“The Cottage,” the new Countryside Barn used for indoor, climate-controlled window visits for residents and their families/friends, is up and running! You can’t miss this beautiful shed located in the Home’s west parking lot in front of the building. Appointments MUST be scheduled in advance, using the link to Calendly on the homepage of the Home’s website: www.achroanoke.org
As this new visiting program starts at The Cottage, there are limited appointment times available with more days/times being added in the future. There is no age limit for visitors and masks do not have to be worn during this visit! With the glass wall separating each side and separate HVAC systems on each side, the air will never mix. There is no screening process involved as this is considered a window visit. No cell phone is needed as there is an intercom system to easily hear each side. Bring your family, bring your kids…all are welcome. Our residents need to see you!
A beautiful Employee Encouragement Basket arrived on Monday, March 8, filled with a huge assortment of goodies for staff. Thank you to the couple who blessed the workers at the Home with all the healthy options of nuts, granola type bars, fresh apples and cuties as well as some yummy sweet snacks, too.
Manicure Monday is always welcome as ladies appreciate the extra pampering of their hands and nails. In the picture to the left, Activity Assistant Phyllis Eden received a huge smile of thanks from resident Sarah Dalley while getting a fresh coat of polish on her nails. A replay of Sunday’s Roanoke Apostolic Christian Church service was streamed on activity channel 2. BINGO was held in the afternoon.
That evening the Eureka & Congerville Apostolic Christian Faith Young Groups filled the Home with joyous singing of hymns. They stood outside the lobby window with the microphone bringing the hymn sing inside over our intercom system to those watching in the lobby and listening in their rooms. It was beautiful, spring-like weather to be outside under the carport. In the picture below, residents Lyle & Mary Lou Martin, center front, along with residents Eloise Diggelman, left, and Helen Zobrist, right, and others in the background all liked singing along with the window singers. In addition, many residents in their rooms were able to listen via the intercom system.
More of this type of window entertainment is always needed and truly appreciated. Please consider scheduling a window sing with your family, church, or civic group by contacting Activity Director Mary Beth Knapp at 923-2071 ext. 170 or via email to marybeth@achroanoke.org to set a mutually convenient day/time or discuss any creative ideas for window entertainment.
On Tuesday morning the Goodwill Club offered donated cards and assistance to residents who chose to write a note to family or friends. Mail is always fun to get so it’s nice to return the favor by writing back. But please consider sending a note to those confined to the Home even if you didn’t get a reply back in the past. In the afternoon, residents played Wheel of Fortune with topics of spring and weather on the board. Many residents enjoyed this fun game of guessing letters to solve the puzzles. In addition, a Sentimental Reflections travelogue was played on activity channel 2 that afternoon. The cover story was a visitor’s tour of Mission San Juan Capistrano. The evening activity was Trivia Night. It’s great to keep the mind active with these sorts of questions.
Wednesday morning was BINGO time again. Special chocolates that had been donated were on the trays and quickly became the center of attention. These delicious, individually wrapped candies had cream filling. No wonder they were so yummy and popular! That afternoon residents played Active Games, tossing their handmade sock beanbags into baskets. Later that afternoon a Lawrence Welk DVD was played on activity channel 2 with many enjoying the great music of the olden days. Wednesday night’s Roanoke Apostolic Christian Church service was played on the intercom and streamed on the activity channel. It is always a blessing to listen in and even better when you can see the minister speaking in real time.
Anna Marie Reutter of Roanoke was welcomed to room west 21 on the 11th. Residents enjoyed this week’s word searches that were passed on the themes of Straighten Up for Spring, Weather Forecasting, and A Weather Report. This time of year our weather in Illinois is so unpredictable; we are thankful the Lord is in control! Thursday evening residents had a blast with spring-themed Pictionary, guessing what activity staff Mary Janssen drew. They thought she was a good artist!
Carol Sauder’s family was the first resident to utilize the new Cottage for a family visit on Friday afternoon. Carol was very excited and her brother Bob was, too. We are so grateful for this safe environment during COVID restrictions for visiting as well as protection from the outdoor elements during the cold, winter season and windy, rainy springtime weather as well as the heat and humidity that are sure to return again in the Illinois summers.
NOTE: The activity department is hoping the weather will be favorable again this year for a modified annual Children’s Easter Party on Good Friday, April 2. Similar to last year, we will host an Outdoor Easter Scavenger Hunt for residents to safely view guests through windows. Everyone (all ages) is welcome to participate; you do not need to have a loved one currently living in the Home or Country View apartments to participate. Reservations are not needed but remember to respect social distancing by keeping your group at least 6 feet apart from other groups. You may come any time during daylight hours. Since construction will be starting on the main entrance of the nursing home soon, the scavenger hunt lists will be at the main entrance of Country View apartments on Davison Street as well as listed in the Home’s article in the Woodford County Journal on April 1 and in the blog on the Home’s website at www.achroanoke.org under the BLOG tab. The “hidden items” will be located all around the campus. Please wave at our residents through the windows as they really enjoy seeing you. Thank you for supporting the Home by participating in this activity, which is sure to bring joy to all who watch. Remember to dress appropriately to be outside.
NOTE: The Apostolic Christian Home of Roanoke is looking forward to hosting another Drive-Thru Fish Fry Fundraiser on Friday, April 16, from 4:30-7:00 pm or until sold out, whichever comes first. This take-out only dinner is $10 which includes: fried fish w/ tartar sauce, green beans, coleslaw, rye bread, and a chocolate chip cookie. It will be held in the multi-purpose room, on the back side of the nursing home on Davison Street. Traffic will enter from the west on Davison Street and move to the east to get the carryout meals on the backside of the nursing home. All proceeds directly benefit the Apostolic Christian Home of Roanoke.