In summer, the days move lazily along. It is a season of freedom, where each day invites adventure and fun. This past summer, St. Louis Center residents enjoyed just that. The staff worked together to create a calendar of events to keep the residents busy, moving, and eating healthy.
Disability Day
On July 11th, the Social Services Department and 10 residents attended the Oakland County Fair’s “Day at the Fair” for individuals with disabilities to enjoy the rides and exhibits.
Healthy Living
Also, this past summer, one of the Direct Care Staff, Brad Crosier, led residents in weekly chair exercises that all could appreciate. The residents had fun working their muscles and minds during the Brad-ersize lessons!
Another activity to promote healthy living was an interactive cooking class conducted by MSU Extension on August 1st. Janelle Kantola, MSU instructor, taught the residents how to carefully measure dry and liquid ingredients and properly clean and slice fruits and vegetables. She provided a step-by-step guide that was easy for the residents to follow. The result was a mouth-watering mango salsa enjoyed by all.
Baseball, Hotdogs, and Fireworks
A fan favorite was attending a Lansing Lugnuts game with friends and family. On August 2nd, the Knights of Columbus sent a bus to the Center to take residents and staff “out to the ballgame.” This event was a blast, and the residents were excited to spend the day outside while watching one of America’s favorite pastimes.
Baby Wishes
In keeping with the season of fun, a very special event on campus was held for our very own Carlie Hartwick, one of our Assistant Program Directors. On August 8th, the residents hosted a touching baby shower for Carlie where they decorated onesies, had a photo booth, played traditional baby shower games, danced, and ate cake. It was a wonderful celebration of new life. Mary Alice was born on September 8th. We are all so happy for Carlie and her husband!
Food and Fun at the Fair
Fair week is almost like a national holiday in Chelsea. The entire community engages in this seasonal rite of passage. This year, St. Louis Center residents enjoyed visiting the exhibit barns, watching the demolition derby, having ice cream, and meeting new folks between August 20th-24th. They also had an amazing time participating in the Chelsea Fair parade! This year’s float theme was Rock-n-Roll, and the residents enjoyed dressing up as rock stars, waving and tossing candy to the crowds. The staff posed as ‘security,’ assisting residents with the candy.
Take Me Out to the Ball Game
August 28th was a grand day out to Comerica Park to see the Tigers play on Italian Heritage Night. Everyone enjoyed dining at the ballpark, but the stormy weather forced them to head home early.
On a River Cruise
A group of Alhambra members hosted the residents on a Detroit River Cruise on September 15th. The warm and calm weather was perfect for a boat ride. Center staff took 10 residents to Detroit to board the boat. They enjoyed music, dancing, food, and fellowship. Kristen had so much fun that she did not want to disembark. Maybe she will be first on board next year?
Read the entire issue of St. Louis Spirit here!
