Graduation Fun

It is nearing the time when many students leave high school and college and must celebrate their years in school. So we decided we would party, too! On Friday night we celebrated for all the graduates who will be taking the next step in their lives. The party was complete with decorations, noisemakers, amazing food and lots of fun. Take a peek at this picture of Lois to get a glimpse of our marvelous night!

Spotted in Ft. Myers!

This month, a Serenity supporter has been spotted in Ft. Myers, Florida. Zach Mjones was on spring break with his family and enjoyed a beautiful view of the Gulf. He and his family were even able to catch the Minnesota Twins pre-season at a spring training game.
Check out our new display of worldly supporters in the North hallway by Elaine’s office. Look next month to see where a Serenity supporter will be spotted next!

A Perfect Cut

The ladies and gentlemen here at Serenity are looking pretty sharp these days. At Serenity we have our very own beauty parlor and we invite local hair stylists to cut hair for those individuals who would like this service. This is really nice because all we have to do is walk down the hall to get our hair styled just the way we like it! In fact, many of us take the time to use this luxury to get spruced up from time to time. Just today the hair stylist came to Serenity to keep all of us looking good. Throughout the day we often heard compliments on new hairdos and the confidence that comes with them. And who doesn’t enjoy a fresh haircut!? Take a look at this photo as Muriel takes the chance to relax as her hair is styled.

Mr. Grasshead

A smile is one of the simplest pleasures in life. Today a few of us here at Serenity had a lot to smile about as we made Mr. Grasshead projects. Once we had gathered a group of ladies looking for a fun way to spend the afternoon we began by filling nylons with grass seeds and potting soil. After the nylons were filled with enough dirt to make a round ball-shape we decorated this figure to look like a funny face. Once the initial projects were finished we watered them so that the grass will grow to look like hair. It was such a fun way to enjoy the afternoon. Just take a look below at a few of the funny Mr. Grassheads that we made!

Pictured above is Claryce with her Mr. Grasshead.

May Montage

Keeping Sharp

Sometimes finding the right words is difficult for all of us. But if you are Esther Hilger and Muriel Kaercher, searching your brain for the appropriate words can make for an entertaining game. Esther and Muriel have been playing Scrabble together for quite some time now and it’s pretty amazing what creative words they pull out of their heads to rack up the points! And keeping such an active mind is not just child’s play. According to a research study from the Journal of Neuroscience, doing activities such as reading a book or completing a crossword puzzle can stimulate the mind to delay and even possibly prevent the onset of dementia related diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Though previously thought to be a normal part of aging, experts have now declared that cases of extreme memory loss are not part of the normal aging process at all. Therefore, more dementia related diseases are being researched along with Alzheimer’s to find cures for these illnesses. Currently there are some drugs that have had some success in slowing the dementia process, but there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Because of this, it is important for scientists to research other possible methods to combat dementia. This study suggests that if we keep our minds active by fulfilling mind-provoking activities, we could slow or even prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. So even though playing games like Scrabble just keep Esther and Muriel happy, their brains are working hard at leading a healthy life. Just take a look at the two pictured here as they challenge each other’s wits!



(Check out this study at http://www.news-medical.net/news/2007/01/23/21487.aspx)

Memorial Day Celebration

Today is declared as the national holiday to remember what many soldiers have given up to protect the citizens and freedoms of this country. Memorial Day found its beginnings long ago, dating back to shortly after the Civil War when women in the South decorated departed soldiers’ graves. It was for this reason that this memorial celebration was first proclaimed Decoration Day; however, it is nearly impossible to link today’s Memorial Day with such historical information. Memorial Day also has roots as far back as 1868 when General John Logan gave orders that May 30th would be celebrated in the memory of deceased soldiers.

It is most likely that this holiday came into existence because many cities celebrated some sort of local holiday in memory of fallen soldiers. Despite this fact, President Lyndon Johnson officially declared the birthplace of our current Memorial Day as the city of Waterloo, New York in May 1966.

We currently celebrate Memorial Day on the last Monday of every May. Today we take the time to remember those who have gone before us, and to know that at this time they are thinking of us as well. This is the one day of the year in which we honor those brave ones who have given up so much to protect all of us here today; and not to forget those who are presently protecting our freedoms. Let us honor them with pride and patriotism; love and adoration.

(Source: http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html)

A New Helper

Would you like to meet our newest employee at Serenity? Well, she would like to meet you! Emily Cole has been working at Serenity for a few weeks now and insists that her favorite part so far is getting to know all the people here, whether they are the ladies and gentlemen who live here or staff. She is most looking forward to getting to know more of the people involved with Serenity and is also excited to try some new foods at the Passport Meals (the next one involves Germany). Emily is currently a junior at Moorhead High School and is planning on attending Minnesota State Community and Technical College for nursing. That seems like a pretty good idea for Emily since she is already med certified and helps at Serenity by assisting with the distribution of medication.

Welcome, Emily!

Art Frees the Mind!

The artist John Updike once suggested, “What art offers is space – a certain breathing room for the spirit.” And this space is exactly what some of the ladies of Serenity needed as we made craft projects today. About seven ladies from Serenity painted a few small clay pots which were then strung up and made into wind chimes. The bright colors certainly cheered all of us up and we had a great time chatting, laughing and painting. When the pots were finally dry we had enough beautiful pieces to make four wind chimes which will be hung around Serenity to be enjoyed throughout the summer months… But that is only if our RN, Jodi, doesn’t decide to borrow one! Once Jodi discovered what we were up to, she slyly hinted that she would really like one of the completed wind chimes. So we had better all keep an eye on Jodi or she just might take one!

Take a look above at Claryce, Henrietta and Arlene T. as they paint a few of the beautiful pots! Below is a group shot of the whole gang finishing up their projects.

Our Proud Postmaster

Our personal mailwoman at Serenity has had some excitement lately. Claryce Stohle delivers the mail daily within Serenity and just got a spiffy, new mail cart. The postmaster from Dilworth even came in for a visit to give Claryce an official U.S. Post Office visor to wear while she works. Now Claryce delivers the mail in style with two American flags attached to her cart and a smile on her face. Just take a look at this picture of Claryce with her new mail cart, visor and patriotism!