by Doug Hickerson
Mary Fessenden, editor of The LBCC Banner, is at work for the next issue.Residents at the Lakeside Beikirch Care Center in Brockport recently launched their own in-house newspaper called the LBCC Banner. Mary Fessenden created it as editor, after just one year as a resident. She thought of B words that would go with “Beikirch,” she said, and landed on Banner, “because it seems to imply some sort of flag, soaring above us all, as we go through our lives here at the Care Center.”
Think of Mary as Beikirch’s Betsy Ross, flag creator and bearer as well, lifting residents and staff above isolation and daily routines to appreciate each other’s stories and human qualities.
How The Banner was born
Mary’s inspiration for starting the newsletter came from self-reflection and a desire to prompt interaction among the residents.
“The idea for a newsletter came from two converging thoughts going through my mind: One was that I didn’t have enough to keep me busy, that is, my kind of busy which involves reading and writing. I was doing both of those things but kind of running out of steam.
“The next was that it seemed like my fellow residents didn’t know each other very well. Their communication with one another seemed limited. I wondered how I could help open things up, get them really talking to each other. I wanted everyone to relax and read about some fellow residents or the staff so that they could become interested enough to perhaps approach that person and ask a few questions. And, that is already happening after just one issue!
“I found out that most people (all, so far) are willing to share their life experiences with others and that the others are curious as can be. Even though most of our residents have lost their life-partners, they aren’t consumed by sadness; rather they are eager to share their joyous memories and their current lives.”
Mary brings her varied background to The Banner. She has a bachelor of science degree in psychology and a master of science degree in Teaching Reading from The College at Brockport. She taught elementary school at Brockport Central for 20 years and put out a newsletter to parents every week. After retirement, she was asked to contribute to “The Literacy News,” a developing newsletter for the College’s Reading Department. She was state editor of the New York State Junior Women’s newsletter in the late 80s.
Mother and daughter in the creative process
“I’ve been absolutely thrilled with the response to The Banner, and … I’m really proud to admit to its authorship, and to my daughter’s part in the layout,” Mary said.
For the first issue Mary wrote all of the text (except for two submitted stories), took the photos, and then sent them by email to daughter Amber who did further editing or corrections in a computer newsletter creation program. About the photos, Mary said, “I took the photos since I’m the only one with a camera. I find it fun to wheel about, camera at the ready, looking for good shots.”
After Amber did some editing on the news and photos, she paid her usual weekly visit from Buffalo. “We sat together, head-to-head, for many hours, sifting and sorting through all of the material to see how it fits,” Mary said. “We work well together on almost anything we try, and this was the most fun of all. Since we think so much alike, this was a very fulfilling process.”
Mary’s daughter, Amber Kallen-Monroe, previously worked as a photographer for a school portrait company where she also did yearbook layout for schools in the Rochester area. She also is a writer of children’s fiction and is working to publish her first book.
Mary’s good camera shots, and the “fulfilling” layout process, resulted in an appealing newsletter with eye-catching articles and photos on each page. The eight pages are filled with interesting personal profiles, information, event announcements, and unique design elements. The photos of residents and staff are in bright, sharp color. The printing was done in the offices of Lakeside Beikirch Care Center.
The Banner’s content and organization
“For the first issue there were no defined subject areas except for interviews of residents, one from each floor,” Mary said. “In going through the gathered material, Amber and I could see that categories were emerging: Three Cheers for Volunteers, CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) of the Month, Resident Spotlight for each floor, staff interviews, and shorter features such as Looking Ahead, Looking Back, Looking Around. Pleased with these unanticipated subject areas, Mary will stick to them for the next issue scheduled for December 1. News will include a name-the-beauty-parlor contest, Christmas announcements, and reports on Family Night and a Halloween social. Being considered for the next or future issues are letters-to-the-editor and possibly jokes and riddles.
New reporters for the next issue
The staff: (left to right) reporters Joanne Nicolucci and Ralph Smith, Editor Mary Fessenden, and reporter Ruth Langdon.“I asked for volunteers to help me on the newsletter,” Mary said, “and three residents stepped forward to be new reporters.” One reporter is Ruth Langdon who taught kindergarten for 24 years, including in Attica, “outside the walls,” she said with a laugh. She likes to write poetry. “I just dabble for my own pleasure.” But, she did write her husband’s life story in poetry. And, “For many, many, many years I wrote and produced all the plays for my church’s Christmas programs at West Middlebury Baptist,” Ruth added.
Another reporter will be Ralph Smith. Ralph worked at golf courses in his early years, then factories such as G.E., Lipton, and Owens-Illinois locally. He retired at 62, and returned to golf course maintenance for 23 more years. He worked on newspapers in Brockport and Albion. As a WWII vet, he wrote and produced a Holley VFW newspaper called “The Reveille”. “It’s hard work but satisfying in a way,” he said about his newspaper work. “When you get it done, you look at it and say, ‘That wasn’t so bad after all.’ ”
JoAnn Nicolucci is also writing for the next issue. With training in secretarial courses at RIT, she worked for General Dynamics, later for J.M. Fields, Bell’s, and the American Legion in Scottsville. At Bull’s Head Clinic in Rochester, she worked on the newspaper, writing about events and the people. Writing a story for the next issue of The Banner, “I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning to get it done. It was on my mind and I wanted to get it out,” she said about the story written in longhand. She is excited about writing after seeing the first issue. “I loved the newspaper and I hope it goes far, I really do.”
The editor reflects on the first issue
“The newsletter has been a very satisfying and rewarding experience,” Mary said. “I have been a resident here at LBCC for one year now. Since I started work on The Banner I feel more a part of my community. I’m really getting to know the people who live around me. I hope The Banner helps other residents feel a part of this community, too.”
