The headlines scream, “Punxsutawney Phil on the lamb. It’s Ground Hog Day again!” Memes calling for the firing, arresting and shunning of Punxsutawney Phil have been popping up and keep our residents looking for the funny side of the whole winter weather situation.
Soup Day at First Church, shopping outings, and weekly excursions to the Sandwich Center for Active Living’s walking track help residents maintain independence and fitness goals. A trip to the Stomping Grounds Grill was a delicious reunion with owner, Helene, who was formerly a chef at Decatur House. See photo of Lourana, Donna and Connie above.
We kicked off more fun with a Superbowl Social hour, where Pete, Activities Assistant Christine’s husband, led a game interpreting the referees hand signals. We celebrated love and sweethearts with a Valentine’s social hour with musician Richard Amir. Residents and staff contributed unnamed sweetheart pictures to decorate the bulletin board which were revealed during the social. The board created a lot of curiosity, speculation and fun.
Returning artists L’eonie Little-Lex and Mary Shea created room for pride in some students and self-amazement in others. Returning volunteer, Joyce, brought beads that residents fashioned into necklaces they enjoyed making and were proud to model afterwards. See photo of Joyce with Eugenie above. For the foodies at Decatur House, there was cookie decorating (see photo of Ed with his heart cookie), baking, and a fun southern style taste test with pickled watermelon rinds and okra.
Another sweet surprise was exercise guru-Kristin – volunteering with the resident’s reading drama group. The residents performed a skit during social hour. It was a lot of fun and participants say they can’t wait to tweak a few things and do it again! Speaking of a lot of fun, we brought back 25 cent Bingo. Residents and their guests packed the sunroom and did a lot of LOL-ing.
Of course, we can’t fit everything we do at Decatur House into one short article: movies, crafts, games, puzzles, nails, and exercise. But there will always be room to say thank you. Thank you to the snow removal team. Thank you to the health care team. Thank you to the kitchen staff. Y’all kept Decatur House operating during the biggest blizzard since ’78! Most of all thank you Decatur House residents. You are the reason we do what we do.
P.S. If anyone sees that Punx’ Phil, you can tell him we don’t want to see him nor his shadow around here anymore!
