Greetings from “The Home” front …

Wow! After such a fun week of our fall carnival, we have had to step back a bit this week due to positive COVID tests within LMH. As I write this column, our residents are required to stay in their rooms and hopefully soon, they will be able to come out and enjoy our activities. Our staff – and especially the activities staff have done a fabulous job of keeping our residents entertained while quarantined – the coffee cart goes around every morning with coffee, juice, cocoa and treats, we deliver magazines, newspapers, puzzles, books and anything else to help our residents.

Thank heavens for Channel 98 – our in-house television channel as many of our activities have been televised so residents can enjoy them in their room. Monday there was Rhythm Band with Nancy. Residents were able to listen to Newscurrents on Tuesday. Molly and Nancy brought a craft project around to each resident’s room so they could work on a Ghost door hanging together. We televised a Pumpkin Race competition on Thursday and the residents were able to get their nails done in the afternoon. Again, our staff went around to each lady’s room to do their nails. Pastor Deb led a virtual church service on Friday.

Next week we hope to have everyone back with us to enjoy activities in the Activity Room as we have a fun week planned. Monday there is Scary Story Detective and Pumpkin Bread tasting. (Yum!) On Tuesday we have Newscurrents in the morning and Nancy will play piano for Rhythm Band in the afternoon. Later it’s Roll a Pumpkin Dice Game – that sounds interesting!! It’s Name That Tune Wednesday morning followed by Crafts. It might be a scarecrow picture or a Halloween card – we will have to wait and see what Molly comes up with! Pastor Deb leads Bible Study Thursday morning and we will be having an early Halloween Party in the afternoon. There is church and pretty nails on Friday.

During our Fall Carnival there was an exhibit table for staff to display items that they had made – much like 4-H Achievement Day. Ribbons were awarded and the winners were announced. The “Best of Show” went to Jeanne Walden for her gorgeous cross stitched snow scene picture. In the Arts & Crafts Division – Lysa Wright won for her beautifully knitted cardigan sweater. Lysa also spins her own yarn which is a talent all by itself. The Photos/Painting division had two winners – Angel Oshkosh for a beautiful Halloween/LMH themed wall hanging and Linda Knudsvig won for her oil painting. In the Canning Division, Jeanne Waldon took home another prize for her pickled onions. Congratulations to our winners and a big thank you to everyone who participated. You are ALL so very talented!

We have one resident birthday next week – Jerry Wright on October 28th. There are three staff birthdays to finish out the month – Carol Lande on October 24, Leslie Zapata and Kassandra Winkle both on October 31st. Happy Birthday to all of you and enjoy your special day.

Until next time … a thought for the week …. Change is not a four-letter word – but often our reaction to it is ….