Carlton Senior Living Blog - What’s Happening at Carlton

Carlton Senior Living | November 22, 2020

"The Attic" from the Memoirs of James Thompson Sr. of Carlton San Jose

“The Attic” is just one of the many short stories from the memoirs of James Thompson Sr., a resident of Carlton Senior Living San Jose. Written during the 1970s, Thompson’s writings illustrate what life was like as a child growing up in the small town of Dyer, Indiana during the 1930s. Dyer is a town in St. John Township, Lake County, Indiana and is a southeastern suburb of Chicago. According to census records, the population of Dyer was just 672 in 1930 and had increased to 976 by 1940. “The Attic” by James Thompson Sr. The attic was a good place to play if the weather was mild. In the summer, the attic was very hot and in the winter it was …

Carlton Senior Living Blog | November 15, 2020

"Let's Dig In, Go Green & Talk Recycling"

Today we recognize America Recycles Day, a day to spread awareness of keeping our communities beautiful and sustainable for future generations. We are excited to showcase the efforts of Denee Coleman, one of Carlton Senior Living’s Inbound Marketing Specialists, who has gotten involved in cleaning up her local Contra Costa community of Martinez, California. The above photo of Denee was taken at Nancy Boyd Park in Martinez across from Contra Costa Fire Station 13. “You can make a meaningful difference in your community, even if it’s in a small way, like picking up litter.” -Denee Coleman, Inbound Marketing Specialist, Carlton Senior Living De …

COVID-19 | November 8, 2020

How to Celebrate the Holidays Safely According to the CDC

The holidays are right around the corner and, based on recommendations from public health agencies, celebrations this year promise to be very different than previous years in an effort to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Review the considerations offered by the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) to help protect you, your family and friends from COVID-19 as you celebrate this season. CDC: Holiday Gathering Considerations Planning to visit a Carlton community this holiday season? Please contact the community prior to your visit to confirm current guest protocols: Carlton Location Details

Carlton Senior Living | November 1, 2020

Resident Spotlight - Lucy Day

Meet Lucy Day, Carlton Senior Living’s spotlight resident – Louise “Lucy” Day was born January 26, 1943 to parents Mary and Jim Day. Louise was born at Grace Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. She has two siblings—one older sister, Donna, and one younger brother, Jim. She, Donna, and Jim are still very close. They enjoy having dinner, going on walks, and seeing movies together. Her favorite childhood memories revolve around the family cabin in Bayfield, Ontario, on Lake Huron. She enjoyed watching the lake from the lookout tower. She and her siblings also loved climbing up and down the cliffs, despite the poison ivy that grew on them! Lucy grew u …

Veterans | October 18, 2020

Resident Spotlight - Frank Hopkins

Meet Frank Hopkins, Carlton Senior Living’s spotlight resident – Francis “Frank” Hopkins was born June 6, 1942 in Lowell, Massachusetts to parents Frank and Kay Hopkins. Frank fondly remembers being a troublemaker as a kid. He also remembers being fascinated with photography; he wanted to become a photographer when he grew up. Frank still enjoys taking photographs at Carlton Davis events! Frank went to Lowell High School and the University of Miami. He joined the Air Force, during the Vietnam War, and served about four years. He was stationed on Crete and worked as a broadcaster for the same radio station that was portrayed in the movie “Good …

Carlton Senior Living | October 11, 2020

"Two Worlds Meet at Carlton: The Story of Setsuko Iwawaki Brockman" by Harriett Burt

An interesting thing happened during the recent temporary re-opening of the dining room so that new wait staff could be trained on proper meal service techniques. Table seating of residents (two to a table or booth) were organized by Dining Room Manager, Janine Smith of Carlton Pleasant Hill-Martinez. Among the ‘two at a table’ next to a window were Blanche Perry and Setsuko Brockman. Both being friendly types, they started exchanging information about themselves right away. Blanche mentioned she had lived in Japan for two years after World War II with her US Air Force husband and their family. Lo and behold, it turned out Blanche had lived i …

Carlton Senior Living Blog | October 10, 2020

Madame La Farge from La Barge

There is a group of very nice ladies who gather each Tuesday and Thursday to discuss and practice the art of knitting and crocheting. We have a wonderful time. I took the liberty of referring to our group as “Madame La Farge from La Barge.” I constructed La Barge – I say it is in central South Dakota but who knows. It is a good guess. My grandmother once told me that very nice ladies knit or crochet. She was correct. My Knitting and Crocheting group is composed of such wonderful and talented ladies – I do enjoy them. They are constructing such lovely pieces of art. You would be amazed at their talent. They are developing lovely blanke …

Carlton Senior Living | October 4, 2020

Resident Spotlight - Anthony Curatolo

Meet Carlton Senior Living’s spotlight resident, Anthony “Tony” Curatolo – Anthony was born in Queens, New York in 1927. He is one of five children and during his school years, he did well in math. He also joined the gymnastics team and played for the local football team. After high school, Anthony had a couple of jobs. He joined the United States Marine Corps and served in China at the end of WWII. When Anthony returned home to New York, he married Julia in 1949. The Curatolo’s went on to have eight children, including twin daughters. They also have fourteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Anthony celebrated his 93rd birthday at …

Carlton Senior Living Blog | September 22, 2020

"There’s a Bit of Daredevil Inside! The 20th & 21st Century Life of Bobbie Rose" by Harriett Burt

It is an interesting coincidence that Barbara Sharp ‘Bobbie’ Rose was born in San Francisco on June 21, 1918, right in the middle of the Spanish Flu pandemic, the last deadly worldwide health assault before the Covid-19 pandemic we are now experiencing. Bobbie’s mother was in labor for three days. It took her five months in the hospital and one month with relatives to recover, at least partially, from a serious infection. It was not totally cleared until sulfa drugs were developed in the late 1930s. Another problem in this most difficult birth was that the umbilical cord was wrapped around Bobbie’s neck. To keep the baby alive during the birt …

Resident Spotlights | September 6, 2020

Resident Spotlight - Doris Voigts Bloom

Meet Carlton Senior Living spotlight resident, Doris Voigts Bloom – Doris was born on November 29, 1922 in Mill Valley, California to parents Fredrick and Fodie Voigts. She had two sisters, Barbara and Shirley. As a child and young adult, Doris was athletic; she loved playing tennis and golf. She still enjoys watching both on television. Doris attended Tamalpais High School in Mill Valley. After high school, Doris went to UC Berkeley. She jokes that she went to school to get her “Mrs.” While studying at Berkeley, she met John “Jack” Bloom. Jack was on the crew team and they met when he drove her back to Berkeley after an outing with her soror …

Carlton Senior Living | August 30, 2020

Warren and Joann Smith Celebrate 64 Years of Marriage in Downtown Pleasant Hill

This couple from Carlton Senior Living Downtown Pleasant Hill proudly celebrated 64 years of marriage on August 29, 2020. It all started at the annual picnic at Humboldt State University where Joann came with a friend of hers in a bright red sports car. Warren came to the picnic with a friend and case of beer. When he saw Joann sitting in that red sports car, he offered her a beer. She accepted and their wonderful life started together. That summer, Warren had to go to Washington state for work but he decided to come back. Joann remembers having a quick wedding in Reno, Nevada as football season was about to begin for Coach Warren. Together t …

Carlton Senior Living | August 23, 2020

"Life Isn’t Always Easy, But It Can Be Fulfilling: Bill Rainford's Story" by Harriett Burt

Life Isn’t Always Easy, But It Can Be Fulfilling: Bill Rainford’s Story Carlton is not the first place Bill Rainford has lived in the neighborhood dominated by Taylor Boulevard, Pleasant Hill Road and Alhambra Avenue. A few years ago he owned a condo on Ridgeview Court, which is located near Carlton. But he has also resided in an impressive number of other neighborhoods across the country and overseas for much of his life before ending up twice, so to speak, in Pleasant Hill. Rainford is the name of a village in the northwest of England formerly famous as a producer of clay pipes. His paternal grandfather grew up there leaving in the 1890s to …

"The Attic" from the Memoirs of James Thompson Sr. of Carlton San Jose

"Let's Dig In, Go Green & Talk Recycling"

How to Celebrate the Holidays Safely According to the CDC

Resident Spotlight - Lucy Day

Resident Spotlight - Frank Hopkins

"Two Worlds Meet at Carlton: The Story of Setsuko Iwawaki Brockman" by Harriett Burt

Madame La Farge from La Barge

Resident Spotlight - Anthony Curatolo

"There’s a Bit of Daredevil Inside! The 20th & 21st Century Life of Bobbie Rose" by Harriett Burt

Resident Spotlight - Doris Voigts Bloom

Warren and Joann Smith Celebrate 64 Years of Marriage in Downtown Pleasant Hill

"Life Isn’t Always Easy, But It Can Be Fulfilling: Bill Rainford's Story" by Harriett Burt

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