Senior Living Residents Enjoy Fresh and Unique Experiences

Barb Hemberger • February 6, 2024

One of the many benefits of calling a senior living community your home, is the vast array of opportunities to learn new things and participate in different activities. Sure, you can take part in traditional card games such as 500, euchre, bridge and so on, but at Saint Therese senior communities, we try to offer our residents some out-of-the-box programs.


Case in point: We recently completed a thoroughly engaging music education program, Adult Music Learning Series, at Saint Therese of Oxbow Lake in Brooklyn Park. The 7-week program wasn’t one where residents learned how to play an instrument or were entertained by musicians (although it was entertaining). Rather it was a richer experience of learning about music.


The program was led by OboeBass!, a talented husband and wife duo comprised of Dr. Carrie Vecchione (who plays the oboe) and Dr. Rolf Erdahl (who plays the double bass). OboeBass! takes the audience on a journey to experience, in depth, the backgrounds of some famous composers and to better understand different types of music and how the music can be interpreted.

While that may seem dull and intense, Carrie and Rolf teach in a most amusing way. They use multiple audio and visual formats, of course they play their instruments….and they top it off with a variety of props and antics to the delight of the audience.


Four of the seven topics in their series were:


  • Mozart, the Boy Genius, and the Masons – learn about one of the most famous composers of all time and experience The Magic Flute.
  • The Spirit Sings – the rich legacy of African-American music, its growth from slave songs to jazz to performers such as Marian Anderson.
  • The Carnival of the Animals – the life and music of the genius Camille Saint Saens with focus on his delightful musical menagerie.
  • The Classical and Jazzy Nutcracker – Tchaikovsky and his famous ballet with a comparison to Duke Ellington’s jazz version.


More than 20 Oxbow Lake residents attended the series week after week, and thoroughly enjoyed it, as could be seen from their rapt expressions, laughter and smiles.



“I found them very interesting,” said resident Rosemary Petersen. “I have learned a lot about orchestration and different composers.” Similarly, resident Sharon Leadens said, “It was wonderful and also great to be with other people.”

Carrie and Rolf said these programs are some of the most rewarding things they do. “We love hearing positive responses and we also believe these programs can build community by giving people something to talk about with others, often including sharing their experiences with music.” Carrie teaches at the MacPhail Center for music and in her home studio; Rolf teaches at Gustavus Adolphus.

OboeBass! and other unique programs are provided through the Saint Therese Foundation’s grant funding from the Minnesota State Arts Board for Creative Support for Organizations.



“These programs and activities were carefully selected to give our residents the opportunity to gain access to unique and culturally diverse programs, unlike anything currently offered at Saint Therese,” said Jen Bettencourt, Vice President of Philanthropy for Saint Therese. “We love bringing these artists and programs to our campuses.”

Stay Connected


Search All Posts


About

At Saint Therese, our heartfelt purpose since 1968 has been a people first approach to living well by providing senior care and services where every life we touch feels welcomed, respected, and heard. We achieve this by doing ordinary things with extraordinary love every single day. Contact us to learn more. 

By Barb Hemberger August 29, 2025
“There is no timetable for grief; it unfolds in its own way, in its own time.” – Unknown On August 30, we pause to honor Grief Awareness Day—a reminder that grief is both universal and deeply personal. At Saint Therese senior living communities, grief is not an abstract idea. It is woven into the daily lives of residents, families, and caregivers alike. To better understand this journey, we spoke with five of our pastoral care directors, who accompany people through life’s most difficult transitions. At Saint Therese, we are proud to have full-time pastoral care directors in our communities, ensuring that compassionate spiritual support is always present. Their reflections remind us that grief is not something to “get over,” but something to live with, honor, and grow through. Grief in Daily Life at Saint Therese Each director shared that grief extends beyond the moment of death. It includes the loss of independence, the decline of health, the move into senior living, or even the passing of a fellow resident or staff member. Duane Bauer of Saint Therese of Woodbury emphasized the importance of normalizing grief. “What would it be like if you didn’t grieve your spouse? We grieve because we were in relationship. A new normal has to come out of it.” His role, he says, is to listen more than talk, to walk alongside without judgment, and to create sacred moments of farewell such as “sacred sending” rituals for families and staff. John Ilkka at Saint Therese of Oxbow Lake speaks about grief as a deeply personal and non-linear process. He emphasizes that there are no “magic words” to take away someone’s pain. Instead, his role is to listen, provide space, and reassure people that whatever they are feeling is valid. “The simplest thing is, whatever you’re feeling is ok. Grieving takes time, and it’s hard work,” he shared. For John, honoring grief means letting people lead the way—sometimes needing presence, sometimes needing space—and always being authentic. Beth O’Hare-Fisher at Saint Therese – IHM Senior Living often encounters grief during visits, when new residents open up about the loss of a spouse or sibling. She organizes Circles of Sharing, where residents gather to name and remember those who have died. For her, the key is acknowledging loss and affirming feelings without rushing the process. Mollie Dvorak of Saint Therese of Corcoran speaks passionately about anticipatory grief—the mourning that begins even before a loved one passes. She uses books like Tear Soup: A Recipe for Healing After Loss, and The Invisible String to help residents and staff process emotions. For her, grief is not something to fix, but something to witness with compassion. Mary Lou Swinerton of Saint Therese St. Mary of the Woods adds that grief is a life event that encompasses the whole community. “It requires that we recognize that our Saint Therese community is bigger than our specific place. The entire community—residents, families, and staff—grieve. We must recognize this collective grief, name it, and honor it. It may be a sudden death of a resident’s son across the country, a memorial service for a resident’s loss, or even the bittersweet moment when someone leaves the community to be closer to family. Journeying with residents and staff in grieving means understanding that grief is not a one-size-fits-all event.” Together, these directors show us that grief is not just about endings—it is also about presence, memory, and care. Gentle Practices for Navigating Grief From these conversations, five guiding practices emerge: 1. Give Yourself Permission Grief doesn’t follow a timetable. It can show up as sadness, anger, relief, or even laughter. Whatever you’re feeling is valid. 2. Tell Your Story Sharing memories of a loved one keeps their presence alive. Whether in a support group, a circle of remembrance, or over coffee with a friend, storytelling helps heal. 3. Lean into Community As Duane noted, grief is less overwhelming when shared. Find a faith group, a grief support circle, or simply a trusted listener. 4. Practice Self-Care Grief can exhaust body, mind, and spirit. Be gentle with yourself. Rest, eat well, pray or meditate, and allow space for your own healing. 5. Embrace the “New Normal” Life after loss will not be the same—but in time, it can hold meaning again. The journey is not about “moving on,” but about moving forward. A Shared Journey At Saint Therese, grief is not something to be avoided. It is something to be honored—with listening ears, compassionate presence, and rituals of remembrance. As our pastoral care directors remind us, grief is a sign of love, and love always has the final word.
By Barb Hemberger July 29, 2025
At Saint Therese of Woodbury , a unique group of residents gathers twice a year not just to sing—but to connect, inspire, and celebrate the joy of music. The Saint Therese of Woodbury Choir, the only choir across all Saint Therese communities, offers two one-hour concerts each year—one in December with a Christmas theme, and a second during the summer. This year's summer performance, held in June, was called “ Music from the Movies ” and featured beloved classics including Que Sera Sera, The Bare Necessities, Tuxedo Junction and Singin’ in the Rain. Residents and guests filled the chapel for a heartwarming program filled with nostalgia, harmony, and connection. Founded in 2018 by Therese Stecher , a lifelong pianist and retired critical care nurse, the Woodbury choir started with just 10 members and has now grown to 24 dedicated singers. “The biggest fear people have is they haven’t sung in so long, they think they can’t do it,” Stecher says. “But the muscles that control the vocal cords—you just need to work them.” Stecher arranges each songbook specifically for aging voices and emphasizes that this is not simply a singalong group. “We’re here to learn a show,” she says. “The expectations are high, but the reward is even greater.” The choir practices for months before each performance.
By Barb Hemberger July 21, 2025
Discover how the Saint Therese Auxiliary’s six-decade legacy of volunteerism and community support will live on through two lasting endowment funds.