Another Christmas in the books…are you excited for the New Year?
Here’s a look back at the month that was.
River Pointe was host to almost a dozen musical acts in the month of December. Christmas music is some of the most enjoyed, so we thank all of the performers for spending their time with us during this busy season.
Our annual Christmas Market was also a lot of fun. It was great to have a chance to shop right here at River Pointe, and not have to go out in the cold. Our new full service Salon owner, Stacey Ericson also got started this month, and decided to incorporate a small boutique into her salon, so residents can purchase things like jewelry, scarves, bags, and hair products right here at River Pointe. If you have any questions for Stacey, give her a call at 701-552-1872.
Of course we had to take a night to drive around town and through Lindenwood Park to check out all of the beautiful Christmas lights. It was so fun to see our Director of Maintenance’s (Craig Burch) Santa and Sleigh on display there. Great job, Craig!!
The book club suggested a screening of the movie “Still Alice” in December, as they had just finished the book in November. This was a great learning opportunity and chance for good discussion. For January, they are working on, “The Boys in the Boat” by Daniel James Brown – it is a massive book at over 700 pages in large print, but they welcomed the challenge.
Cookies With Cops was one of the highlights of our month. This was a chance for us to personally thank the first responders that keep our community safe. Thank you to those who attended. 
Canned Food Bingo hosted by Lead Care Manager, LPN, Katie Sayler, was a huge hit! Some residents that didn’t play still donated. These donations will go to the Dorothy Day Food Pantry in Moorhead. Great idea, Katie!
Pastor Mark Noenning of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church gave a wonderful Christmas Bible Study the Wednesday before Christmas. Cookies and Cocoa were provided while residents pondered the reason for the season.
We thank Lois for opening her home to us in celebration of Christmas. She graciously provided food, drink, and good conversation for all. Lois says this is her last year hosting, so we hope another will take on this fun idea!
Thank you to all who attended our annual Christmas Dinner and to the staff that make these fun events possible. It was a blast for everyone involved, and the food was absolutely delicious.
At our Community Life meeting we discussed some upcoming events and projects for the new year. In particular, we will be starting a partnership with Project Linus. This amazing program recruits “blanketeers” to donate handmade blankets to children in need of a “blanket hug” during traumatizing times in their lives, such as during a hospitalization or after natural disaster. Keep an eye on our Facebook for more information about this program in the month of January.
Today, we will close the year with an appetizer style supper created by Director of Food Services, Chef Wendy Geller, and music with local favorite Joseph DeMasi. Cheers!
Focusing specifically on our Memory Care Community – Riverton Suites:
December presented the opportunity for many fun, Christmas themed events, that brought back great memories for both residents and staff, and also made some new ones!
Staff members spent a great deal of time decorating common areas, making sure there was fun Christmas music playing, and reminiscing with residents about Christmases past.
Music in Motion is a regular visitor to our Suites. Ashley, our program leader, has a beautiful voice and is full of energy and great ideas to get residents moving, singing, and laughing.
We spent one of our baking days making gingerbread houses. We wouldn’t say our end products were perfect, but it was a perfectly fun afternoon, and a wonderful new tradition. This was also the day the Oak Grove Carolers stopped by for a surprise visit in full Victorian era costumes to sing Carols to the residents. Breakfast and a show?!
Claude Wahl, another recurring visitor to the Suites, and his wife Darlene came to entertain us for over an hour with classic accordion music. We love having his wife and him to Riverton Suites to bring back those polka and waltz memories!
A volunteer, in the true spirit of Christmas, also stopped by Riverton Suites with her young son and a basket full of goodies. They took the time to talk with residents, while Christmas Carols played in the background. You should have seen the little boy’s face light up when he heard “Jingle Bells” come on!
The most exciting highlight was planned by Cacey Armstrong, LSW, and Memory Care Manager, and Chef Wendy, Food Service Director. This was the New Year’s Eve Party with the Rockin 60s band. We cannot overstate how much fun this event was for residents, staff, and their families. Thank you so much to everyone who took part. We will definitely be doing it again.
As the year comes to a close, we look back at all the fun things we have done over the course of the year. We remember those who have left us, and the new friends we have made. We jump into 2017 with both feet and high hopes.