St. Luke Living Center notes
By SUE GUTSCH
St. Luke Living Center, Marion, correspondent
The topic of angels has come up in discussions several times recently. It only seemed fitting Friday morning to make angel crisp cookies as we "munch our way across the USA" to the capital of Wyoming, Cheyenne. This recipe was submitted by Carolyn Shelton of Derby, representing the Midwest Brethren District.
When our facility experienced a power outage due to a burned-out transformer mid-morning, an auxiliary generator provided electricity to all our essential areas. But it seems our oven is not on that list. We continued to mix up the cookies, shape, and place them on baking sheets. After lunch, with all systems working, the angel crisps were baked and available to serve that afternoon following bingo with Lois Winter.
Our large dining room has experienced an impressive makeover with the arrival of 22 sturdy, comfortable, handsome chairs purchased with funds provided by St. Luke Hospital Auxiliary. Both ends of the newly-painted walls display beautiful framed pictures taken by Les Broadstreet, which he rotates occasionally.
Nothing could have been farther from our minds during the "powerless period Friday than the lovely, newly made lap robes Joyce Richmond brought in. When we looked farther than the sweat on the nose of our face, the remaining calendar pages are becoming few with September nearly here. Thank you, Marion VFW Auxiliary for realizing these small blankets soon would be in demand.
A few weeks ago we mentioned a Czech tomato plant the Vinduskas planted in our courtyard garden. To elaborate a little, the seeds actually did come from Czechoslovakia via a friend of Amelia's niece, who started them at her home in Greenfield, Iowa, and brought two seedlings to Marion. The little plant got a somewhat late start, but has produced its first harvestable tomato — a beauty! Flourishing in a wire cage, the transplant is nearly five feet tall and showcases lots of green fruit for our future enjoyment.
Tuesday morning during story time with the Ingalls, Mr. Edwards briefly came back into the family's lives during the long winter. He was heading farther west to escape politicians and taxes, leaving a $20 bill in Mary's lap as he departed.
That afternoon we celebrated the new school year by making the Write Cake. Using an eight-inch-square pan of brownies cut in half, we placed the pieces end to end, cutting a point at one end and frosting it in appropriate pencil colors.
We used this pencil cake project as a catalyst for reminiscing about our school days, school names (the most colorful was Beauty of the West), teachers, packed lunches, the long walk, and more.
Irma, Alice, Mildred, Amelia, and Sue attended the presentation by Sara Richter of the Kansas Humanities Council Friday evening at Marion City Library. Her topic was Laura Ingalls Wilder, home builder of the Plains. After spending almost a year on the prairies with the Ingalls family nearly every Tuesday, we welcomed the opportunity to hear more about the author of these endearing books. Thank you, library staff for making us feel welcome and comfortable.
Seven residents plus volunteers Rosemary Garrard and Joann Fitzpatrick and our driver Khrista decided Walton would be Thursday's destination. Later that afternoon, a group went out for ice cream and a trip around the lake.
On days the temperature allows, we've been enjoying wheelchair walks after breakfast. By mid-morning it is just too hot the past few weeks for much outdoor activity.
Resident Council met Aug. 18 with 12 residents and Khrista attending. Ideas discussed were picnic lunch outings to the park or lake, a trip to Maxwell Game Preserve, an evening campout in the courtyard, a Czech festival in October with kraut, potato dumplings, kolaches, and Alex Stuchlik's band.
