residents

Resident Reminiscings For the New Year
Ruth Sacher
I would like to make more friends at the Villas,
friends with whom I can remain for a
long time. I’d like mostly female but maybe
a few male that I can trust. I’d love to reminisce
with them. For example, I’d ask where
they grew up. And hopefully we can stay
Margo Grube
I wish our country would ban assault
weapons, and make it very complex and difficulty
to get a weapon at all. I wish this so
that bad people can’t get their hands on them.
But of course good people still have their constitutional
right to own a regular gun to protect
their family.
Helen McElwain
I wish for world peace. I think
people have to stop squabbling
Mary Press
Peggy Milich
What I wish for is that our country,
families, and friends would all come
to their senses and go back to our
Christian heritage.
Lee Austin
I just want to thank the Villas for
helping me get well and for the
good experience I’ve had here. I’m
moving to an apartment in downtown
San Clemente, but I’ll be back
to get my hair done every week!
I hope that we all have a very good New Year
that continues throughout 2013. On other
things I’ve been thinking about, I haven’t
made up my mind yet.
Jerry Elliott
Like many of the Villas’ residents,
I’m extremely thankful
for all the help my family has
given me over the past year.
Eleanor Green
I’m thankful for mine
and my family’s
health. I wish for continued
health
in 2013.

Jessie Strike leading the residents
in Christmas door hanger craft.
Employees enjoying a special
Christmas party just for them [Left
to right top row]
Esme, Jing, James, Harold, Laurel,
Lupe
[Bottom row, bottom to top]
Diana, Pablo and Toni.
Thelma Smallwood
I hope the Villas will have a good 2013. I
think a good year would include good
health and safety for everyone - nobody
falling, everybody well and busy. I’d love
to have another birthday. I’ll be 96 in February.
Bill Filmore
I think we all want better health. I would
like to be able to walk without impairment
in 2013. I had a birthday December 13th
I was 98! They brought me a 3-decker
piece of cake with a candle, and sang me
happy birthday. It was a very pleasant surprise.
All in all I had an enjoyable birthday – and my daughter
was here, too! Here’s to a healthy 2013!
Ruth McLeod
Employee Stephanie Alter
with her husband Hobie at
Manager Christmas Party
Resident Reminiscings For the New Year
I’m thankful that I can still get out of bed in
the morning. Here’s to a 2013 where every
single day I can still get out of bed.
Resident council member handing employee
Laurel Bernhardt an “appreciation” bonus at
Employee appreciation event
GUESS WHO I AM!
I was born in Birmingham, England.
I grew up in poor circumstances.
At 14 I left school to get a job in a factory.
My parents had 5 girls total, including me.
I was the 2nd.
After a while I went back to night school.
I got married at the age of 20 and had 4 children.
I had 2 boys and 2 girls.
Only one of my daughters survived the birth.
The other daughter died in her 30’s.
My youngest son recently died in his 40’s.
I enjoy reading always have.
My favorite is mystery books.
My worst subject is math.
I lived in Canada for some years and then moved to
the U.S.
My son lives nearby.
Dale McLeod
I’m hoping to see my younger son completely
recovered from his bicycle accident
he suffered in 2012. I’m thankful to the Villas’
for providing us a home.
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Resident Focus ARLAN HURWITZ
Arlan was born in Los Angeles,
California, January 5th,
Arlan 1945
Arlan, Sylvia, Bob 1949
Bob and Arlan 1947
1942. His dad was an entrepreneur.
His mom was a housewife.
His memories of
childhood were that he was
small. He says, “I wasn’t very
tall, and I was mischievous. I
liked to take things apart. It didn’t
get me in trouble, but seldom
did things ever go back together
very well.” So it’s no wonder
that after high school Arlan went
to UCLA and majored in Mechanical
Engineering. He graduated
in 1964.
After college Arlan worked as
an engineer for Rocketdyne,
building the space shuttle. But
he liked working by himself, not
the structure of engineering, so
he went to work for Aaron
Brothers. He describes it as a
factory in Culver City where
they made picture frames. It
was owned by two brothers,
Len and Al Aaron. When
asked why he liked this job
better than being an engineer,
he said, “I liked the job because
I worked for myself. I
could do whatever I wanted.
It was a great job. It was interesting.
I became Vice-
President of the corporation
and was basically in charge of
all the stores. At that time we
had about 400 stores.”
“One day a lady
brought in something for
framing and it was a mosaic
that she had made of grains:
rice, barley and peas. They
were all pasted onto a large
piece of plywood. We went
home for the weekend, and
came back only to find that
the mice in the factory had
eaten away most of the grains
around the mosaic. So Len
went out and bought a cat. Of
course we had to fix that picture,
repasting any grains we
could find. (Unfortunately
that one cat was no challenge
for all those mice – I think
some were bigger than the
cat!)
Arlan stayed with
Aaron Brothers for 18 years.
For people who don’t what
Aaron Brothers is, it’s
picture-framing, art supplies
and craft supplies.
Eventually it was sold
out to Michael’s, but
there are still about 400
stores called Aaron
Brothers Art Marts.
Just before
Arlan got out of college
he met Naomi. They
had a common Uncle by
marriage. Arlan and
Naomi met at a family
function and he says he
pretty much knew right
away this was the girl
for him. They dated
only 6 months and then
got married in
Arlan 1960
Rochester, New York, where she was from, August of 1964.
“Naomi and I first lived in a home I bought in Westchester
(near LAX). We lived there our entire marriage. Naomi
and I had 2 children, David and Lori. Then, Naomi and I went
our separate ways in about 1967.”
Then Arlan met Reata. “I met her in Laguna Beach.
We had common friends, and we had lunch together. I had a
little MG sports car. I went to pick her up in Laguna Beach
where she lived, and we went on a date. She eventually came
to my house in Tustin and knocked on my door, and I said to her,
‘My God, you’re the angel I always dreamt about.’ She thought
I was crazy, very eccentric. However, we got married about
three years later.”
Reata and Arlan had two children also, a son Matthew
and daughter, Jessie. Jessie, by the way, is getting married
March, 2013.
The best part of Arlan’s life, he will tell you, has been
his children. “Jessie is beautiful. David is very competent and
a man of the world. Matthew is a genius. Lori is a fabulous
teacher and a good cook. I love them all very much.”
Arlan has been at the Villas 3 years as of January 7,
2013. He came to the Villas because he’d had a stroke. At the
time he lived in Tustin but the Villas is closer to his son, David,
who lives in San Clemente. David and Lori actually found the
Villas for him.
“I love the Villas. I enjoy the friendships I have. It’s a fun
place. The employees are very competent.”
“If I had one thing to tell younger folks that might impart
a bit of wisdom
from my own life, it
is this: Life is too
short. Oh, and do it
all – whatever
comes up, do
it….travel, for example.”
Arlan and caregiver Ryan
SAN CLEMENTE VILLAS BY THE SEA • WWW.SANCLEMENTEVILLAS.COM Page 3

My First New Year's Resolution
I've never really felt the need to make a New
Year's resolution. I suppose this is because
I've never smoked, nor even tasted alcohol.
Both for good reason, though, as health issues
since age eleven made smoking, drinking and
all habits not contributory to health, highly
unappealing. Also, I've never been what anyone
would call overweight, so no fodder for a
resolution there. Hence, I've never had a
burning resolve to declare at the outset of any
new year. But now, in the wake of a highly
controversial political landscape in the America I love, and so many
have fought and died for; in light of conflicts in the world that can
only be characterized as evil; and as the Nation collectively weeps for
28 families in Connecticut who have lost their angels so violently
and unexpectedly at the hand of one deranged young man, this year
a resolve is burning in my heart. I'll start off with a "disclaimer" like
they do at the beginning of violent or otherwise explicit movies.
Warning: The remaining content of this article is highly spiritually
explicit in nature. Anyone sensitive to the spiritual sharing of others
may want to turn the page.
That said, my resolve is based upon one short passage in the
Bible. It's a promise, actually, where it says, "The Lord is with you
when you are with him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you,
but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you." 2 Chronicles 15:2.
Now, I've cogitated on that verse (and others like it) for
years, putting the emphasis on the different words to see how it "fit
me". Ultimately, it's the "if" that gets me. I've also heard the "if" replaced
by the word "as" you seek Him. I think of it like electricity.
When you're plugged in, you get the power. When you choose to
unplug, you are on your own. Powerless.
So my resolve is to stay "plugged in" every moment of every
day. My pastor recently told a story of an occasion he had to converse
with an elderly gentleman on his death bed. The young pastor,
wanting desperately to say something profoundly comforting and
pastoral muttered something like, "Well, at least we have a hope for
the future."
To which the weak and dying gentleman replied, "It's not the
hope of the future that gives me comfort, son, but all the many times
I experienced God throughout my life. That now gives me a peace
that passes all understanding."
I wish for you in 2013 and beyond, the profound experience
of God's power and peace. May it carry you through your life, and
be with you when you need it most.
Barbara Tancredi
barbara@sanclementevillas.com
Pokerettes
In loving memory of beloved
resident and Pokerette
(she coined the name),
Lorraine Cameron (second from
the left). You will be sorely
missed. We love you.
Barbara & Mario
Participants in the annual
“Ugly Christmas Sweater” Day
contest, Activity Leaders Barbara
and Mario.
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SAN CLEMENTE VILLAS BY THE SEA • WWW.SANCLEMENTEVILLAS.COM

Byron Elder
West Indies Activities Director
e-mail:
byron@sanclementevillas.com
Looking Back and Serving Forward in the New Year!!
As I look back at this our Christmas season, while I didn’t see mommy
kissing Santa Claus, for sure I saw our staff serving and giving in the spirit
of Christmas! From our owners, Paul and Aileen, to our West Indies staff
and caregivers, I saw the love and care! Santa Claus has surely put a check
in the “Nice/Good” box this year for all of us!! It was so evident, that one
guest that attended our Christmas Family Night said, “I can see that you
guys really care for the residents here!”
He went on to say, “It’s rare and refreshing to see this level of true care in
this type of industry!”
That’s why I love working at the Villas, because that’s how we do it,
every day!!
A big thank you to Ermi our Care Manager, who I’m enjoying serving
with - for her spirit of care for our residents. Even Paul our owner commented
the same at our Christmas Party, and all the West Indies folks said “Amen!”
Looking back at our Christmas season, I came across a song produced in the 60’s called, “Those Precious Memories”, by Diana
Ross and the Supremes! Look it up, it’s a great song about memories that brings sunshine to your life. I can relate to that song as I
remember all the Christmas decorations!!
Let me start off by thanking Karen our Administrator. I discovered that Karen not only knows her job as Executive Director, but Karen
also knows food, and “BOS”!! Sports fans, if you recall, the sports world had “Bo” Jackson, the “multi-sport jock”. Well, we have
Karen Milroy, multi-talented, awesome decorator, and Administrator! I also want to thank Diana, Esmeralda, Salvador and kitchen
staff, as well as Nick, Carlos, Nemesio, Ben and Stacey who all roll up their sleeves and work hard. But also thanks to all the caregivers
for your awesome help. You make the “West Indies” a fabulous place to work and live.
New Year’s Inspiration: I owned a home in the Temecula Valley years ago, and I was blessed to have 31 rose bushes in
my backyard. Sounds like more work than beauty, and at times it was! All gardeners know that the beauty of a rose begins with the
tedious pruning process; from tilling the dirt, putting in the right soil to the right cut of the vine. But it’s all important to get the maximized
beauty of your rose. I recall asking my neighbor, Tom, for advise on how to properly prune the vine. After the lesson was
learned and applied, though, WOW every year I would see the inner beauty arise from each of my 31 rose bushes! New buds (memories)
would pop out on that pruned vine! West Indies staff, we don’t have 31 rose bushes, but we do have precious families, who
have trusted us with their family members, I challenge myself and you to make a New Year’s Resolution to serve and care our residents
to see their inner beauty bloom even more in 2013! To our 31 precious rose bushes and families; we Love You! Serving you
forward in the New Year! God Bless you all!
Happy New Year!!
Ermi, Byron, and West Indies Staff
Santa Chris visits the West Indies!
Ermi Martinez
West Indies Care Manager
ermi@sanclementevillas.com
Dee
Dick
Byron
Lois
Dorothy
Tink
SAN CLEMENTE VILLAS BY THE SEA • WWW.SANCLEMENTEVILLAS.COM Page 7

January Happenings

Printing and Graphics by Universal Press
Call for your printing and copy needs
(949) 498-1070
RCFE Lic. #306001485
RETIREMENT RESORT LIVING
660 Camino de los Mares
San Clemente, CA 92673
(949) 489-3400
Owners
Paul and Aileen Brazeau - 2002
aileen@sanclementevillas.com
paul@sanclementevillas.com
Business Office Manager
Maria Nemeth - 2007
maria@sanclementevillas.com
Executive Director
Karen Milroy - 2012
karen@sanclementevillas.com
Marketing Director
Stephanie Alter - 2002
stephanie@sanclementevillas.com
Food Service Director
Salvador Caballero - 2005
salvador@sanclementevillas.com
Wellness Nurse
Rae Bright, LVN - 2005
rae@sanclementevillas.com
Assisted Living Director
Jing Yarbrough - 2003
jing@sanclementevillas.com
Care Manager
Amelia Diaz - 2006
amelia@sanclementevillas.com
Byron D. Elder
West Indies Activities Director
byron@sanclementevillas.com
West Indies Care Manager
Ermi Martinez - 2007
ermi@sanclementevillas.com
Activities Director
Barbara Tancredi - 2012
barbara@sanclementevillas.com
Hospitality/Weekend Manager
Elaine West - 2007
elaine@sanclementevillas.com
Activities Assistant
Mario Veluz - 2005
mario@sanclementevillas.com
Front Desk
Anna Lombardi - 2004
anna@sanclementevillas.com
Sherri Saunders - 2009
sherri@sanclementevillas.com
Esmeralda Lopez - 2009
esmeralda@sanclementevillas.com
Dining Room Supervisors
Oscar Garcia - 2003
Vangie Cayton - 2003
Yaneth Oseguera - 2006
Maintenance Team
Nick Sgountzos - 2002
nick@sanclementevillas.com
Carlos Garcia 2011
carlos@sanclementevillas.com
Nemecio Lagunas
Housekeeping Supervisor
Patricia Mendoza - 2006
patricia@sanclementevillas.com
Transportation Drivers
Weekday - Roberto Rodriguez - 2002
Laurie Bernhardt 2005
Weekend - Alicia Aguilera - 2006
2013 Resident Council
President – Arline Phipps
Vice President – Elsie Bova
Secretary – Helen Darby
Treasurer – Bob Creighton
Follow us on Facebook
facebook.com/sanclementevillasbythesea
Twitter SCVillasbytheC
Happy New Year
WELCOME NEW RESIDENTS
Suzie W.
Maurita S.
SAN
CLEMENTE
VILLAS
Aris P.
Patsy W.
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