SAVE THE DATE…August 27-28, 2021…is Homecoming Day! It has been decided to do an online auction again this year. Anyone who would like to donate a service or new item can drop it off at the Home during normal business hours, or call the Home to arrange another time. A fish fry is also being planning on Friday evening. Watch for further details when available in the newspaper as well as on the Home’s Facebook page and website.
June 14 is National Flag Day. This national holiday commemorates the date in 1777 when the United States approved the design for its first national flag. During the Daily Guideposts reading, the verse of the day was Matthew 6:34 “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.”
Wheel of Fortune followed with residents gathering in the activity room. This was the first time in over a year where the residents got to enjoy being again for this activity because of the pandemic. Laughter filled the room and residents were quick giving letters and guessing words. Being together for this activity really brightened everyone’s spirits.
Next was Dining Room Melodies. It was very special as staff member Priscilla Bill, Volunteer Coordinator, played her violin. She played Amazing Grace and other patriotic songs to go along with National Flag Day. Residents had a joyous time singing along with the violin right before lunch.
For the Travelogue on activity channel 2, a Sentimental Reflections with the cover story about Flag Day was available for the residents to watch and learn. There’s an annual celebration in Waubeka, Wisconsin to celebrate the beginning of Flag Day. A young teacher named Bernard Cigrand inspired Flag Day when he assigned his students to write essays about the American flag. Other topics on the DVD included: Scenic America with the lighthouse in the Ponce De Leon Inlet, which is south of the Daytona Beach and is the tallest structure in Florida; On a Musical Note from Louisville, Kentucky where there’s a whole mandolin orchestra instead of that instrument usually used in bluegrass music; Time Capsule with excerpts for a 1955 San Francisco film using a wide-screen lens, the kind used to make the first big screen Hollywood movies; and Seasonal Feature with Blooms and Berries Farm Market in Loveland, Ohio.
Monday afternoon’s BINGO was also special because residents were able to gather in the dining room to play together after a long year of playing in their rooms with numbers announced over the loud speaker due to COVID restrictions. Lots of BINGOS were won and lots of candy was passed out residents and their families enjoyed this activity.
After supper the Eureka Apostolic Christian Faith Church Young Group sang outside the lobby window. This was a good wrap up to the day.
On Tuesday was Crafts. Residents made special surprises for next week’s National CNA Week. They took 3 different cans of soda and made 2 little signs saying “HAPPY CNA WEEK” and “Thank you for all you do! Love, the residents of the A.C.H of Roanoke”. They taped them together with assorted colored ribbon to make a darling thank you gift to the wonderful CNA’s who help them each day in so many ways.
Word searches were passed out for residents to enjoy with the themes Father’s Day gifts and Let’s go on a picnic.
Lillian Wiseman formerly of Washington and Washburn passed away on the 16th after being a resident for 7 years.
Morning Stretch was held on Wednesday in the lobby. Residents gathered around as they encouraged each other, “Let’s keep moving” and then stuck around to catch up on the latest news.
After lunch it was the first Birthday party since February 2020, which was prior to COVID. Thank the Lord the situation is treading onward slowly. The assortment of sheet cakes was sponsored by Eureka Church of Christ. Abby Hodel, daughter of Jeff & Jenny Hodel of Roanoke, made the beautiful little cakes for the individual birthdays. Thank you to these church ladies who provided a delicious variety of cakes for everyone. Courtney Genard, music therapist from Note By Note Music Therapy in Morton, provided beautiful musical entertainment, singing and playing her ukulele. She also brought assorted musical accessories for residents to use during the songs with many keeping time with the egg shakers, beating the drums, and waving the colorful scarves. Everyone was smiling and singing along. Those residents celebrating June birthdays are: June Clevenger on the 1st; Earl Kuebler, the 20th; and Jim Wiegand, the 23rd.
The evening concluded with the live church service from the Roanoke Apostolic Christian Church available over the intercom and on activity channel 2.
Thursday started with residents gathered in the lobby to hear the Daily Guidepost read over the intercom. It was a good way to start the day. Resident Council was able to meet in the activity room today. Resident Council is where any resident who wants to participate goes and gives their feedback about each department. This gives the residents a voice in the matter and can give feedback or ideas to better their stay. Everyone who went was happy to be able to discuss material together.
Two residents were bid goodbye the end of the week. John Kelsey of East Peoria was able to return to his home on the 17th and the next day Joyce Singer of Washington was discharged, both at the Home since the beginning of the month. Bill Noll of Roanoke was admitted on the 18th and resides in room west 18.
Friday was an early celebration of Father’s Day with Donuts with Dad in the front lobby. Thanks to the activity staff who hosted and picked a large assortment of fresh sweets from Casey’s to enjoy a treat together along with hot coffee and orange juice. All residents were welcome to participate. While enjoying a delicious item from the bakery, memories were shared of their own dads. One resident said, “My dad was just so good!”
Cottage visits and video chats took place that day as well as One-on-One visits. Thanks to the many families and friends who made the extra effort to connect with their dad/brother/uncle/friend for the upcoming holiday weekend.
The afternoon Let’s Laugh featured “I Love Lucy” on activity channel 2.
Activity staff passed the mail on Saturday. It was Trivia Night in the evening, learning about hot dogs. It was amazing how much some of the residents knew about many kids’ favorite wiener. It originated in Germany and was first known as a frankfurter. When told what the casings were made of, one of the residents said, “Yuck! I’m not sure I’m going to eat them anymore!” which brought a large chuckle. Do you know who is the largest seller of hot dogs? Answer: the 7-11 store with over 100 million served. At the end of a very fun and educational evening, everyone was laughing when singing, “I wish I were an Oscar Meyer Weiner.”
NOTE: “The Cottage,” the new Countryside Barn used for indoor, climate-controlled window visits for residents and their families/friends, continues to be a great way to safely visit loved ones at the Home. This beautiful shed is located in the Home’s west parking lot in front of the building. Remember appointments MUST be scheduled in advance, using the link to Calendly on the homepage of the Home’s website: www.achroanoke.org