Activities @ The Ridge

Therapy Animal Update

2009-02-10T09:37:00.000-08:00

Many of you know I am a BIG proponent of Animal Assisted Activities and Animal Assisted Therapy. I am so pleased that our own Mandel Manor has taken on the responsibility of their own dog. Princess is a beautiful addition to the Mandel Family. We also have our therapeutic horseback riding program, where the residents get to ride, pet and love our three therapy horses, Thor, Sunday and Cheif. In March, Rocky, Pistol and Maddie will be back at the riding program. Barney, the certified therapy Golden Retriever, visits Garrison home, while Seymour the Labrador mix visits our on campus homes. I am very hopeful that we will have one more therapy dog, named Sasha, joining the team in the next month or so. She will visit the off campus homes. Dogs and Horses rule!

February activities

2009-01-26T09:08:00.000-08:00

February will be a fun month at the Ridge. Not only will we participate in valentines activities at Party Pardners and Crossroads church, but we will be having our own valentines activities right here. In addition, we continue our monthly activities, including TRAP rhythm sessions, horseback riding, fitness groups, game nights, birthday celebrations...there is always something to do!
See everyone at the parties!

Walk for Kids

2009-01-13T08:41:00.000-08:00

As members of the 100 Mile Club, Peppermint Ridge will be participating in the Walk for Kids on March 14th 2009 from 8Am to1:30 PM at Chavez Elementary School in Corona. All chapters will receive 10% of their pledges back to offset costs next year! Brochures for the walk are available at the Ridge, or by contacting me at ckeehan@peppermintridge.org

See ya at the walk!

Rejoicers

2009-01-05T11:10:00.000-08:00

The Rejoicers choir is made up of residents that love music. We sing at churches throughout the area. This year, we have been invited to participate in the First Congregational Church of Santa Ana 120th anniversary celebration. The celebration takes place on Sunday, January 18th in Santa Ana. We will have a practice before the event on Thursday, January 8th at 6:15 PM in Angel Hall. All residents are welcomed and encouraged to join the Rejoicers!

Happy New Year!

2008-12-29T10:02:00.000-08:00

We are preparing for our annual New Years Eve celebration! It should be tons of fun, with dancing, drinks and food, and of course the midnight countdown (well, we will countdown at 7PM...it will be midnight in Santiago, Chile!)

Let's hope that 2009 is prosperous for us all!

Rhythm sessions at the Ridge

2008-12-22T11:04:00.000-08:00

Back in November, we were fortunate to have Eddie Tuduri, founder of the Rhythmic Arts Project, here at the Ridge to train us. Since then, we have been holding our own rhythm sessions. We are having so much fun with this, while at the same time developing and improving our counting skills, rhythm, proprioception, balance...and so much more. I am so pleased we have this dynamic program at the Ridge!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-17T09:18:00.000-08:00

Hard to believe that it is almost Christmas! What a year we have had at the Ridge. Our residents have enjoyed our clubs, including the horseback riding team, the fitness group, the 100 mile club, the Rhythmic Arts Project, Boy Scouts, Peppermint Queens, Groups with the fabulous Tom T, etc, etc.

As the New Year approaches, the Ridge looks forward to meeting our new Executive Director. We have been so blessed to have Jean P back at the helm, once again. I am looking forward to a happy, healthy, prosperous new year!

The Rhythmic Arts Project

2008-09-23T11:01:00.000-07:00

Peppermint Ridge will be starting a new program called "The Rhythmic Arts Projects" (or, TRAP) in the fall. Thanks to Steve's brother James for giving me the information about it. TRAP is "The Rhythmic Arts Project (TRAP) is an educational program for people with disabilities. Employing drums and percussion, the program teaches and enhances basic life skills such as: maintaining focus, using memory, taking turns, developing leadership, using numbers, using prepositional concepts, following instructions, and modeling. Issues of spatial awareness, fine and gross motor skills, and speech are also addressed. Teaching occurs in an environment that is fun and not threatening so participants develop improved confidence and a more positive self-image." (from the TRAP website)

Eddie Tuduri, the TRAP founder, will be here on November 1st to train us. This is so exciting and I can't wait to begin! Visit TRAP at www.traponline.com

September 2008

2008-09-03T10:06:00.000-07:00

The year seems to be flying by.

I am so pleased to announce that Peppermint Ridge has joined the 100 mile club! Check out this fabulous club at www.100mileclub.com

Each client that is enrolled earns miles for every 20 minutes of physical exercise that they complete. After just 25 miles, they earn a tee shirt with the 100 mile club logo. This club is more than a physical fitness club; it joins the ridge more completely with the community. It emphasizes the life skills needed for success in all endeavors. It is WAY fun!

Roger residence is already well on its way to earning their tee shirts. Congratulations to them! Our first award ceremony will be held on Saturday, September 20th at 10 AM in Angel Hall.

Been a While

2008-06-19T10:50:00.000-07:00

Wow! I have been neglecting my blogging duties! We have been just so busy!

The Ridgers are getting ready for Pilgrim Pines Camp, which is a highlight of the summer. The buses leave on Sunday, June 29th!

Plans for the summer include a metrolink trip to San Clemente, a barbecue and baseball game at the Lake Elsinore Storm, and a pool party with the Peppermint Queens and Boy Scouts.

We have added Aqua Aerobics to our summer fitness schedule, a great addition!

Looks like we will be starting the Rhythmic Arts Project here at the Ridge. I am very excited about this dynamic, fun music therapy program.

I am looking forward to a fun, long, hot summer!

April already?

2008-04-09T08:29:00.000-07:00

Wow! Time is just flying by!

In the Activities department, we are already gearing up for Summer. The Equestrian team has its' first horse show of the year, at the LA Equestrian center, coming up in less than two weeks. A large number of residents will be heading to camp at Pilgrim Pines, in the beautiful Oak Glen area, at the end of June. Of course, we can't wait to see what the friends and family group has in store for us at the annual Fourth of July celebration. '
The Rejoicers singing group had their yearly Palm Sunday trip to San Diego, to perform for the congregation of Mission Hills UCC. The group will be headed to San Bernadino for another performance this week, followed by a performance at the Ridge Annual Celebration, and a performance in May at Common Ground.
Last week, many of the residents went to Crossroads Church for the first Day camp, entitled "Cowboy Up for Jesus". What a great day! Residents were treated to three meals, arts and crafts, games, bible stories, dancing and music, and a ride on a horse drawn carriage! I hope that Crossroads Church will make this an annual event.
The Peppermint Queens Ladies club and the Ridge Boy Scouts troop are preparing for the Spring Awards Ceremony and Court of honor, to be held this month.
Happy Spring everybody!

We just keep getting busier!

2008-01-31T15:37:00.000-08:00

The Activities Department just keeps getting busier! In addition to horseback riding, Monday Night Fitness, Peppermint Queens and Boy Scouts, Saturday Afternoon Sports have been added to the February calendar! We will be playing adapted versions of volleyball, baseball, basketball and bocce ball. Of course, all of our regular activities continue, including bingo, chapel, arts & crafts, our monthly birthday celebrations, etc!

In the next few months, I hope to add even more variety to the program with some new and innovative programs! Stay tuned….

As always, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding the Activities program. I can be reached at (951) 833-1241.

PS...I've already broken my New Year's Resolution! In February, I resolve to post every week!

Our awesome volunteers

2008-01-17T17:10:00.000-08:00

Last Tuesday, a local scientist from the community, Natalie, came to the Ridge to teach us her hobby, origami. The residents and I had a great time, as did Natalie. Even my daughter had a good time! This will probably be a regular activity for us now.

It made me think of all the wonderful people who volunteer their time with the Ridge activities department. Beverly and her dog Barney have been visiting for years, and Sandy and her dog Emma just started visiting us. Jennifer from Crossroads Church has been conducting our chapel on Sundays, along with everything else she does in the disabilities ministry, Diane from Northpoint EV Free church, Danell From Common Ground and her group who throw a birthday bash for us every month, David & Andrea and Brian & Tammy who lead our Boy scouts and Peppermint Queens groups....what a fantastic group of people from our community! Thanks to them all!

Happy 2008!

2008-01-04T15:18:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! 2008 is going to be an exciting one at the Ridge. I thought I would take a moment to share my "Ridge Resolutions".

1. Post on this blog every week!
2. Continue our fitness program, and perhaps expand it!
3. Nurture and develop the relationships built with local churches, including Common Ground Corona, Crossroads Church, Northpoint Evangelical Free Church, Riverside International Church of Christ and, of course, all of the UCC churches-Corona, Mission Hills, Sun City, Riverside....if I have forgotten anyone, I apologize!
4. Develop our fledgling volunteer program. I would like to match volunteers with every resident that would like one, and perhaps recruit organizations to "adopt" a home (We have eleven of them now!)
5. Develop programs to cater to the interests of every one of our residents!
6. Continue offering interesting and unusual group outings, such as sailing, whale watching, fishing, etc.
7. Be the best advocate for the residents of Peppermint Ridge that I can!

Monday Night Fitness

2007-11-27T11:05:00.000-08:00

Starting last week, our clients now have access to professional fitness training! Our fitness trainer, Wendee, has numerous fitness certifications, is a personal trainer, teaches PE and senior fitness classes, and is a former Miss Fitness USA competitor. She knows her stuff!

Wendee offers two classes for our residents, both on Monday nights. Each lasts 30 minutes, the first beginning at 6:15 PM and the second at 6:45 PM. The classes utilize balls, scarves, weights, and lively music. Wendee personalizes the exercises to the needs of our residents, and I am always there to help the residents with the moves!

I think this fitness group is vitally important, especially since the incidence of obesity is so high in the developmentally disabled population. Other problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle can be debilitating. These classes encourage our residents to move and have fun, at their own level, while they stretch, strengthen and tone their bodies!

Ridge family members, I hope you all can get behind this program. Please encourage your loved ones to take advantage of these fun exercise classes! I am so excited to have a professional like Wendee here to help our residents with their healthy lifestyles!

Sailing!

2007-11-01T11:26:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, October 28th, The Ridge was invited to sail with the Heart of Sailing Foundation. Three homes took advantage of the invitation. What an adventure it was!

We started out at 10 AM with Captain George. It was a brisk October morning, with just a little wind. C-home resident Mike O took the helm and drove the boat for a while.

At 12:00, Conner home went out. Cheryl U laughed every time we hit some waves..she is quite a little thrill seeker!

At 2:00, Del Park had their turn. They are veterans at sailing; this being their third trip.

What a great day! My thanks to Captain George Saidah and the Heart of Sailing Foundation!

What's happening in October

2007-09-24T21:16:00.001-07:00

We have a big month planned for October. Naturally, we will have a Halloween party, complete with a costume contest and pumpkin carving contest. We'll be taking the Metrolink out to San Clemente for the SeaFest, and we'll be heading out to Dana Point for another sailing trip with Heart of Sailing. The Peppermint Queens Ladies club will be having it's first ever camp out-we'll be pitching tents and camping out at the back of the Ridge. The Boy Scouts will be having their second camp out (also at the back of the Ridge.)We will start bowling once a month at the Norco Brunswick Bowl..I'm still working out the details for this activity.

Our awesome volunteers from Common Ground will be throwing our third birthday celebration, celebrating all clients that have an October birthday. Crossroads church will be having a fun "Day of Fellowship". Of course, we will have a bingo night, arts and crafts, horseback riding, and all of our regular fun stuff.

For a few months now, we have been practicing seated yoga. In October, we are going to shake things up a bit.. we will continue with the chair exercise group, plus, add a "standing" exercise group. Both groups will meet once per week. Barney the therapy dog visits the main campus and Garrison home regularly. We may be getting two new visitor dogs-Marty the Golden Retriever and Cowgirl the Australian Cattle Dog have just recently received their therapy dog certification.

October should be another busy, fun month at the Ridge!

Paul Wagner

2007-08-29T11:52:00.000-07:00

On behalf of everyone at Peppermint Ridge, I would like to send my condolences to the Wagner family on the loss of long time Ridge resident, Paul Wagner, who passed away this morning.

I met Paul when I first began working at the Ridge in 2002. He introduced himself and began to tell me about the story he was writing. In Paul's story, just about everyone he knew became a character. I was flattered when Paul told me I was going to be TWO characters!

Paul was very active with Inland Regional Center, and was vice-president of the consumer self advocacy group. He conducted trainings for other Regional Center consumers every year at the self-advocacy conference. Paul always had a positive attitude and a compliment for those around him. He was smart, funny and kind. He knew no limits...he practiced yoga, achieved the rank of Tenderfoot in Boy Scouts, and worked extensively to ensure the rights of his peers.

Paul, I will miss you. You have left us entirely too soon.

Sailing...

2007-08-06T18:28:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, August 4th, I was reminded that I have the best job in the world! I accompanied Del Park and Villa on a sailing trip out of Dana Point with George Saidah and the Heart of Sailing foundation. What an awesome day! The weather was perfect, the ocean, beautiful. The rhythmic movement of the sailboat on the water was hypnotizing, relaxing and therapeutic. Heart of Sailing will be back in California in October, and I am hopeful that more of the homes will participate. In the meantime, George told me about another non-profit organization that takes people with disabilities out flying! Stay tuned for more information on that!

Colleen

Welcome to the Ridge Activities Blog!

2007-07-26T18:35:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the first ever addition of the Peppermint Ridge Activities Department Blog! What a blessing it is for me to work for an organization that realizes the importance of the WHOLE person! My goal in the Activities department is for people to hear about what we do and think to themselves, "They do more than I do! I want to live there!"

We are very fortunate to partner with the disabilities ministry at Crossroads Church. One of the disabilities ministers, Jennifer, comes to the Ridge every Sunday to conduct our chapel services. She did about a month and a half of lessons on baptisms, and as a result, four of our residents chose to be baptized at Crossroads church on July 22nd. It was really exciting.

We will once again be sailing with George Saidah and Heart of Sailing (www.heartofsailing.org). Our first sail was back in April, where we were delighted to see sea lions and dolphins. Our second trip is scheduled for August 4th, and it looks like about 30 residents will be going!

In August, we begin a brand new partnership with Common Ground, an Interfaith Spiritual Center (www.embracehumanity.com). Common Ground will be throwing monthly birthday parties for all the residents that have a birthday in that month. Our first party is scheduled for Friday, August 17th.

Our horseback riding team consists of 10 residents now, and I hope that will grow to 15 in the next few months. We are slated to compete on September 30th at the Tri-Valley Special Olympics Horse Show in Lake View Terrace, CA. As we have (in my opinion) the BEST trainer & the BEST horses in the state, I think we are going to do quite well at this show. Most importantly, we are going to have FUN!

Every Monday, we offer a simple yoga class, chair routines, to our residents. This past Monday we had the biggest turnout EVER. It is so exciting to see our residents stretching, strengthening, relaxing and having a good time while they are at it!

Well, it is time for our Boy Scouts meeting, so I better sign off for now!