Milton Times - Fuller Village Residents Add Flair to Their Annual Craft Fair
Ready for the Fuller Village Craft Fair are (from left) Nancy Kearns, Irene Brannelly, Marty Allen and Peg Riley. (Photo by Elaine Cushman Carroll)
The bridge group donated a dinner out, the poker players gave a gift card for a pub, and a whole host of artists and crafters like Irene Brannelly have handmade items, including the ever-popular chicken sweaters.
The Fuller Village annual craft fair has something for just about anyone from just about everyone at the senior living community and beyond, according to its organizing committee.
For the organizers, it’s a bit of work, a good dose of fun, and a great chance to make connections while working toward a common goal.
Milton Times - Fuller Eyes a Solar Future
From left, Kathy Doyle, CEO and founder of FireFlower Alternative Energy, Fuller Village Executive Director Deborah Felton, and Mark Bornheim, Fuller Village maintenance director.
Fifty years ago, Neil Armstrong stunned people by stepping on the surface of the moon 238,900 miles away. The 21st century has seen the sun stun people with its ability to transform traditional power via solar strength although it is 92.96 million miles from earth.
Milton’s Fuller Village leaders have done exhaustive research into solar power benefits and given the green light for a large and motivating project to commence in the near future.
Mark Bornheim, the maintenance director of Fuller Village, is keenly aware of the effectiveness of power produced by solar panels.
“It’s a wise decision because it’s a renewable energy resource in this day and age, especially if you have the ability and capability to do it, which we have,” he says. “It’s a way to hedge against higher energy costs so the administration made a wise investment for the future.”
FireFlower Alternative Energy was selected by Fuller Village officials to prepare and complete the project.
Fuller Village Residents Reach New Heights Climbing Mount Washington
Taking Fuller Village’s theme, “Live a Fuller Life,” to new heights was done literally by four of the community’s residents who spent two days climbing to the top of Mount Washington, the highest point on the East coast.
In 2023, Nancy Wilbur, Mary Ann Millsap, Jane Cotter, Barbara Cocci, Irene Brannelly and Nancy Wilbur trained by hiking over 40 miles of trails, spending approximately 200 collective hours in Fuller Village’s fitness center during which time they probably completed about 3,742 squats. As Mary Ann noted, “with proper training and support, we elders can do most anything, even climb a mountain!.”
As members of the Fuller Village Adventure Club, formed by Jen DeLeonardis, the community’s Fitness Director, these women, along with Jen and her partner, Professor Robert Rennan hiked five miles during the two-day climb which included a 3,250 -foot gain in elevation and an overnight stay in bunk beds at the Lake of the Clouds hut before reaching the 6,288’ summit on August 4, 2023.
Each person carried their own clothing, equipment, water and snacks in their backpacks. As Jen noted, a challenge like this requires both mental and physical preparation. Maintaining and building on a solid fitness base is critical including cardiovascular, strength and endurance training. But an individual’s determination and desire are most important, noted Jen.
Barbara said, “I remain astounded by the teamwork and spirit exhibited 24/7 by our group. I have played on many teams but never have I experienced such camaraderie, generosity, and kindness over and over.”
Stopping for a group photo on day one of the climb were (left to right): Nancy Wilbur, Mary Ann Millsap, Jane Cotter, Barbara Cocci, Jen DeLeonardis and Irene Brannelly.
Although Nancy was unable to make the complete two-day climb for personal reasons, she had trained with her fellow climbers for months so after climbing two miles on the first day, she took the cog railway to the top on the second day to celebrate her fellow hikers’ achievement.
Although the weather on the second day’s climb as they approached the summit included dense fog, precipitation, windchills around 30 degrees a single clap of thunder, the overall experience and sense of accomplishment was, in a word, “fabulous,” Jen said.
Jen and her partner Robert are no strangers to mountain climbing. They have successfully climbed the top 100 peaks in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, many of which were finished during the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic. “During that time, many people were forced to shelter in place, but I was fortunate to be able to ‘shelter in nature,’” Jen remarked.
Jen and Robert’s experience and guidance were appreciated by all the hikers. “We had a wonderful coach and assistant coach. Jen always believed we could do it even when we may have doubted it and Robert was always ready to offer a hand up, explain and teach. It was an honor to share this once in a lifetime experience with such kind, supportive and patient people,” commented Jane.
Celebrating reaching the Mount Washington summit were (left to right): Robert Rennan, Barbara Cocci, Mary Ann Millsap, Jane Cotter, Irene Brannelly and Fuller Village Fitness Director Jen DeLeonardis.
Irene echoed Jane’s feelings about the experience. “Did I ever think that I would be climbing Mount Washington? Definitely not! Will we ever sleep in a hut with ninety people, no electricity, no hot water or climb the second half of the mountain in the rain, fog, and fierce wind? Probably not. However, there is one thing I can say, we have all formed a bond that will last a lifetime and we will never forget this phenomenal adventure.
Nancy Wilbur, who participated in all the training and did the first day of the climb, noted, “I was totally delighted to join my fellow hikers and walk the trail with them the first day. I got to be with the group and really participate. I also did the hike that was right for me.” She then joined the group at the summit on the second day taking the cog railway to the top. A ride that all the hikers thoroughly enjoyed on the trip down.
What’s next for the Fuller Village Adventure Club’s 10 members? While no plans have yet been set for Summer of 2024, the Fuller Village hikers are eagerly anticipating a new challenge to strive towards in the coming months.
Pandemic Pushes Hiker to New Peaks
By Elaine Cushman Carroll Milton Times staff
Milton resident Jennifer DeLeonardis knew she’d turned a corner when she printed out the official list of the New England 67 as COVID-19 was settling in.
While she has never been a list keeper, she admits she enjoyed checking off each of the 67 mountain peaks in New England that are over 4,000 feet tall that she had already climbed.
Then she set her sights on the remaining ones.
This fall, DeLeonardis said she has just one more to go: Mount Mansfield in Vermont.
She explained when she realized she had turned a corner.
“I’ve never been a list keeper but all of a sudden I’m looking at the list,” she said.
DeLeonardis is planning a trip with her life partner Robert Reenan in October to achieve the goal.
“It was a great way to spend COVID,” DeLeonardis said in a recent interview in a courtyard at Fuller Village where she works as director of aquatics and fitness.
DeLeonardis, who was once an owner of the former West Newton restaurant, Lumiere, said she did her first hikes when her son was four years old and she had a sense that it would be good for him as a person to connect with the outdoors.
That was 14 years ago and Christopher is now a senior at Milton High School.
They enjoyed the “gorgeous but small mountains”
See DeLEONARDIS Page 10
Milton resident Jennifer DeLeonardis
DeLEONARDIS from Page 1
of Acadia National Park.
Christopher now sets too brisk a pace to hike with her, but they still sometimes tackle a mountain at the same time.
In 2015, DeLeonardis got a little more serious with a group of friends who took on a section of nine peaks in the Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire.
Despite being gung-ho about the experience, life, jobs, and everyday things sidelined the best of plans.
During the COVID-19 restrictions, mountains were open, DeLeonardis said, adding that Reenan was also an inspiration.
“He keeps saying you could have done it without me,” she said, shaking her head no.
According to DeLeonardis, it was the natural beauty of the mountains that initially drew her in. She said what takes her breath away are vistas where contrasts exist, such as where a mountain peak meets a body of water or a valley of fir trees.
“When you see that contrast, you’re kind of blown away,”DeLeonardis said.
She loves the whole experience of hiking. including the times when you have to challenge your mind and your body just to take that next step.
“It’s frequently peaceful. It’s a way to remove yourself from the hustle and bustle. You know you’re not going to be able to answer your cell phone,” DeLeonardis said. She also likes the sense of community of hikers, although the recent increased usage of the trails has led to dirtier trails.
DeLeonardis said the pandemic also helped her get more active about sharing her passion with the residents of Fuller Village, an over 62 community.
She went to Fuller after she left the restaurant and had become a personal trainer.
DeLeonardis said she lucked into the job after agreeing to fill in for a person who went out on maternity leave a little over five years ago. The person didn’t return, and she was given the job permanently.
DeLeonardis said that in her job, she is often asked to recommend an exercise for someone.
“I tell them that the best exercise is the one you’re going to keep doing because you love it. That’s usually the best for you,” she said.
When a resident asks why he or she is not losing weight despite working out, DeLeonardis, who said she loves to eat cookies on the trail, said the truth is that it’s difficult “to out-exercise your fork.”
DeLeonardis said that during the pandemic, she was able to offer more outdoor experiences for Fuller Village residents including snowshoeing and hiking nearby at the Blue Hills.
“It was nice to transfer something I love to the residents,” she said. “It’s not for everybody.”
DeLeonardis said winter hiking is becoming her favorite since it bypasses two things she doesn’t enjoy: bugs and hot weather.
“The scenery is so different. It’s stunning,” she said.
DeLeonardis is drawn in by sights like frozen fog and sun shining on snow-covered trees as well as by the deep silence.
She said Mount Jefferson is one of her favorites in the winter, particularly an area that is like an open saddle in the mountain, where “it felt like you were crossing the moon.”
“Talk about quiet. It’s remarkably quiet,” she said.
DeLeonardis believes that while hiking, it is particularly important to find a pace that you can sustain and abide by the rule of hiking that the slowest person with you sets the pace.
She is currently hiking with a friend who is 71 and wants to hike the New Hampshire 48 again as a person over the age of 70 despite having knee and back problems.
DeLeonardis recommends that people who have never hiked before simply get a pair of good, sturdy shoes and “just go out and start walking. The more you do it, the better you’re going to get at it.”
“We’re lucky here that we have the Blue Hills,” she continued, adding that there are checklists of smart hiking protocols that people should follow for basic safety.
Those include always going with someone in case something should happen and bringing water, sunscreen, and bug spray.
She said winter hiking requires more planning and a day pack with supplies, a compass, a map, food, multiple layers of clothing, snow shoes, crampons, an ice axe, insulated hiking boots, and wool socks.
DeLeonardis said she found out first hand that hiking in snow can also result in a sunburn on the roof of your mouth so a neck gaiter is a must.
“Don’t rely on your phone for anything,” she said. “You really have to track the weather and be smart about your decisions.”
She recalled that she and Reenan, whose most recent goal is to climb the Northeast 111, which includes New York peaks, in the winter, had to turn around three times at the trailhead to a mountain on his list because of the weather.
“It would have been at some significant level of risk,” DeLeonardis said. “The mountains are not going anywhere.”
She said her favorite hiking quote is “Getting to the top is optional. Getting down is mandatory.”
DeLeonardis said she has no interest in heading to a mountain like Everest and maybe some higher peaks in Colorado.
“I plan to go back to the ones here that I fell in love with,” she said, adding, though, that she has no plans to print out the list again.
Jennifer DeLeonardis at the summit of Mount Lafayette in New Hampshire, one of the 66 mountain peaks she has climbed in New England. (Photo submitted by DeLeonardis)
Fuller Village selects Best of Care Inc. as preferred home care provider
Milton and Quincy, Mass., December 27, 2017 – Family-owned home care agency Best of Care Inc. has been selected by independent senior living community Fuller Village as its preferred provider of private-pay home care services to Fuller Village residents. The agency began providing services at Fuller Village on December 18, 2017.
Fuller Village chose Best of Care because it offered a high level of quality service that its residents expect, according to Fuller Village Executive Director Deborah Felton. Best of Care’s onsite home care aides allow Fuller Village residents to add personalized assistance services as they wish, paying only for what they need, when they need it.
“We wanted to partner with an agency that would be responsive to residents’ diverse in-home care needs and in tune with our community’s values,” said Felton. “Best of Care came highly recommended; we’ve been impressed with their approach and philosophy.“
“We are excited to expand our private pay business into the Fuller Village community,” said Best of Care President and COO Kevin Smith. “There are many things that connect us: We are both local, independent, non-franchise organizations. Our personalized approach can support residents of the community at any stage in their continuum of care - whether it is arranging service upon hospital discharge, delivering 24/7 care or simply providing an hour of housekeeping.
“Best of Care is an on-site resource not only for residents of the Fuller Village community, but also their family members,” Smith added. “Beyond home care service delivery, we also plan to present an interesting series of programming including blood pressure clinics, wellness prevention initiatives and family caregiver support groups.”
About Best of Care
Best of Care is a family-owned and operated home care agency headquartered in Quincy, Mass. that has delivered home care services to Massachusetts communities since 1981. Best of Care provides an extensive array of home care services to over 100 towns and cities throughout Greater Boston, the South Shore, the South Coast, Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard – with offices in Quincy, Raynham, New Bedford, and South Dennis. Services include personal care, homemakers and companions, hospice care, nursing care management and specialty services as they relate to dementia, psychiatric and acquired brain injury care. Best of Care Inc. was named a 2014 Family Business of the Year finalist by the Family Business Association of Massachusetts. President and Chief Operating Officer Kevin Smith serves as Vice President, Executive Committee Member, Board Member and Technology Committee Chair of the Home Care Aide Council of Massachusetts. Visit www.bestofcareinc.com, follow on Twitter @bestofcare and Facebook www.facebook.com/bestofcare