By Laura Kadlec Activities director/music therapist

We began our week with the Monday morning sing-a-long. “Catch A Falling Star” was the first song we sang which became the catalyst for everyone chatting about their experiences seeing falling stars and the northern lights. We did come to the consensus that no one can put a star in their pocket! The afternoon kept us entertained with our popcorn social filled with smiles and giggles. After catching up on the latest, there was enough time for a fun game of tic-tac-toss. Top tossers this week were: Milda Bautch, Goldie Helwig (fourth place); third (and only one to get three in a row!), Frances White; second, Penny Stauord, Nancy Bishop; and first, Shirley Klinski. A quick supper and we set up for bingo. Thank you, Marie Berger for helping with set-up and candy delivery!

Tuesday arrived with Father Jojo and Terry Pelzel ready to share mass and communion with us. We always look forward to our time with them. “Name That Tune” followed with many folks guessing or simply listening to the tunes. We heard 52 songs and guessed all their titles, although sometimes Laura had to give us a hint. Top guessers this week were: Shirley Klinski (fourth place); Carol Bauer and Mary Ellen Coulson (third place tie); top title guesser this week was Barb Grewe! After lunch, the crafters found their way to the dining room to put together the treat bags for our upcoming student costume parade! First, we decorated the outside of the bags. Then we had an assembly line of folks stuvng stickers, candy, rulers, candy, glow light bracelets, candy, and fruit snacks. Did I mention candy? Oh yes, and for quality control we ate a few pieces of course! Some of our more well-meaning ladies thought we maybe should have thrown in a toothbrush. We are looking forward to seeing all the ghosts and goblins who will soon come to our home. Soon after, Pastor Pfaue joined us from Immanuel Lutheran Church for our worship service. Our evening ended with a fast-paced game of Uno. Frances White was our big winner.

Bowlers barreled into the dining room while we waited for the kids from Plum City Elementary to join us on Wednesday. It was fun having Janessa Hemphill and Brooklyn Zeilinger join us to set pins and keep score. Our top bowlers this week (and their number of strikes): Fourth, Frances White; third, Milda Bautch (1); second, Shirley Klinski; first place honors go to Alvin Bergmark with two strikes and two spares. He was two points shy of a perfect game! Fruit bingo was on the agenda for the afternoon. Harriet Rothe called out the numbers loud and clear. Our black out winners were Zeona Bechel and Barb Grewe. Our social time celebrated National Pretzel Day with some warm pretzels dipped in cheese sauce. As such, no one cared much about eating supper afterward.

We enjoyed having Lana Ingli here to read us the news this Thursday. We went through all the papers, soaking up our own news article and the obituaries, of course. And then on to some fun reading. We took a page out of the Reminisce magazine and reviewed all the top events and news from 1957. Over six decades ago but still very real in our minds! What fun to remember that the top selling song single of the year was “All Shook Up” by Elvis Presley! Ladies arrived for manicures in the afternoon. So many colors chosen from “pinky red” to gold for Halloween. Brad was soon on our doorstep with new pups of all shapes and sizes. Everyone got in their quota of love and hugs. Supper soon arrived and a few folks stayed up to play Pokeno. This week’s big winner was Goldie Helwig.

We drummed to get our joints working and even played a few Halloween songs such as “Monster Mash!” It is always a fun time. Lunch arrived and while folks napped afterwards, or read their mail, we were busy setting up our haunted house in the dining room. Happy hour ensued a couple hours later and everyone got into character to dress up for the “Witches Ball.” Even our visitors, family and friends joined in on the fun. Duane (a.k.a. Elvis) and Joann Earney provided our great music. The evening festivities carried on with the Friday night movie, “Hocus Pocus.” Make plans now to stop in for couee and a cookie, or maybe two if we’re feeling generous, ha! We’d love to see you.