Weekly Update October 16, 2026
October 16, 2026
To: Solheim Employees, Residents, Family Members and Stakeholders
From: Sam Oden, CEO of Solheim Senior Community
With Halloween just two weeks away, we're beginning to see pumpkins, ghosts and plenty of fall festivities popping up around Solheim! Halloween has its roots in centuries-old traditions celebrating the changing seasons and has evolved into a fun-filled holiday of costumes, creativity, treats and community gatherings. Here at Solheim, we're embracing the season with pumpkin spice, festive crafts, entertainment and opportunities to enjoy time with friends and neighbors!
Please join us in welcoming Avedis "Avi" Gertmenian, our new Director of Dining Services! Avi brings more than a decade of senior living dining experience, most recently serving as Assistant Director of Dining at Atherton Baptist Homes. We look forward to his leadership and commitment to providing a welcoming dining experience for our residents!
Thank you to everyone who participated in our recent Resident Focus Groups! Your feedback and thoughtful conversations have been very informative and will help guide our continued efforts to enhance life at Solheim. Building on these discussions, we'll be launching our Resident Satisfaction Survey in the coming week. Your participation is important in helping us understand what we're doing well and where we can improve. The survey will be available online and in paper form, with assistance available as needed. Please watch for additional information, and we encourage every resident to share their voice!
As our leadership team and Board of Directors work to finalize Solheim's 2027 Budget, we invite residents to attend a special Budget Meeting on Tuesday, October 20 at 10:00 a.m. in the Navigage Room. This is an opportunity to hear directly from leadership about our financial planning, priorities and preparations for the year ahead. Learn how resources are allocated to support our residents, services, team members and campus, and bring your questions! Board approval is anticipated at the end of the month.
Now, on to the fall festivities! Tuesday, October 20 brings Baking Club at 1:30 p.m. in the Navigage Room, where we'll be making delicious Pumpkin Snickerdoodles! We have a feeling a few of those treats might make an appearance later that afternoon at our 3:00 p.m. Patio Chat with Cocktails and Cookies in the Sensory Patio! What better way to enjoy a fall afternoon?
On Thursday, October 22 at 9:45 a.m., stop by our Front Lobby for a special Coffee Café featuring Pumpkin Spice Lattes! Then, help us get Solheim Halloween-ready at Crafter's Corner at 3:00 p.m. in the Navigage Room, where we'll be creating Halloween ghosts. The creativity continues Friday, October 23 at 10:00 a.m. in the Breezeway, as we make festive Halloween hats. Whether you're crafty or simply enjoy the company, we'd love to have you join in the fun!
We'll wrap up Friday afternoon with Happy Hour featuring live music by Linda Herman in the Residential Dining Room. Looking ahead, Monday, October 26 brings another scenic drive and more Halloween-themed activities throughout the week. And don't forget our Halloween Costume Contest on Friday, October 30 at 3:00 p.m.! Will you be spooky, silly, creative or perhaps a little mysterious? Start planning your costume now!
As always, check your monthly activity calendar, Weekly Informers, Daily Sheets and in-house Channel 1390 for more opportunities to enjoy the abundant living we celebrate at Solheim!
Masks for all visitors to our campus will be available upon request. Questions may also be directed to Tina Antypas at 323-257-7518 extension 225 or at tantypas@solheimsenior.org.