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CORRESPONDENTS:   St. Luke

St. Luke Living Center correspondent

Spring began and for nine residents it began with a morning outing to Holy Family Church for Mass. Last fall, Father Hein had issued an invitation to come worship in the newly renovated sanctuary when spring rolled around. Although the weather was cool, cloudy, and breezy, we arrived at the church, were helped inside, and welcomed by parishioners. Tasty treats following the service were kolaches and other baked items, served with coffee. Thanks to Father Hein for the gracious invitation. Thank you also to volunteer Mary Ann Smithhart and Mary Scully, of our staff, for their assistance.

Those of us who remained home, felt compelled to bake since it was Friday morning. Using a recipe in a St. Luke Generations Cookbook, submitted by “our granny,” Helen Tharp Bailey, we utilized a package of pumpkin from our freezer. Several packages remained from the “great pumpkin,” baked and used to make soup back in December. The pumpkin squares were simple to make and delicious to eat, quite possibly enhanced by chopped pecans and cinnamon-sugar we added as a topping.

Our friends, Elsie Reiswig and Bill Schimpf, came mid-afternoon to call the numbers and assist when needed while we played bingo and had snacks.

Gene Vinduska helped celebrate the second day of spring Saturday by playing his accordion for us.

We received an unexpected spring blessing in the afternoon when Edmund Kroupa’s granddaughters, Kaylynn and Anna Smith, played their violins for us. The girls, who live in Atchison, were here with their mother, Teresa, and siblings, and take lessons from an 86-year-“young” instructor.

When Lydia Batt agreed to play the piano Sunday afternoon, she and May “rescued” the Sabbath with an impromptu hymn fest worship service.

There were some hands and fingernails in need of a little attention Monday morning during pretty-up time.

After lunch, we were pleasantly surprised by a visit from dear friends, Khrista, Rick, and Toby (the dog) Branson of Ashland. It seemed like old times hearing Khrista’s voice and seeing Toby here and there.

In spite of the healthy March wind, John Ratzlaff of Hillsboro spent a portion of Monday afternoon with us, playing Gospel music on the piano in his wonderful style. He honored requests even though they were not previously part of his repertoire. What a marvelous talent. It is our hope John soon will come again.

After walks Tuesday morning, we sat down at a large dining room table to do some Easter word searches.

In the afternoon, we conducted a pseudo-spelling bee using words associated with spring. It was rumored there might be a handsome prize. We can’ be fooled this close to April 1, and are not even sure who won.

Current events returned Wednesday afternoon after a few weeks’ absence. We enjoyed the beautiful lavender blooming plant on the front page of the Marion County Record but our sage gardening gurus thought it might have been misidentified. During our newsy hour, we also enjoyed hot coffee and sugar cookies.

After the evening dinner hour, the young people’s choir from Morning Star Church near Durham sang a program of hymns a capella, as is their custom. Their visits always are appreciated.

Shirley Bowers sang hymns Thursday morning with a chapel full of residents.

In the early afternoon, some of us prepared a couple of sheet cakes for next week’s birthday party. After cooling, we put them in the freezer and Monday will thaw and add frosting Monday.

Later a group cut out various sizes and colors of paper eggs, which will be used to decorate Easter bags for Good Friday’s egg hunt.

Last modified April 2, 2009

 

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