Things to look forward to...

February has been very busy! We've had a lot of fun events and music to fill our residents days during these dreary winter months. A lot of time & heart is put into planning activities & events. Our purpose is to keep residents active, engaged, fulfilled... Our goal is to always bring our residents happiness & give them things to look forward to.

The Sweetheart's Dinner was perfect! There was so much love packed into our Chapel. Our Administrator Tom bundled up for the -35 degree windchill and grilled all our residents Rib eye steaks. These frigid temps seem to happen every year for this event...but he never seems to mind! He loves to grill for the residents :-)

Our 2020 Royal Court was crowned on Valentine's Day! It is so amazing to be apart of this sentimental occasion. The residents are always so surprised & honored to receive their title. It pulls at our heart strings to see our residents overcome with so much happiness. I am optimistic that someday, I will be able to make it through a coronation without any tears!

On February 18th, we had furry visitors from an indoor petting zoo. Residents interacted with a baby alligator, a non-stinky skunk, lemur, hedgehog & a kangaroo! These adorable animals (skunk included!) are really fun to learn about. If seeing a skunk makes our residents happy...a skunk they shall see ;-)

So what is planned for the upcoming weeks? March always seems so long, so we have many musicians booked and fun games planned to keep the weeks busy. On March 2nd, we will have a saxophone and keyboard concert with CODA @ 2:00. The St. Patrick's Day Party is on March 13th with Irish themed treats, cocktails and music by Chaplain Sherree.

We have also started a Book Club for residents with the Crooked Lake Library. The March book is called "Mrs. Julia Speaks Her Mind" and is available for check out with the Therapeutic Recreation Department. The first club meeting is March 25th @ 5:00. The Book Club will meet on the 4th Wednesday of each month in the Chapel. For more information, contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Sharon Erion @ serion@parkriverestates.com .

As for April & May...we have many special events and a resident, staff & family project in the works that I am really excited about! National Skilled Nursing Care Week is May 10th-16th. We will have our annual Alzheimer's Awareness Walk, another indoor petting zoo & tons of fun entertainment throughout the week.

As I have been writing, the bright blue sky & sun is beaming through the window kitty-corner to my desk. It's a happy reminder that Spring is almost here. It's a reminder that there are so many things to look forward to!