ESTEVAN - December was a whirlwind month at Creighton Lodge.
We had so much activity planned that it seemed like we never had a moment to get bored. In between all the activity and entertainment on the calendar, we were blessed with family and loved ones who came to visit over the Christmas holidays.
We even had time to welcome a new resident to the lodge. Eva Kuntz has joined us and we think she’s a keeper. Eva is in our suite that used to be a guest room, but since our waiting list was so long we decided to open up the guest suite as a permanent suite. Eva is an avid exerciser and she has found lots of her friends to visit with.
A Loving Touch Florist came to help us create table centrepieces for our suites. It was a wonderful afternoon as we discovered just how creative we can be. There were 18 residents that participated in the activity and took home beautiful flowers to enjoy.
Conner Piche of Piche Photography donated his time and his talent in order to take Christmas photos of each resident that wanted to have it done. Everyone came out in their Christmas best and sat beside the fireplace and Christmas tree as a backdrop. Midwest Surveys made a generous donation, which enabled us to print off everyone’s Christmas photos so they could send them to friends and family.
We celebrated three December birthdays; Mabel Bouchard, Mary Price and Blanche Keating. Blanche even made the news in December because she celebrated her 104th birthday on Dec. 25. Blanche handed out Christmas treat bags to all the residents. The bags were done up to bring back memories from past Christmases. Peanuts, mandarin oranges and Christmas candies … oh what a treat it was for everyone.
Del and Kelly entertained for us at our monthly birthday party and the ladies served us our treats.
Our regularly scheduled KFC evening was changed up and we served Tower Pizza. Ham and pineapple, salami and mushroom, and ham and salami pizzas were served. It was a nice treat and we plan to mix up our monthly supper nights and order from different restaurants each month. It is a great night of socializing where all 50 residents come out to eat and get to know each other a little better.
We hosted our annual resident Christmas party, without our families being invited this year. It was different without everyone, but safer for us that we kept it small. The traditional turkey dinner was served by our kitchen ladies, followed up with musical entertainment by Can’t Hardly Playboys. Then Santa’s elves handed out personal cards and Christmas treat trays for everyone. Thank you to the band for coming to entertain once again, you are all appreciated.
Bev Holinaty hosted a lovely Christmas Bingo. She went out and purchased Christmas gifts for each resident who attended. Irene Tarnes, Melodye Pierson and Jean Delorme were the Bingo assistants this month. Without each of them volunteering their time, we wouldn’t be able to host our Bingo games. We thank you for your kindness.
Joy Beahm came each Monday to ensure our fingers were manicured and ready to celebrate the holiday season. Thank you for coming each week Joy and for visiting with us while you beautify our nails.
Last year came to an end on Dec. 31 and we rang out the year with a friendly Bingo game that was sponsored by Midwest Surveys. We had trays of meat and cheese, dainties that were delicious and a nice cocktail to sip. We all wore hats, blew on New Year’s party favours so the whistle sounds filled the air as we all said good-bye to 2021. Sarah Harder and her daughter Val Lautischer donated funds in order to make up treat bags for the party.
Thank you to everyone who made New Year’s Eve so special. Let’s hope we did it up right in sending out the old year so our new year comes in brighter than ever. We look forward to 2022.
