Tenants Association Christmas Party!

A HUGE thank you to the Shirley Futch Plaza Tenants Association for a wonderful Christmas Dinner! The Community Room was decorated beautifully and the tables were so festive. The food (prepared and served by Gary from JR's Grill & Salad Bar) was absolutely delicious.
Here are a few pictures from our evening:

Verna our T/A President during 2008:


The tables were decorated with strands of beads which were raffled off at each table.

George Hoffman wearing his beads:


Me (Sharlotte) wearing my beads:


Annie Benitez and her beads:


Bertha Hagerty donning her beads:


Pearl Possinger proudly shows off her beads:


Clara Keiper is so merry!


Maria Barquero is so jolly!


Jean Bruck insisting that she IS smiling:


General Jolliness:



A Merry Christmas to ALL, and to ALL a good night!

Send a Christmas Card to the soldiers!

The Lets Say Thanks website will send a free printed postcard to U.S. Military personnel stationed overseas. Show your support and appreciation for their service to our country by sending a free greeting card!

Click here: www.letssaythanks.com

Holiday Puzzle - meet Winnie the Christmas Elf

Click on the picture below to start the puzzle.

Shirley Futch Plaza in the Pocono Record!

The Crime Watch Group was here to throw their annual Holiday Party and this year the Pocono Record came too!

A write-up of the holiday party was in today's newspaper and they put a lot of pictures of us on their website!

Click here: Pocono Record Scroll down to 'Shirley Futch Plaza Christmas'. Click on the picture to start the slideshow.

Germinators Christmas Luncheon

Throughout the seasons of the year the Germinators are hard at work making Shirley Futch Plaza beautiful! Starting in Spring, they clean out the flowerbeds in the back and ready them for perennials. Many annuals are also planted to give us some much needed color after the long winter. The flowerbed in the front and the jardinieres that line our parking lot are filled with beautiful annuals. They also hang baskets of flowers along the gazebo. Come Summer, they faithfully water the flowers and keep the beds weed-free. When Fall comes they tidy-up the flowerbeds and put colorful mums in the jardinieres. In preparation for the holiday season, Christmas greens are placed in the jardinieres and a Christmas tree is setup in the gazebo.

Despite all this, their giving doesn't stop there. They threw us a Christmas Luncheon!! There was lots of good food, great conversation and FUN.



Thank you to ALL the Germinators for your continuous hardwork! We appreciate you very much.

Christmas Tree Ornaments for the Historical Society

We made tree ornaments which were donated to the Monroe County Historical Society. The ornaments were used to decorate a Christmas tree at the Driebe Freight Station, located at 537 Ann Street in Stroudsburg. Click here to visit their website.
Click on the arrow at the bottom of the picture below. Make sure you have your speakers on! FUNNY!


Watch the slideshow!

December Schedule

Tues. Dec. 2:
9:15-12:00 By Appointment Only

1:15-4:45 Open Lab

Wed. Dec. 3:
9:15-12:00 Open Lab

1:15-4:45 Christmas Trivia/Open Lab How much do you know about Christmas traditions around the world? Come find out with online trivia!

Thurs. Dec. 4: 9:15-12:00 Open Lab

1:15-4:45 Beginners Class

Tues. Dec. 9:
9:15-12:00 By Appointment Only

1:15-4:45 Open Lab

Wed. Dec. 10:
9:15-12:00 Open Lab

1:15-4:45 Online Games – Scrabble, Literati, Checkers, Bowling, and much more!

Thurs. Dec. 11:
9:15-12:00 Open Lab

1:15-4:45 Beginners Class

Tues. Dec. 16:
9:15-12:00 By Appointment Only

1:15-4:45 Open Lab

Wed. Dec. 17:
9:15-12:00 Open Lab

1:15-2:15 Home Users Club meet in the Community Room

2:15-4:45 Open Lab

Thurs. Dec. 18:
9:15-12:00 Open Lab

1:15-4:45 Beginners Class

Mon. Dec. 22:
9:15-12:00 Open Lab

1:15-4:45 Beginners Class

Tues. Dec. 23:
9:15-12:00 By Appointment Only

1:15-4:45 Open Lab

Mon. Dec. 29:
9:15-12:00 CLOSED

1:15-4:45 Open Lab

Tues. Dec. 30:
9:15-12:00 By Appointment Only

1:15-4:45 Open Lab

Hourly electric use info on the web!
PPL Electric is giving customers access to hourly usage info. Visit www.pplelectric.com
Click on the ‘e’. 1st time users will be asked to create an account.

One-on-One Appointments
12/2, 12/9, 12/16, 12/23 & 12/30
Sign up sheet on bulletin board

Resident of the Month:
Jean Bruck

Success Story - Jean Bruck

SUCCESS STORY

DATE: __11/24/08__ SITE: _Shirley Futch Plaza_______BY: _Sharlotte Giberson_______

RESIDENT / PARTICIPANT NAME: ___Jean Bruck _______

Reason(s) participant came to the Computer Training Center (what was his/her goal?)When the computer room reopened back in February of 2007, Jean had just purchased a new computer. She immediately ran into trouble with the computer so she decided to come to the computer room for help.


Accomplishment(s) of the participant:Jean has not only mastered email, MS Word, card-making software, and the Internet, she has become very involved with digital photography. Photography has always been an interest for Jean but when she bought her digital camera and saw all she could do with her pictures on the computer, photography has become a passion.


Obstacles he/she had to overcome:Jean often has difficulties remembering new things. She had to work very hard to retain all that she knows about the computer, the Internet and her camera. Together we overcame her disadvantage by simply repeating the same steps/tasks over & over until she was able to retain the steps involved.



What difference has participation in the Computer Training Center made for him/her?Jean is now able to work on her own without being overwhelmed. She has so much more confidence in herself and her abilities. She always says the Computer Room is responsible for her love and success with photography.

Jean should be very proud of her accomplishments as she has come a long way from the person I met almost 2 years ago!

Home Users Club

9 of us met for our second meeting of the Home Users Club! Thanks for the wonderful participation ladies!

I just wanted to share a few of the items we discussed:
mymedicare.gov Use this website for tracking your Medicare expenses, coverage, etc.

donotcall.gov Use this website to have your name/phone number put on the National Do No Call List.

eons.com Visit this website for lots of fun games, blogs, articles, photos and videos all from Boomers!

ingdirect.com Visit this website for a great Interest rate on savings accounts, cd's, money markets, etc.

An important topic we discussed was about viruses and spyware. If you get a pop-up that has misspelled words than chances are it is NOT legitimate. Do not download the product they are recommending, do not click on any of the links provided and NEVER provide passwords to your accounts if asked. Any questions regarding this topic please ask me ASAP. There is a lot of 'junk' on the Internet that we really need to be cautious of.

See all of you Home Users in December. Thanks for a great meeting!

Celebrating the 90's...

Not the 1990's but the residents of SFP who are 90 and older!

Our 12 'Guests of Honor':
Emily Bush
Rose Coco
Mary Donatelli
Norma Dutter
Dorothy Moore
Ruth Murbach
Anna Rodriguez
Dorothea Rovito
Lucille Schmidt
Ingrid Sobolewska
Natalie Stackhouse
Marguerite Taylor










We enjoyed tea, cookies and a little reminiscence from each of the 90-something's that attended. We also watched a very interesting documentary on the history of Monroe County.

As the ladies were leaving each was given a beautiful red or pink rose and an air freshener.


Everyone had so much fun at our tea party!

Bring-A-Friend Challenge

How it worked: Computer Room participants signed up along with a friend to compete in a series of challenges.

The challenges:
You must complete ALL of the steps below in order to receive the maximum amount of points. You have 1 hour to complete all the challenges. Check off each step as you go to help you keep track. Each step is worth 1 point, for each question you need help with 1 point will be deducted from your score.

1. Create a card for the monthly birthday party. (You can use a ready-made card however you must comply with the rules below.)
Front of card: a picture & ‘Happy Birthday’ on it.
Inside of card: MUST read ‘From The Computer Learning Center’
Back of card: MUST read ‘Made by the Computer Learning Center’

2. Post a Comment on the Blog.
Go to sfpnn.blogspot.com
Follow the steps in the ‘Bring a Friend Challenge’ entry

3. Complete the Following Internet Scavenger Hunt
Find a book about the Internet at www.amazon.com
Book Title: ________________________________________
Price: _________________

List one of the top news stories at www.cnn.com
News story: ________________________________________

Find a car you like at www.gm.com
Car type: __________________ Cost: _______________

Go to www.drugstore.com and find the
cost for Amoxicillin 250mg Capsules - 90 capsules.
Cost: ______________

Go to www.SFzoo.org What animal appears
at the top of the screen? Animal: _____________________________

Find today’s weather for Washington DC at www.weather.com
What is the temperature?________________________

Go to movies.yahoo.com and name the
number one movie for the week. Movie: ____________________________________

Go to www.fbi.gov/wanted.htm and name one of the top most wanted fugitives.
Fugitive Name:______________________________________


The Teams:
Helen Detrick & Marie Counterman


Ginny Quinn & June Nicholson


Carol Romansky & Jean Bruck


The team to answer all questions accurately and without assistance was VERNA OVERPECK & MARYELLEN BIDDULPH!


All participants received a magnet for their refrigerator:


Keep an eye on the Computer Learning Center schedule - we will definitely do this again. We had so much fun and even learned a thing or two :)

Resident Success Story - Lucille Schmidt

SUCCESS STORY

DATE: __10/30/08__ SITE: _Shirley Futch Plaza_______BY: _Sharlotte Giberson_______

RESIDENT / PARTICIPANT NAME: ___Lucille Schmidt

Reason(s) participant came to the Computer Training Center (what was his/her goal?)Lucille (who turned 96 in July) wanted to learn something new.


Accomplishment(s) of the participant:
Lucille is successful in using email and loves to do online jigsaw puzzles (www.jigzone.com). She has also done some online shopping! Lucille has very good ‘mouse control’ abilities and has been able to master double-clicking as well as navigating screens with the mouse.


Obstacles he/she had to overcome:
Lucille never used a typewriter let alone a keyboard. Typing has been her biggest challenge however she is getting much better and faster!


What difference has participation in the Computer Training Center made for him/her?
All week, Lucille looks forward to her Thursday afternoon computer classes. Although Lucille loves coming to computer room she has been a huge influence on others. Many have commented that if Lucille can learn the computer at 96, they can too!

November Schedule

Tues. Nov. 4:
9:15-12:00 By Appointment Only

1:15-4:45 Open Lab

Wed. Nov. 5:
9:15-12:00 Open Lab

1:15-? Bring a Friend Challenge - details BELOW

Thurs. Nov. 6:
9:15-12:00 Open Lab

1:15-4:45 Beginners Class

Tues. Nov. 11:
9:15-12:00 By Appointment Only

1:15-4:45 Open Lab

Wed. Nov. 12:
9:15-12:00 Open Lab

1:15-4:45 Open Lab

Thurs. Nov. 13:
9:15-12:00 Open Lab

1:15-4:45 Beginners Class

Tues. Nov. 18:
9:15-12:00 By Appointment Only

1:15-4:45 Open Lab

Wed. Nov. 19:
9:15-12:00 Open Lab

1:15-2:15 Home Users Club – details below

Thurs. Nov. 20:
9:15-12:00 Open Lab

1:15-4:45 Beginners Class

Mon. Nov. 24:
9:15-12:00 Open Lab

1:15-4:45 Beginners Class

Tues. Nov. 25:
9:15-12:00 By Appointment Only

1:15-4:45 Open Lab

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November Highlights

11/5: Bring a Friend Challenge – Here’s how it works: You & a friend will be given a series of challenges and a computer to share. You will complete the challenge with as little assistance from me as possible (that’s what your friend is for!). You will be given points each time you complete a portion of the challenge, if you need assistance from me points will be deducted. The team with the highest points will win a prize (one prize per session)! You MUST sign up for this as there will be a couple of sessions so there is room for everyone who wants to play. Please see the Learning Center bulletin board for the sign-up sheet and time slots available.

11/19: Home Users Club – We talk about new websites, software, hardware, errors – anything that involves your computer. If you have your own PC, this is the club to join. Our October meeting was very informative and all attendees left with valuable information!! Meet in the Community Room at 1:15.

11/24: is a MONDAY and the Computer Room will be open! Be sure to mark your calendar!
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One-on-One Appointments
11/4, 11/11, 11/18 & 11/25 Sign up sheet on bulletin board

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Giving thanks…To all of those that support the computer room and myself I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Many of you come to the learning center to use the computers but there are so many that just stop by to say ‘hi’. I really appreciate the kindness and love that you all show me. Thank you for being such wonderful people and good friends. Love you ALL! – Your friend, Sharlotte

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If you send out Christmas cards why not make your own in the Computer Room! This will save you money AND impress your family and friends. Everyone appreciates a homemade card! Start your cards early, as Christmas will be here before you know it. Come to the Computer room during any open lab and I’ll help you get started.

Coupons & Samples Class

Coupons & Samples

Currently, Walmart & ShopRite are NOT accepting coupons printed from the computer however Mr. Z’s/Weis still does.

Visit the following websites for printable coupons from several different manufacturers:
www.poconorecord.com
www.weismarkets.com
www.coupons.com

You can also print coupons for Target from their website. Go to www.target.com

For Free samples visit:
www.walmart.com
www.shop4freebies.com


P & G Solutions offers free samples and coupons (manufacturer coupons which they mail so you can use them any where). Visit www.pandg.com

Many of your favorite products/companies offer coupons on their websites.
Dove Products: www.dove.com (once you get on their mailing list they will send you coupons periodically)

Advil: www.advil.com (printable $1.00 coupon)

Malt-O-Meal (cereal in a bag) has printable coupons that change frequently. Their website is www.malt-o-meal.com

Coupons & Deals on all types of products visit: www.eversave.com

HELPFUL TIP: Whenever you run out of your favorite product be sure to visit their website for possible coupons/discounts. Also, be sure to write down websites you see advertised on TV. Many companies offer specials if you visit their websites!

October Birthday Party - SFP Mummies?

Why were there several rolls of toilet paper sitting next to our October birthday cake?? Because we turned residents into mummies! Residents were broken into groups of 3 or 4 and had to choose one person from their group to be wrapped up like a mummy. Teams were given one roll of TP and had to wrap their mummy from head to toe using the entire roll. It was so much fun!


Nancy & Lowell wrapped their mummy Roberta the fastest!

Natalie & Verna with mummy Bert.

Bob, Winnie & Jean T with mummy Eileen.

Monika, Marie & Dot with mummy Pat.

Loida, Margaret & Grace with mummy Ann.

Emma, Audrey & Alma with mummy Jean B.

Helen & Annie with mummy Norma.

Watch the slideshow for lots more pictures!!