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Community News
April 2025
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My Birthday
My name is Chelly, and my favorite color is purple. I like coloring black velvet pictures, making crafts, and painting by number. I really enjoy bowling on Tuesdays, and I really want a dragonfly bowling ball. I love listening to music. My favorite song is “All I Have to Do is Dream” by the Everly Brothers. I also really like country music.
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I just had my birthday party on March 3rd. My real birthday is on March 2nd. I turned 47 years old. Sondra, Tiffany, Tim, Rhonda, Sharon, Sarah, Val, and her daughter, Kara, all came to my party. We had really yummy vanilla cake and ice cream. I received some cool presents, a llama lamp, a lunar cat lamp, a mood ring, St. Patrick’s Day socks, more black velvet pictures to color, and a stuffed baby sloth that is so soft.
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I also received a lot of pretty awesome cards. My Dad sent me a funny card. It's an octopus card, and when you open it, the legs come out. He also sent me three Dunkin' gift cards. I love Dunkin' Donuts. I had a really great time!
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Musical Performance
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Kevin Gardella, Program Manager
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John has delighted audiences for the past decade with his annual performance from his favorite musical, Mama Mia. Each year, he dedicates countless hours at home and at Listen Up to perfect his chosen song. Previously, John captivated us with "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," but now he is bringing the house down with "Here We Go Again."
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This year's performance promises to be just as spectacular and will take place on April 1st at the Rines Auditorium in the Portland Public Library. John's dedication and passion shine through every note, making it an event you won't want to miss!
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As the performance season wraps up, John will shift his focus to other beloved activities, including swimming and participating in the Special Olympics. We encourage everyone to come out and support the athletes participating in the Special Olympics.
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Farm Life
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Alicia Lanthier, Fiscal Intermediary Coordinator
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Rohan’s fondness for farm animals isn’t just a simple pastime- it’s a window into a world where nature, responsibility, and the simple joys of life converge. His connection with these animals enriches his daily experiences and offers valuable lessons in empathy, care, and environmental stewardship.
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Rohan’s favorite animal is the mini pig named Snoopy; he loves spending time giving him treats, petting him, and talking to him. Rohan also likes to spend time with the chickens, picking them up and petting them.
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When Rohan feeds or helps clean the farm animals, he is not merely engaging in chores. He is learning to care for another living being, understanding the cycles of life, and recognizing the importance of nurturing growth.
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The Chef
Kristin Lemire, Program Manager
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Lorieann likes to try new things. She has recently been using her iPad to look up new recipes and desserts to bake. Lorieann likes to look for recipes that she thinks her housemate might like. She found a Greek chicken with lemon and feta dinner that she helped prepare and eat. She said she really liked it. She also helped make a pot roast and a chicken pot pie that she enjoyed. She said her favorite recipe so far was the pot roast.
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As much as she likes to find meals to help make, she really likes baking cookies and pies. In the fall, Lorieann plans to make a pumpkin pie. She wants to season the pumpkin seeds with oil and cinnamon and bake them to eat too. Lorieann likes pumpkin pie, but her favorite pie is cherry pie, which she plans to make soon to share with her housemates.
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Mardi Gras
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Holli Brown, Program Manager
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Greg is a fan of all things warm and is ready for spring! Greg and his friends, including his best friend Corey, started their springtime celebrations with a Mardi Gras Party! The party included classic favorites, pizza, special pink punch, and decadent desserts, which were enjoyed by all. Greg and his friends also collected and wore Mardi Gras beads along with some fun rings with googly eyes. As I write this, a St. Patrick’s Day celebration is in the works to welcome in the luck of the Irish. Greg is already looking forward to seeing everyone come to his house for a summer BBQ in a few months. As they say in New Orleans, "laissez les bon temps rouler," or "let the good times roll" here at Residential Resources!
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Smiles for Miles
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Ricky Berry, Associate Director
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Michael has a personality that can make just about anyone smile. When he enters a room, his infectious laugh will greet you before you even see him, and then his giant smile will follow. Michael enjoys being with people and sharing his love of life.
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Last month, Michael had an opportunity to attend a dance with his housemate, and he made the most of it. Not only was he dressed to impress, but he also took advantage of the photo booth they had there. It was obvious that the part of the evening that he enjoyed most was dancing with a friend that he made that evening. Michael barely left the dance floor, staying there for slow, fast, and anything in between music, all the while laughing and smiling, which in turn made his new friend happy.
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Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and at the night’s end, when it was time to leave, he said goodbye to his new friend. He looks forward to returning to this dance, specifically the dance floor, and showing everyone the latest moves he has learned.
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Peewee Wrestling
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Autumn Donnelly, FI Accounting Specialist
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Brett started volunteering with the AuSable Valley Peewee Wrestling Team as Assistant Coordinator back in December. He helped coordinate pre-season administrative tasks such as organizing the sign-ups, purchasing needed items, and creating the emergency contact binder.
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Becoming a volunteer assistant coordinator has helped Brett work on achieving and working towards some of his goals. He has created new relationships with some of the parents on the team and has conversations at each practice, initiating some conversations on his own. Brett says he is also getting better at speaking up for himself with the encouragement of his staff.
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Brett continues to work on becoming more independent with his tasks and roles under his assistant coordinator role. He is learning new technological skills to help with administrative tasks by learning to use Microsoft Excel. He also would like to work on taking attendance for the team.
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It can be challenging to work during the start of practice with all of the kids and parents coming in at the same time. It gets very loud, but focusing on specific tasks helps during that time. Once the kids go to the wrestling room, he enjoys hanging out and talking with others. With 45 kids, learning their faces with their names for attendance can be hard. Brett has already learned many names, and his staff is supporting him to create a system to help him take attendance independently.
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Brett would like to have more responsibility, and Self-Direction has helped and continues to help him achieve his goals.
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Pizza Day
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Tim LaBounty, Program Manager
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Every other Friday, David heads to Cheshire Village Pizza, his favorite pizza spot. The moment he steps through the door, he's greeted by the familiar aroma of freshly baked pizza. His go-to order is always the same—pepperoni pizza. With a cold Coke in hand, David enjoys the atmosphere, savoring each bite of his delicious meal.
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No visit is complete without dessert, and David always treats himself to a slice of Oreo pie. After finishing his meal, he waves goodbye and heads home, thinking about his next pepperoni pizza!
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Please send us your questions, comments, or suggestions. We'd love to hear from you!
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TRUST - RESPECT - QUALITY - TRUTH / HONESTY - CREATIVITY - EMPOWERMENT - DIVERSITY
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