This last week marked the halfway point of the year, and we celebrated with a party. We opened by singing songs that the residents enjoy. We gave the residents the opportunity to share the types of music they would like to hear and the groups or singers they would love to hear. We were able to play a number of their favorites as Sonny Dickey had given us 20 CDs to use in the activity program. We then reminded the group of the activities we had in the last six months.

They remembered the New Year’s noon celebration and the wishes and dreams we had shared. Volunteers made this special event possible. February brought Valentine’s Day, and they remembered that the NAACP had provided refreshments for our party and a Re rose for every female resident and staff member. Madi Gras is always a fun time with an inhouse parade with masks and beads. February brought French Fry Friday, and this is a special treat. Irene Burton has requested a repeat of this activity.

And we recalled Fun Nights held each fourth Monday night which is a special community event. I failed to include the January events including the Martin Luther King celebration which was a community event led by volunteer Jerry hunter. He involves the city and county leaders as well as our pastors and Syl-View staff members. There is always a great crowd for this even, and the Seniors in Action club provided and served refreshments for those attending as we enjoyed fellowship together.

March brought the Ms. Syl- View pageant and Margaret won the crow. She also took part in the Miss Screven County Livestock Pageant, rode on our prize winning float in the Livestock parade. We received word she was a finalist, and she competed in the Ms. Georgia Nursing Home Pageant in Stone Mountain. She was one of the five finalists and has a trophy.

We have been informed that Macie Brannen has been selected as the Teen Volunteer for the state and our Group Volunteers of the Year, the Masters club has also been chosen as state winners. They will be honored at the activity directors’ convention to be held in Savannah.

We were thrilled to remember the Barbie Doll collection we used for her birthday party. There were fond memories of Marilyn Reddick and her family presenting a doll show for the residents.

Nursing Home Week was fun with horse and buggy rides, ice cream socials and a Queen’s Tea along with special music and refreshments made possible by our volunteers.

The group stated that they loved Bingo, music and exercise, church services, sing-along, special music programs, parties and mission programs. They named a few refreshments that they would like to have, and I will work on those suggestions. It seems that the first half of the year was fine, and it was because of people like you who helped. So keep praying and encouraging us and with the volunteers’ help and the grace of God, the second half of the year will be even better.