Oelwein Historical MuseumThe residents enjoyed a trip to the Oelwein Historical Museum. They saw a country school room, parlor, bedroom and a kitchen. Other displays include farm equipment, railroad memorabilia, telephones, newspaper clippings and pictures, general store, a medical area and an extensive Delft Collection. Memories of various items were shared with the residents.

Mercy Living Plus201 8th Avenue, S.E., Oelwein, Iowa susan.schneider@mercyhealth.com

NOVEMBER 2017

Veterans’ Day – November 11Veterans’ Day was first celebrated in 1918 after World War I. It was known as Armistice Day and was dedicated as a day to celebrate world peace. The name was changed to Veterans’ Day in 1954 by the U.S. Congress to honor and remember all veterans of the military and to celebrate peace. Our Independence friends have invited our veterans to a program at the Independence Senior Center on Monday, November 6 at 2:00 p.m. “Elvis” will be entertaining us with the GI Blues! We will be honoring our veterans on Friday, November 10 at 1:30 p.m. as representatives from the Oelwein American Legion will visit Mercy Living Plus and fold the American flag. Veterans that will be honored are: Garrald Schroeder, Albert Dresen, Dell Hanson and Harry Haldeman. Veterans’ spouses: Margaret Owens, Marcella Becker, Jan Lau, Mary Bellis, Irene Roepke, Pat Anderson, Mary Martins, Katherine Koch and Shirley Theobald.

Western Day - November 16We will be having a Rootin’ Tootin’ Day with a Dixie Stampede Dinner on Thursday, November 16 at 11:30 a.m. We will be tossing biscuits, listening to western music and having some fun while residents eat.

Thanksgiving MealWe are having our traditional Thanksgiving meal on Thursday, November 23. If you would like to eat with your loved one that day please sign up at the nurses’ station. There is also a place to sign if you are taking someone out for a meal. The cost is $6.00 per person. Meals need to be paid for when the reservations are made. We are offering reservations at 11:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. to accommodate everyone. Please sign up by November 16. The meals will be served in the cafeteria on first floor.

Save the Date - Family Christmas PartyThe Family Christmas Party at Mercy Living Plus will be held on Thursday, December 14 at 2:00 p.m. Due to limited space, residents can invite two guests. Family is asked to bring one gift for their loved one. Bring the wrapped gift with your loved one’s name on it and who it is from by Tuesday, December 12. We want to make sure all residents have a gift for Santa to give.

Mitten TreeAgain this year we will have a Mitten Tree. If wanting to donate to this event we are in need of new mittens, stocking hats and gloves for grade school age children. We will be decorating the tree with the mittens from December 1-12. This year we will be giving the mittens to Sacred Heart School.

Thank You for all that you do for us. We appreciate your kindness and thoughtfulness.

Halloween Candy: Staff, Family and Residents

Craft Supplies: Dorothy Fink

Activity Donation: Char DeHaven

Cookies: Mary Schuler

Flowers: Duane Avery Family

Music & Entertainment: Oelwein Museum, Barb Roberson, Dave Wirtz, Jim Kinney, Fourth Grade Readers, Harold Gray, Ozzie, Mary Grimm, Carol Popham, Harry Ebbeson, Dave Poggenklass, Bob Miehe, Little Husky Jr. Kindergarten and Little Husky Kindergartners

Carnations for Birthday Party: Buds ‘n Blossoms

Spiritual Services: Carol Hamilton, Father Ray Atwood, Chaplain Michal Schemmel, Pastor Dennis Frank, Connie Markle, Rose Moser, Anna Mary Harrington, Linda Jensen

Piano Playing for Church Services: Beth Kerr

Volunteer Services: Joe and Colleen Bovy, Rick and Joyce Trotter, Joey Gonzales, Candy Kiel, Myrna Zanatta

With Deepest Sympathy to:Duane Avery Family

Happy Birthday:November 3 Malvin Tribon

Mercy Living Plus Tour of TablesOn Tuesday, November 21 the residents will dine in style and enjoy tables decorated by eight teams of Mercy staff. Tables can be decorated in a holiday theme or for an every day Sunday dinner meal. Viewing and judging of the tables will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The dining experience for the residents will take place at 11:30 a.m. Mercy Living Plus residents will be the judges.

Recipe: Smothered Burritos 1-1/2 lbs. Ground Beef Chopped Onions to taste 1 can (16 ounces) Refried Beans 7 to 8 Flour Tortillas 1 can (10-1/2 ounces) Condensed

Cream of Chicken Soup, Undiluted 1 pkg. (1-1/4 ounces) Taco Seasoning 1 cup Water 1 cup (4 ounces) Shredded Cheddar

Cheese

In a large skillet cook beef and onions until beef is no longer pink. Drain if necessary. Stir in refried beans. Spoon beef mixture onto tortillas; roll up. Place in a greased 13x19x2 inch baking dish.

In a bowl, whisk the soup, taco seasoning and water. Pour evenly over burritos. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Cook’s Note: This freezes very well before baking. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake as directed.

Can use corn tortillas.

November Care ConferencesPlease check in at Mercy Living Plus front desk for location of care conference at time scheduled. Thank you.November 7 November 21 10:00 a.m. Fran R. 1:00 p.m. Connie L. 10:30 a.m. Linda W. 1:30 p.m. Harry H. 1:00 p.m. Pat A. 2:00 p.m. Garrald S. 1:30 p.m. Katherine K. 2:00 p.m. Donna C.November 14 November 28 1:00 p.m. Mary B. 1:00 p.m. Ray D. 1:30 p.m. Lois M. 1:30 p.m. Margaret O. 2:00 p.m. Ray S. 2:00 p.m. Bud C.

News from SueCold weather is approaching and please have your loved one ready for an outing with a winter coat, mittens and maybe a scarf to keep warm. With the weather turning it is time to change closets from summer clothing to winter clothing.

We will be going to The Oelwein Coliseum on Tuesday, November 14 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. to listen to Jim Kinney sing. You are welcome to join us for the entertainment. It will be fun to listen to the music as we reminisce about the history of the coliseum.

William Center events have been great and we are looking forward to November 198 with “Three Men and a Tenor!” Music greats meeting each other. Examples include: The Rat Pack meets the Muppets, meets the Mills Brothers. It’s the Statler Brothers meeting the Smothers’ Brothers meets the Max Brothers. It’s James Taylor meets James Brown meets Charlie Brown. It’s Sinatra meets Sinbad meets Bad Company. It’s Aretha meets the Isley Brothers meets Gallagher.

We will be entertained again with a little magic on Thursday, November 9 with Jonathan May from Ankeny. An entertainer specializing in magic and fun, Jonathan enjoys making our residents smile and ask, “How did you do that?” Jonathan’s home town is Waukon.

Oelwein American Legion will join us in a tribute to our veterans as we have the folding of the flag on Friday, November 10 at 1:30 p.m.

Check out the calendar for various upcoming parties and events.

We do have a sign up sheet at the nurses’ station if you plan on eating with your loved one or taking them out to eat for Thanksgiving.