Posted on March 2, 2015 by Matheny
Some of the many masks that were auctioned off.
The bar and dining room at Verve Bistro in Somerville, NJ, was packed on February 18, Fat Tuesday, for the kickoff of the restaurant’s Mardi Gras With Matheny celebration, which continued for four more days, from February 19 thru February 22. The festivities included a mask auction, which began with silent bids on Fat Tuesday and culminated on the final day, along with a gumbo cook-off. There were also plenty of flashy decorations and trinkets, along with the traditional Mardi Gras beads.
Mask sales on Sunday, February 22, totaled $1,200. That, combined with partial proceeds from all five days resulted in Verve making a $2,500 donation to Matheny. Matheny staff and students contributed to the effort by making most of the masks that were hanging for sale in the bar area. Verve owner Rick St. Pierre is well known as someone who gives back to the community. In fact, in 2011, he was Somerset County’s citizen of the year. Thank you, Rick!
Some of the Matheny mask makers, clockwise, from left: Donna Sykes, Center of Medicine and Dentistry clinic manager; Haeree Park, Arts Access project and event coordinator; Eileen Murray, Arts Access director; Burt Brooks, Arts Access performing arts coordinator; and Jodi Miguel, adult services instructor.
Posted on February 27, 2015 by Matheny
Dental hygienist Christine Benato talks about the importance of brushing regularly.
The number one childhood disease is tooth decay, and the American Dental Association is working to combat it. Every February, the ADA launches a special promotional effort called “Give Kids a Smile,” which is designed to educate children and their families about dental hygiene.
On February 10, the Matheny Center of Medicine and Dentistry dental staff supported this effort by devising games and other fun activities to educate students in The Matheny School about good dental care. There was a Dental Bingo game, special props and a video featuring Captain Supertooth.
The MCMD specializes in healthcare in an outpatient setting for people with mild to severe developmental and intellectual disabilities. Dental services and treatments include X-rays, cleanings, cavity fillings, extractions, restorative dentistry, oral surgery and root canals. Services are provided in partnership with the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine.
Matheny student Sara Hoffman and her nurse, Nancy Winder, play Dental Bingo.
Posted on February 23, 2015 by Matheny
The Bulldog Bugle is The Matheny School’s student newspaper. Every high school student in the school assists in preparation of the paper, assisted by faculty member and editor Felicia Querrey. According to Querrey, “From prewriting, all the way to peer editing, the students worked very hard to produce the third edition of the Bugle, which was completed in February.”
Among the highlights of the latest Bulldog Bugle:
• A story on Matheny’s Thanksgiving festival by Jessica, Kathryn and Savannah.
• A report on the holiday concert by the Matheny Choir, written by Savannah, Daniel and Shane.
• An alphabetical advice list written by graduate Raven, who also served as co-editor.
Click here to download and read the entire Bulldog Bugle.
Posted on February 19, 2015 by Matheny
Matheny resident Yasin Reddick with defensive lineman Daryl Campbell, left, and offensive lineman James Mattia.
The New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks were set to play in Arizona, but before that contest took place on Sunday, February 1, Matheny residents celebrated Super Sunday with members of the FDU–Florham Devils, varsity players from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ.
The FDU Devils had a losing record during the regular season, but their post-season performance (at Matheny) was a winning one. Thanks to the players and one member of their coaching staff for helping to put the “super” into Super Sunday for Matheny residents.
Matheny’s recreation therapy program provides our students and patients with a variety of recreation opportunities and resources to improve their physical, emotional, cognitive and social well-being. In addition, our students and patients often attend professional, college and high school sporting events. Next fall, the FDU Devils will likely be on the schedule.
From left, offensive line coach Matthew Lohrey, Matheny resident Jessica Evans and offensive lineman Dimi Artale.
Posted on February 17, 2015 by Matheny
Matheny resident Jessica Evans and volunteer Selma Ahmed.
“When you guys come here, you make my day brighter.” That’s how Matheny adult resident Jessica Evans greeted members of the eighth grade class at the Bedminster, NJ, School, when they visited on a recent Wednesday afternoon. For as long as anyone can remember, eighth graders from the school have been volunteering at Matheny once a week.
“It’s great to interact with the Matheny residents,” said student Selma Ahmed. “We all have fun.” On this visit, the Bedminster students started work on a banner they will carry in the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk during Miles for Matheny, the fundraiser and community event scheduled for Sunday, May 31. Ahmed also found time to help Evans polish her nails.
The group from Bedminster is just one of several school groups who visit Matheny patients and students regularly. For more information, call (908) 234-0011, ext. 282, or email volunteers@matheny.org.
Ariana Myers, left, and Jasmine Campos work on the Miles for Matheny banner.
Posted on February 12, 2015 by Matheny
Long Valley Middle School wrestlers with honorary captains, Shane Szott, left, and Jameir Warren-Treadwell.
A group of Matheny residents served as honorary captains at the January 22 Grade School League wrestling match between the Long Valley, NJ, Middle School and Watchung Hills Middle School. Long Valley defeated Watchung Hills, 46-42, and the impetus to win might have been indirectly provided by the visitors from Matheny.
Several members of the LV wrestling team, along with some other LVMS students, have been volunteering at Matheny as part of the “Include Me” program; and they have developed close personal friendships with Matheny residents. About 14 Long Valley Middle School students visited Matheny weekly during this past summer; and they have continued their visits during the school year, although not as frequently.
Volunteers are needed at Matheny days, evenings and weekends. Individuals or groups can serve as recreation assistants, classroom aides, tutors or just friendly visitors. For more information, call (908) 234-0011, ext. 282, or email volunteers@matheny.org.
Long Valley volunteer Ricky DeFrance with Matheny resident Jameir Warren-Treadwell.
Posted on February 10, 2015 by Matheny
SCVT student Megan Flores drives a power wheelchair, assisted by Sean Bielefeldt, Matheny director of recreation therapy.
The Health Occupations program at the Somerset Vocational & Technical High School in Bridgewater, NJ, offers its students the chance to learn about and experience career opportunities in health care. Students participate in clinical experiences at a variety of health care settings, shadowing health care professionals while they are working.
Recently, a group of nine Somerset Vo-Tech students visited Matheny. Each of the students identified a discipline of interest and spent a morning observing and assisting therapists and pharmacists while they were working with patients. The students also learned how to communicate with nonverbal patients by using various forms of augmentative communications systems. And they got to experience what it’s like to drive a power wheelchair with both a joystick and a head array and complete transfers with a mechanical lift system.
Posted on February 5, 2015 by Matheny
Misty Hockenbury celebrates her gold medal win.
Matheny athletes brought home four gold medals and three silver medals from the Somerset County Special Olympics bowling tournament held Saturday, January 17, at Strike ’N Spare Lanes in Green Brook. The gold medal winners were: Jessica Evans, Misty Hockenbury, Lee Lubin and Yasin Reddick. Silver medals were won by Mike Cornely, Chris Saglimbene and Cindy Shanks.
The Somerset County Special Olympics provides year-round training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with disabilities. Participation in Special Olympics is an important part of Matheny’s recreation therapy program, which provides a range of recreation choices to improve physical, emotional, cognitive and social well-being.
Posted on February 3, 2015 by Matheny
Mengchi Steven Yang, DDS, with a young dental patient.
As part of National Children’s Dental Health Month, the Matheny Center of Medicine and Dentistry (MCMD) will provide free preventive dental screenings and education and, if necessary, make referrals for continuing treatment for children ages 12 and under with special needs. The one-day program, called Give Kids a Smile, will take place at Matheny on Tuesday, February 10. It’s part of the American Dental Association’s (ADA) annual push to bring attention to the No. 1 childhood disease—tooth decay.
“Giving back to the community is so important,” says Mengchi Steven Yang, DDS, the MCMD’s dentist. “This program, more than a decade old, will touch the lives of so many of New Jersey’s special needs children. I am proud to be a part of it.”
Children who come to the Matheny Center of Medicine and Dentistry on February 10 will receive a dental screening, oral health care instruction, fluoride treatments and free dental hygiene materials, including toothbrushes, floss and toothpaste. To make an appointment, parents should call 908.234.0011, ext. 785.
Last February, in New Jersey alone, more than 2,800 children visited 121 dental sites across the state. Give Kids a Smile is supported by Colgate, Henry Schein Dental, Delta Dental of New Jersey and private donations.
The Matheny Center of Medicine and Dentistry specializes in providing health care for people with mild to severe developmental and intellectual disabilities in an outpatient setting. Dental services and treatments include x-rays, cleanings, treatment of cavities, extractions, restorative dentistry, oral surgery and root canals. Services are provided in partnership with the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine.
Posted on January 29, 2015 by Matheny
Matheny ceramics display at recent Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Fall Arts Festival
Matheny’s ceramics program continues to grow. Twelve pieces created by Matheny adults were displayed as part of the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Fall Arts Festival in Newark, which ended on January 7. And the ceramics program will have its second exhibition at the Bridgewater, NJ, Public Library in June. A reception will be held June 3 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Matheny’s adult education programs are designed to instill a sense of self-respect and provide an opportunity for self-expression for adult residents and adult day health services participants. The ceramics program teaches them the fundamentals of working in clay, incorporating the elements of design and the principles of art.
The pottery and sculptural works are created through hand building techniques of pinching, coiling and slab building. Students also produce works thrown on the wheel with use of adaptive equipment. Working processes also include communication books and hand-over-hand methods. The program is coordinated by Jodi Miguel, a Matheny adult services instructor.
Posted on January 27, 2015 by Matheny
Stefanie Wolff holds one of many boxes of art supplies she donated to Matheny. At left is her mother, Susan Wolff; at right is Janice Kriegman, Matheny development officer.
Stefanie Wolff, a seventh grader at the Marlboro Memorial Middle School in Marlboro, NJ, learned about Matheny when she visited her cousin, Jenna Polyeff, a Matheny resident. As a result, Stefanie volunteered at Matheny, participating in music and storytelling events.
Recently, as her bat mitzvah project at Temple Beth Ahm in Aberdeen, NJ, Stefanie spoke about her volunteering experience and collected art supplies, which she then donated to Matheny. Stefanie had also attended Jenna’s bat mitzvah, which was held last May in Matheny’s Robert Schonhorn Arts Center.
Posted on January 22, 2015 by Matheny
Dawn Williams with Joshua Rincon at the Peapack-Gladstone firehouse.
Dawn Williams, preschool teacher at The Matheny School, has been selected as one of the “Teachers Who Rock, Class of 2015” by radio stations WDHA 105.5 FM and WMTR 1250 AM. These Greater Media stations recognize 24 outstanding New Jersey teachers every year for their important contributions to society. Each Friday two winners are announced on the air, and their stories are read on both stations’ morning shows. Williams’ name was announced on Friday, January 9. She and the other 23 honorees will be feted at an awards banquet in April.
According to Annie Rodriguez, Greater Media New Jersey regional events coordinator, the judges loved Williams’ “creativity and willingness to have fun with her students. She really deserves the honor.” Williams believes the best teachers “are those who inspire us, who believe in us until we believe in ourselves, who push us, open up our minds, show us different worlds, help us understand, help us break barriers and truly bring out the best in us.”
Sean Murphy, Matheny School principal, says Williams is “a very patient and compassionate individual who takes each student’s unique goals, needs and interests into account every day.” Hillsborough, NJ, resident Jairo Rincon-Galeano, whose son, Joshua, is in Williams’ class, describes her as “caring and loving. We are so glad she is our son’s teacher and his caregiver. She rocks!”
Dawn Williams with student Kimberly Alarcon at the Matheny Prom.
