 The senior home on Fifth Street took in its first resident on April
12, 1972. According to administrator Mike Eads, since that time the
St. Clara's staff has cared for literally thousands of residents.
To commemorate the anniversary, St. Clara's hosted an afternoon
reception that began with the launch of 40 red balloons.
At 2 p.m. several of the St. Clara's residents came out to the
front of the building, and at the count of three, let go of the
balloons they held and watched them waft off into a clear blue sky.
Following that, there was a chamber ribbon-cut. Several of the
Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors were on hand
for the cut. They were joined by members of the St. Clara's staff,
friends and family of some of the residents.
Before Eads closed the scissors on the red ribbon, Donna Boyd,
president of the chamber, spoke briefly, saying that St. Clara's and
its staff offer a tremendous service, not only for the residents of
the facility, but also for the entire community.
Geoff Ladd of the Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County
spoke as well. He noted that he had always seen St. Clara's as a
lovely place.
He called to mind his dear friend Ernie Edwards, who had been a
resident of St. Clara's up to his death on Wednesday. Ladd said he
had stopped in to see Ernie often.
Ladd told Eads and the staff: "I know they always took very good
care of him. And, I know he would be very proud of this."
Alderman Kathy Horn, in whose ward St. Clara's is located, said
in representing the city of Lincoln that for the facility to be in
place for 40 years was a wonder. She said the city was happy St.
Clara's was a part of the community.
She also spoke on a personal note, saying she, too, was well
aware of the care received by residents, because her own mother had
lived there.
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Before cutting the ribbon, St. Clara's director, Mike Eads, also
spoke.
"Most people are lucky to get a paycheck these days. Not only do
we get a paycheck, we get the satisfaction and gratification of
knowing we changed someone's life," he said.
Eads said he was proud of the first 40 years and looked forward
to the next 40 years.
Soon after this, the party moved inside, where guests were
treated to live piano music early in the afternoon and a live banjo
band later on. Cake, punch, fresh fruit and sandwiches were
available, and staff made quick work of delivering treats to the
residents who were assembled in the dining area.
Eads called the crowd to attention for a short time in order to
offer some special recognition of staff. Those who were presented
with plaques for length of service were Janice Bridges, 27 years;
Sharon Kennett, 36 years; and. Judy Laubenstein, 38 years.
Also recognized were Tonita "Toni" Reifsteck as a four-year board
member and an exceptional volunteer at the senior home and board
president Clyde Reynolds, who has been on the St. Clara's board for
a total of 11 years.
Finally, Eads went through a long list of employees, recognizing
their lengths of service as well.
After the presentations, residents and their guests spent the
rest of the afternoon enjoying refreshments, live music and a good
time visiting.
[By NILA SMITH] |
