This month we are eagerly looking forward to three big celebrations.
On Saturday, November 2, the Homewoods resident council will be hosting their annual holiday bazaar. Betty Reynolds, our chairperson for the bazaar, has outdone herself this year by bringing in more outside vendors than ever. There will be lots to see, buy, and taste at this great event that starts our holiday season. This year we will be holding the entire event, complete with the pie sale, upstairs on the east side of the dining room. It will be a beautiful setting with breathtaking views of the fall colors on display in our courtyard. I would like to personally extend a huge THANK YOU to all of the people, staff and residents, who have helped to make this event a success.
Next, on Saturday, November 16th, we will be hosting our traditional harvest festival at 1 p.m. The harvest festival is a longstanding Homewoods tradition. For those who are new to our community, let me tell you what I learned last year: the harvest festival marks the beginning of belt loosening. Chef Jessica likes to dazzle us with more enticing goodies than I can describe. They must be seen and tasted to be appreciated. You will not want to miss this fun afternoon party with so many delectable finger foods. Bon appetit!
Then, on November 28th we will be serving our traditional Thanksgiving dinner at 12:00 p.m. Homewoods food is always excellent, but I have to say that of all the fabulous meals this team delivers, the Thanksgiving dinner is my favorite. It is traditional with all the trimmings. I hope that you will plan to join us.
For our Homewoods staff, November also marks the time when we turn into elves as we make ready for the many festivities we enjoy here at Christmastime. We will be making our lists—taking inventory in actual fact—of Christmas lights and holiday décor. Right after Thanksgiving we will be decking the halls in preparation for our tree lighting ceremony on Decemeber 6. Homewoods’ tree lighting ceremony is another annual tradition that is very important to all of us. As I said last year, nobody does it better. I think it brings out the child in all of us.
Martie is planning lots of outings for us in December too! In fact we will have more than usual as we take part in some of the fun and exciting things to do around the Milwaukie and the greater Portland area this time of year.
The holiday season brings a feeling of nostalgia when we think especially of loved ones that have shared these days with us over the years: our children when they were small, parents, friends, spouses, and grandparents who have graced our lives and given us so much love. We think, too, of our extended and beloved Homewoods family. This is a special community and everyone here makes it what it is. When we remember these times in the future and when people remember us, we will remember a season in life in which we were uniquely blessed. For as the many celebrations, outings, and festivals this month show, we are indeed living well.