Belknap Buzz - Belknap County Nursing Home celebrates the holidays

Elm Street School students visited the residents of the Belknap County Nursing Home recently. (Courtesy photo)

By Brenda Twardosky

Director of Recreation, Belknap County Nursing Home

We were so thankful in November! We celebrated our Veterans, made special cards for the veterans who live here, and made Christmas cards for our soldiers currently serving. We started our winter Wii Bowling League, had a Waffle Social, pumpkin ice cream at our Ice Cream Social, a Pumpkin Pie Social, enjoyed the Lakes Region Chordsmen, and a new group, the Trio Eclectic. We made a special shimmering leaf craft, some make and eat Pilgrim hats, and pumpkin oat cookies. We went to the “Fez”tival of Trees at the Bektash Shriners in Concord, shopped at Wal-Mart and TJ Maxx, and had lunch at the 99 and Shiloh’s. All the while getting ready for our annual Craft Fair!

The whole lobby, activity room, and Main Street turned into a bazaar! We had 25 vendors selling a variety of goods. Some examples of the things sold: dog toys and treats, wreaths, centerpieces, swags, ornaments, hats, scarves, fingerless gloves, shawls, wood-turned products, homemade jams, jellies, relishes and candy, trivets, decorations, knitted hats, Barbie doll clothes, bags, purses, potholders, microwave bowl cozies, Scentzy products, jewelry, Christmas hats, scarves, mittens, goat milk soaps, painted boxes, Wine totes, lunch boxes, pillowcases and Tastefully simple products! Phew! There was something for everyone!

I would like to take this time to give a huge shout-out to the community businesses that sent us donations for our raffle: Funspot, Gunstock, Hart’s Turkey Farm, Irwin Zone, Baron’s Major Brands, Common Man, Fratello’s, Squam Lakes Science Center, Mike’s Quality Car Care, Prescott’s Florist, Canterbury Shaker Village, Kramer & Hall, Vista Foods, Keepsake Quilting, Annalee’s, and the Country! Please remember to patronize these supporters of the BCNH Annual Craft Fair!

December is shaping up to be equally busy! We are welcoming two new employees, Jennifer Lutzen our new dietary manager and Phil Dion, our new environmental services manager. Welcome to the BCNH family! We will be taking the residents on several trips to see the lights at the NHMS and of course the homes in the neighborhoods around us. We enjoy eggnog and a treat (like Munchkins or cookies) along the ride. We had our second tree lighting event, and although Mother Nature was not cooperating (strong winds knocked over our tree), we managed to make it a success! We had an ugly sweater contest and found that ugliness is in the eye of the beholder. It was hard to choose a winner! We’ve decorated the facility, and the West Wing is the Champion for the 2017 Christmas Decorating Contest with their Polar Express theme. The building looks FABULOUS!

We would like to thank the Opechee Garden Club for the gifts of small tins of winter greenery for each resident! The residents have been enjoying the little bit of outside in their rooms. Thank you so much! Also thank you to the Edgewater Dance Studio for coming and performing for the residents. It’s a favorite of the residents to watch the students perform for them.

The BCNH Shooting Star for November was Donna Page, LNA. Congratulations, Donna! The Shooting Star is a program to recognize staff members who go above the call of duty. Residents, visitors, family members or staff can nominate someone they feel is deserving. They write up their nomination, drop it in the box, and one person is chosen each month. Thank you to all of our Shooting Stars for all the wonderful things you do for our residents and our facility!

Do you have some extra time? Want to join us? Come volunteer with us at Belknap County Nursing Home! Come help take the residents shopping or out to eat, do some crafts, read to someone, or just make a difference in someone’s day. Volunteers are always wanted! Contact the Activity Department to sign up today!

A birthday cake made for the nursing home by its dietary department. (Courtesy photo)