We had a very moving Veterans Day celebration on Thursday.  Our veterans had the opportunity to share their experiences and participate in a regal flag folding ceremony.

It is always a great week when we have Resident of the Month.  This week we honored seven special individuals who live at Cedar Village.  Each one has an incredible story to tell.  We learn so much as we hear about their pasts and we are all inspired by the words of wisdom they choose to share.  Each month's program is completely different and each one leaves us with a lesson, a thought, a word that we will long remember.

We also had great fun with music this week.  One Voice, a volunteer choir from around the Cincinnati area, gave a spectacular concert. They have a great sound and great energy and their music choices had many of our residents singing along.  At the end, they came into the audience and sang directly with the residents and it was such fun.  One of our Health Care residents said to me, at the end of the program,  "Is it over already?  How can an hour go so fast?"  We love community performances and music is truly the universal language.  What a treat!

Wednesday afternoon was also a special one.  We had our very first "Taste of Cedar Village" and many of our Kosher food purveyors brought samples of their wares for residents to try.  We had everything from meats to fruits and a variety of prepared food.  It was like a mini food show and lots of fun for all.

We also had a special event on Tuesday evening. We had a dinner for the discharge planners and social workers from some of the hospitals we work with so closely.  We wanted to thank them for their referrals and to let them know about the new things happening at Cedar Village.  It was a great evening and lots of good information was exchanged.  We also had a chance to tell that about Marvin James and show a short video of his wonderful success story.  Here's a link if you would like to see it too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYeTdyU1nqg

Last but not least, we took a group of our Friends of Cedar Village to the National Philanthropy Day luncheon last Friday. Dr. O'dell M. Owens, president of Cincinnati State Technical College, gave a powerful and inspirational keynote address.  The Friends do so much for Cedar Village, this is just one small one in which we can say "thank you."

Mitzvah Day 2010 is coming!  This year it will be Friday, December 24 and we have a host of new activities planned.  Want to be part of the fun?  Get in touch with Angie Tapogna, Director of Marketing and Volunteers, and volunteer. We would love to have you!  Angie can be reached at either 754-3100 or atapogna@cedarvillage.org.