Wake Robin

It all starts with a good cup of coffee; talk smoothly flows after that first sip. Conversation topics range from how to make a good crepe and proper ways to fillet a pike fish, to name just a couple. Residents in their late nineties and early seventies join together, some arriving to Wake Robin this month, and some who’ve lived at Vermont’s only Life Care Community for decades. They call it Coffee Connections, and now that the state is over 80% vaccinated, they meet in person every Friday morning, ordering coffee, hot tea, and pastries from the Wake Robin kitchen and bringing plenty to chat about. “Coffee connections is like catching up with old friends,” one member said. “‘What’s going on in your life?’ and ‘how was your week?’ open up a world of conversation.  There’s no agenda – it’s a space where we can learn about each other lives and truly feel connected to our neighbors.”

The Coffee Connections crew

Coffee Connections started as a need to meet the social challenges many residents felt during the restrictions of Covid. Staff brainstormed ways to make residents feel connected and not isolated. Exercise classes and Great Courses aired on 919, Wake Robin’s internal TV channel. Residents gave virtual presentations based on areas of their expertise, from sculpture to journalism.

Program and Events Coordinator Jena Necrason and Resident Services Coordinator Gretchen Roberge were motivated to offer more of a group dynamic solution. The goal was to create a virtual space where folks could have regularly scheduled social appointments. So Necrason and Roberge started casual Zoom meetings every Wednesday and Friday. “At the outset of the pandemic we realized it was crucial for Resident Services to still be approachable, especially during that difficult time,” said Roberge. “Coffee Connections provided that bridge for us and residents.”

Coffee Connections has met continuously since April 2020! Usually the conversation is open ended, but on two occasions the meetings were Thanksgiving and holiday themed. As Vermont increased Covid resistance, the group officially switched from virtual to in-person in May, when some restrictions were eased. What started out as a group of four to six people during the virtual meetings has now grown to a dozen or more! “It’s amazing that it’s in-person now,” one original member said. “It allows for anyone who’s strolling along to come on over and chat with the group! A resident who moved into the community just a few days ago joined and we were happy to have her, because we’ve all been in her shoes.”

Friendships have blossomed because of Coffee Connections. Bob and Alice, who moved here during the pandemic, became fast friends with Claire, a Linden Health Center resident, who came to Wake Robin when it was established in 1993. From first introductions on Zoom, the trio now meet regularly for meals. “Coffee connections has been a fantastic way of learning about people’s backgrounds and how they came here,” commented Claire. “I almost feel like a historian of Wake Robin in sharing all the transformations of the community. The group gatherings have been a real means to meet new residents and share my love of this place.”

Enjoying a good conversation

From empowering new residents to virtually meet their neighbors, Coffee Connections has matured into an informal and inclusive social group. Engagement is a major part of the Wake Robin culture. Whether you participate in pickleball, enjoy a larger group gathering like Coffee Connections, or prefer walking the trails with a single friend, there are many opportunities, small and large, to feel a great sense of belonging here.

When first arriving to Wake Robin, many things stand out. For some, it might be the community gardens and tennis courts; for others, the inviting neighborhood layout of the Linden Health Center. For Elise, who has lived at Wake Robin for 9 years, it was the décor. “When I first came here, I was blown away that all hallways were populated with framed fine art. It’s just so wonderful.” What was missing, Elise thought, was the local element.

“Lackeys” by Rett Sturman, oil on canvas

Construction renovations on the Community Center in 2019 provided such an opportunity. Expansion of the lobby area made for additional wall space to feature local artists. “Our thinking was,” Elise remembers, “that by bringing in local art, not only were we supporting local artists, but we were, in a sense, creating an art gallery at Wake Robin for all those who live here and who visit.” The residents formed the Vermont Artist Project (VAP) which was committed to acquiring original artwork by living professional Vermont artists for permanent display in the Community Center.

“December Morning Bike Ride” by Susan Larkin, oil on canvas

A big question remained: how to tap into the sprawling Vermont artists network to find pieces that fit with Wake Robin? VAP consulted UVM’s Fleming Museum, who recommended professional art curator Jessica Manley. Manley previously worked with UVM Medical Center in curating art for a new addition. “When Jess came along, it was like – thank heavens! We have a leader in someone who really knows the field,” Elise said.

Manley met with the VAP members and gleaned their artistic tastes, and then showed them Vermont artists websites. The members pored over works and when a majority of the 13 members liked a particular piece, Manley would bring it into Wake Robin for a final decision. Along the way (before the pandemic) the VAP group visited art galleries in Middlebury and Vergennes, and sometimes talked directly to artists themselves about a particular piece.

The VAP reviewed hundreds of works from over 85 Vermont artists. The group whittled down their selections to 30 art works, which now hang in the Community Center. The last acquisition stage occurs this month, as artworks in other mediums. including cut paper, fabric, and collage will be considered. Another interesting facet—Wake Robin residents and staff can submit their artwork to be chosen.

View from Mt. Philo

The Vermont Artist Project plans to create a written guide to the exhibit, with the hopes of having Manley lead a guided gallery talk sometime in the near future.

Elise sure was right. Wake Robin’s Vermont Artist Project has truly transformed the Community Center into a veritable art gallery for years to come!

Over the last year, The Wake Robin Marketing Team discovered the truth of the timeless proverb “necessity is the mother of invention.” The pandemic required that the campus close down to visitors, and in order develop relationships and engage folks interested in Vermont’s only Life Plan Community, Director of Marketing MaryBeth Dudley got creative.

Director of Dining Kate Hays gave a cooking webinar

Usually, on-campus events mostly bring in local people and those from the region. Going from live events to web events provided a tremendous opportunity to reach people from all over the country, and Wake Robin’s virtual programs attracted people from California, Texas, Florida, and a number of other states. People have truly come from all over the map!

Like many organizations, Wake Robin has utilized video conferencing to optimize its outreach. Marketing Admissions Planner Jane Mitchell helped curate topics to convey the scope of the community.  “Nothing can replace visiting Wake Robin’s 136 acre campus in person. However, teaching  interested parties about the in-depth care of the Linden Health Center, the many activities run by the Residents’ Association (WRRA), and how streamlined the admissions process can be – these are valuable insights that inform people in their decision making to come to Wake Robin,” Jane said.

Garrett Graff gave a presentation on history

Web events have taken two forms: webinars and group discussions. Webinars permit uninterrupted presentations, and can be informative about Wake Robin or just culturally interesting. In the spring of 2020, Wake Robin invited local historian Garrett Graff to delivery a presentation on his latest book.

At the beginning of this year, the Marketing Team organized a web event which focused on a very popular subject: mindful decluttering and downsizing. Regarding the experts chosen for the webinars, one Priority Depositor commented, ” The presenters have all been extremely interesting and have an amazing background for the work they do.”

A popular webinar on mindful organizing and decluttering

This spring and summer, informative segments on cultural life at Wake Robin will be offered. In May, a Q&A session will be held with the President of the Wake Robin Residents’ Association. You can find out more information here. Then in June you can find out about Inquire, Wake Robin’s Lifelong Learning Program, with Program & Events Coordinator Jena Necrason. Be sure to visit the News & Events page for all upcoming events!