Senior Living Blog

Shelton, CT (Wednesday, March 9, 2016) – Wesley Village Chef, Hector Velez, was recently recognized for excellence in the 2016 Chef Challenge at the Connecticut Assisted Living Association’s (CALA) 21st Annual Conference and Trade Show. Velez, Chef Manager at Crosby Commons Independent and Assisted Living Community at Wesley Village, won first place for his entrée, “Mofungo with Shrimp,” in the seafood category of the challenge. The annual competition, which featured several of the best chefs in senior living in all of Connecticut, is designed to showcase creativity using a variety of food products. Contestants are judged by a panel of professional chefs on several scoring elements including: organization, sanitation, creativity, culinary technique, portion size, taste, presentation, nutritional balance, utilization of ingredients, and use of allotted time. All competitors received 60 minutes to fabricate, prepare, and cook their dish, with an additional 15 minutes allocated for dish-up and judging. Winners in each category (Beef, Poultry, Seafood) were awarded the “Chopped Award”. The event was held on Thursday, March 3 rd at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Conference Center in Cromwell, CT. Congratulations to Chef Velez and the Crosby Commons community on this fine award! Crosby Commons is located on the Wesley Village Campus and offers award-winning independent and assisted senior living options, along with access to a broad continuum of care. The campus is located at 580 Long Hill Avenue in Shelton and is owned and operated by United Methodist Homes, a local mission-based, not-for- profit organization. To learn more about senior living options at Crosby Commons or Wesley Village, visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org or contact Lisa Bisson at 203.225.5024. Photo Caption: Chef Manager Hector Velez (center) shows off his award-winning entrée at the CALA 2016 Chef Challenge. Pictured with Crosby Commons Executive Director, Lori Pisani (left) and Chef Supervisor, Richard Scaife (right)

Shelton, CT (Wednesday, March 9, 2016) - Residents of Crosby Commons Independent and Assisted Living Community in Shelton brought their energy and enthusiasm to the Mohegan Sun Arena on Saturday, March 5 th for the American Athletic Conference Quarterfinals.

(Farmington, CT – February 23, 2016) - Middlewoods of Farmington resident and longtime coach, Joe Beidler was pleasantly surprised to learn one day that an old acquaintance of his would be moving in to the community he now calls home. Beidler, a graduate of Trinity College and Columbia University, coached football and baseball at several schools throughout his career including Trinity College (Hartford, CT), Whitman College, (Walla Walla, WA), Weaver High School (Hartford, CT), and Conard High School (West Hartford, CT) before his retirement in 1983. “I heard Bob McKee was moving to Middlewoods,” Beidler shared. “He and I coached several teams at Conard High School for a long time. I knew we would have a lot of catching up to do.”

Newington/Farmington, CT (Thursday, February 25, 2016) - Residents from Middlewoods Independent and Assisted Living Communities in Farmington and Newington have been on strike – working their way through an exciting season in the Connecticut Senior Wii Bowling League. The “Woodchucks,” as they are called, began the season in September and will bowl until April, with an end-of-season tournament coming up in May at the Bristol Senior Center. The team includes 10 bowlers; 4 from Middlewoods of Farmington and 6 from Middlewoods of Newington. The Woodchucks are the only team in the league to represent a senior living community (well, two senior living communities, actually). All other opponents in the league are from local senior centers.

Shelton, CT (January 25, 2016) – Residents, family members, and staff are celebrating the first anniversary of Wesley Village’s newest addition to their Shelton senior living campus: Lifestyle Transitions at Wesley Heights. Located in the newly renovated Northwest Wing of the campus’s Wesley Heights community, Lifestyle Transitions provides specialized assisted living and memory support options for aging adults. The community celebrated the first anniversary milestone with a family brunch, special activities and other caregiver events throughout the month.

(Farmington, CT – December 10th) - Christmas bells are ringing at Middlewoods of Farmington Independent and Assisted Living Community as members of the “Belles and Beaus” bell choir practice for their annual holiday tour! The group, which gathers throughout the year for the hand bell program, takes to the road during the holiday season to perform for local residents. After a performance at the Middlewoods of Farmington annual holiday family gathering last weekend, the “Belles and Beaus” put on a lively show at Arden Courts of Farmington on Wednesday, December 9th. In between songs, the group offered witty remarks and a bit of entertainment, along with encouragement to the audience to sing along. Many thanks to Arden Courts for the warm welcome and holiday goodies!