It can’t be a bad month if it starts out with the Super Bowl. Popcorn and cokes were served in the living room for those who wanted to watch the game there. We were lucky enough to have Del Rae with us to play the piano. She is a great entertainer. For those of you who don’t know, Del Rae has been nominated for an Emmy award and has played all over the world. We are extremely lucky to have her come and play for us. February is the Great American Pie month. In celebration, we all had a nice big slice of lemon merangue pie on the 5th and apple pie and ice cream on the 16th. The dining room filled right up. And lest we forget, February is also the month with Valentine’s day. Any excuse for a party, so we of course had a Valentine’s party. Lot’s of decorations made by the Tri Q club, goodies and candy. Everyone comes to the parties and we all had a great time. February birthdays included Mr. Berry, Mrs. Salley and Mrs Livingston. Three great reasons for a party. The cakes are provided by the Jr. Service League, the fun is provided by our residents.

WHO’S WHO AT LONGWOOD PLANTATION

Michele Ford, co-owner of Longwood Plantation Assisted Living Community, was born October 29, 1956 in Winthrop, Mass. A graduate of Somerville High School, Somerville, Mass., in 1974, Michele then received her nursing diploma from Somerville Hospital School of Nursing in 1977. She also attended Northeastern University and Middlesex Community College where she received advanced credits in Cardiac Care. A seasoned nurse, her background included many years in Critical Care (ICU, CCU, and Emergency Nursing), Nursing Administration, Education and Geriatrics. Michele has had certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and completed the Trauma Nurse Corp Curriculum. She is presently a certified CPR instructor. In 1994, Michele obtained her Residential Care Administrators license in South Carolina and opened Longwood Plantation. In 2000, Magnolia Place was opened, a facility to assist individuals with Alzheimer’s and/or related dementias. Committed to working with the geriatric population, particularly those diagnosed with dementia, Michele continues her education with various programs related to Alzheimer’s. She has recently completed a course sponsored by the University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health and earned the title of “Dementia Specialist” following its completion. Michele is a former member of the SC Association of Residential Care Homes, having served on the Medication committee. Michele was a founding member of Orangeburg’s first annual Alzheimers Memory Walk in Sept. 2000. She received the Community Support Award by the Alzheimers Association. She is presently a member of the Advisory Board for Health Occupations at the Orangeburg-Calhoun Technology Center, as well as an advisory member for the Nursing Assistant program at O/C Tech. She is a former Alzheimers Support Group Facilitator. Michele has been married to Fred Ford, her husband of 23 years, and is the mother of 2 children. Sarah,22, is a May 2004 graduate of Columbia College with degrees in History and Political Science, and Phillip is a rising-senior at Orangeburg Prep. Her hobbies and interests are reading, watching her son play football and tennis, traveling, and shopping with her daughter. She has a special love for her 4 year old poodle, Chipper, who was named after Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves. “I have been in nursing for 27 years and love every minute of it,” Ford states. “I love my job, I love my residents, and if I had a chance to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing.”