By Laura Kadlec Activities Director & Music Therapist

We chased away the Monday morning blues with some great songs in anticipation of Memorial Day weekend. We sang quite a few patriotic songs and decided “Yankee Doodle Boy” was our favorite! Our afternoon popcorn social was filled with choic es and decisions on which flowers to plant and where. Everyone is excited about seeing our pretty blossoms begin to bloom! We followed up with a grand game of bowling and no one tied this week. Winners were: Fifth place, Beryl Anderson; fourth place, Alvin Bergmark; third place, Shirley Klinski; second place, Lor- raine Anderson; first place champ, Irene Converse with three strikes! The evening ended with bingo. The brilliant Berger gals were our assistants!

Father Jojo and Terry Pelzel arrived Tuesday morning for a nice time of mass and communion. We always appreciate the message from Father. Name That Tune filled in the following hour with many songs and many guessers. Top guesser this week was Penny Stauord with 15 correct answers.

Carol Bauer was close behind with 13, followed by Barb Gruewe with 11. Mary Ellen Coulson arrived a bit later but managed to chime in with nine correct answers and Shirley Klinski had five. The afternoon brought out crafters to finish up their sun – flower wreaths. There were

many flowers from which to choose and everyone added a ribbon to hang their wreath on the door. Tom arrived from Immanuel Lutheran Church later in the afternoon and led us in a nice time of worship. A few joined in on the Uno game after supper with Alvin Bergmark taking top honors.

A few ladies gathered for couee and a few games of “Climb the Mountain.”

This dice game brings out the competition between our folks but Irene Converse came out the top winner. The afternoon included our midweek bingo game. Assisting with set up, clean up, and candy rewards were Harriet Rothe and Wanda Traynor.

Alvin Bergmark was our lucky blackout winner. We ended the afternoon with the Wednesday wine, cheese and crackers social.

Thursday welcomed Lana Ingli who read us all the news from the surrounding communities in the Courier Wedge and Pierce County Journal. We add a few stories of our own and the time passes quickly by. The afternoon filled up quickly with ladies getting manicures. There were many new summer colors from which to choose.

Some ladies even considered a diuerent color for each fingernail! Once our nails were dry, we were able to hold onto one of Brad Richardson’s adorable puppies.

There are new babies all the time. We often miss our “regulars” after seeing them for a few weeks. But we know they have all found their new homes and families.

Friday and drumming just go together. It’s a great time to enjoy upbeat music, a little exercise, and lots of belly laughs along the way. With such wonderful weather, we moved happy hour outside.

Larry Radle set up under the tent for some shade and the music began. He treated us with the guitar, banjo, and the concertina, thus making him one of our favorites.

Movie night ended our week with a great musical, “Calamity Jane” starring Doris Day. It was a nice ending to another busy week. We hope you won't be too busy to find time to stop in and see us. It brings much joy to a sometimes lonely day. See you soon! We'll put the couee on!

Lovely flowered hats adorned all our ladies at the Ladies Tea. Irene Converse modeled hers beautifully! Photo courtesy of Laura Kadlect

No fear was shown by Alvin Bergmark as he was up close and persona; with this alligator. A shout out to Brian from Monty’s Traveling Reptile Show. Photo courtesy of Laura Kadlec