March 2026

As we grow older, friendship matters more than ever. As we age, our circle of daily social connections often becomes smaller. Friends move away, families become busy, and it can be harder to stay socially active. Yet strong friendships remain just as important as ever - for our health, happiness, and sense of purpose. 

Here at Kingsway, friendship is built into everyday life. Instead of spending long days alone, residents are surrounded by neighbors who are in the same stage of life and are eager to connect.  Whether its sharing a meal together, attending activities, participating in chapel devotions or Bible studies, or simply chatting in the parlor areas, opportunities to form meaningful friendships happen naturally.

Friendships support emotional well being by reducing loneliness and bringing comfort during times of change. Knowing there is someone to laugh with, talk to, and rely on can make a powerful difference in quality of life. Many residents say the hardest part about coming to Kingsway was making the decision to move - but the best part was the friends that they gained when they got here. 

Social connections also keep the mind and body active. Group activities, clubs, and outings encourage participation and mental engagement, while walking with a friend or attending exercise classes together makes healthy habits easier and more enjoyable. 

Most of all, friendships create a true sense of belonging. In a senior living community, residents are not just neighbors. They become companions, supporters and friends. Moving into Kingsway isn't about giving something up; it's about gaining connection, security, and a fuller richer daily life. 

For many seniors, the decision to move is ultimately a decision to live more fully - with others by their side. 

Small communities sometimes have the biggest hearts. Meet Elizabeth, a seventh-year Girl Scout in Belle Plaine who set out on a mission that was big in kindness and huge in heart. 

She inspired the community to purchase boxes of these oh-so-famous cookies so that she could treat some of the elderly to a longtime tradition.

Her mission was to make someone's day a little sweeter and let the Kingsway residents know they matter.

She arrived with her wagon of brightly colored boxes, not just delivering cookies. She delivered kindness, connection, and generosity.

Elizabeth and her family want to give Kingsway a BIG thank you for welcoming them and for allowing them to meet all the incredibly wonderful residents. 

"Our hearts are bursting! Every single person we met had the biggest smile and warming welcome. We feel so lucky to have seen all the love and will never forget such a wonderful visit!"

While Elizabeth was delivering cookies, she had the honor of meeting one of our residents, Kathleen -  a former Girl Scout leader. 

Kathleen lived in Sebeka, MN at the time and had a young daughter, Mary, who was active in the Scouts program. 

"We met in the basement of a Methodist church. We did lots and lots of crafts and had cookouts in the local park." 

Mary fondly recalls how instrumental her mom was in the day to day operations of her Brownie troupe.

"She was very gifted in arts and crafts and loved helping cultivate our creativity."

Volunteering in a senior living community such as Kingsway is a powerful way for young people to make a meaningful difference while gaining valuable life experiences. For youth groups and honor society students, serving seniors offers a unique opportunity to grow in character, leadership, and compassion while bringing joy and connection to older adults.

Residents in senior living communities have rich life stories, plenty of wisdom, and experiences to share.

Volunteering with seniors builds important skills, teaching patience, empathy, communication, and respect - skills that can't always be learned in the classroom. 

Group service projects such as hosting a game day, helping with holiday parties, performing music, or leading craft activities are shared moments that create lasting memories and help young people understand the importance of giving back to those who paved the way before them. 

Kingsway deeply values youth involvement. Young volunteers bring energy, laughter, and fresh perspective. Residents look forward to these visits, forming bonds that feel like extended family. These visits lift spirits, reduce loneliness, and create moments of joy that truly matter. 

Whether you or someone you know needs service hours, leadership opportunities, or simply a way to make a difference, volunteering at Kingsway is a meaningful choice. These relationships remind everyone that age does not divide us - it connects us. 

For more information on how to get involved, contact us today! 952-873-5900

In February, the country's most famous groundhog saw his shadow, meaning we were in for six more weeks of winter. Mark March 15th on your calendar. That is when Punxsutawney Phil says spring will officially arrive this year. Keep in mind that this old folklore is not considered an accurate tool and has been correct only forty percent of the time.

The February groundhog gears us up for the next piece of weather folklore which centers around the month of March. Many have tried to monitor the accuracy of the age-old March saying "In like a lion; out like a lamb." Turns out, this piece of folklore is only right about fifty percent of the time. The twist on this one is that you can flip it around to say, "In like a lamb; out like a lion", depending on how we enter March. 

Here are a few more weather proverbs and predictions. If nothing else, they help make life more interesting. Do you know what any of these mean?

"If the goose honks high, fair weather. If the goose honks low, foul weather."

"If spiders are many and spinning their webs, the spell will soon be very dry."

"Red sky at night, sailor's delight; red sky in the morning, sailor's take warning."

"Frogs croaking in the lagoon, means rain will come real soon."

"The ash before the oak - choke, choke, choke; the oak before the ash - splash, splash, splash."

Beware! March came in like a lamb. In other words, if you have plans for outside activity at the end of March - beware! You have a forty percent chance that March will be exiting like a lion.

The Lutheran Home Association, the parent Ministry of Kingsway Senior Living, has recently released it's 2024/25 Impact Report, highlighting news about the ministry. 

Please use the QR code to read the report, or if you prefer, click here to go directly to the webpage.

March 3: Get To Know Your Neighbor

March 9: Menu Council

March 11: Lunch at Tommy's Malt Shop

March 12: Jordan Creamery

March 17: St. Patrick's Day Lunch & Irish                        Music by Eileen Hanlon

March 18: Coffee with a Cop

March 18: Beer & Pizza

Baking Club, Exercises, Chapel Devotions, music performances, Bingo, matinee movie, Needlework Club, and more!

Local shopping every Friday.

IL & AL  activity calendar

Sophie’s Suites (Memory Care) calendar.

Mary S. often goes above and beyond in caring for our residents, especially in the flexibility and creativity she  implements on the Sophie's Suites calendar to accommodate residents and their families as they adjust to living in their new environment.

" A heartfelt thank you to our Kingsway residents' family members who truly embrace the whole community.  When you visit your loved one, you take time to get to know everyone, welcome new faces, and treat neighbors like family. Your kindness and open hearts help make our community more than a place to live- it makes it home. We are so grateful for the love, connection, and joy you bring to each day."

Our Home Health Aide, Jenny, came in on her day off with her baby lamb. Snowball met lots of residents during his visit to Kingsway. 

One of our families brought their dog Hazel in with them. She made so many new friends. 

Furry friends always bring joy. These simple acts mean so much to us!

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Happy Birthday!

Join us in celebrating the following residents:

March 3: Diane A.

March 14: Mary Pat M.

March 14: Vera L.

March 22: Janelle M.

March 1: Maharanie L.

March 4: Nicole H.

March 8: Hunter H.

March 19: Sheila S.

March 20: Elizabeth N.

March 24: Kathi W.

March 24: Madison M.

Team Member Anniversaries:

Ricardo L., 2 years

Wendy C., 4 years

Jean G., 7 years

by Ed Fredrich - TLHA Chaplain

“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up.” John 3:14    

You see them everywhere, around the neck, hanging from ears, even tattooed on people’s body parts. That doesn’t include the decorations in many homes and even in some businesses. We have come to accept that there should be a cross at a church, but why would the cross be such an important symbol?

When Nicodemus came to visit Jesus one night, he had many questions about salvation. As they were talking Jesus used an Old Testament reference with which Nicodemus would have been familiar. While in the wilderness, the Israelites sinned against God. On this particular rebellion, God sent poisonous snakes into the camp.

Continue reading!

Kingsway is continually working to improve the experience of our residents and their visitors.

If you have a suggestion, share it with the Kingsway team by filling out a "suggestions" form. Place forms in the wooden box located on the information desk near the elevator in the Independent Living wing.

We welcome all ideas!

815 W Main St, Belle Plaine, MN 56011
(952) 873-5900 | mykingswaybp.org | info@tlha.org