This long, empty hall waits for people to fill it. A rocking chair in an empty room waits to be enjoyed. Seventeen residents wait to move their beloved possessions into a beautiful new space, the Assisted Living Quarters at Resthave Retirement & Nursing Home, 408 Maple Avenue, Morrison, IL.
The public is invited to see these attractive and charming new rooms at an Open House on Sunday, December 15, 2013, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Come and see what has been happening on the corner of Wall and Jackson Streets!
After three years of planning, construction, and inspections, Resthave Home will open its doors to three newly-built extensions which are the Assisted Living area. Each wing consists of small apartments off a main central hall. The apartments contain a small kitchenette, living room, separate bedroom, and separate bath.
Barb Johnson of Morrison, who has lived at Resthave for over nine years, said, “I can’t wait to move into my new room. I am so excited!”
The big move-in began on Monday, November 25.
Resthave Home was founded in 1960. Thus, beginning on its 50th anniversary, the Board began its preliminary plans for a building project. In the summer of 2011 those plans took shape. It was decided to build in three phases.
Phase One would include adding three wings to the north, south, and east; these would be for Assisted Living. Phases Two and Three would include a new nursing wing and a remodeling of the original space for additional Assisted Living apartments, kitchen, and offices. Phase One had its ground breaking in August 2012.
Phase Two has now begun with trees removed, dirt moved, and foundations ready to be poured. Funding for this entire project is through THE National Bank of Morrison and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The 17 residents are all busily planning and getting ready for their new place. Their families are involved, as well, in helping organize and find all the beloved items that will make the new place “home.”
Hubert and Gertrude Londo are preparing for their move into one of the larger apartments built for a couple. Resthave has been their home for four years.
“I had no desire to go anyplace else,” said Hubert.
Gertrude told me, “We will try and fit our things into the new place.”
Stated author Laura Ingalls Wilder, “Home is the nicest word there is.”