While putting together our Spring Blog last week, I noticed 2 women really stood out:
Helen Rognlie and Dolores Harris.
These two women, strangers prior to living here, are so appreciated at River Pointe. I want to take some time to tell you a little more about them…
This Spring, second floor resident Helen Rognlie was busy sewing quilts. Quilting is one of her many passions, along with lending a helping hand to anyone in need. The fabric she used was donated by a member of our Moorhead community, and sat in my office for weeks – until Helen got her eye on it.
Helen is from the generation of getting things done. That, and it’s just who she is. Before long (less than a week), Helen had 10 quilt tops measured, cut, patterned, and sewed. She even had plans for the scraps, making small squared quilts from those. Waste not! When she finally deemed her venture concluded, Norene Baeth of Project Linus found a home for the quilt tops, at a local Lutheran church, that was sewing quilts for the homeless. Helen also brought in one of her favorite quilts from her previous work…
A full-blooded German, Helen spent her childhood in Felton. She was never lonely, with 3 sisters and 5 brothers to keep her entertained. She married her husband of 46 years in 1953, and they made their 
home in Halstad. They had 4 children, one who has a secret talent carving wood. You can see an example of his hand carved wine toppers featured to the right.
Helen has always worn many hats; going wherever needed. She’s been a “bed pan jockey,” a seamstress and homemaker, and kept the school clean in Halstad. A never ending job – no doubt.
We are so glad Helen chose River Pointe. She is always mindful to include new residents in what’s going on, and help them navigate this new terrain. She keeps things organized, like the puzzles in the library, and helps set up and tear down for bingo. She stays active by walking, and attending Bonebuilders at the Hjemkomst Center with fellow resident, Dolores.
Dolores is from Valley City, North Dakota, and is of Scotch-Irish and Welsh descent. She married her husband in 1951, and they had 5, count ‘em 5 (!), sons. After her sons were grown, Dolores worked for 25 years at American Crystal Sugar, and 20 years at the FargoDome up North. Dolores loves being outdoors. You will often find her tending to her gardens, or enjoying the weather on the patio, with her cat, Katty. Like Helen, Dolores is an avid sewer, and always ready to lend a helping hand. She provided much of supplies needed to assemble the quilts for the homeless.
One of my favorite things about Dolores is her creativity. She always participates 
in creative activities, and is one of the first willing to dress up for the special themed days we have for Spirit Week at River Pointe. When I first started, Dolores organized a basket-making group, using coil and scrap fabric to make beautiful keepsake baskets. Dolores is also a talented decorator. I am so far from a “Martha Stewart” type, I can barely figure out a hot glue gun – so she helped me choose decorations for our Lobby at Christmastime, and has offered to help decorate the bus for the upcoming Greater Moorhead Days Parade.
Her son, Brian, enjoys accompanying our Rowdy Crowd Restaurant Group on Tuesdays. Most recently, he opened up their family cabin to our residents to spend an afternoon enjoying the beautiful lake weather, and grilling up some great food. We are so thankful to Dolores and her family for providing this unique opportunity to be a part a quintessential summer activity.
We would be remiss if we did not also give a shout out to the talented and whip smart, Angie Miller. Angie attends every intellectual and creative session she has time for. A talented painter and trivia buff; witty, with a great big heart to boot, Angie is often found with the Helen-Dolores duo making River Pointe a better place to live. The trio even made an honorary apron for our social hour bartender – Chuck. Check out the video on our Facebook Page (Chuck’s Present). Angie is also one that participates in our Spirit Week. Here she is in -if you can believe it- the dress she was married in!
In conclusion, thank you to Helen, Dolores, and Angie for being great neighbors. Feeling we belong to, and having a strong sense of, Community is in our DNA. A move to assisted living can feel a lot like the first day of school, and can cause a lot of anxiety. People might wonder: Where should I sit? What should I wear? What if I say the wrong thing? What is there to do?
Rest assured, with friends like these, you are always welcome.
Does River Pointe sound like your kind of place? Check out our Facebook Page and give us a call today! 218-287-6900
