Showing posts with label Serenity Assisted Living. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Serenity Assisted Living. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 20

What I Learned at Serenity

WHAT I LEARNED AT SERENITY

When I started working at Serenity over a year ago, I was very excited for my position as a communications intern. Though I probably would never have admitted it then, I remember jumping up and down once I received the word that I had been chosen as a summer intern!



From the beginning, I learned a number of things about my future career interests and was able to use my education for real work experiences. It was great to work on projects such as the Dilworth Health Fair, especially because I was interested in event planning. I also enjoyed having numerous opportunities to work on various projects, especially writing blog and news articles. But my favorite part about working at Serenity has always been working with the individuals who live here.


It’s been an eye-opening experience to be welcomed into the lives of the elderly. I may not have realized it a year ago, but now I truly understand that I am not only a part of their lives—they are a major part of mine. They have shown me how some of the simple joys in life can make a bad day into an amazing one. I have learned so much from them that has helped me learn more about myself. They have helped me develop into the person I had always wanted to be, and shown me so much more about life than I had known before meeting them.



I have sincerely enjoyed my time at Serenity. Needless to say, it’s been an extraordinary adventure that has helped me develop into a well-rounded individual. Thank you, once again, for letting me become part of this wonderful organization. I sincerely appreciate everything Serenity has done for me!



~Nathan Ellering








Thursday, March 18

Ransom


Our staff played a trick on Serenity and kidnapped these Easter bunnies in a plea to not have to do training! Have you seen these missing Easter bunnies?!?!

Monday, March 15

God Bless, Charles Borgen


Charles Blaine Borgen was born June 24, 1921, in Fargo, ND to William and Lillian (Reppen)Borgen.

Charles was united in marriage to Carmen V. Heiraas on June 30, 1943, at Jevnaker Lutheran Church, rural Borup, MN. They made their home, and raised their family, on a farm near Georgetown, MN.

Carmen died on February 14, 2006, and Charles remained on the farm until entering Serenity Assisted Living, Dilworth, MN, three years ago. He died Friday, March 12, 2010, at Serenity, at eighty-eight years of age.

Charles and Carmen were active members of Landstad Lutheran Church, rural Perley, MN, until it closed in 1996. They continued to worship at Triumph Lutheran Brethren Church in Moorhead.

Charles is survived by one daughter, Linda (Donald) Osterberg, Colorado Springs, CO; four sons, Kent (Joan), Princeton, MN, Paul (Pat), Dilworth, Craig (Joan), Fargo, and Charles Jr. (Wendy), Georgetown; fourteen grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; five brothers, Bill, Hendrum, MN, Russell, Ulen, MN, Bert (Elaine), and Curtis (Betty), both, Moorhead, and Dennis (Linda), Dilworth; two sisters, Doris Eidem, Felton, MN, and Ann (Rex) Lindblom, Park Rapids, MN; and five sisters-in-law, Virginia Borgen, and Mary Borgen, both Moorhead, marcy (Earl) Hillstead, Hitterdahl, MN, Melva Fjesjen, Tacoma, WA and Verona Heiraas, Ada, MN.

In addition to his wife, Carmen, Charles was preceded in death by a grandson, Taylor Charles Borgen; two brothers, John and Leon Borgen; and one sister, Mae Stennes.

Wednesday, March 10

Where in the World Video

Check out our slideshow to see the places all over the world where Serenity supporters have been spotted! If you are traveling anywhere soon, don't forget your Serenity shirt!

Wednesday, February 24

Cooper Visits!



Robyn brough her dog, Cooper over to visit us at Serenity today! She had him jumping through hoops and barking on command.
What an ADORABLE dog!!!




Funny Commercial

Thursday, January 28

Chili Contest Winners!

Announcing our winners for the 2nd Annual Serenity Assisted Living Chili Contest! This year we had nine entries, all SO delicious!


Pictured to the left is our panel of judges (L/R) Denise Balzum, Ron Sahr, Joan Klinnert, Tony Doll and Jim Westphal. Each arduously took their time to determine their favorite chili. What did they decide? Ron Dick's 'Tasteless Chicken Chili' was the unanimous winner! How they decided between all the other delicious chilis I don't know, I'm just glad I didn't have to judge the contest!

The judges also determined winners of two other categories: Most Unique and Best Bribe. Six-year-old Olivia Watson won the Most Unique category! Her chili was called Butter & Baby Bean Turkey with Roast Garlic. Mmmmm! The winner of Best Bribe went to Kim Wegge with her bribe of homemade fudge and banana bread. I changed my mind, maybe being a judge would have been great with those wonderful bribes!


The public was also allowed a couple ballots to vote as they noshed on their favorite chilis. People's choice went to John Hanson for his 'Best in Town' Chili! He is the son-in-law of our very own Alfred Baumgartner! Second place for the same category went to Esther Hilger, also a member of Serenity Assisted Living! Third place went to Teryl Clausen's chili, daughter of our Lois Seifert! Our ladies and gentlemen of Serenity and their families sure know how to cook!


Finally, there was a Best Name category voted by the people. The clear winner was Bryan Champagne with his chili called ' Champagne's Colon Cleanser.'


Thanks to everyone for making our event a success and by supporting what we do here at Serenity Assisted Living! We truly appreciate it and look forward to our contest next year!





Pictured to the right is the winner, Ron Dick, with our Chili Contest traveling trophy and administrator of Serenity Assisted Living, Tim Anderson.

Wednesday, January 20

2nd Annual Chili Contest


"Next to jazz music, there is nothing that lifts the spirit and strengthens the soul more than a good bowl of chili."
~Harry James


Sign up today for Serenity Assisted Living's 2nd Annual Chili Contest sponsored by our auxilliary group, the SALs GALS!


There are five categories this year including: Best Overall, Most Unique, Best Bribe, People's Choice and Best Name.


Prizes will be awarded in each of these categories! Get your entry form in today! There are five local judges who are just waiting to be bribed.


Contact Denise at Serenity for more information on the contest, an entry form or information on eating some Chili on the January 28th!

Tuesday, December 29

Happy 101st Birthday, Muriel!




Today, our very own Muriel Kaercher turns 101!!

Join us for cake and coffee in our dining room at 3:00 today to hear stories about all the things Muriel has seen in our world. Scroll down to find some interesting events happening on Muriel's birthday throughout her lifetime:




2006 Ethiopian troops eject the Islamic forces from Mogadishu, Somalia

1997 Hong Kong begins slaughtering all its chickens to prevent bird flu


1997 Russia signs agreement to build a $3B nuclear power plant in China

1994 B737-400 flies into a mountain at Edremit East Turkey, 54 killed

1994 Bangladesh government of Zia resigns

1991 12th United Negro College Fund

1991 Boeing 747-200F of China Airlines crash into mountain at Taipei

1989 Jane Pauley says goodbye to NBC's "Today" show

1989 Wayne Gretzky and Martina Navratilova, named athletes of decade by AP

1988 Victorian Post Office Museum in Australia closes

1984 Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi claims victory in parlimetary elections

1983 U.S. announced withdrawal from UNESCO

1982 Bob Marley postage stamp issued in Jamaica

1982 Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant ends his career with Alabama (323 wins)

1978 Spain constitution goes into effect

1975 11 killed, 75 hurt by terrorist bomb at LaGuardia Airport in New York City

1972 Eastern Tristar Jumbo Jet crashes near Everglades killing 101

1972 Life magazine ceases publication

1968 Israeli commandos destroy 13 Lebanese airplanes

1967 Star Trek's "Trouble With Tribbles" 1st airs

1965 CBS purchases NFL TV rights for 1966-68 at $18.8 million per year

1955 Barbra Streisand's 1st recording "You'll Never Know" at age 13

1954 Kingdom of Netherlands, with Netherlands and Netherlands Antilles as autonomous parts, comes into being

1948 Canada recognizes Israel

1948 U.S. State Department announces work on placing objects into Earth orbit

1940 Germany begins dropping incendiary bombs on London (WW II)

1937 Ireland adopts constitution (Irish Free State becomes Eire)

1934 1st collegiate basketball doubleheader (MSG)

1933 Yankees refuses to release Babe Ruth so he can manage the Cincinnati Reds

1930 Fred P Newton completes longest swim ever (1826 miles), when he swam in the Mississippi River from Ford Dam, Minn, to New Orleans

1922 Dutch Constitution proclaimed

1920 Yugoslav government bans Communist Party

1908 Patent granted for a 4-wheel automobile brake, Clintonville, Wisc

Tuesday, December 1

The November Greats

Twas the Night Before Christmas

“Twas the night before Christmas at Serenity Assisted Living,
And all us individuals were looking our best,
Our glasses, how sparkly,
Our winkles, how merry;
Our punch bowl held prune juice plus
With three drops of sherry....
Our bed socks were hung to
Each walker, in hope
That Santa would bring us
Soft candy and soap
We surely were lucky to be
With our friends
Secure in this residence
With our Depends
Our Grandkids had
Sent us some crafts,
Like angels in snow suits
And penguins on our rafts.
The dental assistant had borrowed our teeth
And from them they crafted a holiday wreath.
The bed pans, so shinny all stood in a row,
Reflecting our candle’s magnificent glow.
Our supper so festive – the joy wouldn’t stop
Was creamy warm oatmeal with raisins, sprinkles on top.
Our salads were Jell-O, so jiggly and great.
Then puree of fruitcake was spooned on each plate.
Denise then had us play a few game, like “Where we are living, and “What are our Names?”
Old Grandfather Sonny, was feeling his oats,
Proclaiming that reindeer were nothing but goats.
Our security lights filter the new fallen snow,
Made the outdoors to seem noon to Abbie and others below.
Then out on the porch there arose such a clatter that Claryce
Even heard – but to the rest it just didn’t matter.
A strange little fellow flew into the door,
Then tripping on the sill and fell flat on the floor.
“Twas just our chef Jake, all decked out in red
He jiggled and chuckled and patted each head
We knew from the way that he strutted and jived
Our social security checks had just arrived
We sang –how we sang
In our monotone croak
Till the clock tinkled out its soft 8 pm stroke
And soon we were snuggling deep in our beds
While the night shift distributed our nocturnal meds
And so ends our Christmas story at Serenity
For as long as you be with us, we wish you the best.