News & Events

Nana’s Chili goes to the city

Joe Hernandez and Juan Mora took their Nana’s chili to the city’s competition on September 15, 2012.  The two dietary aides won the company’s cook off on September 6 and went on to represent St. John’s at the city’s event.  The simple recipe was a winner among judges at St John’s.  Judges included Woodland Mayor Skip Davies, Woodland Healthcare President Kevin Vaziri, residents Marm Haistings and Jean England and volunteer Carolyn Reiff.

Staff from throughout the campus was represented at St. John’s first annual Chili Cook Off held September 6, 2012. More than 10 contesting teams set up booths and brought their best chili dish, including two vegetarian entries.

Special thanks to Joe and Juan for representing St. John’s at the City of Woodland’s annual Chili Throwdown. The two spent the entire day spooning out Nana’s chili and offering a variety of salsas including a FIERY hot option. The event was sponsored by the Woodland Chamber of Commerce which said more than 1,500 people attended.

Eric Larsen wins Huge TV for $5

Eric Larsen of Woodland (left)  couldn’t believe that his one $5 ticket made him the winner of a 46-in flat screen TV, donated by Dynamic Therapy Solutions (represented by Sean Beloud, partner), at the 2012 Rhythm & Ribs BBQ & Dance. When his name was called he sat down on a straw bale in complete shock.  Larsen and his wife Cindy have attended Rhythm & Ribs almost every year since it began five years ago. This year was the best — in more ways than one.

The event drew more than 300 people on Saturday, July 14.  Gross proceeds are still being counted but preliminary numbers shows more than $28,000 was raised. Proceeds will benefit St. John’s Retirement Village/Stollwood Convalescent Hospital.

This year the event featured a live auction, with Woodland auctioneer Roger Warner. The auction raised $3,700 from 12 auction items.  A wheelbarrow full of wine bottles was a favorite bringing in $300 as well as $450 for a chef-prepared dinner for eight at the Woodland historical Beamer House, generously made available by Norma Bourn. The lucky eight will be feted a luxury dinner by Chef Kap Vong of St. John’s Retirement Village.  The largest moneymaker was the Southwest Airline tickets which sold for $700.

The rich country music of the Dave Russell Band kept the dance floor packed until closing time at 10 p.m. when the crowd cried out for more.

“The Dave Russell Band is currently performing at the State Fair but took time to help St. John’s,” said John Pritchard, Executive Director of St. Johns Retirement Village/Stollwood Convalescent Hospital.  “The crowd loves his music.  It keeps them hopping.”

Net proceeds will be used to improve streets, sidewalks and curbs throughout the campus of St. John’s Retirement Village/Stollwood Convalescent Hospital.

“This event has made it possible to resurface roads, install ADA compliant ramps and repair cracked sidewalks over the past five years.  This year’s proceeds will help us put in a beautiful picnic area and continue to keep our campus beautiful for the seniors who call St. John’s home,” Pritchard said. “We thank everyone who came and had a great time and especially those who made it possible, our sponsors.”

Hospice Cottages Officially Open March 1, 2012

St. John’s Retirement Village announces the opening of their Hospice Cottages. The St. John’s Hospice Cottages are the first ever hospice residences in Yolo County and the only hospice residence for 70 miles.

Hospice residences are an important option in the continuum of healthcare for patients with life-limiting illness. Hospice patients can receive hospice care wherever they call home. However, some hospice patients need access to hospice residences when they do not have a loved one who can care for them, need temporary respite, or are unable to afford a skilled nursing facility. The St. John’s Hospice Cottages provide a comfortable, home-like setting where hospice patients can be with their loved ones and know that assistance is available onsite, 24-hours a day.

“At St. John’s, we believe our ability to honor our residents’ dignity, independence and spirituality makes St. John’s the ideal place to have a hospice residence,” said John Pritchard, St. John’s Retirement Village Executive Director.  “The Hospice Cottages provide a safe, supportive and caring environment for people facing the end of life, and their loved ones. We are proud to be able to offer the community access to the Hospice Cottages.”

Hospice care is based on the goal of helping people fully live the final days of their lives by focusing on the whole person — body, mind and spirit. To help reach that goal, each hospice patient is assigned a team that is available to meet the patient’s needs. The team includes nurses, social workers, spiritual care counselors, hospice aides, bereavement specialists and volunteers.

The Hospice Cottages consist of two, four-plex buildings providing a total of seven individual cottage units. Each unit is a large studio with its own kitchenette, sitting area and bathroom. The eighth cottage will be furnished as a community room and utilized as a place where loved ones and friends will gather to comfort one another, grieve for a lost loved one and support each other through the end of life experience. The community or “family room” will also be utilized by hospice and St. John’s staff to provide guidance, support, education and encouragement to family caregivers.

“We are confident our Hospice Cottages are designed to be a place for life, family and friends, laughter and times of reflection. It’s also a place of comfort, connection and compassionate care. We are very proud to have committed our resources to providing this service to the region,” John Pritchard said.

Anyone interested in residency in the hospice cottages must first qualify for hospice care with a local hospice provider like Yolo Hospice. For most patients hospice care is covered by Medicare, Medi-Cal, the VA and private health insurance. Hospice patients may seek residency in the Hospice Cottages regardless of hospice affiliation or geographic origin. The room and board portion of the hospice residence cost is not covered by most healthcare insurance, but the Hospice Cottages will be made available to those in need, including those with limited or no means to pay for residential hospice care, as donations and grant funding allow.

Fundraising accounts have been set up by both St. John’s and Yolo Hospice to assist those unable to pay for residency. Both St. John’s and Yolo Hospice are seeking donations and grants to fund these accounts. You may donate by contacting either organization. Yolo Hospice can be reached at (530) 758-5566 or you may visit their website at www.yolohospice.org.

For more information about the Hospice Cottages or to make a donation to St. John’s, please contact them at (530) 662-1290 or visit their website at www.sjrv.org.