Create, Be Social & Have FUN! Activities at St. Francis Manor and the Hammond Center
It’s the smell of popcorn on Thursdays, laughter coming from the activity areas, colorful door decorations, or a special movie playing in the theater… The halls of St. Francis Manor and the Hammond Center are filled with weekly themes, holidays, and birthdays hosted by the activities departments! Each week is full of crafts, food, and social engagements which helps provide our residents/tenants with good quality-of-life experiences.
St. Francis Manor residents, Hammond Center for Assisted Living tenants and Seeland Park residents must all be on Santa’s nice list as he was spotted on several occasions on the St. Francis Manor campus! Along with Santa, St. Francis Manor residents were joined by their family members at special Christmas parties held in the Social Center for the first time since the pandemic. Sitting at tables adorned with festive red and black decorations, attendees sang Christmas carols, ate tasty treats, tested their Christmas knowledge with trivia questions and visited with Santa!
Breakfast with Santa at St. Francis Manor was a fun event for all ages! Over 125 people including four generations of the Madolyn Braley, Gary Foster and Pat Johnson families gathered for an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast. From babies to 95-year-olds, most enjoyed seeing the jolly elf; however, there were a few who couldn’t be coaxed with a candy cane to sit on Santa’s lap! Some of Santa’s elves better known as Seeland Park residents assisted with serving drinks and clearing tables. The event raised $1,787 to benefit the Hammond Center for Assisted Living Human Needs Fund.
A Veterans Remembrance Program was held on Wednesday, November 9, to honor veterans living on the St. Francis Manor campus. Approximately 80 St. Francis Manor residents, Hammond Center for Assisted Living tenants and Seeland Park residents attended the program that featured guest speaker retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Tom Tish who was associated with the United States Army for 48 years.
St. Francis Manor’s gazebo has been updated with new outdoor furniture, lights, a ceiling fan, and a coat of white paint thanks to donations to the St. Francis Manor Foundation in memory of Dean Conn.
Three St. Francis Manor nursing staff members have been promoted effective July 24. Kory Probasco has been named Director of Nursing (DON) after serving as Assistant Director of Nursing since February of 2021. Kayla Lint is serving as Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) in addition to continuing as home healthcare director. Jen Ditzler began working full-time in the role of Quality Nurse Coordinator. 
Sixteen employees have worked a combined total of 260 years at St. Francis Manor! All staff members were treated to a pizza luncheon in appreciation for being a part of our great team. 
May was a busy month for Hammond Center for Assisted Living tenant Dorothy Peak—one week she celebrated being a mother for 79 years, the next week Dorothy celebrated her 99th birthday, and the following week she walked in St. Francis Manor’s half-mile walk around campus in recognition of National Senior Health & Fitness Day! 
