'Tis the Season at Creekview Nursing & Rehab Center

by Jeff Jacomowitz

On these cold December days, things are quite joyous and cozy at Creekview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Beahan Road in Rochester where local churches have brought sparkle and cheer to residents this holiday season.

Just last week on December 5, the unmistakable sounds of "Silent Night" and "Tis the Season" were heard at Creekview when Donna Evenson, a longtime volunteer at Creekview came to play the piano backing up the carolers and singing residents . Ms. Evenson is a member of the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, which is off of Chili Avenue, not far from the facility.

On December 7, Creekview residents were working hard to demonstrate their creativity while constructing beautiful Christmas gingerbread houses, all with a little help from St. Helen's Church volunteers.

"I will tell you, these residents are so extremely talented," said Kathryn Gardner, Recreation Director at Creekview. "The volunteers from St. Helen's were amazing as well, giving some pointers to the residents, spreading such holiday love."

The gingerbread event, as part of the facility's Friday afternoon social hour, brought smiles and laughs from both residents and staff.

St. Helen's Church will be returning on Monday morning for a Christmas service.

Coming up, Creekview Nursing and Rehab Center is planning more holiday events including a visit from Santa on December 19 where there will be gift giving lunch with the residents, as well as a Christmas party being planned on that day. The next day, Creekview Administrator Kelly Ann Anderson will be bringing her mother to the facility, dressed up as Mrs. Claus and there will be a reading of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" to the residents.

Gardner is planning a lot more events for the New Year's celebration and into 2019.

[Cover Photo: L-to-R: Nancy, a volunteer with St. Helen's Church, Creekview Resident Regina Perkowski, and Hospitality Aide-Activity Dept., Malva Wheeler]