Recent Thrills . . .

Eskaton Resident Goes on “Joyride”

Eskaton Resident Goes on “Joyride” – Eskaton Roseville Manor “thrilled” resident Bea Wexler on March 2 with the 74-year-olds first-ever bicycle ride. Wexler grew up in New York City and never had the chance to enjoy the feeling of the wind blowing in her hair on a bike. This simple, but nonetheless exhilarating opportunity was assisted by Andy Spurgeon, manager of local Roseville bicycle shop The Hub (www.norcalhub.com), who loaned the cruiser bike to make this Eskaton “Thrill of a Lifetime” come true.

Wind in His Hair

This 81-year-old resident from Eskaton Wilson Manor always dreamed of owning a 1936 Indian motorcycle with a suicide clutch. However, due to a severe work injury 40 years ago, he gave-up that dream. This Korean War veteran got two Thrills in one as he rode with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Riders Association in the 2011 West Sacramento Veterans Day Parade. Our honoree rode on the back of a three-wheel motorcycle as the crew of 16 paraded in a V-formation.

This long-awaited Thrill finally came to fruition when Eskaton Wilson Manor resident, Minoru “Mino” Ohye flew to Japan to be reunited with his only brother, Hiroshi whom he hasn’t seen in more than 60 years. This lifetime dream happened to coincide with Ohye’s 86th birthday. Thanks to another Eskaton resident, Jose Kirchner, Ohye flew executive class from San Francisco to Japan for a week-long journey to see his brother. Ohye’s chaperone took him sightseeing and helped translate during the reunion. Soon after, the news broke of this heartfelt story and it quickly spread around the world – from India to Australia to Russia. The brothers already have plans to stay in touch.

An Eskaton Wilson Manor resident’s motto is “the faster, the better.” Now 82 years old, this NASCAR fan was on the crew that helped build the famous George Hill/Bill Davis "City of Burbank" streamliner that won the 1951 Speedweek championships. His wish was to see a NASCAR race again. On June 26, he got his wish by having his son accompany him to the Toyota/SaveMart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event with two tickets (including pit passes) generously donated by Infineon Raceway. www.infineonraceway.com

Spring Time in Paris

Going to Paris was the dream of this resident from Eskaton Care Center Greenhaven. So, on April 29, staff made the community’s Candle Light Dinner theme “Spring Time in Paris.” This resident is an artist and her son brought in some of her artwork to display. Her family and resident friends joined her to celebrate with a French bistro themed meal. A violinist played French music and she had the time of her life. Oui!

River Cat Visits Biggest Fan

This Eskaton Care Center Manzanita resident is a HUGE baseball fan. And, especially of second baseman Steve Tolleson for the Sacramento River Cats. She prides herself on being able to recite all of his baseball stats. On April 12, the River Cats organization and Steve Tolleson were generous enough to make her wish of meeting her favorite player come true with a special visit to ECCM.

An Award in the Nation’s Capital

A resident at Eskaton Roseville Manor won a prestigious award through the Points of Light Institute for her honorable volunteer work. She was invited to attend the prominent awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. However, due to financial circumstances, she was not able to attend. Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, her wish of being able to attend the awards ceremony came true. On March 28, this resident flew to Washington, D.C. and rubbed elbows with celebrities, four former presidents and other award winners. Upon her return, she sent the following letter to the Thrill of a Lifetime program: "Where do I begin? How do I find the words to express my gratitude for your time and effort in making this trip (and "Thrill") to Washington D.C. happen? Nothing but good vibes and karma will come from it. Thank you with all of my heart. Eskaton is a true ‘Point of Light.’"

Touchdown!

“I can’t remember the last time, or even any time, where I had that much fun,” said the Eskaton Wilson Manor resident on his way home from an Oakland Raiders football game. The resident, who grew-up playing football, never had a chance to go to a professional football game. Throughout his life, football was the one stable thing he had. So, the day after Christmas, on December 26, his dream came true when he (along with his live-in care aide and a Wilson Manor staff member) attended an Oakland Raiders football game.

Skating Sensation

A resident at Eskaton Wilson Manor got her Thrill by roller skating again for the first time in 45 years. Staff at Eskaton Wilson Manor put on their Thrill of a Lifetime t-shirts and joined Virginia in an afternoon of skating at Sunrise Rollerland. She happily noted, "this made me feel like a kid again!"

A Taste of France

A resident at Eskaton Care Center Manzanita grew-up in France and desperately wanted to go back. We sent her for a wonderful dinner at an upscale French restaurant, plus provided her with music CDs in French and much more. She was Thrilled!

Special Guest to the World Series Champions

A 98-year-old resident at The Parkview in Pleasanton has been a baseball lover forever; her favorite player is Willie Mays. She discusses baseball every night with her grandson. We sent her in a limousine with her grandson to AT&T Park to see the champion San Francisco Giants on September 30.

The Opera Once More

The first resident to move into Eskaton Village Placerville got her Thrill. She lived in the Bay Area for many years and used to have season tickets to the San Francisco Opera. She wants nothing more than to go again with her new close friend (who is also a resident at Eskaton Village Placerville). They were whisked away to San Francisco and enjoyed a showing of Madame Butterfly on November 21.

Dinner with a "Handsome Man"

All that a resident at Eskaton Care Center Greenhaven wanted was to have a nice steak dinner with a "handsome man." Her Thrill came true on November 2, when a Lincoln Towncar took her and a very handsome therapist at ECCG to Scott’s Seafood on the River. They were treated to a very special dinner courtesy of Scott’s Seafood.

An Adventure on the River

A resident at Eskaton Wilson Manor wished to go whitewater rafting again. Due to an accident many years ago, she was unable to continue her adventures. On September 19, this resident completed her wish. Her whitewater rafting trip was generously donated by O.A.R.S., an outdoor adventure company located in Angels Camp, CA. For more information about O.A.R.S., contact them at (800) 346-6277 or www.oars.com

Ladies' Spa Day

An Eskaton Wilson Manor resident wanted nothing else than to be pampered (and to include her caregiver too). The Paul Mitchell School at MTI College donated the time of four of their amazing future professional students and one instructor. These students arrived on September 14, ready to perform manicures, pedicures and hair styling for the Thrill honoree and her caregiver. To learn more about the Paul Mitchell School, visit them online at http://www.mticollege.edu/cosmetology.html.

Now pitching …

Doris Dobbs, 89-1/2, tossed the ceremonial first pitch at the Sacramento River Cats game on September 1. It was the “Thrill of a Lifetime” for the life-long baseball fan, who along with more than a dozen fellow residents and staff of Eskaton Lodge Granite Bay, was treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of Raley Field and VIP seats with full refreshments.

"Take Me Out to the Ball Game"

Eskaton Care Center Greenhaven’s resident was a Sacramento River Cats season ticket holder for many years, but had to give them up three years ago when she started needing a wheelchair to get around. Pacific Coast Building Products is donating their suite at the River Cats to allow this resident and her family to attend a game on August 29, 2010.

Limo Ride to The City

On August 8, Lois Roberts from Eskaton Wilson Manor in West Sacramento got two “thrills” in one day - she took her first-ever limousine ride and fulfilled her lifetime wish of going to San Francisco. The full-day excursion, which began with a send-off party by staff and fellow residents, was highlighted by a visit to Pier 39’s aquarium at Fisherman’s Wharf and a special lunch at the Rainforest Cafe. Wilson Manor administrator Debbie Reynolds and office manager Tabitha Ward accompanied Roberts and photographed the Thrill. Lois Roberts served in the U.S. Army and was a traveling nurse for many years, but never had the opportunity to visit San Francisco. Debbie and Tabitha called around to local businesses to help them fulfill Lois’ wishes. Pier 39 donated a
Fun Pack and the Sacramento Limousine Club discounted their ride to contribute to the Thrill’s success. >>View video

A Special Delivery

“Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are the sunshine, food and medicine to the soul,” said botany pioneer Luther Burbank. So, when Bill Hunt and Kathy Smith, staff members at Eskaton Care Center Manzanita, discovered that resident Dorothy Palmer had never received the bouquet of flowers she always wished for, they turned to Eskaton’s “Thrill of a Lifetime” program to make it happen. Palmer was presented with an extraordinary bouquet of flowers by Eskaton President and CEO, Todd Murch on April 9. “I never dreamed of anything like this,” said Palmer.

Cookies Anyone?

Harriet Antonides grew up in rural Michigan – too far from town to join a Girl Scout Troop. “I heard about all the great times they had,” said Antonides, a resident of Eskaton Village Roseville. “And I just loved going camping. It made me so jealous!” Lisa McCurdy, Eskaton Roseville’s director of resident services got wind of Antonides’ desire and nominated her for “Thrill of a Lifetime.” On April 10, 2010, just five days after her 100th birthday, Antonides was invested as a Girl Scout by members of the Girl Scouts Heart of Central California Council.

Antonides had a stage view of the vintage fashion show, showing 100 years of Girl Scout uniforms, and investiture ceremony presented by the Scouts that included two of her great-granddaughters. A crowd of 75 people, including numerous news crews and journalists watchedHarriet was presented with her sash and pin. Her sash was inscribed with Troop #1912, the year the Girl Scouts were founded.