Cutting Costs While Caring for Creation

In recent years, rising energy costs have increased the cost of operating our warm-water therapy pool, but we have found ways to reduce those costs by installing a solar hot water system with pool and spa covers.

St. Ann Center, which is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi, is not only saving money through these measures, it is also fulfilling one of its Franciscan values, to care for creation, by eliminating the release of tons of greenhouse gases each year.

“The solar thermal system and the covers will enable us to redirect the money we save on energy to services for our clients,” according to Sr. Edna Lonergan, St. Ann Center president. “This helps us fulfill our mission to serve the community.”

Because the entire solar thermal project will be funded by grants, St. Ann Center will get an immediate return on investment through lower energy bills. We expect two-thirds of the $30,000 project will be paid by grants from Wisconsin Focus on Energy and We Energies, and the balance was already donated by a longtime friend of St. Ann Center.

Last year another St. Ann Center friend, paid for the pool and whirlpool spa covers, which have saved us hundreds of dollars of fuel costs each month since installation.

Full Spectrum Solar (Madison) is expected to complete the St. Ann Center solar thermal system in April. The pool and spa will still use a backup boiler that will operate at night or on cloudy days.

St. Ann Center is a handicapped accessible facility that offers aquatic programs, swimming lessons, physical therapy, and recreational swimming to adults and children enrolled in day care programs and the general public. For more information about St. Ann Center’s Aquatic Program, please contact Kristen Benetti at (414) 977-5015 or kbenetti@stanncenter.org.

Written by Barbara Finley

Be A Believer!

It’s very hard to answer the question, “What is St. Ann Center?”

St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care is a HEALTH AND WELLNESS COMMUNITY CENTER FOR ALL AGES. Yep, that’s right, a community center. A center where the community can gather for adult and child day care, respite care, aquatic center fun, outpatient rehabilitation needs, massage therapy, music therapy, ceramics and art programs! But it’s really just a big COMMUNITY CENTER.

How can one place be all these things?

It takes a lot of dedicated employees, hard working volunteers, and active community members, but it works!

St. Ann Center held its ‘Munch with the Easter Bunny’ this weekend and it turned out to be a wonderful COMMUNITY EVENT! There were games for the kids, a visit from the Easter Bunny, wonderful food and a fun filled egg hunt! St. Ann Center serves the community. Come on over and visit. The Center is open Monday – Friday 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and the public is welcome at anytime to stop in and visit, peruse our gift shop or jump in the pool!

This is a place you have to see to believe. Come over and be a believer!

St. Ann's Bed and Breakfast?

When Eleanor heard she would be spending a few days at St. Ann Center while her son and wife had to be away on a trip, she thought maybe she was going to a nursing home. Or she secretly wondered if this wasn't the first step in that direction. She was feeling very uneasy.

So, when she stepped into St. Ann Center's respite center, with its beautiful welcome sign stating this was a "European Village" she had one surprise after another–all of them more pleasant than the next.

She found out that this was going to be a home away from home during her stay. Like a "bed and breakfast" she would have a tastefully decorated room all to herself with elegant furniture and bathroom facilities. Her room was called the "Swiss Chalet" with colors and décor to match the theme.

She would take her meals in the dining room with the others at a sit down breakfast, lunch and dinner. The tables and chairs were beautiful oak and the dishes were china. The tasty food was prepared by the center's kitchen staff, according to her dietary needs.

There also was a beautiful dayroom with rockers, sofas and chairs, with a wide screen TV and a fireplace on one wall. If she wanted to take a bath during her stay, she could have a bubble bath in the whirlpool tub – and she did!

Eleanor stayed the week and had such a great time that when it was time to go home, she felt a little sad. She had met so many nice, caring people who already felt like friends. She was looking forward to the next time her son had to take another trip!

St. Ann's respite center is open 24-7 for adults who are experiencing life's challenges from age or disabilities. More information can be fund by visiting http://www.stanncenter.org/ or calling (414) 977-5000.

How do you make lunch time special? Put a little intergenerational "flavor" in it!

At St. Ann Center for All Ages we believe that our intergenerational aspect–bringing generations together–strengthens our community, helps people feel useful, fosters friendships and makes people happy.

Laura is a special volunteer who understands this quite well. Each Wednesday she helps Dennis, an older man who must use a wheelchair. He has a permanent cast on one arm and his range of motion is limited. When its time for lunch, Laura takes Dennis to visit the Dragonfly classroom for three-year old children, and arranges for two of the children to share lunch with them. Things didn't go smoothly right away because three-year olds can be cautious but curious.

When the youngsters first met Dennis mostly what they noticed was his big wheelchair, and quietly stood back. The children asked her “What’s wrong with him? Why is he in a wheelchair?” Laura would say, “Why don’t you ask Dennis?” They began to warm up and realize that Dennis was nice and friendly so they began to ask him questions.

Now Dennis visits the Dragonfly room regularly. This has made a big difference in the children's life and his too. He used to sit alone in one spot in the atrium, and he did not interact much. Now he feels more comfortable and talks with others. He really feels more welcome at the Center especially when his little friends shout “Dennis!” when he enters their classroom. If they happen to see him in the atrium or when they are out for a walk they all yell “Hi” and give a wave to Dennis their new friend!

It gives Dennis an emotional lift and warms the heart of anyone who sees this happen.

Jewelry Sales at St. Ann Center

St. Ann Center has become quite well known for its gently used and vintage jewelry sales. How did this happen? In the very beginning when Sr. Edna Lonergan, founder and president of St. Ann Center, conceived of the idea of adult day care the looming question arose, “How are you going to afford to do this?” Sr. Edna decided she would raise the money, even if it was by nickels and dimes. And so, it began with some donated rummage items and weekend rummage sales.

Soon she started asking the community to donate new or gently used and vintage jewelry for resale. And oh boy did the community respond. Each week the sisters would get donations of jewelry. They would sort the jewelry and number it and attach it to special jewelry cards. Before they knew it, they had thousands of donated jewelry items. The sales began to grow and St. Ann Center began outside jewelry sales, taking their goods to off-site venues. It has become very successful.

St. Ann Center holds two yearly on-site jewelry sales, its next used and vintage jewelry sale will be on Saturday, March 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This will be a very special “Soup’er BLOWOUT Jewelry Sale.” There will be literally thousands of items from rings to watches, from earrings to necklaces. There will also be home made soup for eat in or carry out. This is the sale you don’t want to miss.

Music! Music! Music!

He's played gigs in Las Vegas, and now the sounds of his voice and guitar hits the rafters, and gets fingers and toes tapping. Danny Crivello's repertoire of "oldies and goldies" is irresistible for guests and neighbors alike who gather to hear him perform, and yes, sing along every Friday at 10am. Things are rockin' at St. Ann Center for all ages!

The public is welcome to come in out of the weather, get a cup of coffee, hot chocolate or a soda, find a place to sit back in the indoor garden and enjoy some good music.

Music is a natural part of life, and that's true at St. Ann Center where Danny's concerts and music therapy with Leslie Henry, bring out the heart and soul, and get the body moving for better health all around. Some come and "get healthy" at St. Ann Center this Friday and have a ball!


St. Ann Center is a place "for all ages." That's what intergenerational means. Its unique social services blend day care and wellness programs under one roof for children, frail elderly and people with disabilities. Seeing is believing so contact the center for a tour and more information. Call (414) 977-5000.

St. Ann Center "for all ages" is located at 2801 E. Morgan Avenue.

Mud as Art

It is not unusual to find our clients and guests from the community "flinging mud" in a way that ends up in the most unusual and charming shapes. The art and ceramic classes at St. Ann Center for All Ages* are underway. People are signing up with enthusiasm for their chance to get their fingers and hands into the clay and make items that range from a salt and pepper shaker set to a magnificent angel or vase.

Under the guidance of Alice, the art instructor, students with a variety of abilities progress from their first attempts at art-making to accomplished pieces that make for justifiable pride. You can make wind chimes, a personal mug, or commemorative plate. To register for one of the art or ceramic classes go online at: www.stanncenter.org or call Alice at 977-5038. See you at class!