of the concerts and musicals in the area,” she said. “Music was a very big part of Shirley’s life and this is a wonderful way to celebrate her life.”

Performing at the first annual event was the Noteworthy Handbell Choir, who played a variety of sacred and secular music including a unique version of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven" that can be heard by viewing the video below.

Seaway Cruisers Host Car Show for RiverLedge Residents

Members of the Seaway Cruisers Class Car Club showed off their rides for residents of United Helpers RiverLedge Campus Thursday evening in conjunction with RiverLedge's 50/60s day.

Entertainment for the evening was provided by Karaoke Sue. Residents and employees from several other United Helpers campuses also attended the event.

Hotdogs, hamburgers and snow cones were served to both residents and guests.

To view more photos from this event, click on the link below.
Car Show Pics

United Helpers Employee Picnic & Family Fun Day!

Making Our Own Sunshine - With below zero temps warding off any sign of spring, residents and staff at United Helpers' RiverLedge Campus decided to make their own sunshine and flower garden.