Greetings from “The Home” front …

Spring is almost here! Spring is almost here! This is a chant we have been repeating this past week as we experienced snow, thunder storms and rain!
Our residents kept busy with FARM Jingo on Sunday – it is a game similar to Bingo using items seen around a farm. I especially enjoyed it when one farmer told me that the picture the company listed as a “plow” was really a cultivator! You can’t fool a good North Dakota farmer!

Monday brought a pesky petals game in the morning and then everyone learned about birds. Bird watching is becoming a very popular hobby and North Dakota is listed as one of the most under rated bird watching states. We have 31 National Wildlife Refuges in which to see many rare species. There was also Bingo in the evening. We had Newscurrents on Tuesday and then the residents did some spring seed planting – hopefully the seeds will sprout and grow so we can plant them in our outside courtyard planters. We also watched a virtual gardening tour. Father Bob was here for Mass on Wednesday morning and Lysa played for choir. Gary Kaldor was here in the afternoon to sing and play his guitar. We always get a big turnout when he comes to entertain. Staff also went personal shopping for the residents. Thursday brought Picture the Song in the morning followed by Pretty Nails and Bunco plus Bingo in the evening. What a full fun day! Friday morning brought church with Pastor Deb and our Men’s Club met in the afternoon. We have Sit & Be Fit plus Bingo and Painting on Saturday.

Next week – May already!!! On Monday we have May trivia in the morning and then some door decorating plus group games and Bingo in the evening. There is newscurrents on Tuesday followed by Jeopardy and Family Feud. Catholic Mass and a reading is on the agenda for Wednesday plus the resident crafters will be making a Spring card – hopefully with flowers and not snowmen and snowflakes! Paster Deb is here for Bible Study Thursday morning plus there is Pretty Nails and a Cinco de Mayo celebration in the afternoon. Bingo in the evening. Pastor Deb is back for Church on Friday and then we celebrate TGIF with Happy ½ hour.

The North Dakota Long Term Convention is May 3rd through 6th and many of our staff will be attending. They always come back with good ideas and ways to enrich our resident’s lives. Then May 9-13 is Nursing Home week which is always fun with a different theme every day – will tell you more about that in next week’s column but I am already getting my costumes out and pressed.

There were no resident birthdays this week but Mitch Krueger, our Admissions and Medicare Coordinator, has his birthday on May 1st. Happy Birthday Mitch and make it a great day!

Our sympathy to the friends and family of Don Jacobson who passed away April 25th. Don was with us very briefly but enjoyed listening to music and having his family close by. Rest in Peace Don.

Until next time … a thought for the week … one of the greatest gifts you can give someone is thanking them for being part of your life …