Holly Nursing Care Center - February 2010

Lee Bland had been anticipating this visit from Josh and Kelly Davis for weeks, saving up cookies to give to them

A VISIT FROM SPECIAL FRIENDS OF HOLLY NURSING CARE CENTER Josh and Kelly Davis are special friends of Holly Nursing Care Center. They both are in the U.S. Army and have recently served our country in the wars of Iraq and Afghanistan. Josh and Kelly are the sons of Rhonda Davis, the Therapy Coordinator at Holly Nursing. Josh was employed at Holly Nursing Care Center before he enlisted in the army. They both came hoe to Holly recently on furlough and made a visit to Holly Nursing Care Center to visit our elders and staff. Josh is an Army Specialist stationed at Ft. Drum, New York since returning from Afghanistan in January. Kelly is a Sergeant in the Army Rangers, recently serving in Iraq and will be deployed to Afghanistan at the end of March. We appreciate their service to our country, and we especially appreciate them visiting us at Holly Nursing Care Center!

THE STORY OF GOOSE-GOOSE. Goose-Goose is a big white goose that lives on the Brenda and Eric Donaldson farm and came to Holly Nursing Care Center in a shopping cart. Goose-Goose entertained everyone with his loud chatter. He allowed server of the elders to pet him. Nancy Nichols got really close to him; she was very happy to see him and had a hugh smile on her face. Wilma Johnson was amazec at the size of the goose and kept asking us to have him make noise. A few days later the elders were still talking about Goose-Goose and asking other elders if they had got to see him. Overall it was a very successful "spontaneous activity".

HOLLY NURSING CARE CENTER HOSTS LOCAL NURSING HOMES Nine individuals from Cheyenne Manor in Cheyenne Wells, CO and Grace Manor Care Center in Burlington, CO spent Tuesday, January 26th at Holly Nursing Care Center receiving training in culture change and the Eden Alternative. The guest homes are beginning the journey of de-institutionalizing their homes and they wanted to learn about Holly's journey and see culture change in action.

CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES AT HOLLY NURSING CARE CENTER Christmas is a very special time at Holly Nursing Care Center. Our Elders work all year long at the Craft Shack, selling candy, pop, and craft items, to earn enough money for our Elder's Christmas presents. Fundraiser's throughout the year, such as our Valentine's Balloon Bouquet, bake sales, and craft sales, all contribute to the Craft Shack fund so that our Elders can enjoy a wonderful Christmas.

Our employees appreciate having the Craft Shack open on their shift so they can purchase snacks and drinks, and also it is a nice place to shop for a quick gift for a loved one. We appreciate everyone who shops at our Craft Shack, and encourage you to come in and take a look at the gift items we have for sale. We re-stock periodically with new items, so you might find just the right gift for someone special.

HNCC was beautifully decorated this year for the holidays which put us all into a festive mood. We held our staff Christmas party on December 18th, which included delicious food brought in by the Community Leaders; a drawing for 25 turkeys, and Christmas bonuses. We feel very fortunate at HNCC to have had a good year such that we could give bonuses to all of our employees.

The Elder's party was held on Sunday, December 20th. Ninety-six family members joined us for the family potluck luncheon, where we served a total of 155 people including guests, Elders and staff a traditional holiday meal with all the trimmings! Musical entertainment was provided during the meal by Mel Burg, a professional musician from Denver, whose music captivated everyone. Santa Claus was present and took a picture with each Elder, and we were glad he made a special trip from the North Pole just for us! After the meal, the Elders opened their Christmas gifts. We enjoyed giving our Elders these happy moments. Our staff do the shopping for the Xmas gifts, so seeing the Elder's faces light up means a lot to us. Families stayed and visited throughout the afternoon, and we were pleased to see them enjoying the hospitality our home has to offer. We wish you all a very wonderful New Year!

PICTURE CAPTION: C.N.A. Bonnie Lucero and Santa both give Bud Bell a big hug! By Brenda Donaldson, Dietary Manager

FRIED GREEN TOMATOES Nothing tastes better from a garden than fried zucchini, squash and fried green tomatoes. As most of you all know, our Elders have been growing a garden full of yellow squash and zucchini. Our tomatoes are having a little problem, so we sent Eric (maintenance) and Payne Donaldson (child volunteer) over to LaVonda's house to get some green tomatoes. On Wednesday, August 12th, our Elders helped us prepare supper using these garden fresh vegetables Eva Anderson and Esther Sniff sliced the green tomatoes, while Lucy Campos, Danette VonHemel, Jo Ward, and Payne Donaldson sliced the squash and zucchini. Helen Seals and Ashley Darnel (cook) then helped them bread the vegetables. We used our Elders' recipe for the breading; dipped the vegetables in flour, then into a batter mix of milk and eggs with lots of good seasoning and then coated them with cracker crumbs. We deep-fried them and served them with love. Eva Anderson shared stories of how she used to help her mom in the garden and how she had so much squash that she no longer enjoys eating it, but she enjoyed helping us prepare it. Some of the staff and Elders had never had fried green tomatoes, but they all agreed that fried green tomatoes are great (even if you don't like tomatoes!). Isn't there a move called "Fried Green Tomatoes"?

CORN SHUCKING' & GREEN BEAN SNAPPIN' PARTY We bought a case of corn from Reyman's Grocery, and Lanette Wagner brought in 4 bags of green beans from her garden. Judy Wittman (accounting) and Helen Ibarra (housekeeping) gathered the Elders together in our Sunroom for a big corn shuckin' and green bean snappin' party! Everyone had a great time as they reminisced and prepared the corn and beans to be cooked for lunch the following day. The corn on the cob was delicious!

Brenda Donaldson and Helen Seal are enjoying the interaction as they shuck the corn together.

Danette VonHemel never thought she would have so much fun snapping green beans, but look at that smile!

Margie Smith seems pleased with her corn shucking skills!

Chantel Fuller is getting Jo Ward set up with her own FACEBOOK account! What fun!

Chicken for the Soul. During National Nursing Home Week, we had a petting zoo with baby calves, lambs, ducks, chickens, baby puppies and a rabbit. Zella Canfield really enjoyed holding and talking to the pet chicken. She has on her cute bonnet, as it was also Crazy Hat Day!

Polly Want a Cracker. This guest parrot was a visitor during National Nursing Home Week. While the local radio station was broadcasting live from Holly Nursing Care Center, this parrot was the center of attention, talking and repeating phrases. Eva Anderson especially enjoyed the parrot.

You’re on the Air. KVAY Radio from Lamar, Colorado broadcast live from Holly Nursing Care Center during National Nursing Home Week, with live interviews of our staff, families and Elders. Heather Lee of KVAY participated with us in Crazy Hat Day, interviewing Earl Rowe who told her “this is not a nursing home, it is a real home.”