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Our mission is to create and

sustain comfortable, caring

environments for those who

depend on us.

Administrative Staff:

Jennifer Dennis

Executive Director

Gisele Ostrofe Community Relations Director

Lee Ann Bennett Resident Care Coordinator

Ashley Anderson Business Office Manager

Katie Kramer Registered Nurse

Gina Williams Dietary Director

Tony Bjornstad Maintenance Director

BJ Johnson Activities Director

Contact us at:

360-466-5700

204 N. 1st St.

PO Box 1087

La Conner, WA 98257

Lena says,

Merry Christmas

to all

PRESORTED

STANDARD

US POSTAGE PAID

LA CONNER, WA

PERMIT #3

La Conner Retirement Inn News

La Conner Retirement Inn Independent & Assisted Living Newsletter — December 2016

Jackie Engelbretson was born November 20th 1930 in Abilene, Texas. She

grew up in a big family, with two brothers and three sisters. When she

was six years old, she moved with her family to Hobbs, New Mexico. In

1949, Jackie graduated from high school and decided take a Greyhound

bus to go to Traphagen Art school, in New York City, after seeing it in Sev-

enteen magazine. During the day, she worked at JC Penney and in the

evenings, she took classes. Jackie saved any extra money to take flying

lessons to become a pilot and enjoyed flying small planes in her spare

time. After spending a year at art school, Jackie moved back to Hobbs,

New Mexico, to work as a secretary for two lawyers. Shortly after, in

1952, she took a trip to Europe with her four friends. They travelled to

England, Paris, France, Italy and Switzerland for four to five months. Once

she travelled back home she enrolled at University of New Mexico.

When she went to a party she met a lieutenant in the military, named Hal (short for Harold). He asked to

marry her before moving to California to start his new job with North American Aviation. The couple got

married on January 8th 1954. After arriving in California, she became a student at Long Beach State Col-

lege. Later that year, she gave birth to her oldest child, Preston. Three year later, Jackie and Hal wel-

comed a daughter, Lisa. After finishing her time at college, she moved with her family to Buffalo. She

wanted to do sculpting and ended up learning about anatomy while continuing her painting. She heard

about Sergei Bongart, an art teacher in Los Angeles. She was so impressed with his artistic abilities that

she took classes with him at the Otis Art School. Over the course of five years, she went to various art

schools to learn different art techniques. She continued to paint, displaying her work at competitions and

selling them at art shows.

Jackie loves travelling around the world. Every year she travelled to a different location: Afghanistan, Af-

rica, India, Pakistan, etc. Her favorite place to travel to was Africa. She loved the beautiful sky, the culture

and the people. During her time in Africa, she shared a moment where she had drawn a picture of a little

girl. The little girl was so excited that she took the drawing while waving it around among the other chil-

dren. Jackie was glad to see the little girl loved the drawing like a treasured gift. Jackie has set up an art

studio in her room and continues her love of art along with visiting her daughter and grandchildren.

Resident of the Month-- Jackie Engebretson

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As the classic holiday song from the Andy William’s Christmas album reminds us, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” December is full of good cheer with kids jingle belling and plenty of caroling out in the snow, but it is also marks the beginning of winter and the sometimes dangerous conditions that often comes along with it. A few precautions will aid in keeping safe and our hearts a-glowing during these upcoming cold winter months.

Four Tips to Keep Winter the Hap-Happiest Season of All: Dress for Warmth A person’s body temperature should never dip below 95 degrees, and winter time chills can quickly result in frostbite and hypothermia. Keep toasty indoors and outdoors by dressing in layers. When outdoors make sure you have warm socks, heavy coats, hats, gloves and a scarf. If the temperatures are very cold, make sure that all exposed skin is covered.

Avoid Falls Falls due to slips on icy sidewalks and roads or wet indoor spaces are one of the biggest concerns during the winter months. Avoid injury by wearing shoes with good traction and non-skid soles. Stay inside when at all possible, and wait to walk on sidewalks until you know that they have been treated for ice. If you have been outside and are returning to an indoor space, take off your shoes to avoid slipping due to wet soles. Fight Off the Winter Blues During the winter months there are fewer opportunities to get regular exercise and sunshine, as

well as more stressors with the holidays approaching. These changes in routine may lead to feelings of loneliness, isolation and depression. Help fight off the winter time blues by getting regular exercise, participating in social activities, and eating a varied diet of Vitamin D fortified foods.

Avoid Fire Hazards & Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Heaters, fireplaces, stoves, candles and holiday decorations pose many risks during the winter months. Avoid possible fires and carbon monoxide poisoning by following fire safety rules, abiding by manufacturer instructions, and making sure all alarms are functional. Keep holiday decorations neat and in good repair as well.

We hope everyone has a safe and fun winter season this year!

Cold Weather Safety Tips

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Holiday Find us on Facebook!

We’ve been sharing more and more on our Facebook page

recently and would love to have you join the conversation!

LIKE our Facebook page today!

www.Facebook.com/

LaConnerRetirementInn

Happy Birthday to…….

Elaine Schneidmiller 18th

Lonnie Neal 30th

And to our staff member,

Ashley Small 30th

Welcome to our newest resident

Don Pierce

The Nicest Present

Under the tree the gifts enthrall, but the nices present of them all is filling our thoughts with those who care, wanting our Christmas joy to share.

To you whom we’re often thing of, we send our holiday joy and love

By Joanna and Karl Fuchs

Ugly Sweater Fashion Show

On December 14th

We will showcase our ugliest holi-day sweater, and yes, most people have an ugly in their closet. Don

your sweater and join the fun

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December Highlights — You’re Invited!

Don’t forget the fabulous annual Family

Holiday Dinner on December 17

Happy Hour from 4:00-5:00

Dinner Buffet starts at 5:00

Make sure to RSVP by the 10th. We

have very limited seating so it’s really

important to reserve now.

There are so many great events and ac-

tivities during this month, and even

some last minute surprises, so hang

onto your mittens, we have a lot going

on!

Holiday

Remember to sign up for the drive to see the Holiday

Lights !!

Coming January 10 Don’t Get Scammed!

Educational presentation at

4:00. Hear about some scams that

people fell for and how you aren’t one

of them

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We went all out for Halloween and we

Had enough candy to eat the 200 little

ones that visited us.

Trudy’s 100th birthday part was a fabulous

event! She danced the afternoon away and vis-

ited with family and friends.

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