Greetings from "The Home" front...

What a wonderful caring community we live in – a big shout out THANK YOU to the various churches and residents who donated new or gently used clothing for our new guests from Elim who arrived with nothing due to the fire in their facility. Our library was full of wonderful clothes, shoes, and lotions for them to choose from. I saw happy smiles all around!

Another great volunteer is Gary Kaldor who returned this Sunday with his group of musicians to perform in our chapel. The residents just love hearing those old-time gospel hymns that they sing. Thanks to all of you for brightening our resident’s day.

This weekend the Trailblazers 4-H group stopped by and delivered handmade valentines to our residents. Another example of our caring community – thank you 4-H’ers! You brought smiles to our residents.

For the next few weeks we will be having volunteers from Mayville State University who will be spending a few hours each day in the activity department helping with games, craft projects or just visiting. We look forward to them spending time with us.

We started out Monday with a food committee meeting and then newscurrents. It was Kitchen Cappers in the afternoon where the residents made Strawberry Floats. Table top activities and bingo finished out the day. Tuesday brought Sit & Be Fit and Rhythm Band. We had another special volunteer, Leigh Gunkel the daughter of our resident Margaret Gunderson. Leigh and Margaret helped the residents make valentine cards on Wednesday afternoon. Prior to that on Wednesday morning Nancy played the piano for Name That Tune. There was resident council meeting on Thursday morning and the Peter Boe 3rd graders came for their monthly visit to the adopted grandparents. They spend the time playing bingo and exchanging valentines. Friday was a very busy day here at LMH. After Mass and Church in the morning, we held a Sweetheart Dinner for resident couples that were able to attend. Then it was time for our Valentine Party where we crowned our 2020 Valentine King and Queen. Since I had a newspaper deadline before the actual crowning, I will have to reveal the King and Queen in next week’s column. Leonard and Betty Wahl entertained at the party and special treat, Red Velvet Poke cake was served. A fun time was had by everyone attending. There is Down Memory Lane with Molly on Saturday morning and then bingo in the afternoon. There is also Kaffee Hus from 2-3:30 on both Saturday and Sunday in the dining room. Stop by for some coffee, conversation, ice cream and try some of our new desserts.

Monday February 17th is President’s Day and after newscurrents in the morning we will have play President’s Day trivia and have table top activities. There is also bingo in the evening. It’s time for Sit & Be Fit and Rhythm Band on Tuesday. We have choir on Wednesday and then Molly will be doing crafts with the residents in the afternoon. Not sure what she has in mind but am sure it will be cute. Pastor Deb is here for Bible Study Thursday morning and we have Just Saying (a word association game) and a Spelling Bee later in the day. There is bingo in the evening. We have mass and church on Friday followed by pretty nails and happy ½ hour.

We have three resident birthdays next week – Duane Bjerke on February 18, Marion Larson on February 19, and Gloria Boedekker on February 20th. There may only be three resident birthdays but we have lots of staff members celebrating next week: Jennifer Koenig and Josh Balstad on the 15th; Kayla Coronato on the 17th; Amanda Kville and Braeden Jorgensen on the 19th and Alice Simengaard, Samantha Clagg and Tracy McGillis on February 20th. Happy Birthday to all of you and enjoy your special day.

Until next time … a thought for the week ... Life is not about how fast you run or how high you climb, but how well you bounce …