Reporter's note: Kody Farmer, with the "Blaine County Journal," was showing me some photos he'd taken recently at the Sweet Nursing Home. The photos were of the Christmas decorations that staff had put up throughout the facility. One group of photos showed wall decorations, like holiday wreaths, with photos of residents in their younger years. The photos ranged from wedding pictures to scenes with farm equipment and opening presents on Christmas with the children. The photos were like a mini-view into the life of the residents. I decided to learn more about what the decorations were all about and made a visit to the nursing home in mid-December.

'Old-fashioned Christmas'

greets visitors to Sweet Home

To learn about the current decorations I met with Joni Myhre, the Director of Nursing. She said each Christmas season employees at the Sweet Nursing Home hold a decorating contest. She explained, "There are eight public areas that we decorate. Employees in each area decide a theme, then gather the decorations and put them up. Once the decorations are done we let the residents vote and select the section with the best decorations." The eight areas include each of the main hallways, where residents live, as well as support areas like the laundry and food service. A quick walk around showed themes that were based on one color, like all blue decorations, or some other winter or holiday idea.

Staff at the front office had chosen 'an old-fashioned Christmas' as their decoration theme. They decorated the entrance and lobby area, the first area visitors see at the home. Heather Nesslar, Administrative Assistant, explained the background of some of the most obvious trimmings. There were chains made from links of colored construction paper. Paper snowflakes cut from paper folded in such a way that the entire flake is symmetrical and has the same repeated design. All were decorations that could be made with materials at hand.

On the lobby wall the staff had created an old-fashioned Christmas tree. Mhyre said, "Before electric tree lights people used candles to light their Christmas trees. Candles wouldn't be safe here so we made paper candles-complete with paper flames." The tinsel was strung popcorn. Tree ornaments, shaped like candy canes, were baked gingerbread. Sliced oranges, that had been cooked and preserved, made for colorful, ball-shaped ornaments. At the top of the tree was a crocheted angel, made by Frances Carr, Mhyre's husband's grandmother. In the old days folks used what was available to decorate for Christmas.

Individual wall decorations showcase residents' histories

Heather Nesslar also was very involved in making the wall decorations with photos of residents-part of the old-fashioned Christmas theme. Asked about the idea for the photos of residents, Nesslar said, "I think it was kind of a group effort. We wanted something that would tie the old-fashioned Christmas theme directly to residents. What better way than to showcase some of the highlights of their histories."

Nesslar admitted she really 'got into' the idea and just after Thanksgiving began contacting families of residents asking for old family photos. She and Vanessa Surber, also in the front office, scanned and copied the photos so the originals would be protected. Nesslar said, "It took a lot of phone calls and e-mails to families. At first I didn't get much response, mostly families saying they didn't know where any old photos were. Then the photos began to come in. We're still getting photos coming in by mail and email." The office staff estimates they have photos for about two-thirds of the residents.

Each resident has their photos on a wreath, an old snow sled or a wall hanging shaped like a Christmas tree. Myhre said, "The wreaths and tree shapes naturally occurred to us. Then we found that among us there were several old sleds available and the sleds made a unique wall decoration."

The photos on each wall decoration gives a brief glimpse into the lives of the residents. Perhaps families chose photos they felt best reflected the lives of their loved one, or maybe the choices were limited among just a few photos. Whatever the reason, the photos show something about what defined each resident in their formative years. For men, many photos in military uniforms. For both men and women, but especially women, photos holding babies or posed with several young children.

Some photos showed men with farm equipment or what was likely a favorite car or pickup. There are photos that appear to be taken by professionals, others obviously candid and amateurish. One photo of a female resident is a very dramatic 'head shot,' like those used by models in their portfolios. When I commented about the professionally done photo one of the staff said, "That resident was a model when she was younger." Another photo was of a young man in a kilt. Staffers told, "When we asked him about the photo and the kilt he said, "Why would you be surprised to see me in a kilt? My name is obviously Scottish.""

Selection time for the best

decorations is near

Now in its tenth year, the Christmas decorating contest is a way for the nursing home staff to expressive some creativity and help get themselves and the residents into the holiday spirit. Final voting, to decide the best decorations, will happen sometime close to Christmas. Some areas said they were still working on their final decorations.

Asked, about the prizes that would go to the winning areas, Joni Myhre said, "Oh, the prizes are usually certificates for coffee or sweet rolls. It's not about the prizes so much as it is about the bragging rights. The winners usually rub it in to the losers."

Already thinking about next year, Heather Nesslar said, "I've enjoyed getting the photos and making the wall decorations for the residents, but it's taken a lot of time and been a lot of work. Right now, looking to the next year, I'm thinking strictly store-bought stuff that goes from the box to the wall."

LeVeda Overcast, a resident at Sweet Nursing Home.

The "Journal" thanks the Sweet Nursing Home staff for their efforts to brighten the holidays for their residents. If you get a chance, stop by and check out the decorations. And looking at those old photos you'll enjoy trying to figure out who is who.