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Board Members Dr. Abby Dux and Mr. Charlie North
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Who We Are
Shining a light on an individual or a group significantly impacting life at Lutheran Care Center.
Spotlight onVolunteers
"Volunteers are not paid - not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless."Sherry Anderson
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| Volunteers are integral to the success of Lutheran Care Center.
Our Board of Directors is an engaged, vital, and committed group of volunteers. They bring a range of expertise that enhances so many aspects of our service to residents and families…from financial and facilities guidance, to community engagement and fundraising.
Their oversight focuses not only on Lutheran Care Center but extends to the three community housing sites for low-income seniors also operated by The Lutheran Care Network. These are Castle Court, Poughkeepsie, The King’s Apartments, Pawling, and Good Samaritan in Delmar.
Meet our Board of Directors
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Pastor Koenig serves as Board Chair. He is also part of a roster of on-call pastors who provide a ministry of presence to residents and families in times of need. When he was called as Pastor of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Poughkeepsie, he learned that it was one of the congregations that founded LCC in 1998. This long-established relationship has seen countless members volunteer, contribute, and serve as board members.
Pastor Koenig shared, “I became involved because I wanted to keep the legacy of St. John’s, the work of Pastor John Heller, Ray Siegart and others, alive. I continue because I support the mission and believe it is one of the best nursing home and rehabilitation facilities. The partnership with St. John’s is important and the service provided is essential.”
Dr. Abby Dux (pictured above)
As someone who has served in healthcare her entire professional life and recently retired as Supervising Pharmacist at Fishkill Correctional Facility, Abby understands the healthcare system and our responsibility to residents. Her engagement on both church and community fronts provides valuable input to the work of the board. Her joyful personality and experience bring light to challenging opportunities.
Nancy Graf Peters
Nancy has decades of experience with LCC. She was engaged in oversight of our community housing sites in Pawling and Poughkeepsie during the early years of LCC. Nancy has deep personal connections over the years as her father, mother and husband have all been residents. Her first-hand knowledge of the medical and spiritual care given to her loved ones has been a motivating force in her service on the board. Her leadership as past editor of Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly and with the Atlantic District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod informs her contributions.
Steven Jones
Steve has lived with his family in Dutchess County for 42 years. Through his work as a Thrivent Financial Advisor he has served hundreds of families in the region. His financial expertise, involvement in the Chamber of Commerce, and commitment to his congregation provide a broad base of input to our board where he acts in the capacity of Secretary. Steve says that as a disciple, he believes he is called to use his time, talents and treasure in helping God's mission in our community, especially those who are poor, sick or elderly. This care includes physical, mental, social and spiritual health, all of which are part of LCC's mission.
Pictured below L to R: Steven Jones, Nancy Graf Peters, Rev. Brian McWeeney
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Rev. Brian McWeeney
Father Brian is one of LCC’s Founding Visionaries. As a priest serving at St. Michael de Porres in the 1990s, he was integral in working with Catholic parishes as well as the Dutchess County Interfaith Community to form a strategic plan which laid the foundation for Lutheran. He currently serves under Cardinal Dolan in the Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs · Archdiocese of New York. His guiding hand and ecumenical perspective has directed our local board, the corporate board of The Lutheran Care Network, and the Spiritual Care Committee. Father Brian hopes to return to Poughkeepsie if, and when, he retires.
Charles North (pictured at top)
Charie’s leadership as former President and CEO of the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce, where he served for 17 years following 33 years in banking, informs his participation. His rich range of experience, vast connections, and never-ending goodwill are valued assets he brings to the boardroom.
"I have served on the board to make a positive difference for the Lutheran Care Center. I have always hoped that this can and will make a difference to many individual lives. Additionally, I believe this can have a positive ripple effect in our Hudson River Valley community."
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Volunteers...and April Showers Bring May Flowers!
Friends from Third Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rhinebeck brought their tools, gardening skills and hundreds of daffodil bulbs to our campus last fall. The fruits of their labor were enjoyed this month by residents and their families as well as staff as weather finally permitted visits outdoors in our south garden. We are grateful to Carole Hack, who was essential to the planning and execution as well as Chris Murray and Pastor Jim Miller. Your daffodils are making us all smile!
Pictured below L-R: Chris Murray, Pastor James Miller, and Carole Hack planting in the fall and budding daffodils in the Spring.
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A New Sound from the Chapel
Beautiful melodies filled the Chapel, as the new digital Clavinova Keyboard was dedicated Friday, April 26, 2024.
Residents, families, board members and staff joined to dedicate the new instrument, sharing biblical examples of musical instruments used to amplify both prayers and proclamation, ranging from the dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem to the worship of the Lamb in the vision of the Heavenly City.
Yamaha’s Clavinova reproduces the sounds of different instruments by sampling a wide range of pianos, historical and modern. Pastor Kelly-Ray Meritt, Director of Pastoral Care, chose music for the service to showcase this range. A hymn by Harlem composer Eddie Bonnemère was accompanied with distinctive jazz piano tuning, while a Bach postlude was played with the crisp action of a “Mozart fortepiano.” The rich sonorities of the Viennese-built Bösendorfer grand accompanied Schubert’s settings of the liturgy customarily used at LCC’s Friday celebration of the Eucharist.
We are grateful for the generosity of Leora Meritt Wagliardo for the beautiful music now played during worship services.
Pictured below L-R: Patricia Ludington, Administrator, Pastor Kelly-Ray Meritt, Director of Spiritual Care, and Mrs. Leora Wagliardi.
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Upcoming Events
Spring Chime Concert
Friday, May 31, 2024 at 2pm
in the Living Room
The Resident Chime Choir is rehearsing and looks forward to presenting its selection of songs to friends and family. Always an uplifting experience…please join us! Refreshments will be served.
Tree Planting Ceremony
Rescheduled for Wednesday, June 12, 2024 2:30pm near the front entrance
Three red maple trees have been donated in honor of our 25th Anniversary Honorees: Michael Kaminiski, President and CEO of Hudson Valley Hospice and Hudson Valley Hospice Foundation, and The Rev. John Backes of St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish. Both men have made valuable contributions to Dutchess County and to Lutheran Care Center. Join us in honoring them as we dedicate these trees for all to enjoy. Refreshments to follow.
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We are in this together!
As a non-profit, contributions truly impact how we provide creative, professional care. Our residents and staff appreciate the difference donor gifts make.
Please consider a gift to launch Memcara - a live music therapy program designed for all residents including those dealing with dementia and other memory care challenges. It includes family training sessions on how to use music to create meaningful connections with loved ones during visits.
Help us to provide life-improving individual therapy and group interaction on a more frequent schedule.
Please consider a gift today. Click here to donate online (you may designate your gift in honor or memory of someone) or mail it to: Patricia Ludington, Administrator, Lutheran Care Center, 965 Dutchess Turnpike, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603.
We are grateful!
Thrivent members may direct your Choice Dollars. After logging in, choose The Lutheran Care Network, Scarsdale, NY. Your gift will be credited to Lutheran Care Center, Poughkeepsie.
Non-Thrivent members may also donate here under "Make a personal donation". Thrivent will pay the processing fee so your entire donation goes to this cause.
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