September 11 to 15 is Assisted Care Week, and the Mansion is one of the few facilities celebrating it that I know of.  I am proposing a week-long series of events,  supported by the Army Of Good.

I’m sponsoring a “Pizza Party” at the Mansion on September 11 to kick off the week. We have invited the 30 current residents and 15 staff members, most from the Mansion, some from its sister facility a few miles away. I’ve asked the Round House to provide a mix of pizzas for a lunch-time celebration beginning at 11:30 that day.

I’ve been invited, and Red of course. We checked with the staff nutritionist, we are ordering three kinds of pizzas, some with sausage and/or pepperoni, some plain, some with vegetables.

Scott Carrino is giving me an estimate this week.

On Thursday of that week, I’ve arranged for the Mansion residents who can handle it to go on a boat ride  from the Lake George Steamship Authority, the Lac Du Saint Sacrament. It will be a tour of Lake George and lunch in the boat’s big dining room, from noon to 2 p.m.  The residents have wanted to do this for a very long time.

I’m going to help out and take some photos. Everyone would like Red to come, and as a certified therapy dog, he could go, but I don’t think it’s a good idea. Red has never been on a boat, and I won’t wish to find out that it spooks him, not on that day. That trip, for 14 people, cost around $425 dollars. I find that I am enjoying helping out with the resident’s care when it’s appropriate and non medical. One of the staffers says I have a nurse in me.

There’s also a chance that week that our new book “Tales Of The Mansion” will be printed and available for the residents to have, they are excited about the book, so am I. (You can pre-order a copy (I will sign them if  you wish at Battenkill Books, right here online, or on the phone, 518 677 2515, the book is $10 plus shipping, they take Paypal and major credit cards, they’ve already sold 150 copies.)

If Connie’s rehab continues to go well, she may also be back at the Mansion during that week, which would be fitting.

I’m thinking some of your creative and much appreciated decorations and balloons and favors and gift bags would be much appreciated during these celebrations. So would your cards and messages and photographs, the greatest gifts of all. The residents on the list for letters, etc. are Winnie, Brother Peter, Bruce W., Brenda, Tim, Dorothy, Barbara, Alanna, Shirley, Robert, Connie, Helen, John K., William, Allan, Joan, Madeline, Jean, Alice, Diane, Jane, Sylvie, Gerry, Mary, Ellen, Jean. The Mansion, 11 S. Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

We hope to pick a winner at the end of the month for the winner of the best animal photos contest. The members of the Army of Good and readers of the blog have been invited to send photos of their favorite animals – theirs or anyone’s – to Julie Smith, Activity Director, The Mansion, 11 S.  Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. The three top winners will be chosen at the end of the month, they will each get a prize. The residents wanted to pay something back to you good people who have been so good to them.

But we’d love to display the photos during Assisted Care Week, so feel free to send them in. I have funds for the pizza party, and the boat trip, thanks. Donations for this continuing work are welcome. There is about $1,500 left in the fund. If you wish to donate, you can send a contribution to me at P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816, or via Paypal, [email protected]. You are doing a lot of good, and thank you.