BELLE PENDLETON
Recreation Coordinator
As a child I remember receiving a coloring book and crayons from Santa each Christmas and coloring the entire time I was on Christmas break from school. This is one of my best memories; I loved to color and still do. The Landmark residents traveled to the Patrick County Branch Library in Stuart on April 21 for an adult coloring class, and they loved it.
Adult coloring books have been around since 1907 when Richard F. Outcault completed Buster’s Paint Book. In the 1960’s adult coloring books were used to ridicule pill-popping executives and hipsters, while today they provide consumers therapy, escape, and nostalgia.
Adult coloring books have been used throughout the years in the recovery of hand-eye coordination and to explain complicated medical conditions to children. I believe the residents discovered the best reasons to color; relax, de-stress, and the most important, to have fun. The residents will finish their projects in May and the pictures will be on display at the library.
Vernon Harris and Shelly Roberts provided uplifting entertainment for the April birthday party, while residents and guests enjoyed cake, ice cream, chips, and punch.
Emily Stuphin, activity assistant, and residents created a delicious strawberry pizza Saturday, April 16. It is hard to believe the next time we make this dessert we may be using fresh strawberries.
Sunday afternoon, residents and guests celebrated National Cheeseball Day with a delicious cheeseball and crackers in the Game Room. Rose Hale, RMA/CAN, also treated many of the residents with Frosties in the courtyard Sunday afternoon.
Cosmetology students from Patrick County High School provided Landmark residents with complete manicures on April 19. The residents look forward to this time with the students each month and will miss them after their final trip in May.
Landmark residents always look forward to the next bus trip. April 19, they ate lunch in Claudville. This was a new destination for many residents. April 26, they enjoyed breakfast in Stanleytown; On April 28, they went on a shopping trip in Stuart.
Residents always look forward to the entertainment after dinner. This provides a time to sit back and relax before going to bed. Entertainers have included Sue Nester, the youth from Abiding Grace Church, Chords of Faith, and the Living Faith Quartet. We thank our groups for sharing their time and talents with us at The Landmark Center.
The Landmark Cooking Club, which meets each Wednesday afternoon with volunteer Helen Cowley, has been whipping up delicious desserts this month. April 6, we cooked Magnolia Banana Pudding, which was delicious, and on April 13, we made beautiful and tasty mini cheesecake parfaits with berries, which we served in wine glasses. April 20, in honor of Earth Day, we created a Dirt Cake, complete with Gummi Worms. April 27, we made an old favorite, preacher cookies, which are always a chocolate treat.
Thursday, April 21, our new residents were welcomed to The Landmark Center with The Newcomers Social in the game room. The residents and guests were served hot fudge cake and punch. A variety of dancing music was provided by Daniel Quesenberry. We look forward to getting to know our new residents and making them feel at home.
Jim and Ellen Saunders, volunteers, led the game, “Name That Tune” on April 28, in the Landmark living room. Residents receive a prize every time they guess the correct name of the tune. They have so much fun with Jim and Ellen and look forward to their return.
Landmark residents have been getting ready for Mother’s Day in the Big Greenhouse. The greenhouse is located between The Landmark Center and Blue Ridge Therapy Connection. For more information, call (276) 694-3050, extension 4501.
Residents, family, and friends will celebrate Mother’s Day on May 4 with a Mother’s Day Tea at The Landmark Center.
We will be honoring our individual volunteers on May 20 with brunch at The Landmark Center. If you would like to volunteer at The Landmark Center please call (276) 694-3050, extension 4514.
Until next time, see you at the Landmark!
