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Bill S is all smiles after constructing his gingerbread house. Looks great Bill!

Greetings from “The Home” front …

Another busy week has passed by! We started out Monday with Newscurrents – it was nice to have Elaine Aune back with us! In the afternoon the residents decorated little Gingerbread Houses – made of graham crackers they were good enough to eat – which we did!! The houses were very cute. Did we ever need Sit & Be Fit on Tuesday morning because in the afternoon it was our annual Cookie Sampler – I am sure I gained 5 pounds just looking at all the various cookies and treats that our staff made for the residents to enjoy. Thank you to everyone who brought cookies. Also thank you to Dee VonRuden who provided piano background music while the residents enjoyed their cookies. After choir with Nancy on Wednesday morning, the crafty ladies (and men) made angel ornaments to hang in their rooms. We also had resident council. Reagan McGillis was here for a harp concert later in the afternoon. Such a talented young lady and the harp sounded so beautiful. Elaine read the story “Christmas Magic” on Thursday morning and later on the Peter Boe 3rd graders arrived to visit their “adopted” grandparents. What a fun and noisy time everyone had! Lots of laughter and smiles! Melanie Joerger’ musical students preformed a Polyway Christmas Program in the chapel later in the afternoon. It’s always a treat to see these youngsters perform. There was bingo in the evening. After mass on Friday morning, Pastor Dianne held a Blue Christmas Service to remember and honor our LMH residents that passed away this year. Thank you to Marion Johnson, Myrna Lyng and Pam Sedler for special music during the service. We had pretty nails and happy ½ later on. Andrea will be here Saturday to play Christmas trivia and our Saturday movie matinee is “A Holiday to Remember”. After a rocky divorce, a young woman could use a fresh start. With her bags packed and her reluctant daughter by her side, she sets out for her quaint hometown Mayville (Honest that the name!!!) just in time for Christmas – what happens next is something to remember! Rachel Winger’s piano students will be here for a recital at 2 p.m. on Sunday in the chapel. There is also Kaffee Hus on both Saturday and Sunday from 2-3:30 in the dining room.

Last week, in conjunction with Hanging of the Greens, the staff members held a resident’s door decorating contest. All of the doors were well done and it was hard to pick a winner. Carol Romanek and Rhonni Smith doors were chosen. Carol’s door on Cathy Holweiger’s room featured Santa falling down the chimney while Rhonni’s door on Delberta Rosignol’s room had a cozy fireplace with stockings and a wreath. Thank you to all of the staff members and family members too for your participation. The decorated doors make the hallways so festive.

Another big thank you goes out to Ina Paulson and Dorothy Grage who helped serve Strull during our Winterfest activity last Friday. Also thank you to the community members who came to the event and visited with our residents.

The coming week is another busy one as we countdown to Christmas. There will be newscurrents in the morning on Monday and then at Kitchen Cappers, the residents will frost cupcakes. It’s Sit & Be Fit on Tuesday morning and Jingle Bell Rhythm Band in the afternoon. Nancy will play Name That Christmas Tune Wednesday morning and there is crafting in the afternoon. Riverside Church will be here at 4 p.m. to go caroling in the hallways and there is a movie in the evening. Thursday brings Bible Study with Pastor Dianne and our much-anticipated Resident Christmas Party in the afternoon! We hope Santa will be able to be here to distribute presents. Leonard and Betty Wahl will provide music. There is mass and church on Friday morning followed by pretty nails and Happy ½ hour in the afternoon.

We have two resident birthdays next week – Robert Ihry on December 15 and Fern Fugleberg Rotto on December 17th. Sun Center resident Opal Pietron has her birthday December 9th and Stuart Neset on December 20. Also, two staff members are celebrating birthdays next week – Laura Miller on December 18 and Abbey Linster on December 19th. Happy Birthday to all of you and enjoy your special day!

Until next time … a thought for the week … be stubborn about your goals and flexible about your methods