Residents started the week off on the right foot with a big group assembled for Monday Movers! Stacey and Noel led the crowd in an array of seated exercises designed to engage muscles and stretch limbs; everyone did a wonderful job. Once we had a chance to catch our breath, Stacey tuned up the guitar and then it was time for a sing-along! The group grew in size as tunes like “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” and “Oh Susanna” floated out of the dining room and enticed folks to join along. In no time at all lunch was served and the afternoon activities commenced! Stacey and Noel were back in the dining room for Crafty Corner to help residents craft clay pot gnomes and gnome houses to decorate our backyard patio. This week’s task was to paint all the pots and in two weeks the creations will get their finishing touches before they populate the patio. Once paint-stained hands were washed and brushes were rinsed off, Noel brought folks together for a game of Tic Tac Toss which saw Jeff Halverson, Kay George and Carol Bauer (from the Seasons) place fourth, Herb Tschumperlin in third and Alice Brantner take second. Carol Campbell was our first-place winner this week! After supper, we had a large group in the dining room for evening Bingo with Teresa Fedie and Kathy Luebker. We also had extra special volunteers Monday night from Pillar Bank celebrating Pillar Bank Community Week! A huge THANK YOU to Debbie, Anna, Leanna and Rick for helping with set up, clean up, passing prizes and assisting residents with playing the game! 

Tuesday morning residents gathered for Mass with Father Jojo and Terry Pelzel. It was a peaceful way to start the day and we always appreciate them stopping by and serving our community! After a bit of visiting, lunch was served and then Aaliyah was here for the most anticipated activity on Tuesday: Popcorn Social. She had the popcorn machine going steady and served bag after bag of deliciously fresh popcorn to residents, who are always eager for the savory snack! A bit more visiting and conversation, then Aaliyah brought residents to the dining room for an uplifting afternoon hymn sing. Supper was soon served, and then Aaliyah gathered everyone together again for a Tuesday evening of fun games!

Bowling ushers in each Wednesday morning and Ave Maria students Mary and Weston were here this week to help with pin-setting and score keeping! We had quite a crowd assembled to play and watch the game as Alice Brantner and Yvonne Sinz tied for fourth place, Jeff Halverson and Judy Thorn tied for third place and Milda Bautch won second place. Mary Matzek was our first-place bowling champion this week! A well-deserved lunch was served and then Fruit Bingo kicked off the afternoon. Wanda Ebensperger and Monica Krings were here, assisting with set up, prize passing and clean up; thank you ladies! We had so much fun playing bingo and then we all cheered as Beryl Anderson and Nancy Bishop both won the $1 prize this week at Blackout! After the cards and chips were cleaned up, Noel served up bowls of crunchy cheese balls in celebration of National Cheese Ball Day. What a delicious way to end the day!

Thursday morning was slow and relaxing as residents came out for our Local News and Coffee group! Marlene Zimmer came to visit and read folks the newspapers while everyone enjoyed a delicious cup of coffee or cocoa; there was plenty of time for visiting and conversation as Marlene engaged residents in chatting about the happenings in the community. We definitely eased into our day! The noon meal signaled the start to the afternoon and soon after, Aaliyah was here to give all the ladies manicures. One by one, she made her way around the care center and pampered our gals with a fresh coat of nail polish! It’s amazing what a little thing like a new nail color will do to brighten someone’s day. Music also brings smiles and cheer to our folks. Stacey brought her guitar out in the afternoon and traveled from room to room, playing and singing lively music to residents! Supper came and went and then Aaliyah led residents in an evening game of Pokeno!

Friday came quickly and the energy was high as Stacey and Noel gathered residents for a morning of exciting exercise for Fitness Friday! We had folks kicking around two colorful beach balls and it was tons of fun watching everyone’s reflexes kick in (pun intended!) as the ball headed their way. Activity staff kept that energy going as we transitioned quickly into a game of Dart Ball and most folks stuck around to play and watch as Kevin Bauer came in fourth place, Mary Matzek won third and Herb Tschumperlin came in second. Yvonne Sinz was the big winner and darted her way into first place this week! Lunch came and went, and then Barb Halling and Noel traveled up and down the halls, delivering mail to all the residents. Chef Jeff {Halverson} and Noel worked together for Snack Makers and whipped up some savory garlic ranch pretzels in honor of National Garlic Day! Those tasty treats were a hit at Happy Hour and we enjoyed them, along with a cold glass of soda or beer, while listening to the delightfully upbeat tunes Laura Kadlec played on the piano. Once Happy Hour concluded, supper was served and enjoyed, then it was time to turn the lights down and draw the shades to watch “Cheaper By the Dozen” for Movie Night!