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Lucy and Kori Fenske are all smiles at Luther Memorial Homes Annual Family Picnic. The smell of charcoal grilled burgers filled the air as residents and their families enjoyed the wonderful weather, good food, music, and company for the picnic. A good time was had by all.

Greetings from “The Home” front …

It has been a fun week here at LMH – We started out on Sunday with a word game called “Just Sayin” – The residents had a lively discussion about familiar quotes and sayings, where did they start and what do they actually mean.  Monday brought newscurrents in the morning followed by a sightseeing van trip around Portland/Mayville.  While we were away our other residents played Ladder ball and enjoyed lotion in motion.  There was bingo in the evening.  Riverside Church was our hostess for the auxiliary birthday party on Tuesday.  The cupcakes were delicious and the entertainment even better.  It was a good thing we had Sit & Be Fit in the morning so we could enjoy those treats without guilt.   We had choir with Nancy on Wednesday morning followed by a new activity called “Wishful Wednesday” – the residents talked about their wishes and dreams – many of them involving family, good health and peace.  Later on, we had a rousing good time playing bunco. Elaine was here for reading on Thursday morning and then in the afternoon our resident cooks made Dill Pickle Rollups during Kitchen cappers. After church on Friday, there was a picnic in the shelter.  Later in the afternoon the ladies got their nails done during Pretty Nails and the activities staff served Orange Julius smoothies.  YUM!  On Saturday we have coffee time in the morning and then bingo in the afternoon.  There is Kaffee Hus from 2-3:30 p.m. in the dining room and our Saturday movie matinee is “Sweetland” It is a love story about a young German woman who arrives in rural Minnesota & meets a Norwegian farmer Olaf. They fall in love but problems arise when she doesn’t have the proper immigration papers to marry Olaf.  The couple lives together and farms together causing a rift in their community.  HMMM … sounds good – I hope it has a happy ending!

We would like to welcome our new Priest, Father Philip Chacko, from Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church who is now serving mass to our Catholic residents at LMH.  Welcome aboard Father Chacko!

The State of North Dakota Health Care Survey Team was here last week to observe our facility and do their annual audit.  I am happy to say we passed with only a couple of minor concerns which were immediately fixed.   We are proud of our staff for the care that they provide. Way to go staff!!!

Next week brings a game of 5 square on Sunday afternoon.  Monday is Labor Day and we have newscurrents in the morning and a Labor Day discussion in the afternoon. There will be a show n tell of hats worn by various workers.  And of course, bingo in the evening. We have Sit & Be Fit on Tuesday followed by rhythm band in the afternoon.  On Wednesday, after Name that Tune in the morning, the resident artists will be making an individual abstract painting on canvas using painter’s tape.  Thursday is Wear Purple Day , everyone is encouraged to wear purple.  There is Men’s Bible Study in the morning and we have special music in the afternoon when the Old Tyme Kings come to play. They are a fabulous group of musicians and I know the dining room will be full when we listen to them. This special event is in memory of Mary Ann Holsinger who loved purple, music and chocolate, a special thank you to her daughter Leta for the generous donation to the activities department.  On Friday it’s mass, church, pretty nails and Happy ½ Hour!

We have only one resident birthday next week – Dale Wamstad on September 4th. Ardis Callahan and Ken Eken, our Sun Center residents, have birthdays next week.  Ardis on September 1st and Ken on September 4th.  However, there are several staff members with birthdays – Rachel Balstad and Linda Strand (Sept. 2), Carole Carpenter (Sept, 4), Pam Eken (Sept 5), Madisen Knudsvig (Sept 6), Autumn Fankhanel and Lori Smith on September 7th. Happy Birthday to all of you and enjoy your special day!!!

Until next time … a thought for the week …. Be strong enough to stand alone, smart enough to know when you need help, and brave enough to ask for it …