Cleveland Stroke Club, c/o Geri Pitts 3266 E. Scarborough Road Cleveland Heights, OH 44118 216-932-0552

A PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT The Cleveland Stroke Club will be celebrating its 40th Anniversary this month.

We hope you have made your reservations already for this enjoyable night.

The Cleveland Stroke Club was founded on the basic self-help concept. That is, stroke survivors and their families banded together to exchange coping techniques for the many stroke-related problems they experience.

Meetings are held on the first and (usually) third Wednesdays of each month. The focus of the meeting is on some aspect of stroke through discussions, lectures, or films. Meetings last for about two hours. Dinner is provided at both meetings at 6:30p.m. at a nominal cost. Look for details in this newsletter.

If you or a member of your family has had a stroke, we invite you to visit our meeting anytime. New members are always welcome. There is plenty of parking at both meetings.

OCTOBER 15, 2014 DoubleTree by Hilton Cleveland East/Beachwood

3663 Park East Dr., Beachwood, OH 44122 featuring

Cleveland Stroke Club Members and Friends

A REPORT OF THE CLEVELAND STROKE CLUB OCTOBER 2014

Re-Focus

Officers 5/2013-5/2014

President: Chris Vuyancih Vice-President: Deena Barrett 216-410-2306

Secretary: Barry and Barbara Schecter

Treasurer: Shirley Kondo 330-840-7071

Assistant Treasurer: Brian Barrett

Founder Bill Pitts

1

It's a Matter of the Minutes

SEPT Mtg Notes

Meeting Notes from September 17,2014 After an absolutely delicious meal

consisting of penne pasta and meatballs, salad and garlic bread, with lemon and chocolate cake and brownies for dessert, the meeting came to order. Our president, Chris, introduced all of the board members. We were reminded of the upcoming anniversary dinner next month and to re-instate membership for this year. Kay Exl offered to give someone some helpful tools for the taking that had belonged to her late husband and former

OCTOBER 2014

NEXT MEETING

Next Meeting: Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at DoubleTree, 3663 Park East Drive, Beachwood 44122 5:30 Social Time - cash bar and conversation 5:30-6:30 - Pose for your anniversary photo (hats and props provided or bring your own) 6:30 Dinner 7:45 Entertainment by Slammin' Sam

IMPORTANT: There is NO MEETING at Disciples Christian Church in October. Join us as we celebrate the Cleveland Stroke Club's 40th anniversary in high fashion at the Double Tree by Hilton Cleveland East. If you need a reservation form, you can visit our website http://clevelandstrokeclub.wordpress.com

Club member, Larry. New people were and download one or call me at 216-932- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Geri Pitts 216-932-0552

introduced and birthdays and anniversaries were honored. Malcolm Gordon gave us a well done, original and inspiring version of "Happy Birthday" and Deena Barrett introduced her personal support group of family and friends: Marissa, Ethan and Emily Barrett, Andrew (a friend of the Barretts), Jen'e (another Barrett friend and also photographer). Other first time guests were Louise Kates, Alice McGrady and Amy Pfeffer, daughter of Linda and George. Then, acting as our Mistress of Ceremonies, she started the talent/interest show. Twenty members shared their interests and talents with us, which made for a very entertaining evening. They included: Roger, Sabrina, Carl, Sherry, Dan, Brian, Deena, Jon, Barry, Shirley, June, Damen, Judi, Malcolm, Joyce, Mason, Cecelia, Michael, Barbara, Charles and Chris. Kay and Marissa took videos of the event and Jen'e took photographs. So, thanks to all of you for sharing with us. Extra special thanks go to Deena for doing such a great job of directing the talent/interest show. Jay Leno couldn't have done a better job than she did. A good time was had by all.

0552 and leave a message or email me at pittsgeraldine@yahoo.com . If you are new to the Club, I encourage you to speak with any member who has attended our anniversary dinners in the past and they will tell you how enjoyable the evening has been. Reservations are due by October 3, 2014. We will see you back at the church in November for our traditional Thanksgiving feast.

By Sherry Shelton, Substitute Roving Reporter

Executive Director & Editor Emeritus

Dorothy Norton

Editor Lu Higginbottom

Board Committees:

Public Relations Chairperson Sue Sheridan

Membership Chairperson Kay Exl

Secretary to the Board: Sue Sheridan

Volunteer Coordinator: Shirley Patterson 216-751-9376

Assistant to the Board: Bonnie Morris 440-552-3970

Greeters June Emmerson & Roger Gulbranson

HAPPY OCTOBER Birthdays•.. to Dorothy Emmerson (4), Janie Racer

(5), George Jenkins (5), George Williamston (9), George Norton (15),

Donald Broge (18), Laura Ferjutz (20), Berenice Kleiman (22), Myrna Moats (22), Dorothy Story (22), Antoinette

Penko (27), Amelia Ponyik (31).

HAPPY OCTOBER Anniversaries ... to Mary & John Pumper (10/6/84),

Myrna & Lou Moats (10/7/58), Jon & Paula Colston (10/12/00).

Congratulations 50/50 winner

Ethan Barrett

Get Well Wishes to Nancy Ackerman, Alice Ladanyi, Geraldine Barnett, Barbara Cox, and Sari Loxterman. We miss you. Hope

you feel better soon.

http://clevelandstrokeclub.wordpress.com/mailto:pittsgeraldine@yahoo.com

The CLEVELAND STROKE CLUB’S TALENT AND INTEREST NIGHT – SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

The CLEVELAND STROKE CLUB’S TALENT AND INTEREST NIGHT – SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

1 World Vegetarian

Day 4 Yom Kippur 13 Columbus Day 31 Halloween

Announcements

If you are planning to attend the Metro Stroke Conference, be sure to call in your reservation by the deadline of October 17. This year's focus is: Living Life After Stroke: Helping you live the Life you Love. In the past, our members have raved about this conference. It's free and includes lunch and parking. The conference is on Friday, October 24, 2014. We will have an information table there so stop by and say hello. If you need a conference flyer, download it from our Website http://clevelandstrokeclub.wordpress.com/upcoming-events/ or call Geri (216-932-0552) and she will email or mail you one. Call Shelly Amato RN at 216-957-3625 for a reservation. www.caringbridge.org - at our last meeting, Barbara Cox told us about the CaringBridge, a website that helps people share medical information about themselves or loved ones. You can keep friends and family informed about your health issues and they can reply back to you. This is what the website says: "Support for your Health Journey …..We offer protected websites for connecting people when it matters most. A nonprofit supported by people just like you, CaringBridge serves more than 500,000 people each day."

CSC Leadership Have you ever asked, "If I come early and want to help, who do I ask? How does CSC work?" Great Questions! Now that we are working on a team concept, it's a little confusing. We have two volunteer leaders and you can always ask or tell them anything.

Geri Pitts, Executive Director Chris Vuyancih, President CSC Teams

Meeting at Disciples Christian Church: Set-up Team Leader is Vivien Sekeres and her substitute is Deb. We work from a check-list of tasks -- we'll show you the task list. The team includes: Charlotte and Tony Starec, Dorothy Story, Deb Felt, Shirley Patterson, Barbara and Barry Schecter, and Cecelia Hamilton. Rita is the Chef and kitchen team leader and her team consists of: Al Lebarre, Mason Camp, Lucy Conde, and Dorothy Emmerson. Activity Team Leader is Bob Shelton leads the Bingo, but if you want to practice your speech, you can assist him. Kay Exl, Charlotte Starec, and Sherry Shelton assist Bob. Calling Team Leader is Kay Exl and the team includes Joyce Levy, Shirley Patterson, Geraldine Barnett, and Barb Cox. Greeters are June Emmerson and Roger Gulbranson and they can tell you were to find the team leaders. Treasury Team leader is Shirley Kondo and she is assisted by her good friend Amelia Ponyik and they sit at the front table and accept your money and have name tags and extra info for you. Sherry Shelton subs for Amelia. Deb & Roger do techie stuff: name tags, mailing lists, Web, & AV. Meeting at Kindred: Coordinator is Deb Felt and her sub is Sue Sheridan. Kay Exl coordinates reservations and calls people who do not have email. The usual set-up team includes: Dorothy Story and Al Lebarre. The Newsletter Assembly Team includes: Barry Schecter, Al Lebarre, Dorothy Story, Sabrina Simmons, Roger Gulbranson, Malcolm Gordon, and Fred Carter. Brian Barrett and Roger Gulbranson are the Assistant Treasurers. Really everyone that comes to Kindred gets involved in set-up, breakdown, facilitation, or the newsletter. Ask Deb or anyone how you can help. Caregiver Facilitator Team includes Sue Sheridan (leader), Joanne Bergole, and Shirley Patterson. Survivor Facilitator Team includes Jean Nisenboum (leader) and Deb subs. Board meetings take place at Kindred before we eat, usually at 5 P.M. All board meetings are open to members.

Newsletter Coordinator is Geri Pitts. If you have news, an upcoming event (funeral, wedding, conference, etc.), or draft of an article for the newsletter, send it to pittsgeraldine@yahoo.com . Picnic Team Leader is Kay Exl and everyone on the Board and many dedicated members and volunteers assist her. Photographers Team Leader is Barbara Schecter with Paula Colston, Vivien Sekeres, Damon Smith, and Deb assisting. Publicity Team Leader is Sue Sheridan. Update contact information: Contact Kay Exl or Geri or Deb. Get reservation forms and information about special events: Look on our Website or call Kay, Deb, Geri, Judi or any leader. Request a get-well card be sent to a loved one: Contact Vivien. Address or phone change: Contact Kay or Geri or Deb. Reservation to tell us you are coming to a meeting: Contact: Kay or Deb New Member contact: Judi Koffman and see our Website http://clevelandstrokeclub.wordpress.com/new-member-packet/ .

Email address for the leaders and coordinators: Geri Pitts Pittsgeraldine@yahoo.com 216-932-0552 Sue Sheridan ssheridan2196@yahoo.com Chris Vuyancih ChrisVart1@yahoo.com Bonnie Morris bonnie52@roadrunner.com Deena Barrett grinnanbarrett2002@yahoo.com Judi Koffman judi.Koffman@gmail.com Barry Schecter bschecter@me.com Vivien & Dan Sekeres danvivien@ameritech.net Barbara Schecter bjgefio@gmail.com Roger Gulbranson roger@gulbranson.com Shirley Kondo KenichiShirley@Gmail.com Deb Felt Debbie@gulbranson.com 440-944-6794 Kay Exl Kayexl@yahoo.com 440-449-3309

Re-Focus 2 OCTOBER 2014

HOLIDAYS for this month

http://clevelandstrokeclub.wordpress.com/upcoming-events/http://www.caringbridge.org/mailto:pittsgeraldine@yahoo.comhttp://clevelandstrokeclub.wordpress.com/new-member-packet/mailto:Pittsgeraldine@yahoo.commailto:ssheridan2196@yahoo.commailto:ChrisVart1@yahoo.commailto:bonnie52@roadrunner.commailto:grinnanbarrett2002@yahoo.commailto:judi.Koffman@gmail.commailto:bschecter@me.commailto:bjgefio@gmail.commailto:roger@gulbranson.commailto:KenichiShirley@Gmail.commailto:Debbie@gulbranson.commailto:Kayexl@yahoo.com

IAL

EMAIL: pittsgeraldine@yahoo.com

The Cleveland Stroke Club c/o Geri Pitts 3266 E. Scarborough Road Cleveland Heights, OH 44118

We are appreciative to Disciples Christian Church and Kindred Hospital for their support of our endeavors to meet the needs of stroke survivors and their caregivers.

ReFocus Staff:

Lu Higginbottom = production, Bonnie Morris, Reporter Geri Pitts, Coordinator Assembly is done by volunteers at the Kindred meeting.

For More Information on the Cleveland Stroke Club visit...

WEBSITE: www.clevelandstrokeclub.wordpress.com

Remember Our Troops http://anyservicemember.navy.mil/ www.operationDearAbby.net

(Send a greeting card) www.operationuplink.org/.

(Donate a calling card)

CAREGIVERS MEETING The caregiver meetings are at 6:30 pm on the first Wednesday of every month. Stroke survivors are invited as well. After dinner the stroke survivors and caregivers separate and each have their own meeting until 8:30 pm. The meeting is at Kindred Hospital, 11900 Fairhill Road, Cleveland, OH 44120. Reservations are required. Call Kay 440-449-3309 or Deb 440-944- 6794.

KEEP SMILING!

********************** Many of our members also attend: Speak Easy at Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center For information visit: www.chsc.org/speakeasy or call 216-231-8787

NEXT MEETING OCTOBER 15, 2014 @ DoubleTree by Hilton Cleveland featuring Cleveland Stroke Club

p m

mailto:ittsgeraldine@yahoo.cohttp://www.clevelandstrokeclub.wordpress.com/http://www.clevelandstrokeclub.wordpress.com/http://anyservicemember.navy.mil/http://www.operationdearabby.net/http://www.operationuplink.org/http://www.chsc.org/speakeasy

cpdf6217350029847364644.pdfThe Cleveland Stroke Club will be celebrating its 40th Anniversary this month.

cpdf3746019062576128267.pdfRe-FocusOfficers 5/2013-5/2014 President:Secretary:Assistant Treasurer:

OCTOBER 2014NEXT MEETING

cpdf6659601097091865203.pdfcpdf5154132806544022767.pdf1 World Vegetarian DayAnnouncementsCSC LeadershipRequest a get-well card be sent to a loved one: Contact Vivien.Email address for the leaders and coordinators:

cpdf4212289859142166088.pdfReFocus Staff:Remember Our TroopsCAREGIVERS MEETINGCall Kay 440-449-3309 or Deb 440-944-

KEEP SMILING!