Since we couldn’t gather for big group activities during the holiday season, we made the rounds with our festive treat cart on several occasions. Santa even came by to help out one time! 🎅
We have a few talented pianists in our Memory Care at Arbor Lakes Senior Living, and we love hearing them play! 🎹🎼
Here’s a quick clip of one of our Memory Care residents showing of her talent on the piano!
The week kicked off with a fair-themed scavenger hunt, 4-H exhibit, and cotton candy on Monday. On Tuesday we served some classic (and tasty) fair foods to-go: corn dogs, cheese curds, and lemonade. Residents who stopped by for food were also able to spin a prize wheel and submit an answer to our “how many Hershey Kisses” guessing game. On Wednesday residents enjoyed mini donuts and played a fun “rolling doubles” dice game. Thursday’s treat was “pick-a-pop” floats where residents could use classic root beer or select another pop for their float, and then participate in a “ring toss” game. While it may have been a little different this year, it’s safe to say we all had a blast and that bringing the Minnesota State Fair right to our community was a HUGE success!
Here are photos of the 4-H exhibit we held in our dining room as part of our Minnesota State Fair week. Several 4-H student members from Hennepin, Sherburne, and Carver counties dropped off their projects for us to enjoy for the week. We also had photo printouts of projects completed by other 4-H members to display as well. Thank you to our local 4-H students for sharing your talents and hard work with us!
We are so grateful to members of North Star Therapy Animals who put on a pet parade for us recently. Our community members loved the opportunity to meet and pet the four dogs and bunny that visited!
The very talented Bill Mann treated Arbor Lakes Senior Living to an amazing outdoor performance recently! He played at four different spots around our building, allowing residents to watch and listen from their balconies, apartments, or while social distancing on our patios. Thank you so much for sharing your amazing talents with us, Bill! ???
The Glory Bound Band comes to Arbor Lakes to share their gift of gospel music. Their talents and kind souls lifted everyone up!
Following the Glory Bound Band concert, a few tenants decided to hang around for a little “after party.” One of them was Frank, who said he felt “like a stranger in paradise” surrounded by his friends. The group’s fun and non-stop laughter could be heard throughout the building. Such a beautiful thing it is to hear friends just enjoying each other’s company so much!
THE MOOSE IS LOOSE!
Naturalist Melonie Shipman came by Arbor Lakes Senior Living and for a very interesting and educational talk on these large and fascinating animals. Here’s a brief description of her
“Moose is Loose” presentation:
From the big-eyed white-tailed beauties in our Minnesota yards to the caribou of Alaska’s tundra and big-limbed moose of the north woods, lifelong naturalist Melonie Shipman has been engaged with the deer family for decades. This presentation explores their special adaptations and lifestyles as vegetarians who must manage long, snowy winters and multiple predators to survive. You may have seen these animals many times in-person or photos, and now you can look on them with new eyes as you learn the rest of the story.
Children from around Maple Grove swung by for a fun, festive night of trick-or-treating. Everyone had a blast!
Magician Markus Clegg brought his “Magic and the Handshadow Act” to Arbor Lakes for Halloween!
Markus was extraordinarily entertaining with his humor, magic, and handshadow act. We were able to watch shadow animals come to life as he created scenes of drama and comedy. It was a whimsical and enchanting performance that wowed the entire audience. What great entertainment for everyone to enjoy on Halloween!
The Allens have been thrilling audiences worldwide with their unique blend of family harmony and energizing creativity for more than two decades.
In 1996, Todd and Michelle Allen began the journey to follow a call to full-time evangelistic ministry with their four young children, traveling all across North America in motorhomes and buses. With the addition of more voices came the innovative, modern sound that has captivated thousands. Now, after more than 20 years of ministry, The Allens continue to be one of the signature faces of the new Gospel music movement, making an impact for Christ around the world.
We owe a huge THANK YOU to our tenants David and Bev Birch for making this concert happen. They have been friends with the Allen Family for years. We are so lucky to have them take time in the busy tour schedule to stop here and perform.
We would also like to extend a huge THANK YOU to the Allen Family for including us on their tour. Their harmony, inspiring message of hope, and warm hearts lifted our spirits.
