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Mile Bluff honors the Golden Girls for volunteer efforts By Amanda Emery
Mile Bluff Medical Center recognizes the Golden Girls for volunteering at Crest View Nursing Home in New Lisbon. Pictured here (l-r) are the five members of the group Marcie Davis, Cheryl Murphy, Jo Norris, Sharon Huffman and Donna David. Congratulations!
During the month of June, Mile Bluff - Crest View Nursing Home is shining a spotlight on the Golden Girls, a group of five women who entertain residents at the facility through music and song! These ladies have been going to Crest View about once a month for around four years to do their part in bringing joy to the residents. One of the Golden Girls, Donna David, is a retired practical nurse. Speaking on behalf of the group, the Necedah-native shared why the group chose Crest View as a place to entertain, “I remember working in a nursing home and having some residents that did not get many visitors. I remember those individuals when we come to Crest View, and we like to think that we bring joy to some of these residents.” The other members of the Golden Girls are Jo Norris (who worked for the Star-Times) of Hustler, Cheryl Murphy (a homemaker and volunteer) from Necedah, and Marcie Davis (a retired certified nursing assistant) and Sharon Huffman (a former accountant at Bunker Ford), both from New Lisbon. While their individual backgrounds may be different, they all have at least one thing in common, the enjoyment they receive from performing at Mile Bluff’s facilities. When asked about the group’s favorite part of volunteering services at Crest View, Sharon - speaking for everyone - responded with, “We like to see the residents’ reactions when we play for them. We like to watch their faces and see the smiles. You know they enjoy it because they continue to ask to have us return, and they always stay the entire time we perform. They really appreciate us coming to sing for them.” Most of the women of the group sang with Harmony Express before branching off to form the Golden Girls. Cheryl explains, “Now that the five of us play on our own, we focus on performing gospel music. In addition to that, we talk to residents and individuals more on a personal level, and interact one-on-one with our audience.” These ladies do more than just sing, three of them play instruments as well. Jo explains, “Sharon and Marcie play guitar, Donna plays the banjo, and I even play the tambourine from time to time!” In addition to performing at Crest View, the group has also entertained residents at Mile Bluff - Fair View Nursing Home, and at other facilities in the area. When not singing or practicing, these women have hobbies they enjoy. Some of those activities include gardening, reading, going to the gym, tending to pets, playing cards, surfing on the computer and traveling. Over the years, these ladies have impacted the lives of many different individuals. As an organization, Mile Bluff would like to take this opportunity to thank the group for its hard work and dedication, and for making a difference to these nursing home residents. Please join the medical center in thanking these ladies for their volunteer efforts. There are many great opportunities available for individuals - as well as groups, such as the Golden Girls - to help others at Mile Bluff. For opportunities at Mile Bluff - Crest View Nursing Home in New Lisbon, contact Lorraine Anderson at 608-562-3667. If you would like to donate time at Mile Bluff Medical Center or Terrace Heights Retirement Community in Mauston, contact Reverend Fairchild at 608-847-1285. If interested in becoming a volunteer at Mile Bluff - Fair View Nursing Home, call Jill Finley at 608-847-1290. |
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Mile Bluff Medical Center/ 1050 Division St./ Mauston, WI 53948 / 608 847 6161 Mile Bluff Medical Center, 1050 Division Street, Mauston, WI 53948 608 847 6161 or Toll free in WI at 800 252 4377 © 2008 Mile Bluff Medical Center |
