The Weyburn Special Care Home has been busy with activities through the month of December and into early January.

In the first week of December, Santa Claus paid a visit to every resident, providing a special gift to each person. These gifts were selected and purchased by the Special Care Home Auxiliary, which also provided the residents with a Christmas supper of turkey with all the trimmings.

The Care Home's Tone Bells group performed at the Quota Festival of Carols this year for the first time ever, and a great time was had by all who took part. Many of the residents possess musical talent, and this was an opportunity to share it with their community and to continue being a part of it.

The residents had the opportunity to do some Christmas and personal shopping at an in-house shopping event, as a number of Weyburn businesses brought in merchandise for the residents to peruse. These included Pharmasave, the Weyburn Co-op, Edna Olson's cards and books, the Nut Man, Shelley Lueck and crafts by Pat Eberle.

The Special Care Home's dietary staff prepared and served a Christmas dinner for the residents and their families, with approximately 200 people enjoying the fare. Singers from the Weyburn Comprehensive School, directed by Colleen Weimer, also performed. A draw was made for a Christmas tree with ornaments made by the residents and staff; the winner was Gloria Charles of Stoughton. The raffle was a success as it raised over $1,000.

A Norwegian Christmas dinner of lutefisk, Swedish meatball, mashed potatoes and creamed peas with onions was prepared and served on Dec. 17. The residents were joined by Pastor Martin Olson and members of the Zion Lutheran Church. An authentic Norwegian blessing was said by Evelyn Hanson, followed by the English version by Marg McLeod.

Children from both St. Dominic Savio and Assiniboia Park Schools came to share Christmas carols with the residents.

The residents had an opportunity to go on two Christmas light tours, and many residents noted they were amazed at the beauty of the lights and the creativity of the residents of Weyburn.

Other groups also came to entertain the residents at the Care Home, including the Terry Malley Singers, the Entertainers, the Rotary Club, the Lutheran Church and the Weyburn Men's Choral Group.

The year was brought to an end with a New Year's party with entertainment by Ben Folk and friends at the residents' monthly pub.

The Christmas season did not end there, as the Special Care Home's Red Hat Society had a salad bar luncheon on Jan. 7 to celebrate Ukrainian Christmas. The Singing Seniors had a special Ukrainian Christmas program on Jan. 10 as well.

The year 2008 will have many events and activities, with plans to celebrate Robbie Burns night in January; in February there will be a spa day for everyone; there will also be a Sunday interdenominational service followed by a special Sunday brunch prepared by the dietary staff. March will see a men's night out, and in April residents will have an opportunity to attend a steak night out on the town.