Category Archives: Posts

Sue Vogel's kite

Vogels Go Fly A Kite

Dick and Sis Vogel have been kite-makers and flyers for a number of years. Living in The Mayflower Community (Grinnell, Iowa), they pursue their art, building frames and sewing skins for their specialized kites. Then, they travel around the country, attending kite festivals and competitions. When you tell them to “Go fly a kite,” they

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Snow storm hits Mayflower Community - snow before being cleared

Moving All That Snow

The Mayflower Community (Grinnell, Iowa) is fortunate to have 16 Facilities staff members who can be mobilized for any campus emergency…including moving all this darn snow. With 10 lineal miles of roadway, parking, sidewalks, and entrances to clear on the Mayflower campus, the work starts as early as possible. Typically, that means 5:30am, as our

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Colleen McGriff celebrating 102nd birthday

Coleen McGriff Turns 102

Mayflower Community resident, Coleen McGriff, celebrated her 102nd birthday last Sunday. With the assistance of our Beebe assisted living staff, Coleen “gussied up” for the event that included dinner with family and birthday snacks. Certified Medication Aide (CMA), Sharla O’Halloran, helped Coleen shop for a new outfit. After lunch in the Buckley Dining Room, the

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Mayflower Executive Director, Steve Langerud

Expertise in Grinnell

Steve Langerud, Executive Director of The Mayflower Community, is a nationally known facilitator and career counselor. Having previously worked with Grinnell College, the University of Iowa School of Law, DePauw University (Greencastle IN), and Maharishi University of Management (Fairfield IA), Langerud has counseled students while performing consulting engagements. For the past couple of months, Langerud

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Dawn Helm with the Iowa Department of Human Services speaks about Medicaid at Mayflower Community Lunch and Learn

How Does This Darned Medicaid Thing Work?

The answer to that question with more detail was provided at February 5th’s Lunch-and-Learn hosted by The Mayflower Community (Grinnell, Iowa). Dawn Helm, Income Maintenance Supervisor, Iowa Department of Human Services spoke, providing helpful information for Grinnell-area professionals and Mayflower staff. This is the second Lunch-and-Learn provided in a series with more offerings to come.

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penguine cartoon

Walk Like a Penguin

It’s February in Iowa. That means the “Ice Age” cometh! The Mayflower Community (Grinnell, Iowa) reminds you to take extreme caution walking (and driving, of course) on ice. One fall can put your life in a tailspin…even if you don’t fall on your tail. Here are tips to keep in mind when walking on ice

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Shown enjoying Chinese New Year treats are, from left, Kathleen Heffner, Myrt Canfield, and Jennie Canfield. In the back is volunteer Carolyn Orndorff

Mayflower…Always Celebrating

Today (February 5th) is the Chinese New Year. It is marked by a Spring Festival that celebrates the beginning of the new year on the traditional Chinese calendar. This day is one of several Lunar New Years observed in Asia. This year celebrates the Year of the Pig. The festival has traditionally been a time

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John Noer getting ready for his next 40,000-piece puzzle.

40,000 Piece Puzzle…Sure. Sure!

He’s doing it again! After recently completing a 9,000-piece jigsaw puzzle, Mayflower Community (Grinnell, Iowa) resident, John Noer, just acquired a 40,000-piece puzzle. Having nothing to do for the next couple of years, he may be able to come up with the 22-foot long creation. Standing six feet tall, the puzzle depicts vivid Disney® characters

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Samantha Kotz, DPT; Kellie McGriff, AD/NHA; Stacey Alberts, Owner/PT/OCS/CSCS; Jordan Finch-Smith, DPT; and Brittany Sleeuwenhoek, OTR/L

Mayflower and Total Rehab Partner

Two of Grinnell’s (Iowa) top professional organizations have partnered to coordinate services. The Mayflower Community’s residents and staff will receive therapy services from Total Rehab Orthopedic & Sports Specialist, P.C. Under the direction of Total Rehab’s owner, Stacey Alberts, PT/OCS/CSCS, therapy services are led by: Physical therapist, Dr. Jordan Finch-Smith, DPT Occupational therapist, Brittany Sleeuwenhoek,

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Bonnie presenting the “check” to Mayflower Executive Director, Steve Langerud.

Residents Donate Possessions/Mayflower Wins

The Mayflower Residents Association (MRA) of The Mayflower Community (Grinnell, Iowa) operates a retail store, The Mini Gift Shop. Operations are managed by a committee of resident members of the MRA. The stock is gifts of residents’ and friends’ gently used (some never used) personal items. The Committee gets items ready for sale, prices them,

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