Greetings from “The Home” front…

It has been party time around LMH these last few days.  Last Saturday Dawn Ludwig’s family hosted a wonderful birthday party for her – balloons, cupcakes, cookies and candy galore – it was a dream birthday bash!  We had a great turnout not only from Dawn’s LMH family but friends from Sun Center and the community.  Then on Wednesday Dorothy and Mark Heskin (with a Thrivent Action Plan) hosted a pizza party in the afternoon.   Nineteen pizzas of various combinations arrived after our Flag Day event - the residents and staff plus Sun Center enjoyed tasting the different flavors.  Special thanks to Dorothy, Mark, Thrivent and the Whistle Stop for making Wednesday such a fun day.

On Monday the residents went to Dollar General for a bit of retail therapy – judging from the number of bags we returned with – they all had a good time.  Tuesday we had Sit & Be Fit and Rhythm Band.  Since Wednesday was Flag Day we all dressed in Red/White/Blue – there was horseshoes in the morning and in the afternoon a celebration of the United States Flag was held, including Know Your Flag trivia– plus the pizza party. Thank your to Bruce Smeby and Rich Peterson for participating and posting of the colors at our program. Also thank you to the local VFW and American Legion who posted 3 large flags outside of the nursing home for all to enjoy on Flag Day.  It looked beautiful.  Thursday brought Bible Study in the morning and Name That Tune and Pretty Nails in the afternoon.   After church on Friday we had another celebration when the Old Tyme Kings came to perform.   There was lots of clapping and toe tapping just listening to their music – they really do put on a good show! The dining room was packed!  On Saturday we have Bingo, Kaffee Hus and our Saturday movie matinee is “For Pete’s Sake” – starring Barbra Streisand and Michael Sarrazin.  It’s a comedy with a message.

Next week there is newscurrents in the morning and men’s club in the afternoon, this month the van is going to Portland to see Randy Kyllos car collection.  Other residents will be listening to The Gaithers Live from Chicago video.  Tuesday is a big day with choir in the morning and then our Celebration of Men – not just fathers but all of our male residents.  Our guest speaker will be Rick Karboviak whose hobby, when he is not working at Mayville State or playing “Capt. Comet,” is restoring vintage bicycles – he will be bringing some to show and telling about them.   Merwin Lyng will also be participating with vintage items to show.  On Wednesday its Kitchen Cappers and the residents will be making bacon and cream cheese roll ups.   We have reminiscing, music and ladderball on Thursday.  It’s church, pretty nails and happy ½ hour on our schedule for Friday.

We have three resident birthdays next week – June Hanson (June 17), Marion Domier (June 18) and Terry Anderson (June 22).  One Sun Center Resident – June Karlstad celebrates her birthday on June 18th. Several staff members will be having birthdays including Mykathy Jeanty and Jay Hodgson June 17th, Dawn Sparrow and yours truly on June 20th, Trina Thykeson , Natasha Archambeau and Travis Thomas all on June 21st.  Happy Birthday and Best Wishes to all of you!  Enjoy your special day!

Our sympathy to the friends and family of Pauline Argenziano who passed away on June 18th.  Pauline was our oldest resident (102 years!!!) – she enjoyed music, visiting with staff and her daily email from her sister, Sister Philip.

We also lost another resident when Don Grage died on June 17th.  Don enjoyed visits from friends throughout the area, riding his scooter around town and was a wiz at trivia.   May he rest in peace.

Rest in Peace Pauline and Don– you will both be missed.

Until next time … a thought for the week …. F.E.A.R has two meanings – Forget Everything and Run or Face Everything and Rise.  The choice is yours …