The Landmark Center is excited to welcome Janna Foley to the community as the acting administrator in training.

Janna is a Patrick County native who resides in Stuart with her two sons and dogs. She has experience in senior living and assisted living as a director of member services; benefits programs of social services, marketing, and community events.

She is a volunteer for the Cpl. Jonathan W. Bowling Memorial Scholarship Foundation and Mercy Church Back2School program. She has a passion for helping others and senior citizens. Janna enjoys hiking, knitting, and spending time with her family.

Jim Purcell and Lynn Wolf led a sing-along Friday morning, July 28, in the arts and crafts room. Residents joined in as they sang a wide of variety of songs.

In the afternoon, residents and guests celebrated the July birthdays with cake, ice cream, and punch. Resident birthday gifts were donated by Stuart United Methodist Church. After dinner, residents relaxed to music by the group, Chords of Faith.

Landmark residents are always ready for a challenge. July 19-27 they celebrated the 27th annual National Baby Food Festival. July 20, residents, staff, and guests were challenged to name the flavor of baby food in a Flavor Challenge game. The first challenge was a jar of bananas. After many guesses without the correct answer, we all decided we were very glad we only had a tiny taste of bananas. I would like to thank everyone who participated in this flavor challenge.

Residents are enjoying the bus trips as they travel to many different locations in and around Patrick County. Mount Airy, N.C., was the destination July 25 for lunch where they enjoyed delicious fried chicken. On July 27 residents shopped locally.

July 27, new residents were welcomed to The Landmark Center at the Newcomers’ Social. Residents and guests were served doughnuts and coffee. Volunteers Jim and Ellen Saunders led the game, “Name That Tune,” in the afternoon. This is always a fun activity.

Sunday afternoon, July 30, residents and guests were served lemonade and brownies. Monday, after lunch, residents enjoyed watermelon while relaxing in the courtyard.

It is hard to believe it is already August. The first day of the new month was very busy with activities beginning with the monthly Operation Homefront meeting. If you served in the U.S. Armed Forces and would like to connect with local veterans, you are invited to attend. Meetings are held at The Landmark Center the first Tuesday of each month, from 9 until 10 a.m. For more information, contact Susan Foster at (276) 694-4416. This program is sponsored by Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care.  Refreshments are provided. The next meeting will be on September 5.

After the last meeting, residents were invited to the living room for music by Judy and Ralph. In the afternoon, they stopped for ice cream while on a ride-about to Philpott Dam. After dinner residents were entertained with music by the F.A.R.M. T.E.A.M.

On the morning of August 3, residents traveled to Patrick Springs for local shopping.

Residents on Memory Care are also staying busy while having a great time. On a recent ride-about they traveled to the Martinsville Speedway after stopping for ice cream. In August, Jill Hairston, memory care coordinator, has a Landmark fashion show planned on the 14th. There are also plans to celebrate Senior Citizen’s Day. Jill said, “Get ready, get ready.”

She also thanks the families, nurses and the Landmark staff for all their support. It brings joy to our hearts to see the residents smile, laugh and engage in enjoyment. Staff is encouraged to participate in the above activities.

We will be celebrating National Assisted Living Week September 10-16. Please join us at The Landmark Center for special events during the week. The theme this year is “Family is Forever.”

August blood pressure locations are: August 14, Ararat Seniors, Friendship Church, 10:30-11:30 a.m.; and August 15: Step Seniors, Step Building in Stuart, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

The next Alzheimer’s Support Group meeting will be held at The Landmark Center at noon, August 22. For more information, call The Landmark Center at (276) 694-3050, or Blue Ridge Therapy Connection at (276) 694-7161. This program is sponsored by The Landmark Center, Blue Ridge Therapy Connection, and Southern Area Agency on Aging.

We would like to remind all of our visitors and volunteers to please sign in and out when visiting with us at The Landmark Center!

If you would like to become a volunteer at The Landmark Center stop by and fill out an application. We would love to add your name to our Landmark family.

Until next time, see you at Landmark.