Dear Family and Friends,
The Holiday Season kicked off the day after Thanksgiving as decorations were taken out and immediately setup. Each unit competed in its Annual Decorating Contest and the Great Room, Staff Dining Room and the Dietary Kitchen were decorated for the holidays. The winner of the unit contest will be announced on Monday 12/21/20. On Monday all residents and staff will be served a special festive dessert.
Hanukkah was recognized each day for our residents with a daily candle lighting of the Menorahs. Our residents were provided with Hanukkah songs through our Channel 3 TV station. The Activities Department worked with the residents, individually, and, when able, in social-distant programming to create different holiday crafts and paintings throughout the month.
This past Wednesday, December 16, staff joined the Activities Department in Holiday Caroling throughout the facility. Residents and staff alike laughed, sang and danced as we went around to each unit to spread holiday cheer.
Our Annual Resident Holiday Gift Trees were put up as residents were asked what they would want for the holidays. Staff chose resident(s) that they wished to purchase gift(s) for and every resident, whether at Putnam Ridge for short term rehab or long term care will be receiving at least 1 gift on Christmas Day. Those residents that do not celebrate Christmas were given their gifts prior to the holiday. Additional gifts, cards and well wishes from our friends in the community including; Green Chimneys, R.S.V.P of Putnam (Retired Senior Volunteer Program), members from Sacred Heart Church and the Patterson Rotary Club have all been gracious during these challenging times.
Music is always an integral part of the resident’s lives, especially during the holidays and the staff has ensured that a variety of holiday music has played on the units. Additionally, The Activities Department streams live concerts from Bosco, a lively performer/musician who, prior to the pandemic, was a regular entertainer for Putnam Ridge. Bob Yapchanyk, a musician that offers a large repertoire of songs, which recently began performing live and Eva Clemence, an aspiring performer/singer that previously performed live for the residents earlier in the year.
Our friends from Sacred Heart Church in Patterson and the Chorus Group from St. Lawrence O’Toole Church in Brewster recorded holiday performances that were shown on Channel 3 for residents to enjoy.
We will be sending out 2020 with a live streamed concert from Juan Ortega with hopes that the doors will open soon and we will be able to, once again, utilize the Great Room for parties and events for you and your loved ones!
Our Holiday meal is below.
Wishing you a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season,
Janet
