The wait has ended! Sunday, November 24, 2013, was moving day at Resthave Retirement & Nursing Home, 408 Maple Avenue, Morrison, IL.
The doors are open to three new wings making up the new Assisted Living area, and excited, anxious residents are moving in.
Grace Boelkins, at left, is standing in her new living space.
What to take?
What to be brought from home or bought?
Where will I put my things?
These were all questions in the minds of the 17 people who will live in the modern, newly-constructed apartments.
I asked several residents what was the first or favorite item they were moving.
Barb Johnson told me, “My picture frame which revolves, with all the photos I have taken in the years here at Resthave.” She is the “amateur photographer” and always has her camera near.
Below, Assistant Janitor Gerald Hamstra hangs a piece of artwork in Johnson’s new apartment.
Irene Dyke answered, “My Bible.”
Marv Zaagman stated with certainty, “The television!”
This “great migration” has been carefully planned by Tami Tegler, Administrator, and her staff. “We left four outfits in their closets and moved clothes before they moved in,” she said with a laugh. The complete move will actually take a total of three days.
The new area is beautiful, with 20 apartments off the halls of the three wings. There are large picture windows, in both the living area and bedrooms of the apartments, which fill the rooms with light. At the end of one hall is a large kitchen for the residents’ use. Another hall has a sitting room and game table. Colors are soft and inviting; art work hangs on the wall. All details are welcoming and warm–just like home.
When work is finished on the new 70-private-room nursing wing, the original nursing area will be made into 17 more Assisted Living apartments. The architect of the entire project is Thad Gleason, and the construction is being done by Lamp, Inc. Funding is from THE National Bank of Morrison and the United States Department of Agriculture.
An Open House is planned for Sunday, December 15, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. The public is invited to visit and see this newly-constructed, needed space.