St. Luke Living Center
By SUE GUTSCH
St. Luke Living Center reporter
Last week's news
Our bakers made more no-bake confections Friday morning, using a recipe for peanut butter cup bars from Joann Stuchlik, found in a Centre USD 397 PTO cookbook. The mixers' arms were nearly worn out blending graham cracker crumbs, butter, and peanut butter with two pounds of powdered sugar. We followed last week's routine, no samples until after refrigeration.
Since our scheduled caller was unable to be here, it was good to see Bill Schimpf arrive that afternoon to help with bingo. After the last number had been called, the peanut butter bars were cut and served along with some nutritious snacks from the dietary department.
Amber and Aidan Schmidt treated us with a "variety show" Saturday afternoon. The children enacted a scene from the book, "Amelia Bedelia." Amber performed a couple of dances, sang and played the piano. Belinda Engler, their grandmother, came with them and participated, when needed.
Rev. Brett Huebner and Bob Matz from Our Savior Lutheran Church were here for Sunday afternoon worship services. As she often does, Shirley Bowers provided piano accompaniment for singing hymns.
A large group of residents spent an hour with Lenore Dieter at the piano Monday morning in our chapel. She played two songs for our listening enjoyment, "Because He Lives," and "A Poetic Poem Picture," by Greig. We joined our voices with her for some familiar songs beginning with several associated with Disney, two from the "Wizard of Oz," Irving Berlin's "Always," and a few uplifting gospel hymns.
Early that afternoon the pitch players put the cards, shuffler, and score pad on the table and began the bidding wars with their weekly guest, Marie Navrat.
Later in the day we utilized a birder's calendar and CD, "A Visual and Audio Guide to N. American Songbirds and Birdsongs," to enjoy stunning photos and the lovely voices of native songbirds. Frances Kottwitz allowed us to use this resource, a gift from one of her children.
We exercised our mental muscle Tuesday morning by listing all the garden vegetables we could think of, forming new words from the letters in "April showers" and playing springtime "hangman."
In the afternoon we began a new era of book club by reading a couple of chapters from James Herriot's "Cat Stories," loaned to us by Pearl's friend, Margaret Cook of Emporia. It was a delightful change of pace.
Knowing there was a lot on Wednesday's agenda, we began making individual dirt-cake desserts (with worms) early, taking a recess to attend prayer group with Dick Pracht, before finishing the enjoyable chore. We put several trays of the "dirty" treats in the fridge to await the afternoon's activity.
Very quickly after lunch it was time to ready our large, windowed dining room for the volunteer appreciation garden party. We were pleased so many old and new friends could attend. There is no way we can adequately thank all these wonderful people for their gifts to our home.
Thursday was another exceedingly busy day. Resident council convened shortly after 9 a.m. for a mini-meeting to discuss plans for our spring family potluck which will be Monday. Our dietician, Janet Bowers, also was present and shared information about the summer menus and also asked for suggestions.
We recently received a stack of beautiful cloth napkins from Lois Weber and her organization, Marion VFW. Brenda McGinness provided the material for the project. Thank you all from all of us.
Lois Winter was our hymn sing leader that morning and lead she does, with her beautiful voice as she plays the piano.
We were invited to a matinee performance of "You've Got the Power," a musical by MES third and fourth graders directed by Anita Hancock. Our van loaded with residents arrived early and we watched the children enter the beautiful new center from our front row seats.
If you remember, we made grass head guys and gals during crafts this past week. Well, our round-headed window-sill sitters are bald no more! Full heads of green hair is growing and will shortly be in need of a trim.
And we have more good news. Next week we will be real bakers again! We have been cleared to use our oven and stovetop by the state fire marshal. Even though we felt the present situation was quite safe, it's comforting to have the advice of experts.
