Signup for our Email Newsletter
July
&
August
2010
NEWS LETTER
A bi-monthly newsletter for the friends and family of Christian Care Retirement Community
CCRC honors Volunteers at Annual Volunteer Banquet
On Tuesday, June 8th, Christian Care was pleased to honor the volunteers at their annual Banquet. The banquet was again held in the Fellowship Room at Christian Care. Kim Maller, the Volunteer Coordinator, opened the evening by welcoming all volunteers and their guests and thanked them once again for the many hours of service given to our residents. Zach Bertsch had the opening prayer and the Dietary department provided a delicious meal including pie for dessert.
In appreciation to all the volunteers for their service throughout the year, several department supervisors tried to make sure each volunteer was comfortable and had enough coffee and plenty of food to satisfy their needs for the evening.
After enjoying their “Garden-like” evening the volunteers were entertained by the southern gospel duo, The Resurrection. This husband and wife traveled from Lafayette to be here for this special evening.
At the close of the evening each volunteer and their guest received a recyclable insulated grocery bag as an outward expression of appreciation from Christian Care. To those who missed the banquet or those we may have inadvertently failed to invite, we apologize and hope you will stop by the volunteer desk on your next visit to receive your appreciation gift.
We again want to say “Thank You” to the volunteers who lend themselves to us and hope that this evening you have a window into how much we appreciate you and your service to us.
-Kim Maller, Volunteer Coordinator
Administration
“The most valuable things in life cannot be bought with money.”
This quote is a paraphrase of when Jesus said, “A man’s life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses (Luke 12:15).” I see this more clearly than I ever have before. At the end of June, I received the news that I have cancer and that it has spread to other organs. Aside from a miracle, this type of cancer is terminal and the average lifespan is 2 ½ years after starting chemotherapy. My family’s world has been turned upside down, but we have a strong faith that God is still in control.
First of all, I want to thank everyone who has lifted our family up in prayer and given words of encouragement. Staff, residents, and visitors have given us so much support. Our family now sees clearly the things that really matter in life – faith, family, and friendship…love, joy, and peace. All of these things cannot be bought with money.
Secondly, I want to thank the many volunteers who give to our residents something that money can’t buy – love, friendship, and quality time. I can relate to our residents more than I ever could before. The most precious things to our residents are not at all related to money. When we know our time on this earth is short, we crave relationships and encouragement. I am so thankful to the many volunteers who have lifted up our residents in this way. We’ll never know what a difference it has made until we reach our Home above.
-Zach Bertsch
Activity Department
Summer is in full swing and June has been a busy month! A big thanks to all the Bible School students and teachers who gave of their time to encourage and entertain our residents. We also enjoyed BBQ from Smokey Bones at our annual Father’s Day Dinner. We continue to relax on the patio, go on van rides, shopping trips and dine-outs. The next two months we will be dining at Monroe’s Brickhouse and Bluffton’s El Camino.
In Assisted Living, we have been pleasantly surprised at the positive feedback we’ve had from our new “Life Stories” program. The program is on Tuesday afternoons at 2:00 in the Patio Pines Activity Room. It usually lasts anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. If anyone is interested in giving their life story to our residents, please don’t hesitate to call ether Kim Maller or myself.
Some important dates to remember: July 15th will be our annual Ice Cream Social. Come join us in the Pavilion at 6:30 for ice cream and entertainment provided by the “Singing Auctioneer”. Families are welcome to attend and, hopefully, the weather will cooperate.
On Tuesday, July 27th, Hilda Gutwein will be telling her life’s story in the Fellowship Room. It will begin at 6:30 and the public is invited. Cookies and coffee will be served.
Look for upcoming information about the resident summer picnics in August. Until then, have safe and blessed summer.
-Karen Isch, Activities Director
A smile costs nothing but gives much. It enriches those who receive without making poorer those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. No one is so rich or mighty that he cannot get along without it and none is so poor that he cannot be made rich by it. Yet a smile cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away. Some people are too tired to give you a smile. Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give.
-Author Unknown
Dietary News
The gardens are looking good with all of the rain that we have had. It won’t be long until we have fresh produce from our area gardens…sweet corn, tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, green beans and other favorites. We have already received some fresh lettuce!
July has a lot of “special” food events. Something new will be National “Junk Food” Day (July 21st) …look for a variety of snacks throughout the day for residents and staff! Also, July 26th is Milkshake Day and the 30th is National Cheesecake Day.
August is considered the biggest vacation month…but for those of us who stick close to home, we will have a few special days to try some different food celebrations.
August in National BROWNIES AT BRUNCH Month…we will post this delicious brunch event a day in advance so that everyone will be able to enjoy a sweet treat in the morning. Tuesday, August 10th is Banana Split Day, the 15th is Lemon Meringue Pie Day and a new adventure will take place on August 30th…Toasted Marshmallow Day! We will try our luck at toasting marshmallows (outside on the patio)! And, as we do every year, we will have ice cream with fresh peaches as soon as the peaches become available. We are all looking forward to a GREAT summer! Enjoy!
-Lolly Harter, Food Service Director
Food For Thought-
The more you count the blessings you have, the less you crave the luxuries you haven’t.
-Recipe-
¼ c. flour
1 stick of butter or margarine
1 qt. milk
1 pound Velveeta Cheese
1 pound cooked noodles
Buttered Corn flake crumbs
Melt butter, flour and then add milk. Cut cheese in small pieces. Stir into milk mixture over low heat until melted.
Cook and drain noodles. Mix into cheese sauce. Pour into greased pan. Garnish with crumbs. Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees. Makes a 9x13 pan. Serves 20.
-Submitted by: Kim Maller
North Shore Estates
No maintenance….All the work is done for you!
Contact Leon, Marcia, or Carol at 260-565-3000 or visit our web site at christiancarerc.org for more information or to arrange a tour of our model and available units.
Christian Care Retirement Community Receives “Excellence in Action” Award
Congratulations to the employees of Christian Care Retirement Community on receiving the My InnerView’s “Excellence in Action” award for the fourth consecutive year. The award recognizes those nursing homes that have made a commitment to continuous quality improvement and have successfully made quality a priority to better serve their customer’s needs. Neil Gulsvig, President of My InnerView, said, “This year’s award underscores the difference these nursing homes are making in the lives of their customers and staff.”
To be eligible for the award, Christian Care completed resident and family satisfaction surveys in the fall of 2009, had a minimum of 30% response rate and scored in the top 10% of qualifying facilities on the question, “What is your recommendation of this facility to others?” in terms of the percent of respondents rating the facility as “excellent.”