CORRESPONDENTS: Golden Living Center
By PAT SMITH
Golden Living Center reporter
Sadie Bernhardt had a nice surprise on her 96th birthday Jan. 25 when her family came to celebrate with her. A decorated cake was shared with all the residents.
"A Taste of Kansas" was enjoyed Jan. 26 when residents sampled honey, wheat bread, cheese, popcorn, and sunflower seeds — all products grown and made in our great state!
Madonna Schafers recited the rosary Jan. 26 and the Strassburg Baptist Church held services Jan. 27.
Kansas Day brought with it many fun activities with Kansas trivia throughout the day and the fifth grade came to sing Kansas songs and present many little-known facts about our state. The residents thoroughly enjoyed their entertainment. Lisa followed the songfest with afternoon bingo.
Groundhog Day brought disappointment for the residents who enjoy sitting out and getting van rides, as the weather was not good enough yet to get them all out. Pat Smith led the rosary and did nails.
Super Bowl Sunday Feb. 3 was a day of popcorn, drinks, and snacks as residents who enjoy sports cheered on their teams.
Residents enjoyed a Mardi Gras party Feb. 5 with hats, horns, and colorful beads for everyone. Of course, there was plenty of party eats to celebrate the day.
John Deere Day brought discussion of farm life and farm machinery. Lisa brought in a collection of John Deere toy machinery for all to enjoy.
Snicker Day was celebrated with bingo and what else? Snickers bars for everyone.
Theresa Cady led the rosary Feb. 9 and Pat did nails.
Eastmoor United Methodist Church led services Feb. 10.
Feb. 11 was "white shirt day" so many residents were dressed in white shirts, sweat shirts, and blouses to observe the day. Lisa invited residents to do a word-find puzzle before bingo in the afternoon.
Residents enjoyed Abe Lincoln's birthday Feb. 12 by learning many interesting facts about his life and death. Hearts were constructed out of new stick material that make it easier for the residents to handle. The finished items were hung on their doors or on walls.
Dick Pracht had hymn sing Feb. 13 and the hairdresser was here, to the joy of many women. Danyelle had bingo in the afternoon.
All week residents and staff cast their votes for valentine king and queen. Votes were counted Feb. 14 and during the valentine party, Richard Wooley and Dorothy Thornhill were named king and queen. Richard received a box of chocolates and Dorothy got beautiful red roses.
Rubena Jost had visitors from Lehigh Feb. 14 and to top off the day, the first grade children came in to sing cute valentine songs to the residents.
Helmut had "News and Views" Feb. 15 and they discussed the upcoming city council elections and other local issues.
This also was the day for the annual sack lunch for the heart association. The staff packaged and delivered 230 lunches and an additional 60 dozen homemade cookies to individuals and businesses in the area. What a great service for a worthwhile cause!
Shirley and Pat Smith brought in valentine gifts and treats as prizes Feb. 16 for the valentine bingo games. Everyone ended up a winner. Joyce Richmond led the rosary and on Feb. 17, Florence United Methodist Church conducted church services.
Dick Pracht led hymn sing and read scripture Feb. 20. Lisa had bingo in the afternoon.
Helmut had men's coffee and donuts Thursday and the weather was the big topic of conversation. All agreed they had not had a winter this long for many, many years.
Many of the staff attended Pete Propp's funeral Friday. He will be missed by all as his smile brightened every day.
Lisa brought in Hostess cherry pies for residents and cherry trivia throughout the day. Helmut hosted "News and Views" with a lot of interest in the sports section. Many residents have grandchildren and great-grandchildren playing for Hillsboro, Peabody, Centre, and Marion high schools.
Lisa had a chocolate tasting of milk, dark, almond, and white chocolate for residents to sample Saturday.
Our Savior Lutheran Church had services Sunday afternoon. Pat Smith was in to do nails and the hair dresser had a constant line of women and men for hair cuts and permanents all day. Nothing makes a person feel as good as a pretty hair-do! Everyone is keeping their fingers crossed that the weather clears up this week for a van ride or lunch outing.
The Golden Living residents' council meeting was well-attended. Residents discussed and approved the February calendar with the provision tat when the weather gets warmer there will be van rides in the country and lunch outings. Everyone is getting a case of cabin fever with this long, drawn-out winter.
Remember Cracker Jacks? Lisa brought in boxes of the treat and residents got a kick out of the prizes found inside as well as eating the snack. Lisa informed them the box was no longer a dime as they remembered it to be.
The monthly potluck was Tuesday evening.
