Our week began with a beautifully sunny Memorial Day; in remembrance of those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom, the American Legion visited in the morning for a Memorial Day presentation. Residents, including those who are veterans, gathered outside to watch and celebrate. Because of the holiday, activities were scaled back but we did play bingo in the afternoon! 

The temperature started climbing on Tuesday but before it got too warm, we had Catholic mass in the morning after breakfast. It’s always such a peaceful way to begin the day and residents really enjoy Father’s words of faith and comfort. After a bit of lunch and mail being passed out, we fired up the popcorn machine for the afternoon Popcorn Social! Old or young, it doesn’t matter who you are, everyone eagerly accepts bowlfuls of the delicious, salty and buttery treat.  Folks rested up for the remainder of the afternoon and visited with family and friends. We soaked up the beautiful weather on our front and back porches because we know the temperature is only going to keep climbing! Soon, it was time for afternoon church and we welcomed Pastor Pfaffe from Immanuel Lutheran to lead the service. Dinner followed and then it was an evening of playing games with Aaliyah!

We start off Wednesday with a fierce bowling game and our competitors are in fine form to take home the first-place title! Dorothy Pfaffe comes in fourth place, Alice Brantner nabs third place and Milda Bautch is in second place. We have two residents in first place: Kevin Bauer and Jeff Halverson! Our game takes us right up to lunch and then after mail has been delivered, it’s back to the dining room for our weekly Fruit Bingo game! A huge thank you goes out to volunteers Lana Ingli and Wanda Ebensperger for all their help with set up, clean up and prize passing. This week, Virginia Fritz and Kevin Bauer were our blackout bingo winners! We conclude the afternoon with a refreshing Wine, Cheese and Cracker Social. Cheers! 

Thursday brings Local News and Coffee with volunteer Lana Ingli! We love it when our neighbors stop by to share with us the goings-on of the community and a cup of coffee. After lunch, we gather the ladies together for manicures and this week we only have a few takers but the new colors they choose are lovely. It always feels good to be pampered a bit! It’s not too long before Brad Richardson and the puppies arrive for an afternoon visit. These rambunctious little canines always delight us with their antics, while the smallest and sleepiest ones of the bunch are cuddled by happy residents! The day concludes with supper and evening Pokeno with Aaliyah.

The temperature continues to climb as we make our way into Friday but we stay cool inside as we prepare for our morning game of Twisted Chicken! Not sure what that is? We toss rubber chickens onto a Twister mat to try and hit the color circle that we spun for. It is definitely as silly as it sounds and residents had such fun laughing and tossing those chickens! Milda Bautch, Shirley Klinski and Barb Halling all come in fourth place, Goldie Helwig is the third-place winner and Jeff Halverson nabs second place. Alice Brantner is the first-place winner! The silliness continues after lunch as we prepare for Happy Hour; the theme for this week is “Cookies and Cows.” Activities Director Stacey and Activities Assistant Noel deck themselves out in bovine onesies and mooo-ve their way through the delighted crowd, passing out milk and cookies to all! Residents and guests also get in on the farm fun, dressing up as cows and farmers, snapping pictures and laughing the afternoon away. We end this fun Friday with supper and Movie Night; this week’s flick is “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.”