Beech Tree News Network

The Christmas season is such a wonderful time of year and the elders, stakeholders, and family members of Morgantown Care and Rehab Center are embracing every bit of it. 

This past week the elders have participated in a variety of activities.  The week was kicked off with the home hosting Pancakes with Santa, which is an event we hope to continue annually.  Children, adults, families, and elders gathered as one in the lobby for a pancake bar, made special reindeer food, wrote letters to Santa, and took a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  Following the event it was off to the parade! 

Resident Jean Hazelip was escorted through the parade by Chaplain Derek Cain while fellow residents cheered on the sidelines. 
If this wasn’t enough excitement, Morgantown Care and Rehab Center had three more exciting events for the week.  On Monday, Chaplain Derek Cain and Jamie Howard, Director of Admissions and Marketing were featured on WBKO-TV to promote the annual Blue Christmas Service scheduled for Saturday, December 19th at 6:30 pm.  This was followed by a special Tree Lighting event on Tuesday, where families brought in ornaments that reminded them of their loved ones.  The night was filled with Christmas cheer as the Butler County High School Chamber Choir entertained the crowd with holiday music, the wonderful dietary staff at Morgantown Care and Rehab Center prepared delicious hors d’oeuvres, and elders and families shared stories of times gone by.  Elder, Yvonne Pharris stated, “The night was really nice.  I liked being able to remember my husband who passed away by putting an ornament on our tree.” 
The last large event of the week was a very special one for kindergarteners at Morgantown Elementary. 

The elders worked hard preparing for the event by stringing jingle bells and practicing their lines as they prepared for the reading of The Polar Express.  On Thursday, ninety kindergarteners and their teachers from Morgantown Elementary arrived at our home dressed in their pajamas.  Our conductor, elder Spillman Reynolds and ticket master, Sally Miller welcomed the group as they gathered their train tickets.  The students made their way to their seats as elders Myrtle Givens, Pat Broussard, Marge Terry, and Bonnie McKinney read the famous story.  After the reading the students were served hot chocolate and cookies, which were donated from Country Oven Bakery.  With excitement and cheer in the air, elders, stakeholders, teachers, and students ended the event with joyful Christmas songs that the students had been rehearsing.
Although busy, the events were filled with fun and laughter.  As the week came to a close our stakeholders reflected on the joy that filled our home.  Elders, family members, stakeholders, and the community have all given our home praise as we make memories for those who live at Morgantown Care and Rehab Center.  For our home, we wouldn’t have it any other way, and we are blessed to have such a wonderful community that helps to support our vision and mission.

Submitted by Jamie Howard