Bethlen Almanac 1997 (Ligonier)

The Bethlen Home

Edith Kovács and Esther Berkey at the Christmas Bazaar.

activities held several times a year is when the petting zoo visits. The residents are able to interact with a variety of animals such as ponies, pot belly pigs, goats, down to the smallest kitten and bunny. Several residents often have trouble letting their pet go home.

Holidays are often celebrated with parties and entertainment during the afternoon. February is especially fun when the Activity Department sponsors a King and Queen of Hearts Contest. Several residents are nominated. The staff, families and residents vote for their favorite couple. The crowning is held on Valentine’s Day and each resident is acknowledged with a gift for being a good sport.

The staff soon becomes a member of the resident’s family. They take interest in what is going on in your life and you find yourself doing the same for them. In October 1997, one of the Activity Staff members was getting married. The residents enjoyed planning a bridal shower which entailed making favors, programs and a cook book for the new bride. The day of the shower, the residents anxiously awaited to present their basket of canned goods that went along with their recipes. The residents also purchased a gift from their bingo prize winnings. Surprisingly enough many of our lady residents had never attended a shower before. After the wedding, the residents were able to view a video of the wedding along with bridal and honeymoon photographs.

48