Monday was the big solar eclipse event, but unfortunately the day was too cloudy to see anything. Luckily, we still had plenty to keep us busy as Stacey and Noel started the day with Monday Movers, leading residents in gentle, yet energizing, seated exercises! Afterwards, Noel put on the karaoke tunes and led everyone in an energetic singalong. Lunchtime and mail delivery came next and then Noel and Jeff Halverson were in the dining room, whipping up delectable cinnamon crescent rolls at the afternoon baking activity! They looked so tasty, but we had to wait to enjoy them until Wednesday’s Mid-Week Social. With the cinnamon crescent rolls cooling, folks came out to celebrate the solar eclipse with a “Total Eclipse of the Sun!” dice game. After many rounds of rolling the right numbers to cover up with poker chips, Jeff Halverson was the first player to cover all his numbers and won the whole game! Supper was served after and then folks stayed out for evening bingo with Marie and Joyce Berger. A huge thanks goes out to them for all their wonderful help with setting up, cleaning up and passing prizes, as well as helping residents play the game!    

Due to a change in Father Jojo’s schedule, there was no Mass Tuesday morning, so we had a game of bowling instead! After several exciting rounds Yvonne Sinz came in fourth, Ivan Mason won third, with Zeona Bechel and Milda Bautch tied for second. Janet Robelia bowled a personal best and was the first place winner this week! Lunch was a welcome break from the excitement of the morning and then in the afternoon, Barb Halling assisted Noel in delivering the mail to all the residents who received letters from loved ones. Tuesday afternoon followed the normal schedule, with Aaliyah here in the afternoon to make bowlfuls of buttery popcorn for all the residents gathered for our Popcorn Social! Afternoon church was an uplifting hymn sing with Aaliyah, with folks harmonizing to classic tunes such as “How Great Thou Art” and “Amazing Grace.” Supper was enjoyed afterward and then Aaliyah led the group in an evening of fun games!

Wednesday morning we were greeted by Father Jojo’s smiling face for morning Mass and Carol Bauer’s daughter, Sue Klein, did the readings for the service! A yummy lunch was served soon after church and then Noel was again assisted by Barb Halling with passing out the mail to everyone who received something from the post office. Fruit Bingo was next on the mid-week agenda and we had the stellar help of volunteers Shirley Klein and Lana Ingli, assisting with set up, clean up and passing prizes to everyone lucky enough to win a bingo. Our Blackout Bingo winner this week was Gary Bauer (Carol Bauer’s son)! We ended the day of activities with our Mid-Week Social where we finally got to enjoy the cinnamon crescent rolls in honor of National Cinnamon Crescent Day!

Kathy Shingledecker was here Thursday morning to read residents the newspaper at our Local News and Coffee group. She also brought a picture board with photos of her cute goats to show everyone and talked about all the new babies and breeds! Lunch was enjoyed and then in the afternoon Aaliyah assisted all the ladies with pretty manicures and refreshed their nails with colorful nail polish and a topcoat of sparkles. While everyone waited for their nails to dry, there was time for an impromptu game of “Don’t Tip the Cows!” Supper followed and then Aaliyah brought the fun in the evening with a game of Pokeno for everyone! 

Friday came quickly and Noel led residents in a lively morning game of Shuffleboard! After five fun-filled rounds, Nancy Bishop, Judy Thorn and Yvonne Sinz all tied for fourth place, Janet Robelia came in third and Jeff Halverson claimed second. Alice Brantner was our first-place winner! The most exciting part of the game came in the fourth round when Alice earned a perfect score of 40 points…it was the first time anyone has ever done it! Lunch was enjoyed afterward and Noel once again was accompanied by Barb Halling while delivering the mail to folks. We had a peaceful afternoon of visiting with residents but before you could say “Happy Friday!” it was time for Happy Hour, with Rudy Rudesill here with his guitar to entertain us with toe-tapping tunes! It was also our once-a-month Birthday Happy Hour, where we celebrated all the April birthdays; although if you can believe it, Kay George was our only resident with an April birthday. The afternoon ended with supper and then Movie Night, where we watched the coming-of --age classic “Stand By Me!”