Memorial Day was celebrated on May 31. Residents enjoyed remembering this American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May to honor the men and women who died while serving in the US military, in several different ways. While many Americans choose to celebrate the holiday by enjoying the many freedoms our servicemen and women have perished protecting, one way those who live in the Home and Country View apartments enjoyed was watching a special DVD on activity channel 2 called “From Lawrence Welk to American with Love” filmed in Branson, MO. Some of the great songs included “God Bless America,” Patriotic Medley,” and “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” Statistics show that 56% of us barbeque each Memorial Day weekend. Our dietary department served up hamburgers and hotdogs with potato salad and baked beans along with a patriotic red, white, and blue dessert of angel food cake with strawberries, blueberries, and whipped topping. In addition, many residents shared memories of past Memorial Days with activity staff. They talked about putting flowers on the graves on “Decoration Day” as it was once called. They also fondly spoke of getting together with family for meals, parades, and listening to bands outdoors.
New activity aide Chloe Yordy brought in her 6-month-old puppy, Saj, for residents to enjoy. Chloe has been breeding Irish Golden Doodles for about a year. Saj is one that she and her family kept from a litter last December and is extremely mild mannered. Many were excited to see a 4-footed friend again.
Two new residents arrived on Tuesday, June 1. John Kelsey of East Peoria was welcomed to room east 18. Bob Zimmerman of Metamora was taken to room east 15 but he passed away the next day. Joyce Singer of Roanoke arrived on the 2nd and resides in room east 17. Lenord Goodin formerly of Washington passed away on June 6 after being a resident almost a year.
In Wheel of Fortune on Tuesday, residents did a great job of guessing letters and solving puzzles. Active Games that afternoon had some getting a little exercise while playing. The evening included a window hymn singing the Apostolic Christian Young Groups. Thank you to these youth for consistently remembering the elderly in this special way by coming on a regular rotation to praise God with their voices.
Wednesday started with the Daily Guideposts reading and then BINGO. The afternoon weather was gorgeous for Courtyard Friends, with strolls around the flowers, trees, memory stones/statues, green grass, and then sitting a bit to soak in some vitamin D while visiting. Oh, it felt so good to be outside!
Residents and staff alike were praising on Thursday with spirits high to be able to once again gather together in the dining room for meals, starting with breakfast that morning, as well as for group activities. Hallelujah! Then in Morning Stretch, there was a full circle of residents in the lobby to enjoy this activity. One resident said, “I am out of shape!” as others nodded their heads in agreement, but they all kept going together. Their enthusiasm and perseverance were contagious. Inspirational Stories followed with many sticking around for another group activity. It felt like ole times again with residents able to get out of their rooms. Conversation included how teachers influence our lives…how teachers are willing to instruct students and in return those listening can learn. Many stories from books like Chicken Soup for the Soul were shared around the circle. It was just so good to be together again!
Lunch that day was a kickoff for the season called Hello Summer Cookout. The weather was gorgeous to further lift everyone’s bright and bubbly spirits. The Home’s administrator, Nate Hoffman, gilled up some yummy brats and the dietary department offered sautéed onions to top them. Mmm-m-m-m! A delicious 7-layer lettuce salad and a pasta salad were accompaniments with all served in diner style baskets with red and white checkered liners. So cute! Topping it all off, dessert was from a local favorite…Valorie’s famous pies from Yoder’s Country Market. Choices included: apple, cherry, coconut cream, key lime, raspberry cream, and raisin cream. What an awesome selection that is was hard to choose. Many thanks to each staff member who joyfully put extra efforts into making this special meal possible for residents and Country View tenants.
Weekly word search puzzles were passed out that afternoon. The themes this week were National Dairy Month, Fishing Fans, and Fruit Month. In the evening, it was Poems and Bedtime Stories on the activity calendar.
Friday morning had another great workout in Morning Stretch followed my Step Back in Time, reminiscing about summer vacations. Many residents had memories of camping with their family. Some laughed about packing up tents and all the gear. Others talked about camping food such as campfire pies. If you’ve never had one of these kinds of “pie,” it’s not really a pie at all but a filled sandwich toasted over the campfire. Some people also call campfire pies “pudgy pies,” “jaffles,” or “toasties.” They are cooked in a cast-iron pie iron with a long handle attached so it can be stretched out over the campfire. Two slices of buttered bread can be filled with whatever sweet or savory filling desired prior to toasting. Some of the different kinds of filling include pizza sauce with fried sausage & mozzarella cheese or BBQ/sloppy joes or even leftover scrambled eggs & cheese. Any flavor of pie filling makes awesome dessert camp pies that can be sprinkled with powdered sugar or cinnamon & sugar. Campfire pies have become a staple for most camping families. The day ended with laughs from the Comedy Movie on activity channel 2.
The many Woodford County Journal newspapers were passed out on Saturday morning by activity staff. Today’s movie was a Travelogue “Visions of NYC.” It featured from Wall Street to Washington Heights down 5th Avenue, over bridges and across the beautiful attractions of the little island that has captured the hearts of millions. Lady Liberty’s perspective, Central Park, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Little Italy, Chinatown, Harlem, the Upper West Side, and more with aerial and ground footage. The video highlighted the city’s iconic images, boundless energy, and enduring allure.
NOTE: Save the date…August 27-28, 2021…is Homecoming Day! Watch for further details when available in the newspaper as well as on the Home’s FaceBook page and website.
NOTE: “The Cottage,” the new Countryside Barn used for indoor, climate-controlled window visits for residents and their families/friends, continues to be a great way to safely visit loved ones at the Home. This beautiful shed is located in the Home’s west parking lot in front of the building. Remember appointments MUST be scheduled in advance, using the link to Calendly on the homepage of the Home’s website: www.achroanoke.org
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