New activities all the buzz

At Deseret Health and Rehab, residents enjoyed many activities throughout the week. The Activity Department offers a wide variety of activities each week to meet the residents’ interests, as well as the physical, mental and psychological well-being of each resident.

Brenda Zeiger and I attended a two-day workshop in Lander on Thursday and Friday offered by the Wyoming Activity Coordinators Association. We enjoyed many learning sessions, including hand massage, aroma therapy, flower essences, music and vibrating therapy, death and dying, arts and crafts, and pet therapy. We hope to incorporate some of this into our Activity program.

Games throughout the week provided fun and laughter. On Sunday afternoon, six residents played Uno with Jeanette Baker winning. On Monday afternoon, four residents played Yahtzee. On Wednesday afternoon, 11 residents played Bingo, and on Friday afternoon, 11 residents played Bingo. Dora Martin, Kenny Hoagland, and Carol Higby won Four Corners. Carol Higby, Dora Martin, and Kenny Hoagland won Blackouts. Our Bingo helpers were Gloria Rakness, Connie Hood, and Betty Dean. Lila Worden called Bingo on Friday. On Saturday afternoon, five residents played Blackjack with Frank Jereb winning.

Residents enjoyed watching movies during the week. Every evening several residents watched Turner Classic Movies. On Tuesday afternoon, five residents watched the VCR movie, “Sabrina”.

On Sunday afternoon, Pastor Stinson of the the Saratoga Missionary Alliance Church led church for residents. Doris Davis assisted on the keyboard with traditional religious music.

On Monday, Thursday, and Friday mornings, residents listened to Alice Walker’s The Color Purple. Becky Manley, a nurse at the facility did the reading on Thursday and Friday.

On Monday for Lunch Out at the Saratoga Senior Center, three residents had chicken patties.

On Tuesday morning, Pastor Easterling from Encampment offered Bible Study to five residents. His wife, Debbie, assisted with music on the guitar.

On Wednesday morning, Janice Kerpan gave nine ladies beautiful hairdos.

On Thursday afternoon, Lou Stinson and the Awana kids from the Missionary Alliance Church hosted the monthly birthday party. We celebrated Pat Sims’ birthday with ice cream and cake.

On Saturday afternoon, residents enjoyed ice cream sandwiches.

We wish to thank Merlynn Hoopes for the donation of popcorn to Activities.

The Activity program relies on volunteers to enhance residents’ lives. If interested, please call 326-8212 and ask for the Activity Director, Tom Mansfield.