Family Tradition Brings Back Memories
One concern of adult children, when a parent needs to move into a health care center, is the worry that Mom or Dad will not be able to enjoy the pastimes that they once did at home. Fortunately, with the help and the imagination of our Community Life team, families can rest assured that activities are planned every day which are sure to bring back positive memories.
Greg Speelman, son of resident Maryteresa, and his wife Deb (herself a CKV team member) wanted to sustain a family tradition for his mother. Every summer, Maryteresa canned corn fresh from the husk. It’s a long and pretty messy task, but worth it for those who enjoy the flavor of fresh corn year-round. Since this was Maryteresa’s first summer at Cross Keys Village, Greg and Deb wanted to surprise her by performing this activity right here, on Sun Valley.
Greg and Deb approached Community Life Leader Trenton Greenawalt about leading the activity for all Sun Valley residents, and the family promised to provide the necessary supplies. They purchased the fresh, sweet corn from Five Points Farm in East Berlin. Greg, Deb, Maryteresa, and other Sun Valley residents husked, cleaned, and cut the corn. Then Deb boiled the corn in large kettles. Everyone involved shared “corny” stories and memories from way back, before enjoying a succulent, sweet sample.
Trenton, who oversaw the group, always welcomes ideas generated by families and believes that such simple joys can be as effective as bigger endeavors requiring performers or bus transportation. “The residents just love reminiscing during the activity,” Trenton said. “It’s a trip down Memory Lane.”