A Fairy Nice Purim

OK. let's just get this out of the way. Yes, I was the Tooth Fairy for Purim this year. Now you may wash your eyes out and go on with the rest of this post.

So, here are some pictures from the rest of Purim.

They include a visit from 7th graders from Gross Schechter Day School who made masks with us, 2nd grade boys from Hebrew Academy who came to sing with us, and our own Purim party here where staff and residents got into the spirit by dressing up, wearing silly hats, noses and balloons, and generally having a great time!

Chanukah 2014

I haven't posted here in a while, but I just uploaded a little snippet to YouTube. It's short and the camera work is shaky (I won't mention any names, but her initials are Sarah Taub), but it'll give you a little flavor of our 11th annual "Rock For All Ages Chanukah Concert."

Here's the YouTube link:

http://youtu.be/Uh7r4E8Cwz0

4th Time's a Charm

We tried three times to have an outdoor campfire in July, but as everyone knows, July gets very cold and rainy around here. Wait, I might be thinking of October. But, parts of this July were a little like October. So, we had three indoor campfires, minus the fire.

Finally, on our 4th try, we got a perfect night. Below, you can see the makings of my one-match-fire - tinder, kindling, and fuel all organized, lined up and ready to go. Now, if only I could organize my desk like that.

(No Activities Directors were harmed in the making of this burning shirt special effect)

Goodtimes Keep on Rolling

Last month we took our annual Goodtime III cruise up and down the mighty Cuyahoga River and into Lake Erie. The weather was a little rough, but not too bad. I was the only one who went up to the second deck and it was windy and chilly. But all had a  - it has to be said - good time.

This trip was so popular that we're offering it again this month for people who did not get to go the first time.

Little Sister Helen Has a Birthday

Our "little sister" Helen had a birthday.

Our cutting edge, ground breaking, nothing-else-like-it-in-the-world (really), memory care unit Helen's Place turned one year old this Spring.

There was a wonderful Gala, all planned by the residents of Helen's Place with the help of Marina Sanchez and Marc Raxlin, their fearless leaders. They planned the menu, the entertainment, and even wrote and gave speeches. Here are some photos from the event.

Welcoming Elijah

This was a special moment at the Helen's Place Seder this past Spring.

He was a little early, but during the Seder, I got to welcome Elijah. No, really.

This is Elijah Ballah. He's on the dietary staff here. I opened the door and there he was. This is the first time I actually got to welcome Elijah in person to a Seder.

Next year, in Jerusalem.

The Nose Have It. Purim 2014.

Here are some pictures from our Purim Celebration.

The residents put together and sold Shaloach Manos packages (Purim Goodie Bags) so that residents could give them away and fulfill a Purim Mitzvah.

Rainbow the Clown came to visit and hand out balloons, but we made our own fun, too.

Here is a parade of noses.

RA Karen Gilbert always goes above and beyond the call of duty! She was one of three Queen Esthers that day.

This is our King Ahashuarus for our Purimspiel.

More noses:

I'll raise. I've got four Queens - three Esthers and one Vashti.