Greets from "The Home" front...

Luther Memorial Home has been truly blessed this Christmas season by so many members of our community. Using Thrivent Action Funds, Roger Erickson bought 6 card tables and jigsaw puzzles for the residents to use. Since residents have been spending more time in their rooms, many of them are doing puzzles and their table trays are just not big enough for the larger puzzles. Card tables work perfectly and can be folded away when not in use. Thank you so much Roger – what a great gift! Bruflat Lutheran Church in Portland delivered thank you goodie bags to ALL of our staff members – that is 200 bags. Again, using Thrivent Action Fund monies, they were able to fill each bag with special healthy treats – I know the staff appreciated your thinking of them during this stressful time. They also donated gifts for staff drawings. The children of Riverside Awana stopped by outside on Wednesday and sang Christmas carols for our residents. Many of the residents sang along to the familiar tunes.

The winner of our door decorating contest was resident Esther Slaughter. Her door was decorated by Kianna Meyer and Heather “Pink” Champine. All three of them received a door prize. The winner of the best decorated wing was C Wing. C wing residents enjoyed Pizza from Caseys on Monday the 21st for their evening meal. All staff members that decorated residents’ doors received a gift card to Subway. All the hallways look so festive and I have heard many comments from the residents as they walk in the aisles looking at all the decorations and doors. Thank you to all staff who decorated residents’ doors.

We have now been able to have small group gatherings in the activity room (limited to 8 people sitting 6 feet apart and wearing masks) but it is a start. Molly was here on Sunday for Christmas Reminisce and she ended the conversation by reading “The White Envelope” – a short story by Nancy Gavin. If you are not familiar with this story –Google it – and I think you will enjoy reading it and finding the true meaning of Christmas. There was Sit and Be Fit on Monday morning which was a good thing as we had cookie decorating in the afternoon. Staff also delivered the PBJ 3rd grade pen pal letters, included beautiful ornaments that they made, it sure brought many smiles. Andrea read Newscurrents on Tuesday and there was Christmas Name That Tune in the afternoon. Before he got too busy on Christmas Eve, Santa paid a visit to our residents giving each one a present. There was Church with Pastor Deb on Thursday morning and later in the day, the residents received additional gifts from the Angel Tree. Again, this shows how much the community is involved and care about our LMH residents. Anyone can pick a tag off the Angel Tree at Aasen Drug and then buy a suggested gift for that resident and Aasen Drug wraps the gift and delivers them to LMH. Andrea read the Christmas Story on Christmas Day and in the afternoon helped the residents made a Gratitude Garland. We truly have so many things to be thankful for.

Next week we have Sit & Be Fit and popcorn on Monday, Newscurrents and Pretty Nails on Tuesday. There is Rhythm Band and Crafts on Wednesday and Happy Half Hour with special treats to celebrate New Year’s Eve on Thursday. Also in the afternoon we will zoom special music by Tim Mosher.

There are two resident birthdays next week – Violet Rindy on December 29th and Betty Davis on December 31st. Four staff members are also celebrating – Erick Eken and Natassaja Eberhardt on December 29th and Ava Nelson and LaDonna Patraw on December 30th. Happy Birthday to all of you and enjoy your special day.

We were saddened by the passing of Ardell (Ardie) Lovejoy on December 15th. Ardie was a very kind man who enjoyed visiting and joking with staff, listening to music, and playing games on his iPad. He was also our 2020 Valentine King. Rest in Peace Ardie – you will be missed. Our sympathy also goes out to the family of Cheryl Johnson who passed away December 21st. Cheryl enjoyed being read to and listening to music. She also enjoyed her stuffed animals and getting hand massages. Bless be the memory of Cheryl.

Until next time … a thought for the week. I hope you all had a pleasant Christmas even tho many of you could not be with family this year. I would like to thank Brad Jacobson of Finley for this lovely poem: A short note for you to read – Praying God supplies all your need. Although it’s been tough not seeing family and friends – It won’t be long until this virus ends. Pretty soon we will gather again. Keep the faith and smile until then – May God Bless You.