In honor of National Assisted Living week, Lincoln Home celebrated residents and staff with a number of fun, outdoor activities. With a lovely view of the Damariscotta River in the background, Randy Lindsey entertained residents with classical guitar and old time favorites Monday afternoon. Tuesday was a delicious outdoor lobster bake for both residents and staff, with the talented Orville Lee providing music. His upbeat, lively tunes had residents and staff dancing together in the parking lot. A mobile wood-fired pizza lunch was next provided by Blazing Tomato, again with Orville serenading in the background. Chef Julie Adams, with her fun dance moves, got more residents joining in for the fun. Sadie, Stone Cove Catering’s Airstream Bar Car paid a visit providing individual appetizer plates and shared stories about the different wine offerings. Host Todd had residents laughing with his history of how Sadie “came to life” stories. Harpist, Barbara Wright, played lovely music in the background. Spending time outdoors in the September sunshine, with festive food and music, camaraderie and laughter was a delightful way to wrap up summer. The week long party was a fitting way to honor and celebrate the family of caregivers and residents at Lincoln home.

Earlier this summer, Jefferson Village School music teacher, Molly Winchebach contacted the Lincoln Home to see if it would be okay if her summer students could make cards to send to the residents. Especially during this time of limited contact, the residents were thrilled to receive the notes and creative artwork from the children. Last week, the residents had fun making cards to send back. During the process the residents discussed what it was like back in their day when they were in school. They shared memories of going bowling, to the movies, square dancing, and making homemade crafts. The residents talked about how they hoped the beautiful cards they made would brighten the children’s day. It was such a wonderful way to bring two generations together, bringing joy to each.

Our Harbor View Cottage residents had a fun summer picnic on the porch complete with root beer floats and home made pizza to celebrate National Root Beer Float day!!

This week, we enjoyed wonderful upbeat singing and guitar with the talented Orville Lee. The weather and the views were amazing. Everyone had a wonderful time listening and even singing along!

Maine Health Care Association honored Richard Eichacker, our Lincoln Home resident, with the Remember Me Lifetime Achievement Award. Richard, or Dick, as he prefers, was born December 22, 1931 in Hartford, CT. After high school, Dick attended the College of General Studies at Boston University. He then joined the Air Force where he served from 1953-56. He then return to complete his Engineering degree and went to work at Pratt & Whitney for 28 years. Married in 1955, Dick and his wife have two children, Cynthia and Stephen. In 1985, they purchased three cottages in Tenants Harbor, which they repaired and rented. They moved to Rockport, Maine permanently in 1992 and became active members of the community. Dick volunteered at Marshall Point Lighthouse, Habitat for Humanity, AARP Income Tax Assistance, Window Dressers and was an dedicated member of the Congregational Church in Rockland.

Kacie Gallant has a long history of caregiving at Lincoln Home. Her very first job was doing private duty for Lincoln Home. She then went on to pursue working for her CNA/CRMA credentials in 2004. Kacie worked at short intervals in other positions, but always returned to her family at Lincoln Home. She has been a steady presence to the residents since 2012. Upon retirement of Rhonda Hanna, long time Director of Community Life, Kacie was a natural fit. Her positive, compassionate demeanor, and love of the residents and their love for her, makes her new role an easy transition. What Kacie loves about The Lincoln Home, is the feeling of family, both with staff and residents. Kacie shares, “The residents make my day. The Lincoln Home is unique, in that it’s private, small setting is resident – focused, family oriented and one of the cleanest facilities I have ever been in. It’s a positive work environment on every level.” About her new role, Kacie has shared that she loves getting to know the residents on a different, more personal level, than in the nursing/caregiving role. She enjoys sharing their concerns and joys, and creating meaningful activities that speak to the residents’ individual likes and needs, as well as creating fun group activity events. One of the highlights each week for the residents is open discussion of local, community news each Thursday after the Lincoln County Newspaper arrives.Kacie has been busy organizing bus rides, picnics, art activities and one on one “game dates.” Her light and laughter brighten the day for her “second’ family at Lincoln Home, adding to the team of caregivers bringing quality, consistent care and joy to the residents each and every day. Kacie has two grown children, Brady and Ashlynn, is engaged to be married, and is about to buy a new home. She can be reached at kacie@lincoln-home.org or 207-563-3350.

Rhonda Hanna, Community Life Director at Lincoln Home, is retiring after 13 years of dedicated service. Wednesday July 1, the residents and staff had an outside picnic lunch in her honor. Rhonda has been the heartbeat of the residents’ days, filling them with joyful and thoughtful activities to stimulate their minds and keep their bodies moving. She is the one who decks our halls for Christmas, creates parties, arranges music, plays games, and feeds our spirits daily with her laughter, kindness, compassion, patience, and good will. We thank Rhonda for all she has given so effortlessly and for being the residents’ cheerleader all these years. Happy Retirement to Rhonda, well earned. Staff, residents and members of the community will miss her dearly, but she will always be a member of our family.

Thanks to the creative thinking of Executive Director, Lynn Norgang, and the woodworking talents of Mike Knof and Kevin Benner, A “COVID-Safe” wall was constructed on our screen porch. Complete with a sliding door, our residents can now have their Feet attended to once again! Dr. Hilliary Pelletier, Podiatrist, normally sees our residents every 6 weeks, but due to our safety protocols, she has not been able to see us since March. The residents were thrilled to see her! The plexiglass topped wall has also allowed us to have family visits safely with our residents once again.

The Lincoln Home and Harbor View Cottage are pleased to welcome Brigit Cavanagh as a new staff member to our team. Brigit brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to her new role as Director of Community Outreach and Admissions. She has proven experience working in Senior Living with a commitment to insuring that every new resident joins the Lincoln Home family with personal attention to their individual wants, needs, and expectations. Her marketing and sales background also includes a number of community service appointments. She is currently President of the Bath Rotary Club at Rotary International, a past board member of the Mid Coast Area Chamber of Commerce and Brunswick Downtown Association. Brigit’s warmth, love of people, and strong listening skills will be a great fit to our family at Lincoln Home. Brigit can be reached at 207-563-3350 or brigit@lincoln-home.org.