UP Home residents soak up sun

Spring has begun to show itself here on the campus of the United Presbyterian Home in Washington. We have been enjoying the warm days that we have been given. You will see many of us outside soaking up the sun and warmth. Talk is beginning of garden work. Larry Bartlett does an excellent job every year spearheading this endeavor. Flowers will be growing soon around campus as well for all to enjoy.

We want to thank the ladies who have worked in our library organizing and removing books to make more room. Thank you goes out to Jean Cousins, Pat Goff, Pat Jenkins, Kathy Knutson and our long standing Library volunteer Ester Fickel.

The Monthly Kerr Hall meal was well attended in March with host Betty Gipple and Joyce Huff.

Our Book Club met this month reviewing the selection ‘Mama Makes Up Her Mind’ by Baily White which is subtitled “And Other Dangers of Southern Living.” This is a memoir of life in South Georgia written by a first grade teacher about her family and, in particular, her indomitable mother. It is a very humorous, very cheerful book.

We would like to acknowledge our Social Worker, Paula Brinning, as March is National Social Worker Month. Paula is an amazing person and Social Worker helping us all here at the UP Home. We also would like to give a shout out to our Home Health Employee, Kelly Juesgaard. Kelly played the role of Fairy Mae in the Washington Community Theater’s presentation of ‘The Curious Savage’. It was an amazing performance.

The UP Home sponsored a blood drive. We ended the day collecting 11 units for a goal of 10, which is fantastic! We had two amazing first time donors. Thank you all who participated!

We enjoyed a visit from Eric Kephart and Dex. K-9 Dex is assigned to work with Officer Eric Kephart and when not on duty resides with Officer Kephart and his family. The team trains more than 200 hours each year and is certified as a dual-purpose team, meaning Dex can be used to locate people and evidence as well as narcotics. The K-9 team routinely conducts vehicle sniffs during traffic stops and is also available to assist schools and local businesses with narcotics sniffs upon request. There were over 30 residents in the Moore Dining Room for the question and answer session with Eric and Dex. Dex was very sweet and stopped next to Zane Farrell for a good petting.

In Brownlee and Garret a variety of events have taken place. An Ice Cream Social was enjoyed having small Blue Bunny Cones with different flavors. Red Skelton was watched bring back memories and lots of laugh. With the warm weather days, wheelchair rides and being outside enjoying the weather has been a delight. A St. Patrick’s Day Party took place. It was nice having entertainment back in the Health Center. Music was provided by Ned Francis who brings great smiles and singing wherever he goes. There was Green Punch with cookies. A fun time was had by all. March madness has been being enjoyed as well. Everyone cheered on the Hawkeyes!

We would like to acknowledge our March Birthdays which include Audra Williams, Stella Rich, Cheryl Crone, Darwin Sherman, Lila DePenning, Mildred Houseal, Vickie McGuire, Joyce Nebel, and Pat Goff.

Enjoy your week everyone!