Duane VIA | Activities Coordinator

The residents of Blue Ridge had a fun time on Friday the 13th. We celebrated the day with a “Snowflake Party” in which the residents reminisce about having snowball fights with their siblings.

After the discussion, we gave each resident about six to eight marshmallows and we had our own snowball fight in the recreation room.

The residents had so much fun, laughing and throwing marshmallows at one another and staff members. They really enjoyed this activity and said it took away their stress. Some family members also participated in this event and they also enjoyed their time in the snowball fight.

On Thursday, the residents had “Crazy Hat Day.” We gave out old hats, and the residents talked about where they would wear this style hat, the year the hat style was popular, and if they ever owned hats like it. We had lots of fun trying on the hats and telling stories the residents made up about their hats.

The Chinese New Year was celebrated on January 23. The residents enjoyed having egg rolls and fortune cookies. The residents had a good time sharing their fortune from their fortune cookies. They learned what Chinese zodiac signs they were and many of them had a laugh finding out some residents were rats or dogs. This is the year of the rooster.

The residents learned that the Chinese New Year Celebration is coinciding with the slack time before the farmers start planting their crops. Some Chinese call this the Spring Festival. The Chinese New Year lasts for 16 days.

We have had a good time on our bus trips this month. Although we had to cancel one due to cold weather and the snow, we have been on the road. The residents look forward to going shopping, out to eat, visiting different places or just getting out and riding around the county. Having them pick the places they want to go out to eat and visit makes it their trip.

Sometimes staff members have to fill in some of the trips, but most of the time we make it “around about” trips so others can go on an outing. We have already got out trips for next month. The residents tell us on bus trips or they might come down to the activities office.

We are looking forward to February. The residents have many special events planned for this month. We also look forward to it because it’s one month closer to Spring. This year so far, we haven’t gotten cabin fever yet, it might be due to little snow and the warmer temperatures. Let’s just hope it stays this way.

If you would like to volunteer your talent or time, please call Dee Dee Via at (276) 694-7161, extension 1804. We would love to have you.