Beenblossom tells UP residents to lean on their friends

On Wednesday, July 21, Teresa Beenblossom was the featured speaker to over 30 residents and guests in the Michael Moore Dining Room in the United Presbyterian Home in Washington.

Teresa began the presentation with an exercise where the group was asked to get out their cell phones and check their contacts. She wanted to see how many contacts people had programmed in their cell phone and then asked how many of those contacts people generally talked to often.

Teresa went on to share her background story, while intertwining thoughts regarding the importance of goal setting, how we can do hard things while overcoming obstacles. Teresa brought the presentation back to those contacts and how we should lean on and reach out to those contacts to help complete the hard things. She said people should keep those social connections strong and help others do hard things. Teresa also told the crowd about her move this school year from Lincoln Elementary Principal to the Washington High School Principal position. She also answered several questions. Among the group of listeners was Teresa’s mother-in-law and UP Home resident, Betty Beenblossom, who joined her for lunch after the presentation.

On the afternoon of Wednesday, July 28, 10 residents gathered around a large table to frost and decorate sugar cookies to beat the heat outside. Frosting in the colors of pink, orange, yellow, purple and blue along with sprinkles were used to create a variety of bright summer treats. While the group used their artistic talents, they shared baking memories when sometimes the treats turned out well and other times they flopped.

To create the beautiful treats, of course they had to test the cookies to make sure they were worthy of the frosting and they were. Many of the treats were going to be shared with family and friends, some were left in the coffee shop and a couple plates were taken to the Brownlee Health Center as a pretty summer treat for those residents.

The Olympics was another popular topic of conversation. Many of the ladies discussed what events they had watched. When asked which event was their favorite, the group couldn’t choose because they liked them all! One resident in attendance had the opportunity to attend the Olympics when they were held in Los Angeles.

The Book Club met Wednesday to discuss Malcom Gladwell’s “The Tipping Point.” Mary Temple was the discussion leader. She asked each member to describe a personal tipping point which led to a good discussion. Several members said they felt as though they were back in a college psychology class, but enjoyed the discussion.

Those attending were Judy Venzke, Esther Bordwell, Mary Oviatt, Ollie Ann Bohannon, Marcia Wilson, Jane Fehr and Carol Ray. The next book is based on a young woman’s journey from Arizona Territory to Texas by covered wagon titled “These Is My Words.”

In Brownlee, residents have enjoyed frosting graham crackers, the best part of course was eating them. It brough back lots of reminiscing. It was a good time for everyone. The weather has been wonderful and everyone enjoyed the opportunity to be outside, wheelchair rides were also taken advantage of with the weather being so nice. Hymn Sing, manicures and Bingo rounded out the week.