Greetings from “The Home” front …

OH MY!!! What was that white stuff falling from the sky???  Even with the cold weather our activities continue here at LMH.  Pam was here last Sunday to Reminisce with the residents about what they did in the summertime while growing up – play hopscotch – hide and seek –ball – and playing down by the river.  What a simpler time without iPods, iPhones, tables and electric gadgets.   Special thank you goes out to Elaine Aune who came in on Saturday to do an activity when one of our staff members became ill.  And resident Chris Larson filled in for bingo on Thursday.    Thank you to all of you for keeping our activity dept. running smoothly.

It was a busy week here at LMH – Monday it was newscurrents and bunco.  Tuesday was a big day with our Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon in the chapel.  47 volunteers enjoyed a delicious meal plus a wonderful musical presentation by John & Jan Klocke.  I could listen to those two sing and play the piano all day!  Later in the afternoon, there was the auxiliary birthday party.  We celebrated April birthdays with music by Otto Muecke and that all time North Dakota treat – cheese whiz on Soholt Bakery cinnamon bread.  Wednesday was Administrative Professional Day AND National Pretzel Day.  We celebrated by making pretzels during kitchen cappers.  Later in the afternoon we Joel Piatz brought his 6 week old fainting goats for the residents to see.   Thank you to Joel for bringing your cute goats to share with our residents.  There was Name That Tune, Pretty Nails and the final reading of The Story on Thursday.  Friday brings Church in the morning and Bingo with the American Legion/VFW on Friday afternoon.  This is high stakes bingo and we always get a big turnout!  Saturday will be trivia and the Saturday movie matinee is “The Gunfighters” – the Everett’s, two brothers and a cousin are trying to make a go of their ranch in Kansas but Deke Turner, someone who wants to see them fail, is doing everything he can to see that happen.  Sounds like a man’s movie!

Next week we begin with newscurrents in the morning and my favorite game – Bunco in the afternoon.  Pam will be here on Tuesday for a sing along.  It is also Teacher Appreciation Day and we will be recognizing our residents that were former teachers.  We have bible study and crafts on Wednesday.  Thursday is National Day of Prayer.  There is Sit & Be Fit, reading and pretty nails.  Cinco de Mayo on Friday and the kitchen is serving taco salads –yum!  We will celebrate with a Fiesta Happy ½ hour.

Activity Director Lisa Nelson and Activity Assistant Nancy Bjerke as well as other LMH staff will be attending the Long Term Care Convention in Bismarck next Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. This is a great opportunity to network with other long term care staff, to hear national speakers and to come back with new ideas to share with our staff and residents.  We look forward to hearing about it.

Sunday May 7th is a special day all over Mayville Portland.  It is   God’s Hands Our Work Day.  This is a time when several of the churches in the area get together to help with projects throughout the community. – we expect several volunteers to be here. There will be a group that will sing to the residents in MLL, the Activity room and at Sun Center under the direction of Annette Bakkum. Others plan to visit with our residents, perhaps read them a devotion or story, take them for wheelchair rides and generally help where they are needed.  We look forward to their coming to LMH.
Resident Randy Schober celebrates his birthday on April 29th. Sun Center resident Eugene Boeddeker celebrates his 90th birthday on May 1st. and Gladys Chandler on May 3rd. Staff member Susan Cordahl has a birthday on April 29th and Lacy Coyer has hers on April 30th.  I know RN Mitch Krueger has a birthday on May 1st .  Other staff members with May birthdays include: Amanda Amb (May 2nd) and Curtis Moen (May 3rd) Happy Birthday to all of you and enjoy your special day.

Until next time … a thought for the week … you will never live a truly happy life it you always depend on other people to create it for you ….