Jenny and I drove down from Wilmington on Monday Morning, June 2, to Chiefland, Florida. Grace is living in the TriCounty Nursing Home in Trenton, just a few miles north. We had two days to prepare for the big event of the year —
Grace's 93rd Birthday
Here is the story!
Click on the photographs to enlarge them
The TriCounty Nursing Home, Trenton, Florida, is located 'out in the country,' just north of the little town of Chiefland and just east of the even smaller town of Fanning Springs, which is the headwaters of the Suwannee River. The area is beautiful if you like Pine Trees! It is just west of Gainesville and the only rolling hills in Florida. It is not the area you would choose for an afternoon of sightseeing - too far from the ocean and no mountains. But, it is a good Nursing Home location and the people of the area, and those who work at TriCounty, are wonderful caregivers! Everyone, even in the small businesses of the area, give special attention to the needs of the residents of the Nursing Home.
We stayed at the Best Western Suwannee Inn in Chiefland. Frances and Vic came down to join us overnight on Wednesday. We had planned in advance for a June 5, party at the Nursing Home for Grace and all of her friends. We had the option of taking Grace out for Lunch or having a Lunch brought into the Activities room on the day before her birthday. We opted for the latter and had a nice sandwich Buffet and Fresh Fried Scallops (Grace's favorite), Shrimp and Oysters. I also got some Fried Chicken Livers for Grace and me to share - everybody else turned up their noses at them! Delicious!
Mike and Marcy joined us for the Lunch, but they arrived after my picture taking had turned into Chicken Liver Eating. They had to go into Jacksonville on Grace's Birthday, so they missed the celebration. Chris, the Director of Activities for the Nursing Home, did a great job in planning the party. Everyone was invited for the Cake and Ice Cream, Here are some of the pictures of the group who joined in wishing Grace a Happy Birthday:
(Click on a photo to see a larger picture!)
And a great time was had by all!
Jenny and I arrived a little early and stayed a little late. We had a chance to spend some extra time with Grace. Jenny took her on a ride around the grounds. The weather was beautiful. We also spent some time talking in the foyer where the Birds hold forth and greet everyone who comes into the building. Paulie, the Chief Bird, was in good voice!
We had a good visit with Grace and left on Friday morning for a few days in Jacksonville with Frances and Vic. We spent Sunday afternoon in a futile attempt to get pictures of the house where Dad lived, probably at the time that Grace was born. The entire area has been converted to industrial. We also found the Building that Housed the Printing Company where Dad worked while in Jacksonville. It was there that my camera battery failed and I could take no pictures. We gave up on that Mission and drove down to St. Augustine for a dinner at Raintree. At least that part of the Day was successful.
I did get some pictures of Frances' remodeled kitchen. It is very nice!
I hope that you have enjoyed this visit with Grace and the Celebration of her 93rd Birthday. A very special occasion! Come back often to the Wettig.org site, but be sure to write a note to me and tell me that you have visited.