By Mike Weland
The Boundary County Restorium’s picnic happens once a year, but the 50th anniversary of a community treasure and testament to Boundary County’s commitment to its elders — the only county-owned assisted living facility in Idaho, only happens once. It’s taking place from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, June 29 … and it’s a grand opportunity for the community to show its appreciation for all the Community Restorium offers those who call it home.
Hosted by the Friends of the Restorium, Jeannie Robinson, president, the annual picnic is more than a fundraiser, it’s a community gathering that brings young and old together and reunites old friends and new with some great Chic n’Chop burgers and hot dogs barbecued on the grill off the gazebo in the Restorium courtyard, served up with salads and an array of scrumptious sides, some prepared by the amazing Restorium kitchen staff, others brought in potluck. It’s a meal that will leave you smiling the whole rest of the day.
But leave some room, as I haven’t mentioned the pies yet.
Boundary County is famous for ladies who can turn out pies better than you’ll find anywhere else, and few can top the pies baked by the Church of God in Christ Mennonite ladies, who will be bringing in a selection of all your favorites for a slice to put the proper finish to a great barbecue. Served from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., it’s just $10 for adults, $5 for kids aged four to 11 and free for kids three and under.
In addition, you won’t want to miss the chance to take home some fine pies of your own during the pie auction, ahem … auctions … there’s special early pie auction at 1 p.m. And you’ll be able to bid on some great items donated by local businesses and neighbors.
The only certainty is that … uh … life is like a box of chocolate pies. Or something. Ahem. Sorry. You never know what you’re gonna get.
But guarantell you dis … What treasures you get gonna be good!
This year, in honor of 50 years of looking after our senior citizens with dignity and compassion, Friends of the Restorium ask that those whose family members have been residents bring in a photo or two and a brief note to tell who they are and what it meant to have such a rare and caring facility available. In addition, they would love to invite those who comprise the Restorium’s greatest asset … the staff members who so faithfully and selflessly serve, not just as caregivers, but as friends. They’d like the pictures and names of as many current and former Restorium employees as possible that they, too, can be acknowledged and remembered. Every current and former employee who stops in, to include those on shift, will get a free slice of pie, courtesy 9B.News.
The photos of both residents and staff, as well as the memorials written or typed to be legible and fit the width of the photo, become the property of the Friends of the Restorium and cannot be returned, as they will be laid out in montage as art of “Community Restorium ~ The First 50 Years,” to be shared for display between the Restorium and the Friends of Restorium for the next 50 years.
If you can’t bring photos and captions to the picnic, mail them to Photos, c/o Community Restorium, 6619 Kaniksu St., Bonners Ferry, ID 83805. Please mail by June 27 to ensure inclusion.
But lest we forget …
All proceeds from the Restorium picnic go to provide comfort to residents.
And not just big ticket items such as furniture, the van that enables forays and excursions out into the community, the walk-in tub, the hair care room and so much more, but the personalized year-around gifts that mean so much.
To donate an item for the silent auction or to make a donation, call Jeannie at (208) 267-6030 or (208) 946-0456 or Sheila at (208) 267-2277 or (208) 946-8286.