Greetings from “The Home Front ...
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! We rang in the new year with a Party on December 31st. The Hayshakers played and the activities staff/kitchen served a fun lunch of mini corn dogs, egg rolls, fortune cookies and pop. The dining room was packed and everyone had a great toe tapping time.
A huge shout out THANK YOU to all the staff that stayed overnight, came in early or stayed late when we had the blizzard last week. Our facility doesn’t put up a “closed” sign when the weather turns bad – our staff take over and make sure that all of our residents are cared for. Thanks again everyone for your dedication to our residents.
Another big THANK YOU goes out to resident Margaret Gunderson and her family who donated a Keurig Coffee Maker to our staff/break room PLUS a case of various pods to go with it. The staff are having a wonderful time trying out the different flavors – what a thoughtful and most appreciated gift!
In addition to our Party on Monday afternoon we had newscurrents in the morning and bingo in the evening. Denise was here on New Years Day to do Sit & Be Fit in the morning – after all the holiday treats it is good to be back with a fitness program. The residents also discussed New Years Resolutions and watched Wheel of Fortune on TV in the evening. Nancy led Name That Tune Wednesday morning and the residents tried their hand with “sponge” painting during crafts with Molly in the afternoon. The colorful trees they created looked so realistic. Pastor Dianne led Bible Study Thursday and then it was time to take down the Christmas Decorations and get ready for the next holiday (Valentine’s Day!). There was bingo Thursday night. After Mass and church on Friday, the ladies got their nails done and then enjoyed Happy ½ hour. We have Bingo and a Spelling Bee on Saturday plus Kaffee Hus from 2-3:30 on both Saturday and Sunday in the dining room. Our 3p.m. movie matinee is “Pollyanna”. Young orphan Pollyanna (Haylee Mills) believes life’s most difficult problems can be surmounted by a positive attitude. But when she moves in with her dour aunt (Jane Wyman) her goodwill is strained.
Bethany Church will be here on Sunday at 2 p.m. for music in the chapel. We have newscurrents on Monday morning followed by Card and Board games. There is also bingo in the evening. Tuesday brings Sit & Be Fit and Rhythm Band. Mary and her quilting “gang” are back for the new year on Wednesday afternoon– we are so glad to have you join us again! The “gang” will have another fun project for the residents to work on. We also have Resident Council in the morning. The Peter Boe 3rd Graders come on Thursday afternoon for a visit with their “adopted” grandparents and later on we will play “3 of a Kind”. This is a fun “thinking/matching” game. Men’s Club meets Thursday morning. Friday brings mass and church in the morning followed by root beer floats and pretty nails in the afternoon.
We have one resident birthday next week – Barbara Hettervig on January 9th. There are four staff birthdays – Adam Edwardson January 5th, Tasha Caswell January 7th, Marc Eastman January 10th and Inez Olson January 11th. Happy Birthday to all of you and enjoy your special day.
Our sincere sympathy to the friends and family of Barbara West who passed away December 22nd. Barb was with us a very short time but she enjoyed listening to music in her room. Rest in Peace Barbara.
Until next time … a thought for the week …The new year means nothing if you’re still in love with your comfort zone …