By Laura Kadlec Activities director/music therapist

Covid precautions continued with just a handful of folks out for the singalong. We still had a nice time making music, singing songs from the past that brings memories to the surface and stories to share. Lunch and mail was delivered to rooms as well as some independent activities for those sequestered seniors. Many enjoy coloring fancy design books, doing small puzzles, or reading magazines. Soon, the aroma of fresh popped corn filled the halls a couple hours later and those who could came out for a warm and salty snack. Keeping our fine physiques in check, many stayed out for a fun-filled game of Tic-Tac-Toss! Winners this week (with many ties) were: Fourth, Alice Brantner, Ivan Mason, Kevin Bauer; third, Milda Bautch, Shirley Klinski; second place, Goldie Helwig; and first place champ (earning three-in-a-row, twice!) Dorothy Pfaffe! A quick supper and we set up for bingo. It was a delight to have Teresa Fedie and Kathy Luebker here to assist with candy delivery as well as set-up and clean-up. Thank you ladies!

We miss having our regular Mass and Communion time with Father Jojo and Terry Pelzel due to our Covid status. However, we are thankful for the EWTN channel with mass and various Catholic services including rosary. Long winter days have a way of encouraging prayer times! The afternoon perked up with making beautiful sun catchers. There were many designs from which to choose and so many colors as well. We will continue working on them in the next week. Just in time for the sun to come streaming through and sharing all the pretty colors with our walls! We put our projects away and soon Pastor Paolo from the Arkansaw Methodist Church arrived for our weekly worship service. He brought us words of comfort and encouragement. Our evening was filled with laughs and good times as we played games with Aaliyah.

Wednesday was almost as thrilling as Christmas morning! Our Covid precautions had ended! Everyone was able to enjoy meals and socializing once again, together in the dining room. Breakfast was a cacophony of chatter as we were able to spend time with our friends that we had dearly missed. Bowling was offered before lunch and it was fun to have our helpers from the Plum City Elementary School. Emma Brantner and Kenlee Daleiden were pin setters and score keepers. They might miss school, but they get a dose of math and exercise while they are with us! Winners this week were: Fourth place, Ivan Mason; third place, Shirley Klinski; second place, Frances White; and first place champ, Kevin Bauer (with two strikes). We kept just as busy for the afternoon with the arrival of Irene Helmueller and Harriet Rothe for fruit bingo. It was a joy to have Irene back with us, after a hiatus, to deliver candy, fruit, and quarters. As usual, Harriet did a fine job of calling out the numbers. We were also happy to have all the folks from the Seasons next door join us for our activities. Our blackout winner of the big money was Goldie Helwig this week. Celebrating National Peanut Butter Day, we devoured peanut butter cookies with milk for our midweek social. A great way to spoil your appetite for supper!

Lana Ingli strolled over on Thursday with newsy newspapers in hand and a few jokes and stories under her belt. It is always fun to reminisce over coffee and cookies. The things we remember! Everyone shares and many have similar tales to tell. The afternoon began with many ladies getting manicures. It had been a good couple of weeks in jail – I mean quarantine (ha!) Our nails were in dire need of shaping and filing and fresh color applied. Once dry, the ladies couldn’t get to those adorable puppies brought in by Brad Richardson quickly enough. Such a variety of shapes and sizes but all are super sweet. After supper, Pokeno was the game of choice. Big winners this week were Shirley Klinski and Nancy Bishop.

Drumming is the gateway to the weekend in our home. Fridays get charged up with rhythms and music emanating from the dining room. Or it could also be the pictures vibrating off the walls in the halls! Either way, we enjoy playing all the upbeat songs, especially swing tunes such as “In The Mood” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.” After lunch, a few ladies helped Stacey put together a cracker snack mix. Over a dozen visitors joined us and soon happy hour was underway. Duane and Joann Earney sang and entertained while we enjoyed our cracker mix highlighted with beer and soda. As the sun set, our music ended and supper was soon served. We spent a relaxing evening watching “Sister Act” on the big screen and another busy week had ended. Do consider a stop in our direction. Winter can be long and cold but visitors brighten our days. See you soon!