St. Luke Living Center
By SUE GUTSCH
St. Luke Living Center correspondent
June 22-29
Our maple walnut crisp cookies from "The King Arthur Flour Cookie Companion" received grades of "A" and "excellent" Friday morning. We think the two cups of toasted walnuts may have put these tidbits over the top. Or it may have been the fourth cup of applesauce we slipped in on our own.
After calling bingo that afternoon, Pat Smith "apologized" for bringing lemonade pumpkin bread in the summer. As if it isn't delicious any time of the year.
Those who wished, participated in rosary and walks Saturday morning. After lunch, Sue and some young helpers, Jadan and Mandi Heinz mixed up and baked two cakes, a lemon and a devil's food, to be used at a later date.
Later in the afternoon Lynley Remy and Katie brought props, maps, and pictures of the 130-person (108 of them fifth and sixth graders) trip in late May on the Santa Fe Trail. The large group traveled from Wamego to Santa Fe, N.M., on the dry (southern) route and back on the wet (northern) route through southern Colorado. The 12-day camping trip which Mrs. Remy helped chaperone was designed to duplicate the original trips by stopping at historic springs along the way including Lost Springs and Wagon Bed and Middle Springs in southwest Kansas. The trip also included stops at Fort Larned and Fort Dodge in Kansas, Bent Fort near LaJunta, Colo., and Fort Union National Monument at Santa Fe.
We learned the wagon ruts are called swales and that the wagons, on this trail at least, traveled five to seven abreast. No one signed up for the next trip in two years, but we certainly enjoyed hearing about it. Caroline Gilbert, Jenny Heinz, and Bettie Batt were additional guests.
Sunday afternoon's guest pastor was Phil Smith of Valley and Lincolnville United Methodist churches. We are grateful to the alliance for supporting this ministry.
The living center horticulturists' efforts are quite noticeable at our front entrance, but progress in the courtyard had been limited until last week. A large box of weeds and other unwanted vegetation was pulled from the various garden areas and planters. An additional tomato plant of a Czech variety was added recently, courtesy of Amelia and Ken Vinduska, and earlier plants are displaying lots of green fruit.
We prettied-up Monday morning before celebrating the June birthdays of Jane Williams, Edna Winter, Pearl Baxter, and Phyllis Enos. The monthly party was held in the afternoon.
Tuesday morning it was winter on the Wilder farm and the three older children have gone to school at Moline Academy. With his brand new first pair of boots, made by the traveling cobbler, farmer boy Almanzo is now Father's "right-hand" man.
Debbie's daughter, Kelsey Craig was married Saturday in Salina and we were pleased to be invited to a wedding reception "re-enactment" Tuesday afternoon. Lillian Stenzel, Kelsey's grandmother, sat at the head of the table decorated with tulle and two bouquets of beautiful wedding flowers. We were served cake, wedding punch, mints, and nuts to go with Kelsey and Jordan's napkins and even given wedding programs. The bride's gown was displayed as well as the dress of the maid of honor and the bride's mother.
Following this event, crafters met in the smaller dining room to create and construct a Declaration of Independence cork-board display utilizing Magdalen Dvorak's help. Our tribute includes 13 red, white, and blue stars with the original colonies' names, the flag of this new country, and a map showing the location of the initial states.
Beautician Bonnie was in the "independence" spirit also and the little shop sparkles in red, white, blue, and silver.
A full van of lunch bunchers traveled to the Chipped Cup at Lincolnville Thursday noon. An additional group went to Marion City Library to view the display of photos of the Flint Hills and were "singing its praise" upon returning home.
June 15-21
Father Hien of Holy Family Parish was here Friday morning to celebrate Mass with residents. They were joined in the chapel by Elsie Bezdek, Marie Navrat, Peg Edwardson, and Ray, Amanda, Aaron, and Danae Bina.
Comforting Cookies, a taste of West Virginia from Betty Winters of Elizabeth, W.Va., nine dozen of them, were made by living center bakers that morning. Although this recipe included nuts, oats, cereal flakes, and chocolate chips, Ruby thought a little coconut would have added even more comfort.
After lunch we had to put a third table into bingo action. As is usual, Bill Schimpf was here in time to assisted with tables, seating, and distributing cards and chips.
Gene and his accordion entertained us Saturday morning and I understand he has recently ordered a new song book he thinks we'll enjoy.
Father's Day worship service Sunday afternoon was led by the Rev. Huebner of Our Savior Lutheran Church and attended by residents, family members, and additional Lutheran families, who always are welcome.
Monday, the pretty-up room was a popular destination, almost as popular as the piano music of Ellen Darrow in the afternoon.
Two of the mental muscle categories Tuesday morning were June and weddings, not that difficult. But the third category, D-Day, pushed us a bit recalling the events leading up to the invasion on the beaches of Normandy, Generals Eisenhower and Montgomery, and leaders of the Allied and Axis countries.
As we near the end of "Farmer Boy," book clubbers enjoyed going to the county fair in Moline, N.Y., with the Wilder familiy. Almanzo's huge milk-fed pumpkin won the blue ribbon, just before anxiety nearly overwhelmed him. Alice's woodwork also won first prize as did her jellies.
Prayer group was "reunited" with Dick Pracht Wednesday morning after a couple weeks' absence. Lydia again accompanied the hymn singing.
Recent kindergarten graduate Tori Shults, who happens to be R.N. Joyce's granddaughter, has been here spending time with residents reading together and also playing catch using a large purple ball.
Thursday's lunch bunch ordered to-go meals from the Wagon Wheel and utilized the facilities in beautiful Central Park to enjoy eating their lunches. Van tours of the county lake were taken during the afternoon, thoroughly enjoying the first day of summer, 2007.
