Photos submitted by Lisa Bloomquist

July 28, 2020

Yes, we still wonder when we can gather for group activities. Yes, we still wonder when our relatives can come visit us all day long if they desire and when things will get back to “business as usual”.

At this time, we continue to limit visitors inside our doors to all but essential healthcare personnel, and compassionate care visitors.  The next step is the introduction of designated Essential Caregivers. We also recognize the positive impact that essential caregiver visits can have and we believe we can successfully implement an essential caregiver program, if designated essential caregiver policies, procedures and instructions are followed. Our policy is based on the current guidance from the CDC, CMS and MDH.  We will continue to refine and update our policy as more information becomes available and as guidelines change.   August 4th is the projected date that we will begin Essential Caregivers visits. If you have questions regarding our Essential Caregiver Program policy, please contact Amy James at 218-387-3282; Robert McGregor at 218-387-3799 or Kimber Wraalstad at 218-387-3260, or you may call the Ombudsman for Long-Term Care at 651-431-2555 or 1-800-657-3591.

Now for some fun stuff…

Perk facts for July included International Kissing Day on July 13th. Did you know chimps and bonobos are the only other animals known to kiss, you share between 10 million and 1 billion bacteria when you kiss, 90 % of cultures around the world kiss and the use of an “X” to symbolize a kiss dates back to the middle ages when most people couldn’t read or write so they signed their name with an X and kissed the document for added sincerity. We spent the afternoon getting Hershey’s kisses as Bingo prizes. These kinds of kisses are delicious.

Also according to “The Perk” you can make lasagna in your dishwasher. I wouldn’t recommend it, but I also wouldn’t put it past my mother!  I looked this phenomenon up and yes you can make lasagna in your dishwasher while you are washing dishes nonetheless. Someone try this and send a letter in to the editor or call me and let me know how it turned out. You can find the instructions to make dishwasher lasagna on Youtube.

Speaking of being in the kitchen those of you who have family or friends at North Shore Living, do you have any of their recipes? Once we are able to I’d like to cook/bake some of their favorite recipes.   We made my grandma’s rhubarb crisp recipe a while back and shared it with all the residents. It was delicious as always and we had a great time reminiscing about things we liked to make back in the good old days. I’d also like to get a resident cook book started so send in those recipes please.

It was National Gorgeous Grandma Day on July 23rd. We think our grandma’s are gorgeous every day, but this day we took some time and to get sweet pictures of all our grandma’s whether they have actual grandchildren or have special children in their lives.

We still continue to play Hall Way Bingo twice a week. We have been receiving candy donations for our prizes and they have been well received. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We have special treats every Friday for Happy Hour. We have the General Store come by room to room which is always a hit.

July Birthday’s celebrated were Eleanor Sjoberg, Delores Saethre and Harold Husby. One of our residents bought Dilly Bars for all the residents which were thoroughly enjoyed. We have been enjoying sitting out on the patio soaking up the sun, having patio visits with our family and friends, having Skype and FaceTime visits and even getting a few haircuts in. We are looking for a beauty operator who can come in on a regular basis.

Patricia Hooper, Marcy Podas and Ed Hendrickson passed away this month. It’s hard to see family leave and we miss them. We welcome our new residents and enjoy getting to know them and their families.

To schedule door visits, Skype, FaceTime or Zoom contact the Activity Department at 218-387-3518. To schedule outdoor patio visits please call the front desk at 218-387-3040 ex 0. Please note that patio visits are limited to 3 guests per visit.  You can visit twice a week.  Since June 25th, we have had 118 patio visits with as many as 7 in one day. Our average is 3-4 per day.  Patio visits will continue as long as the weather holds out. Most of us are Northerners so maybe we can just shovel a path?

To our family, friends, and volunteers we miss you and hope you are doing well and we hope to see you soon. Volunteers you too can call to have Skype, FaceTime, Zoom, door and patio visits with residents.

Last, but not least, I’d like to introduce you to Melissa Fleming, our newest addition to the Activity Department. Melissa and her husband Tom, who is the new Ambulance Director at North Shore Health, have been coming up to the North Shore for years spending time at their cabin which is now their home.  When I interviewed Melissa I asked her what she liked to do on a whole list of activities. She said, “All of it!” Perfect! Can you start tomorrow?! Melissa is busy learning who everyone is and where they live and doing a great job. Welcome Melissa.