|
Scroll down to see even more of Riverview's recent happenings! |
|
Riverview's Recent Happenings:
 |
 |
 |
 |
| A Journey to the Big Top
We may not have piled into a comical and cramped clown car, but thirteen Riverview residents still couldn't resist the opportunity to clown around at the annual Shrine Circus in Sioux Falls this spring. Joined by Riverview volunteers and staff, these Riverview revelers enjoyed a spectacular show and a special visit from a positively radiant clown. Ever so considerate, they even brought back enough cotton candy for all the Riverview residents back home! Here are just a few snapshots of the fun. Pictured, top row: Beula Hay, Bev Bothe, volunteer Rachel, Nema Ehlers, Edna Schipper, and Elizabeth Lee |
|||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Meet Riverview's Easter Agents
If Santa has his elves, then the Easter Bunny has his . . . Spring Chickens? Considering these Riverview residents are truly young at heart, then maybe the title does fit! |
 |
|
| Riverview residents Lawrence Eng, Rose Pray, Ella Evans, and Elizabeth Lee, joined by Activity Assistant Rosemary Jaacks, hopped over to Happy Face Place (see right) and Tammy's Daycare (above) during one of the chilliest Easter weeks in memory. Even while braving the windy and grey weather, they were virtual rays of sunshine as they delivered Easter treats to each of the children, warming everyone's hearts - if not their hands - in the process!
Above left: Lawrence Eng with his great-grandson Jadon Above right: Rose Pray |
 |
 |
Riverview's Eggs-ceptional Easter This Easter season, our residents and volunteers set out to decorate the quintessential Easter accessory (because we all know Easter baskets just aren't complete without a creatively-dyed Easter egg)! At right, Helen Schoeneman works with a Flandreau Indian School volunteer to reach the perfect shade of periwinkle, while Bev Bothe (below) and her FIS friend develop a more crimson hue. Not to be outdone, Rose Pray worked on bicolor eggs, and Dorothy Krull chose to forgo any risk of stained fingers. Instead, she observed while granddaughter-in-law Kristina and great-granddaughters Hannah and Grace got into all the egg action! After viewing the finished products, we all agree - it was eggs-ceptional work all around! |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| Spontaneous Snapshots
At left, Mick Ramsdell "gets his jingle on" during Riverview's Rhythm Band practice. Thankfully, his spirited jingles did not beckon forth any spring snow! At right, Dolly Keehn enjoys some one-on-one time with Activity Assistant Bev Mason's granddaughter Jada Lynn. Can you believe they share a 100-year age difference?? Here's to proving that friendship has no age limits! |
||
 Mick Ramsdell |
Celebrating an Irish Spring Only on St. Patrick's Day could Scandinavian-abundant Riverview suddenly become 100% Irish! We had a day of green-hearted fun as colored attire, Irish themed menu choices, and "leprechaun" visits encouraged our staff, residents, and visitors to embrace their inner Irishmen. Leprechaun John Phelan delivered Irish cheer and left behind a treasure of golden smiles, while our Irish Sing-a-Long, led by Tom Stenger and accompanied by Virginia Haman, brought out the "Erin go Bragh" in us all. By the end of the day, the Irish eyes weren't the only ones smiling! |
 Sally Peper |
 Lawrence Eng |
 Riverview's Lighthearted Leprechauns |
 Bev Bothe |
|
||
|
 |
 |
 |
||
|
||||
 |
Making a Brighter Day With cherished hymns, graceful melodies, and beautifully blended harmonies, Riverview's "Brighter Day Singers" can lighten our moods and lift our hearts - even on the coldest, darkest winter day. Each month, Riverview's residents are treated to a spectacular concert from the Brighter Day Singers, comprised of volunteers (and Riverview staff members) Araceli Garcia, Alma and Tito Bagunoc, and RN Junnette Refugia. You'll often find our residents singing along to their favorite hymns as our ministerial minstrels share their talents, friendship, and uplifting message with a song and a smile. Psalms 1286:2a and 3: "Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. . . The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." |
 |
Riverview's Baking Battalion
|
 |
|
While some put "money where their mouth is," Riverview's residents have instead chosen cookies. We're reaching out to the front lines through a highly specialized unit: Riverview's Baking Battalion. Armed with flour, sugar, and plenty of home-town well-wishes, our residents and staff have been baking each week to send "tastes of home" to Spc. David Souther and his fellow troops stationed in Iraq. David, the son of executive housekeeper Sharon Scofield, embarked on his second tour of duty with the United States Army last April, and his unit has been working to train Iraqi forces throughout the country. In addition to our patriotic pastries, Riverview's residents have also begun a correspondence campaign with a few of the servicemen and servicewomen serving alongside David.
This isn't the first time Riverview's residents have embraced their patriotic duty with oven mitts. Last fall, we joined in a community effort spearheaded by Curt Eng, Lee Rose, and the Second Presbyterian Church's Kingdom Assignment Program to bake and deliver 125 dozen cookies for the units of local soldiers stationed in Afghanistan. If you know a member of the military who might like a cookie sprinkled with home-town love and support, please contact Riverview at 605.997.2481 or via email at WeCare@riverviewhealth.com. Above, from left to right: Nema Ehlers, our baking residents and staff, and Rose Pray |
Sharon Scofield with son David, from Christmas 2009 |
|
 |
Spontaneous Snapshots
On a cold night, snuggling up to a furball provides comfort, warmth, and in this case - a substantial cushion! Here, Elizabeth Lee, Rose Pray, and Tigger share a couch (and a remote). Rose red or cardinal crimson? Nema Ehlers gives Activity Assistant Tammie Kneebone her final color approval during a weekly manicure. |
 |
.
|
|||
 |
 |
||
| Riverview's veterans include: Mick Ramsdell, Army/WWII; George Woelk, Army/WWII; Kenny Rahn, Merchant Marines/WWII and Army/Korea; Alvin Dykstra, Army/WWII and Korea; Lawrence Eng, Army/WWII; Dean Ekern, Navy/WWII; and Jim Latham, Army/WWII. Mick and Lawrence are pictured above with several of our community's veterans that attended the luncheon. | |||
 Iva Erickson and Tommy |
Meet Riverview's Furriest Friends
Tipper, Kadie, Tigger, and our newest pal Tommy provide an extra infusion of life, excitement, joy, and unconditional friendship for our animal-loving residents. Numerous studies have shown that interaction with animals delivers both physical and psychological benefits, including lowered blood pressure, reduced cholesterol, relief of depression symptoms, reduced loneliness, increased socialization, and enhanced quality of life. These scientific studies only support what we already know: Riverview’s residents are blessed to have such wonderful furry friends. |
 Mary Johnson with Kadie and Tipper |
| Cheers to the New Year at Riverview
Above right: Ordith Kirby, Elizabeth Lee, and Sally Peper |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
|
Snow-Sliding into 2011! What's a little snow and sleet when you have New Year's cheer to heat things up? We rang in the new year with great fun, delicious food, and fabulous entertainment, despite the truly awful weather. Volunteer Libby Heineman opened up the evening with a beautiful selection of religious-themed songs while our brave (and partially snowed-in) staff distributed champagne punch and hors d'œuvres. Singer/guitarist Geoffrey Grafing then took the stage. An assistant in our dietary department, Geoffrey quickly warmed up the crowd with his set, dazzling all of our residents with his guitar talents and jazzy repertoire. Given such a memorable end to a memorable year, we can only resolve to make this new year as fun-filled, merry, and unforgettable as the evening that rang it in. Happy New Year to you and yours! Right: Libby Heineman; Below: Nema Ehlers, Sally Peper, and Bev Bothe  |
 |
 |
 |
A "Bouquet of Thanks"
While we know the lovely ladies of Riverview are naturally blessed with beautiful tresses and stylish hair styles, we're going to share a secret: our local beauticians "supplement" their clients' natural beauty with weekly stylings. This holiday season, local hairdresser Jim Gerlach presented all of his clients with a special holiday rose bouquet in appreciation of their patronage. While we couldn't capture all of the ensuing smiles, here are Vi Peper and Bev Bothe showcasing their petalled "bouquet of thanks." |
 |
 |
 |
| 'Tis the Season
If you've had the opportunity to visit Riverview this holiday season, you've probably noticed our wonderful Christmas decorations throughout the building. From the light display twinkling outside our residents' windows, seen below on a snowy evening, to our beautiful Christmas trees - we've brought the festive spirit of the season both indoors and out for our residents to enjoy. This year, stars of wonder were brought even closer to our residents as Mario Velasquez, Riverview's maintenance director, designed traditional Filipino star decorations as a personal gift for Riverview's residents. These hanging stars can be seen in the Activity Room and outside the building's main entrance. Thank you, Mario, for sharing your talent and time with our residents, for "lighting up our life" - quite literally(!), and for creating a joyous starburst for all to enjoy. Merry Christmas, indeed! Don't forget to check out even more seasonal fun from this year's Resident Christmas Party and Precious Moments Live Nativity! |
||
|
Decking Out Our Halls In a season filled with holiday sweaters, homemade boughs of holly, Christmas cookies, and festively decorated mantles, it appears that the holiday season appeals to the artist within. From baking to painting to crafts, Riverview's residents were no exception to this manifestation of Christmas spirit! Our activity department was very busy this month, and their seasonal masterpieces, including the Christmas corsages and Bethlehem stars pictured here, brought a lovely addition of holiday cheer throughout Riverview. Top left: Louise Albright paints a Bethlehem star with CNA Patty Dexter Bottom left: Ordy Kirby and Activity Assistant Tammie Kneebone |
||||
 |
 Ruby Moeller and Activity Assistant Rosemary Jaacks |
 Hazel Poverud |
 Virgil Strenge |
 |
Having It Your Way at Riverview
Our 4th McDonalds Day, courtesy of Riverview "McSantas" Lester and Peggy Bisson, had our residents and staff truly "lovin' it!" If you think Bev Bothe and Sally Peper were having a good time, check out the rest of Riverview's McFun! |
| Here We Go, A-Caroling
RIverview's residents have been blessed with many wonderful caroling groups this holiday season. On behalf of our residents, staff, and visitors, we'd like to thank all of the carolers for sharing their gift of song sprinkled with Christmas spirit and dipped in holiday cheer! These pictures are just a sampling of the talented groups that helped to brighten our halls and hearts this Christmas. On the left: Ward's Immanuel Lutheran Church, under the direction of Pastor Paul Gunderson |
 |
Rolling Plains Mennonite Church
 The family of Fern Boll, Riverview LPN |
 Danny Thomas, son of Peggy Smith |
 Putting on a show! |
 The Methodist Sunday School Children |
Flandreau's Methodist Church
 Residents Mick Ramsdell, Alice DeBoer, Kenny Rahn, Bev Bothe, and Riverview founder LouElla Nace share a moment by the tree with the Methodist carolers |
 |
 |
 |
 Vi Peper with nieces Chelsea and Brenna |
Making Spirits Bright: The FHS Chorus
Flandreau High School's Chorus, under the direction of Terra Pfeifer, traveled to Riverview this holiday season to serenade our residents with a collection of holiday music and choral pieces, including a selection from the FHS Boys' All-State Quartet, featuring Adam Day, son of Maggie Day, RN, and Leighton Blum, son of dietary assistant Kelli Blum. The crowd enjoyed both the musicians' talent and company, as many resident family members, friends, and neighbors were among the performers. We are blessed to have such talented youth in our community, and their performance and presence was a special Christmas gift for our residents. Thank you! Pictured above, from left to right: Maggie Day with son Adam; Myrna Larson with granddaughter Amy; and Kelli Blum with son Leighton |
|
Thank you, FHS Chorus!
 |
Spontaneous Snapshots
If you've ever wondered what a "dog's life" is like at Riverview, look no further than the photo at left. Here, Tipper graciously shares the couch with Riverview friend Lester Bisson. Do you think he was waiting for Lester to finish the sports or the opinion section? |
 Sally Peper |
 Helen Schoeneman |
 Vi Peper |
 Iva Erickson |
|
Give "Peas" a Chance!
Halloween was the perfect opportunity for Riverview's residents to see our newest "pea in the pod," Kalel Bamba, the newborn son of Riverview staff members Hersey and Eman Bamba. Kalel joins big brother Drew, and together these boys went on a very special "trick or treat" meet and greet with our residents (their proud parents in tow, of course)! While Kalel quickly charmed all of his new friends and admirers with his sweet smile, he decided to charm Iva Erickson with his vocal prowess. He might need a little more leg room in his legume! For more Halloween tricks & treats, check out photos from RIverview's Family & Friend Corner and our Great Pumpkin Masquerade Ball. |
|||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Riverview Sends a "Taste of Home" Overseas
There's nothing like a homemade morsel baked with love to remind us of home, and thanks to Riverview's wonderful baking elves, over 60 dozen homemade "memories" were recently sent overseas. As part of a community effort led by Curt Eng and Lee Rose (pictured at right with Nema Ehlers), our residents and staff contributed their cookie-baking prowess to support and honor our servicemen and women in Afghanistan. The combined community effort, supplemented with funds from the Second Presbyterian Church Kingdom Assignment program, resulted in 125 dozen cookies . . . surely leading to 125 dozen smiles . . . Now, who's got the milk? Pictured above, from left to right: Ethel Snyder, Nema Ehlers, and Bev Bothe |
|||
| Throwing the Dice with Riverview's Night Owls
This October, the high school youth group from Sts. Simon & Jude Catholic Church stepped beyond traditional catechism and ventured into the world of . . . . late-night gaming and cards??? Does the Pope know? Not to worry! In an act of service and community outreach, these wonderful guys and gals bridged the generational gap with ease, enjoying the timeless fun of checkers, Yahtzee, cards, and other games with our residents. From games of chance to games of skill, Riverview's Night Owls truly enjoyed an evening with these "competitors" that soon became friends. |
 Alice DeBoer |
 Bev Bothe |
 Rose Pray |
 A very special thank you to the great kids and leaders from Sts. Simon & Jude Catholic Church. You're all welcome back anytime!!! |
||
 Dorothy Krull |
 Veryl Rudd |
 Rose Holvig |
||
Oh, Good Gourd!
|
||||
 Alice DeBoer |
 Elizabeth Lee
|
 Marvel Bartelt with daughters JoAnn and Carol |
Little Friends & Big Hearts Our residents have so many gifts to share - time, talents, wisdom, great stories, kindness, guidance, and some pretty wicked senses of humor - just to name a few. And there's nothing they love more than sharing those gifts with family, friends, and visitors. Often, the children and grandchildren of staff members come up to visit, and they soon find themselves having an awesome time with their newfound pals. It's not unusual to see staff visiting during non-working hours, frequently bringing their family members (and some pets!) to see their Riverview friends. Makayla, the granddaughter of activity assistant Bev Mason, never fails to bring her enthusiasm or great smile during her frequent visits. Rowden, the son of administrative assistant Stacey Hunter (and grandson of dietary manager Sharon Grafing), comes every Friday to play Wii with the residents. Ella Kay, the sweet granddaughter of activity assistant Tammie Kneebone, has also found a special place in many of our residents' hearts. Even Roscoe, the golden retriever of administrator JoAnn Lind, likes to make evening visits to entertain the dog-lovers of Riverview. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You can also check out Riverview's Yearly Highlights to see some of our favorite annual events, or visit our Site Map to see a selection of archived events.
