Saturday, May 5th
Day Trip to the Pella Tulip Festival – The Pella Tulip Festival is a wonderful celebration of spring. This small town in south central Iowa really puts out the welcome mat and is eager to show everyone their Dutch heritage. This year will be interesting because the unseasonably warm weather in March has accelerated the tulips and the blooms will probably be past their peak. Regardless, there is still a lot to see and experience. This trip requires extended standing and walking and should be undertaken only by those willing and able to endure the exertion.

Monday, May 8th, 1:30 p.m.
Movie- Secretariat – If you have not seen this fine movie, you owe it to yourself. This is the inspiring story of Penny Chenery and her struggle to carry on the horse racing tradition started by her father. Her horse, Secretariat, ended up winning the Triple Crown in 1973 as well as setting a track record that has never be equaled.

Wednesday, May 9th, 12:00
High School Play at Jefferson High School- Thoroughly Modern Millie. This month Jefferson High School is hosting a dress rehearsal for seniors for their production of Thoroughly Modern Millie, a story that focuses on a naive young woman in the flapper era who finds herself in the midst of a series of madcap adventures when she sets her sights on marrying her wealthy boss.

Saturday, May 12th, 2:00 p.m.
Mother’s Day Tea - Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 13th and we are honoring mom with a celebration on Saturday, May 12th. The Mother’s Day Tea will be a lightly formal affair and the focus is to honor mother and spend a little time together with her enjoying some special teas and sweet treats.

Monday, May 14th, 9:30 a.m.
Riverside Casino Trip – Please note that the trip to the Riverside Casino will be on Monday, the 14th, instead of its regular time on the first or second Wednesday of the month.

Friday, May 18th, 3:30 p.m.
Social Hour-Derby Day/ Hat Day – You may or may not be aware that May is when two horse races in the coveted Triple Crown series are held. The Kentucky Derby (May 5th) and the Preakness (May 19th), along with the Belmont Stakes (in June) are arguably the most important horse racing events in North America. So if you want to think of “derby” as the horse race, or “derby” as the hat we will have both themes covered at this cocktail party.

Friday, May 25th, 1:00 p.m.
Pet Visit by the Linn County Humane Society – We used to have regular pet visits by the Humane Society. The economic downturn several years ago forced them to abandon the visits for financial reasons. We are so glad that they are back. Show your support for them by coming to the lobby and meeting the furry guest.

Monday, May 28th
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed annually on the last Monday of May (May 28 in 2012). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War. We now commemorate the fallen American soldiers of all conflicts. We will be taking residents to meet the Kings and Queens bus at 8:45 and picking them up at 3:30, as usual.

Tuesday, May 29th, 1:30 p.m.
Show and Tell- “The Best Vacation I Ever Took”. We haven’t done a show and tell at Keystone Place for quite a while. Everybody has taken a vacation that turned out to be the one that all the others get compared to. Bring memorabilia, souvenirs, maps, clothes, memories, or just bring yourself and be prepared to enjoy hearing friends tell of their travels and adventures.

Saturday, April 7th, 2:00 p.m.
Easter Egg Hunt – Easter is sneaking up on us fast this year! On Saturday, April 7th at 2 p.m. Keystone Place will be having its annual Easter Egg Hunt in the courtyard. Children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of residents and staff (ages 10 and younger please) are invited to join us for the egg hunt and a snack social to follow in the activity room. Please call 393-7900 and ask for Gary, Peg, Darcie, or Lisa if you have any questions. Don’t forget your Easter basket and don’t be late or you’ll miss all the eggs. See you there!

Easter Sunday, April 8th and 22nd
Afternoon Bus Rides – A reminder to all Keystone residents that we now have bus rides on alternate Sundays. Jim Stucker will be your driver and has graciously offered to drive on Easter Sunday, as well as on the 22nd. All the staff at Keystone Place wants to wish you all a very Happy Easter!

Tuesday, April 10th, 4:30 p.m.
Tornado Drill – Tornado season is upon us and we will be having regular tornado drills. While resident participation in the drills is voluntary we urge everyone to take part in them to familiarize you with the correct precautions. If you opt to stay in your apartment, the safest place to go is in the shower. If you leave your apartment the safest place to go is in a first floor interior hallway with no windows. Information sheets will be available.

Thursday, April12th, 10-11:00 a.m.
In-House Banking with Bankers Trust – One of the convenient services we offer at Keystone is in-house banking once a month. This is a free service offered by Bankers Trust and you do not need to have an account with the bank to use this service. Sylvia Miller will be glad to help with check cashing, notarizing, and many other banking services that you may need.

Wednesday, April 18th, 12:30 p.m.
Bus for the High School Play at Kennedy High School – On Wednesday the 18th, we will be going to Kennedy High School to see Fame, The Musical.

Thursday, April 26th, 3:00 p.m.
Needle Craft Exhibit at Prairiewoods – Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center is a retreat and conference center focused on ecology and spirituality. They are having a special Needle Craft Exhibit featuring work by local and regional artists and craftspeople. Tickets are $5.00 and are available at the door.

Friday, April 27th, 1:30 p.m.
Bus Ride with Ice Cream treats – On the 27th our Friday bus ride will include a stop at Parlor City Ice Cream on 42nd Street to help them celebrate 50 years in business. They are offering ice cream cones for just 50 cents! So don’t worry about bringing money because we will pick up the tab. All you have to do is sit back and enjoy the treat and the ride.

Thursday, March 1, 2:30 p.m.
Lecture on Sherlock Holmes @ Cottage Grove Place – We have been cordially invited to attend a special Program on Sherlock Holmes at Cottage Grove Place.  The lecture series is part of a grant program presented by College/University professors.

Wednesday, March 7, 5:00-6 p.m.
Rock Hounds music in the Restaurant – Everybody enjoys music by Dennis and Rick.  Come and listen while you have supper.

Thursday, March 8^th, 10:00
C R Hearing Center visit to clean and adjust hearing aids – Every third month Melissa from Cedar Rapids Hearing Center comes to clean and adjust hearing aids free of charge.  Many residents have benefitted from this service so please take advantage of this opportunity if you use a hearing aid.  The improvement in how your hearing aid functions will surprise you!

Wednesday, March 14, 1:30 p.m.
Glycerin Soap Craft – Darcie comes up with some winning craft ideas.  This one has you making some really unique and beautiful soap in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and scents.  If you’ve never done anything like this before give it a try.

Thursday, March 15, 4:30-6
Music and Dancing from 6:30-7:30 – Please join us for dinner, music, and dancing. Music will be provided by the George Jazz Trio.  Feel free to dress formal in gowns and suits or dress more casually if you like.  If you have any memorabilia from prom such as photos, flowers or maybe the dress or jewelry you wore please feel free to bring them to show.

Friday, March 16, 3:30 p.m.
St. Patrick’s Day Social Hour – Have you noticed how many residents enjoy the fun and diversion of dressing up in costumes to celebrate a special day?  St. Paddy’s should be no different.  What is important on this day is the wearing of green (socks, pants, shirts, hats, whatever).  You don’t have to be Irish to enjoy celebrating this special ethnic holiday.  Just come ready to enjoy being with friends, sharing a special treat, and having some green beer.  Slainte!

Monday, March 26, 10:00 a.m.
Artful Conversation – Last month’s subject was portrait art and self-portraits and this month’s subject has yet to be announced but come prepared to learn and enjoy a very lively and informative program prepared by the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art and the Eastern Iowa Arts Association.

Wednesday, March 28, 10:00 a.m.
Art Workshop – This is the follow-up art activity to the Artful Conversation and promises to be at least as much fun, if not more, as the art workshop in February.

Wednesday, March 28^th
Movie Matinee – Many Book Club members enjoyed the book The Help.  Rachel Wood is loaning us the movie version of this wonderful story so we can have a special movie matinee at the Keystone Cedars theatre.  Enjoying a good movie is a lot like enjoying a slice of chocolate pie.