Music has always been an important part of Rev. Denise Smith’s life. She grew up singing in church choirs, college chorales, and small Rhythm & Blues bands. She has written songs for the better part of four decades.  As an ordained minister, she even visits sick members of her congregation in their homes and in…

For many people, change is hard. Five years ago, Larry and Harriet Weiss made the life-changing decision to move to Rochester to be closer to family. With Larry’s health failing, their daughter Ilene urged them to consider moving. The Weiss’s made multiple trips back and forth from Yonkers to Rochester to look for a place…

“Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people,” –Irish poet William Butler Yeats Rick Muir did not become a music teacher—at least in a traditional sense—until later in life. Yet, once a year he found himself breaking out his favorite instrument to establish common ground with his students.  “I taught…

There are many different paths that can lead to becoming a volunteer. The road to Jim Goldammer’s volunteer journey began over a decade ago when his father—Jim Sr.—moved to St. John’s Meadows in 2007. Around that time, Jim Sr. had begun sharing details of his experiences in the Pacific during World War II with his son.…

“I like having my hands dirty,” says Carol Laniak, a resident at St. John’s Green House Homes in Penfield. “I would rather get the cows in at night than bake,” Carol jokes as she describes life growing up on a farm. She recalls plowing and bailing hay with her father while her sister handled the…

A sense of humor and a decent bottle of homemade wine might be the secret to longevity. At least that seems valid for Karl and Nancy Northrup, residents at St. John’s Meadows who have been married for 68 years and counting. The Northrup’s moved into the independent apartments earlier this year after Karl had spent…

Anyone who has ever worked in the dining services industry knows it is not easy. The hours can be long and the physical aspect can be exhausting. For Tony Zaccaglino, director of operations at St. John’s Meadows, his journey began at Charlie Riedel’s as a cook. From there, he worked as a bartender at Schooner’s…

Moving to independent living can be a difficult transition. Even after choosing a new home that best fits your lifestyle—a process that can take months, sometimes years—the period of adjustment following the move can be a stressful, sometimes lonely experience. Pat Brogan enjoys every day of her life at St. John’s Meadows to the fullest,…

“It doesn’t matter how slow you go, as long as you don’t stop.” – Confucius Setbacks, failures, and tragedies are a part of life. We all can relate to someone struggling; someone who has not been dealt the greatest hand. For Catherine Merriman, it was an unending cycle of sickness and rehabilitation for nearly three…

From a young age, Jean York had a compassionate heart and a yearning to help others. The youngest of three girls, she spent a great deal of time traveling with her father, Clarence Mould, a veterinarian. “Depending on where the call was, my father would take me with him. I thought it would be nice…