On Sunday, April 29, the Lutheran Home had an amazing turnout at the final Americana Art Series performance, the Roy Vombrack Orchestra.

The irresistible sound of soaring trumpets, robust trombones, wailing saxophones and swinging rhythm section filled the Chapel of St. John with guests eager to swing and rock to the 17-piece Chicago big band.

Saxophonist, Roy Vombrack, and the band played well-known music from iconic big bands such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller, as well as original songs by band members.

Also joining the band was two professional ballroom dance couples from the Ballroom City Dance Studio in Villa Park, who delighted everyone with elegant waltzes, foxtrots and two-steps.

The entire Americana Art Series was widely successful, and is just another example of the unique, faithful, community programs Lutheran Life Communities offers.

The Lutheran Home staff is comprised of faithful, dedicated, skilled individuals who passionately care for residents.  And when those employees go home, they are equally dedicated and passionate about their own families.

The Lutheran Home thought it would be fun to invite children of the staff (ages 8-12 years old) to come and see where their parents work.

Ten children attended “Bring Your Kids to Work Day” on April 26.  Kids were asked to manage a lemonade and popcorn stand.  They learned the importance of fundraising and how money helps charities. They wrote their own advertisements to announce the stand over the PA system, and passed out flyers.  In total, they raised $55 from the stand and donated it to Lutheran Life Communities Foundation.

When the children weren’t working on their stand, they were busy learning about other jobs at the Lutheran Home.  The kids helped serve breakfast to residents in the Hearthstone Dining Room, and they got tours of the boiler room and kitchen.  Their day was completed with a special treat – a chance to make their own ice cream sundaes.

Bring Your Kids to Work Day was a great opportunity for residents to meet the families of their favorite staff members, and it gave the children a chance to see why mom and dad are so passionate about their work.

To celebrate our dedicated and wonderful volunteers, the Lutheran Home hosted a luncheon in honor of their faithful service on April 24 – more than 100 volunteers and 30 staff members attended.

The theme was “exceptional people, extraordinary hearts,” which is without a doubt the perfect description. The Lutheran Home has 170 registered volunteers who have provided more than 660,000 hours of service.

People gathered in the Chapel of St. John where the Culinary Services team provided a wonderful roast beef dinner with fried ice cream for dessert. The Chapel was decorated with flowers designed by the General Store florist, Carol Norman, and entertainment was provided by Elliott Ross on guitar and Anton Hatwich on bass.

Individuals were given awards and recognized for their years of service and generosity. The luncheon was just a small gesture to show our greatest appreciation to each and every volunteer for the blessings they bring to our community.

On April 19, nearly 185 residents of the Lutheran Home “cruised” to Alaska.  The doors to the Chapel of St. John opened up to a beautifully decorated room and a unique experience.

As guests arrived, they walked past Alaskan artifacts and memorabilia, and were then welcomed by a cruise ship greeter and Siberian Husky, Denali, and given passports.  Staff presented a slide show and informational presentation about Alaska before the talented, Jeffery Deutsch, pianist and singer, entertained the crowd.  During the entertainment, an Alaskan themed meal was served, which included grilled salmon and authentic Muk Tuk.

Residents were surprised by Stephanie Hooingarner, Lifestyle Coordinator at the Lutheran Home, who dressed up and impersonated Sarah Palin. “Sarah Palin” walked around and talked with each guest – it certainly made everyone smile.

On April 12, students from Edwin G. Foreman High School in collaboration with Driven and Empowered Youth Inc., a non-profit organization that works with Chicago’s youth, visited the Lutheran Home to research and learn about Alzheimer’s disease.

While they were at the Lutheran Home, students initiated a music activity with residents, interviewed clinical staff, and spent time learning about the It’s Never 2 Late (IN2L) system, which among its many uses, the Lutheran Home utilizes to enhance the cognition in memory support areas.

Driven and Empowered Youth Inc. was awarded a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce to work on a challenge with Abbott Laboratories.  The students presented their research on determining the importance of early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease to Abbott Laboratories on Monday, April 28.