8

204 N. 1st St.

PO Box 1087

La Conner, WA 98257

Our mission is to create and

sustain comfortable, caring

environments for those

who depend on us.

Administrative Staff:

Chirley Kilmer

Interim Executive Director

Gisele Ostrofe

Community Relations Director

Tammy Ashley Resident Care Coordinator

Laura Novak

Business Office Manager

Katie Kramer Registered Nurse

Gina Williams

Dietary Director

Tony Bjornstad

Maintenance Director

BJ Johnson

Activities Director

PRESORTED

STANDARD

US POSTAGE PAIDED

LA CONNER, WA

PERMIT #3

Lena says Happy New Year!

April Fools!!!

La Conner Retirement Inn La Conner Retirement Inn & Assisted Living Newsletter— April 2016

Resident of the month: Nelda Sprinkel

The family farm was once hit by

a tornado and wiped out every-

thing but the house. Nelda

painted this picture from

memory.

Nelda was born in 1921 in Binger, Oklahoma, a very small farming com-

munity. Nelda’s father raised cotton, corn and wheat. Nelda grew up

with a love of birds, a trait she says she owes to her great-aunt Alice.

When Nelda was a small girl she would go outside, under the tree and

listen to the birds with her aunt.

Nelda began dating her future husband, Milton, when they were in high

school together. Milton was valedictorian of the class and went on to

receive his degree in chemical engineering. He was also in the

ROTC and entered the Air Force as a second lieutenant. Milton’s military

career continued until he retired as a full colonel. After high school

Nelda went to business college, earning a business degree and began

working in the register of deeds office in the county courthouse. The couple married after Milton graduat-

ed from college and then the real adventures began. Nelda said that she has moved 53 times and loved

every minute of it. She said that they lived throughout the East Coast. Nelda has a good head for business,

so when they moved to a new city Nelda would head to the nice part of town and buy a house that was old

and in need of repair. She would set to work remodeling the home and by the time the family had to move

again, the home would sell for more than they paid for it. So they always made money when they moved.

While Milton was away, Nelda studied art with a qualified teacher.

She studied oil painting and became a gifted artist, creating beauti-

ful art of her family and life. After Milton retired he wanted to

travel the globe. They rode

camels in Egypt and walked

the Great Wall. The couple

were married for 63 years and

Nelda says “I had a wonderful

husband and he was my life.”

2

Happy Birthday to…….. Bob Williams 2nd

Marion Benson 29th

Shirley Look 30th

and to our staff……. Lori Bresnan 1st

Carla Hancock 12th

Marcus Teeple 15th

Mary Ann White 19th

Welcome to our newest

Residents

Priscilla Stockner

Kelly Foss

Caroline Edson

Dee & Colleen Molenar

We are glad you have joined us!

Also, welcome to our newest

staff member; Jessica Hartle

Volunteer Appreciation Tea

April 15 at 4:00 We will celebrate one of the most important events of the

year; an opportunity to recognize and thank our wonderful

volunteers. These incredible people give us their time with

a smile and they ask for nothing in return. We are

blessed to have them in our lives.

You don’t want to miss our rummage sale! April 9th from 10 to 3

Thanks to many donations we will have the best sale ever! We

have furniture, cookware, craft items, books and much more. If you like

sales then this is the place to be.

7

We went to the Garden Café for

lunch.

We had a collectables show. Resi-

dents and staff shared their collec-

tions with everyone.

March Highlights

The resident’s

held a staff

appreciation

party, and a fare-

well to Amanda

6

2016 Walk to End Alzheimer’s

More than 5 million people are living with this disease. Every 67 seconds someone is diagnosed with Alz-

heimer’s. There is no cure. That is why each year, the staff of the La Conner Retirement Inn work at raising

money with the culmination of the event that shows the world our commitment to end this disease. Re-

search is funded by these activities and progress is being made.

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be September 19 and each year a loyal group of staff walk that day. We

may know someone with this disease, or have lost someone to this disease. Many have been a caregiver

or have worked in a memory care center. We have all been effected in one way or another by this disease.

Throughout the year, we will be holding fundraising events and asking for your support. We will be raffling

off a quilt that our caregiver, Carla, is going to generously donate. We will be building a garden of flowers

and you can “buy and plant” to show your support. Every Friday the staff can dress in jeans and pay a dol-

lar for “Causal for a Cause.” We will have several wear purple days; the color represents the Alzheimer’s

Organization and the goal is to have everyone at the Inn in purple!

Make sure to check out the lobby for information on how you can support the team’s efforts, information

about the disease, and how you can help. Any ideas or suggestions are always welcome, so stop by and

see Gisele.

Advance Directives April 6th from 3 to 5

This event is open to all residents, friends and family. Dorian King, from Hospice of the

Northwest will be here to help you understand how to address your Advance Directives.

Even if you already have things in place, there are still some helpful tips and information you

may not know that Dorian will discuss. And even if you already have your plan in place, do

your friends and children?

Scam Alert! April 12 from 4 to 5

They are out there…. In cyberspace, in your mail, and just waiting to find their next victim.

Scammers. And these people are very good at what they do. Robert Dionne, who is a state

certified Long Term Care Ombudsman in Skagit County has kindly agreed to come out to talk

to us. Learn about identity theft, how it happens and what you can do if it happens to you.

He’ll also discuss ways you can protect yourself. Seniors are particularly vulnerable, but

these criminals don’t discriminate; they look for unsuspecting victims everywhere. Tell

your friends and family, you don’t want to miss this presentation. Enter to win a copy of

“The Truth About Identity Theft”

3

ARTICLE TITLE HERE Reciprocity

Tiny birds, in great number,

Viewed outside the window-

The joy they afford as I watch

Outweighs the small cost

I incur by suppling their food.

As they flutter while

Struggling to be first

Before their fellows

They provide a veritable

Ballet choreographed in air

The rapid beat of their wings

Could suggest either a dance

Or sometimes winged warfare

As the compete

For pride of place

At the bounteous table.

They cling to blocks of suet

Upside down or lightly suspended,

Solitary or in a frenzied crowd.

The feeders themselves,

Once set in motion, whirl or bob up

and down.

They swing from side to side

While those seeking sustenance

Cling precariously and

Appear to enjoy the ride

For me they proved inspiration;

For them I provide a welcome meal.

Reciprocity: I give food;

They offer entertainment.

We benefit mutually.

Elizabeth Sharp Smith

Getting to know:

Sam Thierstein Where were you

born?

Lincoln Nebraska

What did you want to do

when you grew up? I

wanted to design rollercoasters, be an engi-

neer, an artist-just building and designing

things

What have you always wanted to do?

Make people laugh - something I strive to do

everyday, also go to Europe.

What do you want people to know about

you? That I am friendly, helpful, kind. And

I love taking care of people and hanging out

with friends.

Going to the Dogs Every Wednesday afternoon at 1:00,

we have a beautiful therapy dog, Max

and his handler, Christine come to

visit us at the Inn.

Last year you may remember this all

volunteer group Dogs on Call present-

ed at one of our educational events.

Please come by and say hello and

spend a few minutes with them. Max

and Christine will also be available

for room visits, so if you want, just let

us know and we can bring them by to

visit you.

4

5