Monday morning meant Monday Movers and our small but mighty group (led by Noel) was in fine form, exercising arms and legs. Once we all were able to catch our breath, it was on to Karaoke Sing A Long, which always draws a crowd! While residents were making beautiful music with Noel, Stacey was going up and down the hallways passing out to everyone new monthly calendars for April. A little bit of lunch and then Barb Halling assisted Noel in delivering the mail, which always puts a smile on everybody’s face! The last couple of days, Easter and spring cards have been finding their way to the care center and it brings such joy to the residents when they open their mail from loved ones. It was April Fool’s Day Monday, so our baking activity of “false teeth” (peanut butter and mini marshmallows on apple slices) turned into a funny photo shoot with residents, complete with goofy glasses and hilarious hats! Once the April Fool’s follies calmed down, Noel brought folks together for an afternoon game of Tic Tac Toss in which Herb Tschumperlin took fourth place, Milda Bautch claimed third and Kay George place second. Kevin Bauer was the first-place winner this week with a huge score of 150 points! The day concluded with supper and then bingo with Teresa Fedie and Kathy Luebker here to help with set up, clean up, passing prizes and assisting folks with playing the game. Thank you ladies!

We gently eased into Tuesday with Mass in the morning for residents, led by Father Jojo; we are ever grateful and blessed for all our faith leaders who spend their time with us. Once mass concluded and lunch was finished, Aaliyah arrived to plug in the popcorn machine and residents eagerly awaited bowlfuls of delicious popcorn! The smell of it is so strong and enticing that it doesn’t take much to round up folks for the weekly Popcorn Social. Later in the afternoon, Pastor Phil from Evangelical Free stopped by for church and we were uplifted and comforted by his message, as well as hearing his wife Kim accompany hymns on the piano. Supper was soon served and then it was an evening of games with Aaliyah!

It was a windy Wednesday morning, but our bowlers were ready steady as they geared up for our weekly bowling game! This week we welcomed Ave Maria students Seth and Declan to help with pin setting and scorekeeping: thanks kids! Jeff Halverson, Dorothy Pfaffe and Alice Brantner tied for fourth place, Ivan Mason scored third and Milda Bautch, Judy Thorn and Kay George all claimed second place. We also had a tie for first place this week: Mary Matzek and Kevin Bauer! Residents enjoyed lunch and then interested folks came back to the dining room a little bit later for afternoon Fruit Bingo, this week with seven Ave Maria students here to play the game with us. Thank you to Kathy Shingledecker for all her help with set up, clean up and passing prizes! Barb Grewe was the big winner of a $1 for blackout this week! Once the cards and chips were cleaned up, we snacked on delectable chocolate mousse at our Mid-Week Social. Yum yum!

We were cheerfully greeted to Harriet Rothe’s smiling face Thursday morning for Local News and Coffee; she read residents the newspapers and brought us up to date on the happenings around town. We appreciate and enjoy everyone who keeps us informed on the community news; we also usually have a few stories of our own to share on what’s been happening at the care center! While residents were listening to Harriet, Stacey and Noel took down all the bunnies and Easter décor but kept up a few of the colorful spring centerpieces on the tables. After lunch the ladies assembled for an afternoon of pampering and manicures. Before you knew it, it was almost time for supper and then afterwards Aaliyah gathered folks for an evening Pokeno game!

We cranked up the polka tunes and Dart Ball kicked off our Friday morning! Thirteen residents came out, hoping to take home the title of first place while several others came out to cheer them on and watch the fun. Our fourth-place winner was Shirley Klinski, third place went to Kevin Bauer and Alice Brantner and Judy Thorn tied for second place! Carol Bauer from the Seasons was this week’s first-place winner! Our game took us up to lunch and after the meal Barb Halling assisted Noel in delivering the mail (and smiles!) to the residents. Chef Jeff {Halverson} was back to help Noel mix up oodles of crunchy caramel puff corn at Snack Makers, with several others gathered around to “supervise!” There was even time for an impromptu game of UNO (with Stacey turning up the classic country music) and Kay George, Janet Robelia and Alice Brantner all won themselves a round! Soon the dining room started to fill up with folks as we prepared to listen to Rich Schroeder and his guitar during Happy Hour. A yummy supper was served and then residents gathered around for the Friday night movie; this week’s feature film was “Flipper.” What a wonderful way to end the day (and week)!