Alma Almand, Ms. Syl-View 2006, is shown at the reception held in her honor recently at Syl-View Health Care Center. (Photo contributed) One of the "happenings" was the reception for Alma Almand, Ms. Syl-View 2006. The SylView solarium became a garden on Saturday afternoon, July 22, for the Ms. Syl-View 2006 reception. It was a garden scene to highlight Ms. Alma's interest in flowers. A wrought iron table and bench served as the focal point before a garden backdrop. On either side of the bench, a flower tree filled with hanging baskets and columns with potted plants completed the scene.

The many guests were seated at round tables with cloths in rainbow hues and centered with mirrored trays reflecting roses and baby's breath. The serving table was covered with a white cloth and the centerpiece was a white swan filled with multicolored flowers.

Ada Teston baked the decorated cake and made chocolate bonbons. Marguerite Bragg prepared glass trays of fruit, party sandwiches and tart shells filled with chicken salad. All the trays were garnished with cherry tomatoes and fresh sprigs of herbs. Betty Sue Parker provided the green fruit punch. Volunteers and staff members served the group.

The music was provided by Bill Kellicker and the Rev. Doug Schriner. The Rev. Bill and Shirley Brown of Statesboro attended the reception and Rev. Brown, who is a former pastor and friend of Ms. Almand, addressed the crowd. Dr. Charles Martin and his wife, Becky, close friends of Ms. Almand, attended and Dr. Martin was the keynote speaker. Ms. Almand had all of her children, two sisters and many other family members present for her special day.

Bill and Dorothe Garrett, volunteers, welcomed and helped seat the guests. The solarium was filled with family, friends and residents as Mrs. Toni Ellison, administrator, welcomed everyone and asked God's blessing on the food for the occasion.

Another important happening was the visit of Leadership Screven and Nancy Edenfield, director of the Screven County Chamber of Commerce. This group of young adults is the leaders of our community today and tomorrow. This was opportunity knocking for us to share the heritage of Syl-View Health Care Center. We have been serving the long-term care needs of the area for over 37 years.

I was thrilled to be able to share the activity program in the form of color slides. We have a wonderful service to sell, as we make these leaders aware that we are a community of influence. We shared pictures and gave a tour of the courtyard and gazebo, where outdoor activities are held and flower gardens add beauty all year around.

We feature some of our corps of volunteers, and our pride was showing, as we were able to name those who have won state and national honors with Georgia Health Care and Second Wind Dreams. We called their attention to the many plaques displayed on our walls. There are pictures of our queens who have been semi-finalists in the state pageants, and the pictures of our three Ms. Georgia Nursing Home winners wearing their crowns.

Our pride is showing, and we invite you to visit us soon and enjoy some of the great happenings at Syl-View.