United Presbyterian Home news: Activities director gives send-off after 38 years

Dressed in one of the many costumes she acquired during her 38 years as Activities Director at the United Presbyterian Home, Carol Enfield and her number one assistant, Becca Enfield took one final trip around campus at the United Presbyterian Home in Washington, waving goodbye to residents from a social distance. It wasn't the retirement send-off they deserved, rather one determined by an unwelcomed pandemic. Carol says 1983 UPH Director, Dick Colby took a chance and hired her for a nine-week internship which led to her full-time employment following college. A partnership what worked out well for both of them. Social activities at that time could not include risqué events such as dancing and card games, those now popular activities came later.

Carol's list of duties changed daily to include activities for all members of the UPH. A favorite event created by Carol was to prepare breakfast of eggs and bacon once a week for health center residents. Eggs over easy was a special treat. The addition of Kerr Hall brought more residents and also more volunteers to help with the health center population. Mike Moore's vision to provide child care for UPH employees in 1989 was another big change to the UPH and for Carol as her daughters were some of the first kids to participate in the program.

Carol developed many activities to include interaction between the health center population and young day care children earning her several awards from the Leading Age Organization. Perhaps the best change came with the addition of computers to advance the communication between staff and also the communication between families of residents. Carol reports that it was especially rewarding for her to be able to help residents communicate with loved ones through laptops and social media during the isolation period created by the pandemic.

Becca Enfield joined her mother at the United Presbyterian Home following high school. Becca was a valued member of the staff helping to care for residents, joining in and sometimes leading them in exercise classes, art projects and delivering mail. She was especially helpful to staff as a runner, saving them valuable steps with the errands she ran for them each day. Most of all, Becca brought a smile to everyone she encountered. We wish both Carol and Becca a happy and enjoyable retirement.

Wellness Center staff delivered an appropriate Christmas present to all residents, adding a little merriment to a difficult 2020. Each member of the UPH received a festively wrapped roll of toilet paper with a note. 'We wish you a merry Christmas and a less crappy New Year.” Let us put a wrap on 2020.

Santa and Mrs. Claus, aka Jim and Jan Leet, made a surprise visit to the United Presbyterian Home during a busy December. Arriving on a shiny antique John Deer tractor they were able to great residents as they drove past windows waving Christmas greetings. Ho! Ho! Ho!

Residents were rudely awakened when a house directly across the street from the Brownlee Health Center exploded during the 4 a.m. hour of January 4. Some residents report seeing the fireball through closed eyes. Debris rocketed for blocks away and windows in the UPH Parlor, attic and front door were shattered. Two brave nurses on duty at the time ran to the aid of the residents occupying the house, bringing a young boy to the warmth of the care facility to lessen the shock. We salute their quick and brave action.

Heath Center resident and staff were given the first round of COVID-19 vaccinations on January 5, 2021 bring hope for a return to normal activities in the future.

UPH staff felt the love from residents and their family members during the holidays as they were recipients of many goodies, treats, cards and notes of thanks. It was very humbling.