History of Bridge

A pastime that has been traced back to the 16th century, Bridge is a card game with quite a history! Traces of Bridge-like card games were said to begin in the 16th century in Britain and it was called ‘Whist.’ The first book devoted to learning the game, rules and trumps was written in 1742 and was called the ‘Edmond Hoyle’s Short Treatise.’ It was a bestseller and the game of Whist continued to gain popularity around the world as other card games developed. In 1857, the first game of duplicate Whist was played in London and the systems used eliminated much of the luck involved in which card each player was dealt, serving as a forerunner of modern duplicate bridge. In the late 19th century, as migration toward the New World drastically increased, pastimes of card games were carried along as well. Bridge was introduced to the United States in the 1890’s.

The rules of the game underwent many changes made by its players, who have in the time since become the pioneers and forerunners of the game of Bridge. Mr. Harold Vanderbilt did much to perfect a system in 1925. He introduced rules, principles, treatments and even a scoring table. Mr. Vanderbilt recommended that only the tricks bid and made would count toward making a game. Overtricks would count as a bonus. His established rules became so popular that his game of Contract Bridge was adopted by the majority of players. England continued to colonize the world and the Commonwealth grew. In the early 1900's British civil servants, who always follow any Army took along the developed systems of this evolving game and actually developed the Bidding System. In this manner, a Trump Suit was introduced to the game. They introduced the term Auction Bridge.

Fun Fact about Bridge: Did you know in 1953, President Eisenhower played bridge regularly on Saturday nights with top experts and he even attended national bridge tournaments when possible. He enjoyed bridge as much as golf and he was considered an excellent player?! Now let’s get into the details about what exactly bridge is and its’ relevance in today’s world.

Bridge, the ultimate partnership game, is a game of skill, communication and infinite possibilities. Millions of people worldwide play and enjoy the competitive aspects of tournament or “duplicate” bridge. In duplicate bridge, the same hands are played by the field, eliminating much of the luck of the deal.

Bridge is played using a standard deck of 52 cards dealt equally among four players. The players bid in a coded language to describe their hands to their partners and then play to make their contract. Generally, one suit is determined as “trump,” leading to the expression, “Play your trump card.” Duplicate contract bridge, in which each competitor or team plays identical hands under similar conditions, is the main form of competitive bridge.

The increased popularity of contract bridge eventually formed a merging league of American bridge groups called the 'American Contract Bridge League' in the 1930's. ACBL membership has grown spectacularly in the past 50+ years and currently stands at 167,000 nationwide and growing!

We hope you will go and learn bridge, if you don’t know how to already! It is a very stimulating and strategic game that is suitable for all ages and stages of life. Many retirement communities offer weekly bridge, and one thing’s for sure, you will get addicted to this worldwide craze of a game!

For more information on our assisted living Olympia Fields, Independent Living Flossmoor or Tinley Park facility, located in Hazel Crest, contact us here.


 

Resident Spotlight: Jean Manzke

Waterford Estates resident Jean Manzke has lived in Tinley Park nearly all her life. She was born in Chicago and grew up as the middle child in a neighborhood in Tinley Park.  She has seen this town go through the effects of The Great Depression, numerous World Wars, all types of eras and fads and still remains a faithful resident of this area of Chicago. With a father in World War 1 and a brother in the service, having to persevere through hard times has been a life skill that’s gotten Jean through her life.

“I trust God when times are hard and when times are good. My faith has stayed strong even when friends and family fall away,” Manzke said.

After attending middle and high school, Jean went to 1 year of community college and took night classes. She studied numerous subjects, including oil painting and accounting, both of which would play a role in her future careers.

Jean and her husband opened a cabinet shop and she did accounting for it. She said that outside of that, she will try ‘just about anything.’ Her wide range of interests have multiplied over the years as she is now an avid organ and keyboard player, knits breast cancer scarves, reads and writes, attends bible study, and frequently goes to painting class.

“I’ve never had a freer life than I have now. No responsibilities and loads of activities!’ Manzke said confidently.

Jean’s family ties run deep and long, as there are nearly 75 people in her extended family, coast to coast, and even has a 6th great granddaughter on the way! She stays in frequent touch with most as they come visit her often, with grandchildren and great grandchildren tagging along. When Manzke moved to Waterford earlier this year, she said it was an easy transition.

"They (the staff) really help you here. You become friends with these people and it makes you feel at home all the time,” Manzke said.
 
Jean’s experience with Waterford has been a wonderful time for both her and the residents and staff around her. She has taught those around her many life lessons.

“You’ve just to accept people where they are at. I’m not here to change anybody. I believe in being confident and happy in how God has made you, gifts, talents and all,”  Manzke said.

Known around Waterford as the wittiest woman, Jean is nothing less than a joy, fun and wise friend to have! We enjoy having her here!

For more information on our nursing home Homewood, nursing home Olympia Fields, or nursing home Flossmoor community, located in Hazel Crest, contact us here.

Family Member Testimonials About Waterford Experience

Here at Waterford Estates, we know moving a family member out of the house into a retirement community can be a difficult and potentially stressful situation. Find comfort in knowing that our intentional staff is there to be of assistance in any way during any part of the move, and will be in constant communication with you and your family every step of the way.

Listen and watch this video of a Waterford resident family testimonial, talking about her family's wonderful experience of working with Waterford after moving their loved one into our retirement community.

For more information on our memory care Tinley Park, nursing home Hazel Crest, or assisted living Tinley Park facility, contact us here.

Dining At Waterford Estates

Here at Waterford Estates, we take our dining service and your dining experience seriously! We provide the nutritional and social aspects of your daily meal experience and it is easily one of the most enjoyable parts of life here at Waterford Estates. From a fine waiting staff, to three meals a day, friends to sit with and elegant surroundings, your dining experience is sure to be great! Our dining experience is different than other communities because we offer Flexible Dining, you can dine at your convenience at anytime between 7am-7pm. Enjoy a taste of what the menu is like here:

For more information on our assisted living Olympia Fields and nursing home Olympia Fields community, located in Hazel Crest, contact us here.

Nutrition and Exercise Fanatic Resident, Carmen Cook

We all know it’s a healthy balance of diet and exercise to stay in shape and for Waterford Resident Carmen Cook, she has discovered a great routine and solution to help her in the process. Carmen believes in combining a consistent fitness program along with a diet regimen.

“I always try to eat healthy by consuming a lot of veggies and fish. Portion sizes have to be watched. I avoid desert but every now and then, I have a little something.”  

Carmen was a nurse for more than 20 years and because of what she has seen, both good and bad for health, she has learned what works and how to do the right thing. 

Exercise, health and well-being are a huge focus on the lifestyle here at Waterford Estates. To see an example of our activities schedule, click here. For more general information on our nursing home Hazel Crest or assisted living Tinley Park community, located in Hazel Crest, contact us here.

Caring For Mom And Dad

To all the past, present and future caregiver’s out there, the process of caregiving can be a hard, frustrating and sometimes a discouraging experience.  With family caregivers now providing 90% of parent care in addition to balancing work, family and a job, this new show from PBS called ‘Caring for Mom and Dad’ seeks to answer and explore the emotional, health and financial challenges of being a caregiver. Read and get to know some of the families and stories involved with the show. These people are relatable, real, and honest and chances are, it will encourage you in your journey of caregiving, whatever phase you may be in. Check it out here: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/caringformomanddad/

Waterford Estates staff is ready when the time comes to help your loved one transition. Our expert sales counselors are available to walk through the decision making process with you. Contact us or stop by and we would love to meet with you. Our assisted living Hazel Crest community is located near Homewood.

Resident Spotlight: Genevieve Peredna

Born in the South side of Chicago on December 6th, 1915, Genevieve Peredna is surely one of the longest-standing residents of Chicago, considering she’s stayed here her entire life.  When she was 7, her poverty-stricken family moved to Canyon, a small rural area with only three houses on her street. Her parents were full-blooded Lithuanians and had three children, in which Genevieve was the middle child.

Genevieve grew up in the depression era and though her family as poor and lived in a rural neighborhood, Genevieve was the only one who went to high school for 2 years and then became a bookkeeper. Her high school achievement was a rarity and was amazing for that time! She also did advertising for a while, as well as payrolls by using a ‘comptometer,’ a giant machine that adds numbers for you. While her bosses loved her and she ‘worked very hard,’ she eventually left this position to take care of her parents.

In 1938, Genevieve married her grammar-school crush and dancing fiend of a husband. They were incredible partner dancers, especially in the waltz. He worked doing management, was an incredible singer and dancer, and both he and Genevieve were actively involved in their church doing fundraising. Her husband was drafted into the first division of the first army in Germany on the front lines. During his time of service, she had her first daughter. When the war ended, he had to stay on duty and when returned, he ended up at President Eisenhower’s headquarters for 2 years as the head draftsmen. Then, they moved together to the house across from her parent’s to take care of them and stayed there for 62 years.

They had their second daughter in this time, who worked, alongside her sister, in the education system for more than 30 years each, with either a Master’s degree or a PHD. With numerous grandchildren and six great grandchildren, Genevieve’s life has been very full and very special! The majority of the generations below her are either lawyers, doctors, nurses or in the news industry. While five of her great grandchildren are in Seattle, one is in Chicago and comes to visit Waterford Estates often.

Genevieve and her now late husband moved to Waterford just shy of three years ago and has enjoyed every moment since she set foot on campus.

“There’s just about anything you want to do here. All the help here is very nice. They are always there to help you. I’m happy here,” Peredna said.

As far as her involvement as a 3-year resident of Waterford, Genevieve is quite involved in serving and helping others. She is a ‘resident ambassador,’ welcoming in new residents and showing them the lifestyle while adjusting to a new place. She is also a part of the ladies ‘Red Hatters,’ in which they do various weekly service projects in and outside the campus. Genevieve’s sharpness, high character, positive attitude, hard work ethic and servitude comes from her greatest influence and from her overall life experience, as a near 100-year-old woman!

“My mom was a sharp woman. She worked hard and talked about good things. She overcame a lot of hard things, including blindness and my dad had Palsy. We used to reminisce together on the porch. Losing her and my husband are the hardest things I’ve done but I can’t complain about it.. I am so grateful, have had such a good life and my kids are good to me,” Genevieve said.

Genevieve is an essential part of our family here at Waterford Estates. Her current hobby is going to hear Shannon, our activities director, read an 1927 Memoir on Monday evenings. We love Genevieve and she is full of life! With her 100th birthday coming up, we are so excited to honor and celebrate a woman who gives and brings so much to our life here at Waterford!

If you are interested in learning more about our nursing home Olympia Fields community, located in Hazel Crest, contact us here.

Family Member Testimonials Say It All

When moving a family member out of the house and into a retirement community, it can be a difficult transition along with many other potential stresses and worries for families. Here at Waterford Estates, our staff intentionally helps each individual with the transition, move, and any need possible, all while keeping in constant communication with the family members.

Listen and watch this video of a few families talking about their wonderful experience of working with Waterford after moving their loved one into our assisted living facility.

If you are interested in more information on our memory care tinley park area community, located in Hazel Crest, contact us here!

Grand Living At Waterford Estates

For every Grandparent, Great-Grandparent, and person who has been “grand” to a youngster, September 13th is YOUR day. It is only fitting that one day of the year is set aside to honor Grandparents … the family strength!

National Grandparents Day originated with Marian McQuade, a West Virginia housewife with 15 children and 40 grandchildren, who was a champion for lonely senior citizens. She was elected Vice-Chairman of her state’s Committee on Aging and appointed a delegate to the White House Conference on Aging. She hoped to persuade grand-children to tap the wisdom and heritage their elders could provide. Because of her diligence, President Jimmy Carter in 1978, proclaimed Grandparents Day would be celebrated every year on the first Sunday after Labor Day. So enjoy this day with your family, and your Waterford family. It’s the greatest gift your loved ones can receive from you.

If you are interested in more information on an assisted living tinley park area community, located in Hazel Crest, contact us here.

Caregiver Resources

With the number of Caregiver’s increasing rapidly, it’s important to keep up to date with resources, programs and services available to Caregivers across the nation. From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, here is a great web source for federal resources for caregivers from Administration to Medicaid, Centers for Prevention to Institutes of Health. On this site, you will find hundreds of legitimate articles, support groups, publications and more to help aid you in the process of Caregiving.

As a Caregiver, there will come a time when you are ready for the next step, and we want to be there to help during the transition into a loving and welcoming independent living or assisted living Olympia Fields community, located in Hazel Crest. Our expert staff here are ready to assist you in the process at any time so contact us here!

Resident spotlight: Mr. E Glen Ward Jr.

91-years-old and as thriving as can be, Waterford Estates resident Glen Ward has one of the most lively, personable and helpful personalities this world has ever seen! A man of much depth, his life story is a unique in many ways and he has used his life experiences to share, equip, encourage and challenge others around him. As a World War II Veteran and being an African American in a time of increasing racism, he has had quite the journey of work, travel and all things in between.

Elijah Glen Ward Jr. was born in Halls, Tenn., in December of 1924, and came to Chicago as an infant with his mother and family. He is the 7th of 7 boys but sadly, many of those boys passed at an early age. He was involved in boy scouts and ROTC and was a hard-worker and determined boy from a young age. He went to grade school and high school in Chicago but attended college in East  Texas at Prairieview in September 1942. He enrolled in ROTC and quickly became Sergeant Major and Captain of the Rifle Squad.

“I got on a train in Chicago and sometime between there and Texas, we made a stop at a station a few hundred miles outside of where I was to go to school, but I didn’t know that. I got off the train at the wrong station and all of my luggage got lost. I had to work hard and make money to buy all new stuff. It was just one of many things I learned from,” Glen said.

Ward stayed in college until May of 1943, when he was drafted for the army, and had to move back to Chicago. Upon arriving, he immediately went to Michigan to a reception center where he was able to give a request on where he would like to do training.

“I begged them to send me to the west coast, because much racism was happening in the south. So they sent me and twelve others on a train to south Portland, to a unit where they prepped us for overseas wartime. But, we didn’t do basic training. It was more of a simplified version. I took an intense engineering course in a nearby city and by January, we were headed to New Jersey to get on a boat going to Scotland, and later on, England,” Ward recalled.

Once landed in Glasgow, England, his convoy was moved down to England where they were housed from February 1944 until the beginning of June 1944. This was a time of no combat for his specific troop, so him and his comrades were immersed completely in the British culture, which he recalls as a great time and experience. Ward was assigned to the hospital as a surgical technician, and also ran the equipment center for all the American troops located in nearby towns in England.

“I was just 19-years-old on D-Day. It was a cloudy day and as I looked up at the sky headed toward France on June 6th, 1944, I knew combat was on. Our pilots couldn’t see where to drop bombs on the German bunker positions in Normandy but I remember they just did the best they could. Germany used drones so we frequently had to hide in foxholes,” Ward said.

“I learned so much about God in those moments, living through death, destruction and momentary scares,” Ward quietly mentioned.

Many American Troops returned to America but because of his race, Ward was required to stay on ground in Germany and France until President Truman declared troops not to be segregated. Ward returned to Chicago in May 1946, and stayed in the army reserve, until he joined the National Guard and became an administrative assistant at a law firm, where he stayed working until 1964.

During those 20 or so years, much happened in Ward’s life. He attended college, law school and aviation school, but decided it wasn’t for him. Instead, he worked as a bus driver for 9 years, and eventually worked for the National Guard as a captain. He met his wife in May of 1952, whom was a history teacher at Alabama State and they had 5 children shortly after.

After leaving his clerk position at the law firm, Ward began to work for Prudential Insurance Company in 1964, because they were one of the only ones that hired blacks.

“It was a very fruitful and profitable experience. I did well in this business and worked for almost 20 years in that field, when I eventually started a personal business dealing with home improvements,” Ward recalled.

His 33 years of military service served him well, including overseas time in the army during World War II, plus a member and captain of National Guard, and Ward eventually retired from the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) and infantry offices in the 70s, when he began his business endeavor in home improvements.

He gave up the business and his kids told him it was time to look into a retirement community near for him and his wife. His kids mentioned Waterford and after a quick tour, Ward and his wife moved into Waterford in June 2013. But, somehow, some of the most monumental moments have happened yet for Ward, proving his life has really just begun, as he says.

“In January 2016, my family fund is starting ‘Ward College,’ which is for people who dropped out, didn’t go to school, to give certificates for occupational jobs and give people a second chance. I’ve enjoyed a good life and I’m grateful. God gave me this idea and I believe this will be my footprint from here on out,” Ward said.

Glen Ward is a resident ambassador and is always seen helping others, no matter the cost.

“I do it for the people here. I listen, I’m transparent and I help them. It’s simple. You can be successful by giving yourself simple assignments each day. God has given me the energy and talent to do it. All that I want to do, I can do still and am in the condition to do so,” Glen enthusiastically stated!

Last year, he was able to go on an Honors Flight to D.C., where more than 2,000 people welcomed him and others at the airport waving flags. He said it was “a life-changing experience to see how much has changed in our culture since the last time he was welcomed home from service.”

He has some wise, legacy-filled words to leave with us on how he has chosen to live his life and view his time here at Waterford.

“I’m entering my golden years with all that I’ve dreamed about. I’ve found the full value of living and helping and making people smile! It has relieved stress and is why I’m standing here today, strong and healthy,” Ward chuckled assuredly.

Wow, what a legacy and a man who lived a “life worthwhile.” We are honored to have him in our community here and he is a blessing to each person he encounters, staff, resident or stranger.

If you’d like more information on our assisted living, memory care or nursing home Hazel Crest facility, located near Flossmoor, contact us here.

Your dining experience is important to Waterford Estates

Dining is a big choice when it comes to deciding where to live. Fortunately for our residents we have a wide variety of healthy, nutritious and filling foods to satisfy our residents’ needs. With a flexible dining schedule and prime opportunities to chat with fellow residents over delicious food, dining is a resident favorite, especially when three meals a day are provided at your convenience. Watch this video to find out more:

If you or a loved one is interested in finding out more about our Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care options, contact us here. We are located in Hazel Crest near Olympia Fields.

Different Is Good!

Waterford Estates is a community that cares about the long-term health and aging of residents. The ‘Waterford Difference’ is what makes our community stand out among the rest. Here are three major statements that make our community and staff rise above others:

CARE:
We are dedicated to improving the quality of life of each resident. We offer several dignified care options and embrace an "Age In Place" philosophy, by providing continuity of care. These options include Independent Living, Assisted Living & Memory Care, and other Third-Party Services on-Site.

COMMUNITY:
Making our residents happy by celebrating life in a bright, warm and lively atmosphere is a primary objective here at Waterford Estates. There are lovely landscapes, safe walking paths, and gated gardens on our 12-acre campus. There are options to host a private party with your family and friends with catering, and our ‘Life In Balance’ program offers a wide variety of social activities, exercise classes, entertainment and more.

UNDERSTANDING:
We understand resident independence is of utmost importance and fortunately, our residents are given the choice for what fits best with their interests and schedule. To experience our lifestyle first hand, future residents are encouraged to come visit us frequently. They often appreciate our up-front approach and are surprised by our flexible rental lease. Our affordability is often termed as "amazing".    

Contact us and come visit or take a tour! We have full assurance you will see and experience the ‘Waterford Difference’ during your visit!

                                          

Watch this video to take a 'virtual tour'!