Neighborhood Winter 2021
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From the Administrator’s Desk I have never been so glad to see a year end! I am hopeful that 2021 will be about new beginnings, peace, love, safety and togetherness. We have tried our very best to keep and maintain the togetherness for our families and residents while insuring safety, but I know that there is nothing better than receiving a needed hug and kiss from a loved one. I again want to extend my deepest sympathies to everyone for going through these tough times. Everyone that I know has been affected in some way, shape or form from this virus. Some lost jobs, some lost loved ones, some are battling with insomnia, anxiety or depression. We all lost our independence, or so it seems. I keep having to tell myself that it is all in God’s hands and he has control over everything. It is a good reminder, but I still often have that human tendency to think I have control of this situation. I am extremely fortunate to have such a great team to help guide my decisions and execute the plan once formulated. Some good news to start the year is that we have vaccinated 97% of our current resident population. We have also vaccinated a large part of our staff and will continue to do so as the vaccine continues to come in. I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and trust that this year will be a great one! God Bless,
Jason Hanssen, LNHA Administrator
The Neighborhoods at Brookview
Amanda Uecker, CTRS Activity Director
Activities Update HAPPY THANKSGIVING! On September 22nd, we celebrated National Centenarian’s Day. The day honors those who have celebrated 100 birthdays or more. Our friends from Medary Elementary made cards and dropped off bags of 100 pieces of chocolate for our centenarians: Howard, Margie, Rachael.
A few residents enjoyed the afternoon we served lutefisk…most did not.
We celebrated “National Cotton Candy Day” on Monday, December 7th! It was a day full of fun, laughter and sugar!
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brookingshealth.org
Tattoos for everyone!
Costumes…you never know what the day will bring!
On Veteran’s Day, all of our veterans received cards/letters from Medary Elementary. Additionally, Bob participated in a Zoom video call with a group of students. The students read a poem and then had an opportunity to ask Bob questions.
The “Gotta Go Flamingo” provided hours of laughter!
The Brookings VFW Auxiliary gave us this “Quilt of Valor” to present to Fritz Fritzmeier. The quilt was made by the Brookings Area Quilt Guild.
Residents enjoyed donuts from Flyboy Donuts from Sioux Falls. Some were brave enough to try the Maple Bacon donut!
Residents on Maple/Ash requested to make “Lime Jello Salad” complete with shredded carrots, cabbage and celery.
winter 2021
Residents on Oak/Birch enjoyed baking cookies and conversing with each other.
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ELM PASS & PINE TRAIL The CNAs working on Christmas brought some holiday cheer and laughter to Elm/Pine residents.
Residents decorated and ate Christmas cookies!
Deloris and Marge help make some treats for Hallloween!
Doug helps Amanda and Heidi finish up some Halloween snacks.
During a recent quarantine, Deloris, Shirley and Helen had a video call and chatted with eachother.
Margie looks forward to the day she can return to Oscar Nails. Until then, she’s grateful for Aidan and all the others who provide outstanding care!
The CNAs made and delivered sundaes for and afternoon snack!
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Wally and Norma enjoy a bike ride around Brookings on a beautiful November day!
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Deloris and Amanda talk with former CNA, Tanner!
MAPLE RIDGE & ASH BOULEVARD The Maple/Ash neighborhood had a great time saying goodbye to 2020 and ringing in 2021.
First, we celebrated a New Year’s Eve birthday with Gene Christie. She enjoyed a lunch from Culver’s and a piece of pie from Perkins. The staff (well, the young staff!) even sang her Happy Birthday while doing a Rockettes style kick line!
Next up, the residents spent the afternoon doing some quick craft projects and enjoying some sparkling juice cocktails, snacks and noise makers. We are all hoping the new year brings us hope, health and happiness!
Despite having to change up the way we celebrated the holidays this year, the Maple/Ash neighborhood still had a festive time. None of that would have been possible without our great crew! They are fun, creative, energetic and full of ideas! This is just part of the crew but we say a big THANK YOU to all of you! And last but not least, our finches in the aviary seem to be having a discussion about social distancing. One clearly understands the concept while the other four definitely need some more education!
winter 2021
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Oak Lane & Birch Way
Residents on Oak/Birch took advantage of the beautiful fall weather and enjoyed every minute of the outdoors as the could‌even snuck in a few fall bike rides.
Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas
Treats galore! There never seems to be a shortage of fun snacks and drinks!
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CHRISTMAS VIDEOS Residents recorded Christmas messages for their families and friends. Have you watched the videos yet?
ELM & PINE MAPLE & ASH OAK & BIRCH
https://youtu.be/8ZS5A2GBZcY
https://youtu.be/Pd7KaiMJ6mQ
https://youtu.be/PAVNC4zlptc winter 2021
300 22nd Avenue Brookings, SD 57006 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
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Neighborhood News is published by Brookings Health System. This publication in no way seeks to serve as substitute for professional medical care. Consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines.
In Memoriam
We extend our condolences to the families and friends of the following individuals who have passed away at The Neighborhoods at Brookview over the past three months:
• Carol Kastner
• Anna Marie Strom
• Donald Swanson
• Philip Blackford
• Elaine Tucker
• Cedric Raine
• Duane Ellis
• Harold Widvey
• Lola Stampe
• Merle Knutzen
• Ronald Waltz
• Leland Schlimmer
• Karen Theodosopoulos
• Dorothy Adams
• Phyllis Olson
• Richard Nielsen
• Helen Peterson It was an honor to know and serve each of them and their families.