St. Luke Living Center
By SUE GUTSCH
St. Luke Living Center correspondent
The living center bakers had an additional purpose when we began mixing some extra special chocolate chip cookies Friday morning. This recipe was from Zelda Stevenson of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Great Falls, Mont., and we were glad we "munched" our way to that state. In addition to four cups of chocolate chips, three cups nuts, five cups oatmeal, four cups flour, and four cups sugars, a large Hershey bar was grated and added to the mix.
We were pleased to have been asked to make six dozen cookies for the train pulled by a 1940s steam engine carrying some true VIPs that made a stop Friday in Marion. This recipe not only made 72 cookies, but several dozen more.
Gene Vinduska and his accordion made an unscheduled appearance Saturday morning. We believe he was making amends for his absence last week and we were happy to hear his music.
Another treat Saturday was the Hershey bars Don and Ruth Viets passed out to everyone in celebration of Don's birthday.
We put our heads together Saturday afternoon to plan the first living center Labor Day parade. We discussed the wording for the plaques we would display and how to display them. Mildred, Alice, Irma, and Frances used bold colors for the lettering. We didn't work out all the kinks, but Monday is "another day."
Keith Allison was here to tune up our piano Saturday. Tongue-in-cheek, he told me it was because the Presbyterians were coming Sunday afternoon for church service, which they did. Thank you, Keith, Rev. Lange, and others of that congregation for your caring and sharing ministry.
Labor Day morning, Mildred and Irma trimmed up three of our large houseplants, getting rid of the brown leaves. I'm afraid we sometimes mistakenly think all our plants are succulents.
Did you know the cumulative age of our 32 residents is 2,873 years? We know, and used that fact as the theme of our three o'clock parade. We celebrated those years of caring, sharing, living, loving, laughing, working, giving, and service. It was a great couple of days planning and preparing for this "historic" event.
Leading the parade was Amelia, the grand marshal and flag bearer, drum major Olinda led the lone band member, drummer Irma, Frances, Happy, Gladys, Ruby, and Mildred wearing placards, and Veva. Aline, "riding" a 43-year-old red corduroy stick horse, brought up the rear, no pun intended.
Bob Reznicek, May Hebrank, and Donna Kukuk helped keep the parade moving and Shirley Bowers took some photos.
Bright and early Tuesday morning Jean Bailey brought in a large, warm coffee cake for the staff and another basket of cherry tomatoes for the residents to enjoy.
Even though book club met at a different time and place Tuesday morning, it didn't change the entertainment value of our book. The Ingalls family managed to happily celebrate Christmas in spite of their cold, meager circumstances during the long winter.
The recent holiday prompted the use of occupations as the answers to all the "hangman" puzzles during our mental muscle exercises that afternoon. Lillian's sister-in-law, Elva Unruh of Walton helped us with the word game for awhile and we needed the help.
Mary Ann Wiens and Frankie Turner were here Wednesday afternoon for their weekly visit with Eastmoor church friends. This week they brought fruit cups to share and Aline said they were very good.
Thursday's lunch bunch traveled to Lincolnville to eat at The Chipped Cup. Later in the afternoon a van load took the drive to Peabody and cruised the business district before admiring the beautiful homes in residential areas.
