Pictured: Gordon VanDonselaar (top right of photo), Gordon’s son Roger VanDonselaar, Roger’s wife, Dr. Teresa Coon, and Dr. Coon’s mother Ruth Ann Coon of Davenport. A festive meal with residents and guests present was served in The Mayflower Community (Grinnell IA) Buckley Dining Room on Christmas Day. The menu included baked ham, roast beef, mashed…
During the week of Christmas, Mayflower staff members dressed for the celebration. On Sunday “Pajama Day,” nurse Donna Puls was an elf in “too warm” flannel pajamas. Between resident cares, the “Elf was on the Shelf.” For Monday’s “Christmas Characters Day,” we had reindeer, a human Christmas tree complete with flashing lights, and “Christmas Story’s”…
On Friday, December 20th, students from the Central Iowa Christian School (Grinnell IA) took a break the day before Christmas vacation for a movie, popcorn, and drinks in The Mayflower Community Kiesel Theatre. With a seating capacity of 55, the theatre was nearly full with students, teachers, and chaperones. They sat in the seats that…
On Sunday, December 15th, men’s and women’s swimmers from Grinnell College spent time enjoying games with Mayflower Community Health Center residents. As the students readied for the first-semester finals week, they found time to let down and have some fun. Especially interesting was watching resident Connie Osborn, author of a children’s book about the effects…
On Wednesday, December 18th, members of the 7th & 8th grade Student Council from the Grinnell Middle School came to The Mayflower Community Health Center for activities with residents. According to their sponsor, Paula Simon, the students enjoy this outing so much that they convinced her to schedule this one more before winter break. While…
On Wednesday, December 18th, residents of The Mayflower Community Health Center and Beebe Assisted Living enjoyed a special Christmas luncheon. Complete with musical entertainment and a visit from Santa Clause, diners enjoyed a fried chicken, green bean, and potato and gravy meal topped off with a chocolate brownie pudding desert. Resident Shane Estes played Santa…
Two Grinnell College students conducted focus groups of residents on the Mayflower Community campus to explore residents’ spirituality needs. This is a follow-up project to a wellness study performed during the spring semester 2019, both studies for the Advanced Anthropology class taught by Professor Monty Roper. The goal of the recent study was to dig…
On Tuesday, December 17th, Rev. Ross Epping, pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Grinnell, led the weekly Mayflower Community chapel service. Special music was provided by the Mayflower Bell Choir, directed by Karen Phillips. The regular Tuesday service is a nondenominational offering of the Mayflower Residents Association and is open to all Mayflower residents…
In a previous story about holiday decorations in The Mayflower Community, a couple of areas were not included. Pictured now is the beautiful tree with presents underneath located in the Pearson building lobby. The other pictures are of the striking holiday décor throughout the Watertower Square building. The spirit is in the air! — Bob…
On Friday, December 13th, members of the Mayflower Book Club provided Christmas readings and music for residents of Beebe Assisted Living. Led by Jean Libbey playing “Hugo,” the cello, members of the Book Club read stories of Christmas. In one of the vignettes, Jean played “Silent Night,” followed by Betty Anne Francis reading about the…