The weeks and even the years seem to roll by so swiftly. I celebrated another birthday, and the staff and community gave me gifts and congratulations. I celebrated the 27th anniversary of Toni Ellison on the Syl-View staff.

We had residents to be buried this last week, and we will miss each one. Everyone touches our hearts and lives in a special way. Elizabeth Doyle had lived at Syl-View for 16 years, and she sat near the entrance of Syl- View and greeted all that entered. She loved the group activity as long as she was able to attend, and I remember her dressed for the Ms. Syl-View pageant, so proud to be a part of the activity with her family present.

We had arm chair travel to Hawaii and the staff, residents and volunteers wore colorful leis and grass skirts as they danced to the music of the Islands.

We had honored our career nursing assistants. Pearlie Jones is one of our 15 who have been serving for more than 10 years. The loving care of these women and men who care for the needs of residents have a combined total of 285 years of hands on experience. We gave special thanks for all our certified nursing assistants.

We continue to receive memorial gifts to the activity fund in memory of Betty Purvis our volunteer of the year 2010. Our Teen volunteer of the year, Macie Brannen, and The Masters Club have been named State Volunteers of the Year by the Georgia Health Care Association. They will be honored at a luncheon and will receive plaques at the state activity convention to be held in October.

Macie had the facility decorated in red, white and blue for Flag Day and the Fourth Of July. On Flag Day we had residents, staff and family members marching with flags waving as John Malphus led the group in singing God Bless America.

We are blessed to have Justin Brannen, a college intern, in social and activities this summer. He has been a help as we planted flowers and roses in the courtyard in memory of Betty Purvis and Nell Anderson.