Greetings from “The Home” front …

What a special treat our residents had this past Sunday when Ila Peterson came and performed for them in the chapel. Ila is an accomplished singer and ukulele player and she put on a great show. Thanks, Ila, for thinking of us with your musical talent and please come back again soon!

Since my column did not get published last week (it’s floating around somewhere in cyber space!) – I have a couple of other groups to acknowledge. A special thank you goes out to the Ebenezer Bible School Children who came and performed and sang with our residents on Wednesday and also to several volunteers who helped with our rummage sale that day. Volunteers and people willing to help with musical programs, visitations and other events around LMH – we couldn’t do it without you and you help make LMH such a nice place for our residents to call home.

On Monday we took the van to Rainbow Gardens to enjoy the flowers. What a beautiful, relaxing place – and again – it is all because of volunteers! We also had newcurrents in the morning and bingo in the evening. While some of the residents were on the van trip, others stayed and played cards. Tuesday brought Sit & Be Fit in the morning and Rhythm Band in the afternoon. Nancy played the piano for choir on Wednesday morning and then had our long-awaited cooking demonstration by LeeAnn Stand. She made pasta using zucchini and a spiralizer. Adding oils and spices she turned out a delicious main dish. We also sampled over 5 types of zucchini bread with surprising ingredients and our Director of Nursing Nancy Carlson made a yummy zucchini cake. Who knew zucchini was such a versatile vegetable? The residents learned about Hillsboro History during our City History Bee on Thursday. In the afternoon we did Squirt Gun Painting – what a blast (no pun intended). The residents enjoyed creating modernistic paintings and had a good time doing it. We also played Frisbee and had bingo in the evening. After Mass and Church on Friday morning, the ladies got their nails done and we played mini golf out on the patio. There is reminisce on Saturday morning at 10:30 when we share summertime memories. In the afternoon we will play Wheel of Fortune. There is also Kaffee Hus from 2-3:30 in the dining room on both Saturday and Sunday. Good desserts, good coffee and good conversation – stop in and join us!

Next week we have newscurrents on Monday morning and another van trip is planned. There is also bingo in the evening. Sit & Be Fit and Rhythm Band are on the agenda for Tuesday and then Wednesday is our FAMILY PICNIC in the evening from 5-7 p.m. Invitations have gone out to family members, thank you to all who responded with your RSVP, it really helps for planning on how many we are going to be serving. Lots of good food and very special entertainment by one of our favorite entertainers – Larry Charon!!! He is a great performer that you won’t want to miss! There is resident council Wednesday morning and Molly has planned a special card making craft project in the afternoon. It’s gonna be a busy and fun day! Pastor Diane is here for Bible Study on Thursday morning and we will be serving Root beer floats in the afternoon plus basketball on the patio. Of course, there is bingo in the evening. There is Mass and Church on Friday morning and pretty nails and happy ½ hour in the afternoon.

We have one resident birthday next week – Arlene Olstad on the 14th and Sun Center resident Hadley Verwest also has his birthday on August 14th. We have several staff members celebrating birthdays next week – Jean Holter on August 10, Sandy Abbas and Melinda Donohue on the 12th, Kyle Eken on the 13th, Melissa Schmidt on the 14th, Amanda Malson on the 15th and Lisa Gapp on the 16th. Happy Birthday to all of you and enjoy your special day.

These are the residents and staff I missed last week –please be sure to wish these folks a belated Happy Birthday – Esther Slaughter (August 4th), Harriet Ulland and Margaret Nelson (August 7th. Staff members: Genelle Dale (August 3rd), Nicole Sylskar and Austin Urlaud (August 4th), Lindsey Fenske-Goodman and Kristine Fastner (August 6th), Dawn Carter (August 8th), Jennifer Carr, Marylou Jacobson and Sylvia Straight all on August 9th.

Our sympathy to the friends and family of Marlene Fugleberg who passed away August 5th. Marlene was only with us a few days but enjoyed visits from her family and the staff. Rest in Peace Marlene.

Until next time a rather long but relevant thought for the week – about things that take zero talent but will gain you 100% respect. Be on Time, Have a Good Work Ethic, Put in Effort, Watch your Body Language, Have Energy, a Good Attitude, Passion, Be Coachable, Do Extra and Be Prepared. It ‘s just that simple!!! Make it a great week!