Do you know the best way to start the week? With a bit of exercise! Noel got things started right away Monday morning with Monday Movers and residents followed along to a DVD of easy, yet effective seated exercises designed to stretch and strengthen our bodies. Everyone stuck around afterward, plus our group grew in size, to participate in Karaoke Sing A Long! All that moving and singing worked up quite an appetite for lunch. Our afternoon was just as busy because after lunch was eaten and mail delivered, it was time for Crafty Corner! This week, residents worked in colorful permanent markers, tinfoil and rubbing alcohol to create one-of-a-kind stained glass art! While we waited for the beautiful creations to dry, we gathered folks together for a thrilling game of Tic Tac Toss. Everyone was in fine form this week: Ivan Mason, Yvonne Sinz and Goldie Helwig all won fourth, Joann Hubbard and Janet Robelia tied for third and Barb Halling was awarded second place! Our first-place winner this week was Shirley Klinski! We had a little bit of time to rest before supper, but after the meal was finished, we set up for Monday night Bingo with Teresa Fedie and Kathy Luebker. Thank you for your assistance – we couldn’t do it without you ladies! 

Tuesday began with Mass, with Terry Pelzel and Father Jojo here to spend the morning in prayer with residents. The service never fails to brighten spirits and folks are uplifted by the message each week. Lunch also refreshes everyone, along with our afternoon activity of a Popcorn Social! Willow starts the popcorn machine and pretty soon residents are gathered in the dining room, clamoring for bowls of the delicious treat. The smell of fresh popcorn lingered throughout the care center in the afternoon as one on one visits were had and Pastor Dave from Durand Methodist arrived for church. Once the service was over, supper was served and then Willow had a lineup of games to entertain everybody into the evening! 

The sun was shining brightly as everyone gathered Wednesday morning for bowling! We always have such a great group of residents and it was so sweet to hear them cheer each other on as the game progressed. Jeff Halverson came in fourth place; Milda Bautch, Zeona Bechel and Judy Thorn all tied for third and Janet Robelia and Kathy Geraets tied for second! Yvonne Sinz took home the first-place title this week! A special thank you goes out to Janet Robelia’s son, John, for being our pinsetter! All of us worked up quite an appetite for lunch and once the meal was done and the dishes cleaned up, we got ready for an afternoon of Fruit Bingo. Thank you to Harriet Rothe for calling numbers and assisting with clean up and to Irene Helmueller for passing prizes and helping clean up as well!  The winner of blackout this week was Judy Thorn! The afternoon rolled right along and the Mid-Week Social was next, where we wet our whistles with deliciously cold slices of watermelon!

Lana Ingli swung by to read us the newspapers, as well as share stories and laughs at our Local News and Coffee group Thursday morning. We always enjoy seeing her smiling face as she keeps us informed about what has been happening around the area! Later on, folks stuck around after lunch to participate in the monthly Resident Council Meeting to recap the last month and to find out what’s ahead on the calendar for August. Once the meeting adjourned, Willow steered her cart of nail polish into the dining room and the ladies were ready for their afternoon of pampering with manicures. All of our gals chose such classy colors and their nails looked lovely once Willow worked her manicure magic! Then it was time for a little more visiting before supper was served.  The evening ended with Willow leading a lively game of Pokeno!

Our Friday morning Shuffleboard game drew a small number of residents, but we still had a ball trying to score the most points! Judy Thorn came in fourth place, Shirley Klinski was the third-place winner and Yvonne Sinz took second place. Ivan Mason was the first-place winner this week with 91 points! We enjoyed a bit of lunch and then Noel and Chef Jeff worked together at Snack Makers to mix up a double batch of Rice Krispie Treats for Happy Hour! With the afternoon snack completed, there was a little downtime for resting before the party got started in the dining room. Happy Hour was soon underway and we listened to the delightful music of Craig Morton while munching on the Rice Krispie bars! The busy day ended with supper and then Movie Night; this week’s flick was “Gifted!” If any of this sounds like fun, stop on by the care center sometime: we would love to see you!