Students Brighten Christmas Season for Residents at Central Wisconsin Senior Living

"Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our

childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport

the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!"  ~ Charles Dickens

We love the holiday season and not just because our cooks are the best at recreating the special holiday treats our residents remember from their Christmas past. Among the sounds of the Christmas music and the merry chatter of family members spending time with the residents is the sound of children and young adults helping to make our season bright.

Pre-Kindergarten students from Bannach School singing Christmas carols following a visit with the residents. 

The talented Pacelli High School Choir performed for the residents on Christmas Eve Day. These wonderful singers amazed everyone with their artistry.

Several Pacelli High School students working at North Crest with Chef Teri Lepak for the day. They helped with activities, dancing with the residents, entertaining in the afternoon.

Open House at Pioneer Place

Teri Lepak Celebrates 10 Years of Service With Love

Caring for the residents is an important responsibility; one that requires much patience and a lot of love. We would like to take this opportunity to recognize a member of our staff who exemplifies the high quality care and commitment to the residents of Central Wisconsin Senior Living.

In 2001 Teri Lepak accepted the position as cook for the residents when North Haven Homes consisted of only one building and was celebrating its six month anniversary. From the very beginning it was apparent that Teri's talent extended beyond her ability and love of cooking. 

It's been said that the kitchen is the heart of the home which is why our assisted living facilities feature an open kitchen. But it takes more than a good floor plan and cooking skills to make a home for our residents; which is where Teri shines.

Teri is quick to point out how much she loves her job and looks forward to spending time with the residents. Her dedication to nurturing a caring environment is shown in the little extra gestures Teri offers the residents: going above and beyond her duties of providing meals to the residents, their family and friends as well as the people Teri works with. It's not uncommon to find Teri visiting with the residents in the dining area or in their room, giving them a warm neck wrap or playing cards with them.

Favorite family dishes and baked goods, holiday traditions and the stories behind a resident's best-loved comfort food will find it's way from the kitchen, lovingly prepared by Teri, to the joy of everyone.

When not at work, Teri enjoys spending time with her husband and their two grown children.

The residents of North Haven Assisted Living are truly blessed to be surrounded by caring staff members like Teri who makes "service with love" part of her everyday life.

Celebrate & Salute Our Nation's Flag at North Haven Assisted Living

We take the stars from heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity, representing our liberty.

 ~George Washington, attributed

On Saturday, June 18, 2011, Central Wisconsin Senior Living will host a Celebration of Independence. The event is open to the residents as well as the family and friends of your loved ones.


The event begins at 11:00 a.m. with a social time at North Crest.


Also at North Crest, Flag Presentation/Salute at 11:30 a.m.. A picnic lunch will follow the salute.


North Ridge will be the setting for afternoon entertainment at 1:30 p.m.


We would appreciate a RSVP by Monday, June 13, 2011, at your loved ones home.


We look forward to sharing this special Independence Celebration with you.

North Crest Resident Harriett Trebatoski

It isn't often that you come across a pithy quote that relates to knitting but as soon as I heard it, I immediately thought of North Crest resident Harriett Trebatoski. The quote is: "If you give a gal a scarf, she'll have an accessory. If you teach her to knit, she'll be in stitches for the rest of her life."

Harriett has spent a large part of her adult life crocheting and knitting for family and friends as well as crafting many other items that were sold through the Lincoln Center Holly Shoppe. From the time Harriett first began knitting in 1982 until the time she put down her knitting needles and crochet hooks in 2010, she provided 2,550 crocheted kitchen towels, 1,093 knit caps and shirts, 601 baby afghans, 257 baby quilts, 839 flower arrangements and 900 seasonal wreaths, birds, rabbits and other decorative items. These are just what is on record at the Holly Shoppe. It does not take into account the afghans she made as wedding presents for all her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Harriett has also made countless baby afghans and other items. To say she enjoyed knitting would be an understatement.


Harriett was born March 16, 1920, to Harry and Amelia Garceau in Crosby, Minnesota. Her father ran the Chevrolet dealership in Crosby and her siblings, four brothers and two sisters, attended Crosby-Ironton High School.


The family was involved in music activities. Harriett played a keyboard, her two sisters played organ and piano, while one brother was a music teacher and played with their father in the city band.


Harriett met Stanley Trebatoski at the J.C. Penney store in Crosby where he was the assistant manager and she was a sales clerk. The couple married on July 10, 1939. Harriett recalls that on the day of their wedding it was 110 degrees in Minnesota. "I'll never forget that day," she said.


Harriett and Stanley returned to Stanley's hometown of Stevens Point in 1940 and lived on what was the Trebatoski homestead on Illinois Avenue; it remained their home for the next 54 years. Harriett lived in the house until 1997, moving a year following Stanley's death when St. Michael's Hospital needed the property for expansion.


Harriett and Stanley operated the Fifth Ward Grocery store on Church Street prior to Stanley's taking a position with Normington's Laundry where he remained for 20 years before taking a job with the city of Stevens Point treasurer's office.


While their children were growing up, Harriett was a stay-at-home mom. She did take a part-time position at the Coast-to-Coast store before joining the UW-Stevens Point food service catering team.


It was during the time that Stanley was working at Normington's that Harriett joined a knitting club with the wives of the other workers at Normington's. One of the primary items that the knitting club made were baby soakers, wool pants that went over diapers.


Harriett recalls that they weren't difficult for her to learn to knit and it wasn't long before she began crocheting as well as doing some sewing for her children. Irma Zimmerman, a member of that sewing club, now lives with Harriett at North Crest.


Harriett's daughter, Pat Trebatoski, Stevens Point, said that Harriett has enjoyed crocheting and knitting so much she would rather give her items away than sell them. "She and my dad were the most generous people I knew," Pat said.


While Harriett has given up knitting and crocheting because of arthritis, her family and friends will forever treasure the handmade gifts she lovingly made for them.