If you didn't look closely, you might have thought you were at the Kentucky Derby today rather than Cedar Village!  We had a couple of wonderful parties, complete with "horse racing" and "mint juleps."   Hats were also in evidence and a good time was had by all!  Speaking of hats, our Derby party conversations went back to the Royal Wedding hats-they are still a source of some lively conversation!

On Monday we actually had a reprise of the wedding-complete with afternoon tea.  Whether they watched it for the first time on Monday, or were just seeing it again, everyone enjoyed it. 

A few of us were not here to watch the wedding a second time with our residents, we were in Detroit at the AJHSA conference.  AJHSA is the association of auxiliaries of Jewish Homes and it has just changed names, becoming Partners in Senior Caring.  Our very own Sally Korkin was installed as president of this group and we had a wonderful time celebrating her achievement. 

Wednesday night we had a full crowd in the Cohen Center as family and friends joined us for our monthly Resident of the Month celebration.  Each month we do this, we are delighted to learn more about the lives of our residents.  Each month we hear their stories, benefit from their words of wisdom and watch the smiles as they are honored.  It is the first Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. and we'd love to see you there!

On Thursday we had our annual employee spring party.  We do that in honor of National Nurses Home Week; National Nurses Week and Older Americans Month.  We have food and music, both day and night, to reach all of our shifts and it is great fun.  This year's theme was "luau" complete with leis and flowers in our hair.  It is a small way to say thank you to our wonderful, devoted staff.

Lots of great events heading our way in May:  Mother' Day Concert on Sunday, May 8 at 2 p.m.; Yom Hazikaron on Monday, May 9 at 3 p.m; Spring Fling on Tuesday, May 10; Murder Mystery Tea on Wednesday, May 11; Chesed Day on Thursday, May 12.  Also upcoming are events for Jewish American Heritage Month.  There are two events here, both open to the community.  On Monday, May 16 at 3 p.m. Rabbi Matthew Kraus will speak on "The Nature of Jewish Life in America."  And on Friday, May 20 at 10 a.m. Dr. Adrian Parr will speak on "Memory and Jewish Identity."  Hope you can join us for many of these wonderful events!

All the best,