By Staff
VANDALIA - The gleaming smile of a waitress and a hot cup of fresh coffee. A hearty meal and warm conversations with some good friends. Picking up a few last-minute gifts for the people you care about.
Imagine these things being out of reach during a normal day.
For some affected by illness or other limitations, getting out of the house is a challenge, and getting out into the normal world most people enjoy is rare. But the Farm House Bakery in Vandalia recently made a special day for about 30 clients and staff of the Adult Day Care at the Cass County Council on Aging.
The group was treated to homemade chicken pot-pie, and steamed seasoned vegetables. For dessert, there was pumpkin bread with whipped cream.
The field trip was part of the holiday activities for the clients. The ADS plans activities and projects for the clients to help them stay active, maintain some independence, and be a part of the community.
Stutzman believes in treating everyone with kindness, “because someday I'm going to be there myself, and that's how I'd like to be treated.”
To complete the holiday season for the clients, a separate trip was to the Meijer store in Three Rivers. There, clients purchased gifts for their caregivers with gift cards donated by Meijer Stores. Additional Meijer gift cards and the lunch at the Farm House were funded by money raised through bridge tournaments held at the COA.
The Farm House is located at 59573 White Temple Road; 1 mile north of M-60 in Vandalia and is open Thursday through Saturday for breakfast and lunch. They also serve dinner by reservation only on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Adult Day Services has two locations - Cassopolis and Dowagiac - where adults can safely spend their days with others while caregivers work or take care of themselves. The care is highlighted by activities, projects and field trips.