Blog

They say laughter is the best medicine . . . so our residents took in a Comedy Performance here at the cottage the other night. There was some laughter and a few groans. . . but it was a unique way to spend the evening.

Puzzles are fast becoming the new pastime for our residents at the Cottage. No one can resist walking by our puzzle table and not adding a piece or two! We are working on a difficult chocolate themed puzzle now, and as you can see . . . no challenge is too big for our Betty! Look for the finished puzzle coming your way soon!

We live in an overstimulated society, where busy schedules lead to lack of connection, where many people go through life barely looking one another in the eye, where connection is summarized by scrolling down a Facebook newsfeed and clicking “Like” to show we care.  Research shows that helping others can be good for our overall health. It reduces stress, improves our emotional well-being and even benefits our physical health. Doing something nice for someone doesn't cost a lot of time or money. We have all been told that it's the small things in life that can make a big difference.   So, if you are not already in the habit of performing random kind acts — or if it does not come naturally to you — start by thinking about what you like to do.  It’s not about you being like, ‘Oh man, now I have to learn how to bake cookies in order to be nice’.  It’s about, what skills and talents do you already have?  And how can you turn that into an offering for other people? If you do nothing else today, keep an eye out for an opportunity to help someone with a random act of kindness or hold onto that warm feeling, when someone helps you.  Here is a quick list of 10 things to consider: Read stories to school children. Hold the door open for someone. Smile at everyone you see today. Tape some coins on a vending machine for someone else to find. Leave a kind note in a library book. Donate an old toy to charity. Leave positive notes in random places. Help someone with their bags. Buy someone in the queue a coffee. Volunteer at a homeless shelter. Remember, acts of kindness can be done all year round!

Join us at Columbia Cottage Collegeville on October 28th for candy, snacks, and tons of fun!

Nothing beats the summer heat like a sparkling wine spritzer!  Residents are enjoying Wednesday Happy Hours in the country kitchen.  Everyone is enjoying trying new summertime drinks such as spritzers and peach moscato, along with freshly made snacks and dips from our amazing chefs!

Have you met our two Resident Service Coordinators?  Chris became part of the Cottage team in April and Susan followed along in May.  Together, this dynamic duo is keeping everyone happy and healthy! Questions about medications, appointments, procedures – just ask and they are ready to assist!  Not feeling well, just ring your call bell and the nurse will come see you.

Our residents keep our cottage and our dining room tables looking beautiful with fresh flower arrangements! "A flower’s appeal is in its contradictions — so delicate in form yet strong in fragrance, so small in size yet big in beauty, so short in life yet long on effect." – Terri Guillemets

Residents are moving and grooving . . . singing along to the oldies but goodies with Mindy! Exercise can definitely be fun, especially when you are dancing in your seats!

Peachy Facts Peaches are the third most popular fruit grown in America. United States provides about 25% of the world's total supply, while China and Italy supply about 62%. Georgia produces 25,000 ton of peaches, But California grows the most at 510,000 tons followed by North Carolina. Peaches are from the rose family, and they produce 5 petal pink blossoms. Peaches are known to reduce anxiety and are often referred to as the "fruit of Calmness". Peaches are classified as a drupe, which is a fruit with a hard stone. Peaches get their flavor from their variety not their color. DID YOU KNOW that August is also GOLDEN? The anniversaries of the Klondike Gold Rush (Aug. 16), the designation  of Klondike Gold Rush National  Historic Park (Aug. 5), Gold Rush Days in Valdez, Alaska (Aug. 3) and Oronoco, Minnesota (Aug. 19), and so much more. We hope “Yukon” enjoy it all! August was named to honor the first Roman emperor (and grandnephew of Julius Caesar), Augustus Caesar. August’s zodiac signs are Leo (July 23–August 22) and Virgo (August 23–September 22). August’s birth flowers are the gladiolus and the poppy. The gladiolus symbolizes strength of character, sincerity, and generosity. The poppy symbolizes eternal sleep, oblivion, and also imagination. August’s primary birthstone is peridot, which is said to symbolize strength and healing power, protecting its wearer from nightmares and evil, ensuring harmony and happiness. Babies born in August are lucky to be guarded by peridot’s good fortune. August is the month of sandwiches! This makes sense because the sandwich was invented in August of 1762 when the Earl of Sandwich (yes, that’s a real guy) requested two pieces of bread with meat inside.

We made some wonderful memories during the month of July, including a festive Red White and Blue 4 th of July Barbeque!  We enjoyed an afternoon listening to the melodies of a harpist.  We have been keeping up with baseball games and rooting for the Phillies.   But the best memories are all the friends and families visiting with the residents.

To increase the safety of our visitors and staff, a new camera has been added to the building, allowing us to keep an eye on the parking lot. We are keeping the trees trimmed to allow all the parking lot lights to shine bright.  With visitors and staff coming at going throughout the day and evening – safety is our priority!

Summertime is meant for relaxing.  Residents are spending time in our courtyards soaking in the sun.  This season we have all new comfy cushions for the chairs and two big umbrellas to beat the heat! Residents are enjoying all the birds coming by to eat from our feeders. . .  but the biggest kick the residents have is watching our maintenance man Mike chase away the squirrels stealing the bird feed!