Americare - Ravenwood

03/13/2026

🎶 JIM KRAMER | “Under the Boardwalk” 🎶

And the fun continues with “Under the Boardwalk”! 🌊🎶

This song always brings a little extra energy to the room. You can see people tapping their feet and smiling as Jim’s smooth voice carries the melody. These songs never get old, and neither does hearing Jim perform them.

He’s incredibly talented, wonderfully humble, and truly one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet. We’re so grateful he shares his time, and his music, with us. 🎶

03/13/2026

🎶 JIM KRAMER | “Only You” 🎶

Jim Kramer brings the magic again with the classic “Only You.” 🎶

He even nails that signature Doo-Wop sound—just like the great groups from back in the day. You can see the recognition on people’s faces as the familiar melody begins. Soon a few are quietly singing along, and the smiles say it all.

Jim has a rare gift for making these songs feel brand new while honoring the way we’ve always loved them. We feel blessed every time he shares his music with us. 🎤🎶

03/13/2026

🎶 JIM KRAMER | “In the Still of the Night” 🎶

When Jim sings “In the Still of the Night,” the room becomes wonderfully quiet as everyone listens. His voice brings these timeless songs to life, just the way we remember them. It’s amazing how music can carry you back to special times and places in an instant.

We always look forward to Jim’s visits. His kindness, humility, and incredible talent make every performance something truly special. We are so grateful he shares his music with us. 🤎🎶

03/11/2026

Remembering Robert “Bob” Stephen Reed

September 12, 1945 – December 13, 2025 🕊️

Robert “Bob” Stephen Reed was born on September 12, 1945, to Donald and Virginia Reed in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. As a young man, Bob proudly served his country in the United States Army, a chapter of his life that reflected his sense of duty and commitment. Later in life, Bob made his home in Springfield, Missouri, and in November of 2021 he came to live at Ravenwood Assisted Living.

Bob was a quiet and independent man who valued his personal time. Though he kept mostly to himself, in his own reserved way he became a familiar and steady presence in the community.

Many of Bob’s daily habits reflected his commitment to living a healthy life. He enjoyed visiting Mama Jean’s Natural Market, where he regularly picked up his favorite health foods and organic items. Staying active was also important to him. Bob was a faithful participant in our daily morning exercise class, knowing the value that physical activity brought to his well-being. He could often be seen walking laps around the building too—no matter the weather, turning it into a daily discipline.

Bob also enjoyed activities that challenged his mind. He was always present when Stacy from Seasons Hospice brought her enormous crossword puzzle and placed it on an easel for everyone to see. The puzzle was a team effort, with clues called out to the room. Bob, an intellectual at heart and a lover of words, often had the answer first.

His love of language stretched back many years. During his college days, Bob discovered a passion for writing poetry. He wrote from the heart, expressing his deepest thoughts and feelings. Each year he would arrive early for our community’s annual talent show, eager to read a selection of his favorite poems. When he shared them, he did so with genuine emotion and sincerity.

Music was another of Bob’s pleasures. Every Thursday, when Rosanne came to play the piano, Bob was usually among the first to arrive and settle into his favorite seat. With his appreciation for music and the arts, he delighted in Rosanne’s wide repertoire. During her program “Name That Tune,” Bob’s hand was often the first in the air as he quickly recognized the title and artist of songs spanning many decades and styles.

Bob lived life in his own thoughtful and solitary way, finding joy in words, music, learning, and personal discipline. Though he was a man of few words, the routines he kept and the passions he shared left their mark on those who knew him.

As we remember Bob, we honor a life lived with quiet determination, intellectual curiosity, and a deep appreciation for the simple rhythms of daily life. May his memory remain with all who shared in those moments with him. 🤍

Rest in peace, Bob. ✨

03/10/2026

Larry loves coming outside to tend to our garden and feed the birds!! He’s such a wonderful help here.

03/06/2026

🌿 This Week’s Wellness Win 🌿

At Americare, Wellness isn’t a program – it’s a way of life. Through Flourish Wellness, we create opportunities for residents to live with vitality, meaning, and personal fulfillment at every age and ability level.

Dimension of Wellness: Social

Activity: String Painting!

🥀🌺🌈 Flowers for spring time!!

03/05/2026

🌿 This Month’s BIG Wellness Wins 🌿

At Americare, Wellness isn’t a program – it’s a way of life. Through Flourish Wellness, we create opportunities for residents to live with vitality, meaning, and personal fulfillment at every age and ability level.

Dimension of Wellness: INTELLECTUAL

Activity: St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations

🍀🌈 Shamrocks, Smiles, & A Wee Bit o’ Irish Cheer! 🌈🍀

Check out this month’s calendar! March has arrived, bringing with it the fresh awakening of spring and that wonderful sense of hope as we leave winter behind. There’s a little magic in the air this month—brighter days, warmer sunshine, and so many joyful moments waiting to be shared together! 💚

We are endlessly grateful for our phenomenal monthly volunteers who fill our days with kindness, laughter, and heart. You are truly the pot of gold at the end of our rainbow! 🌟

And now… let the Irish festivities begin! ☘️✨

🎉 Saturday, March 14 | 2:00 PM

We’ll keep tradition alive as we park our bus downtown to enjoy Springfield’s 43rd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade! We’re thrilled to share this outing with Mindi Phillips and our friends from Spring Ridge Assisted Living, one of our wonderful sister communities. Our city always delivers a festive celebration—and if you haven’t met Mindi yet, you’re in for a treat! Laughter is guaranteed. Of course we’ll have everything you need for the wearin’ of the green! 💚

🎶 Sunday, March 15 | 2:00 PM

We’re off to the Schweitzer Brentwood Branch Library to enjoy Irish harpist Turner Collins and his captivating program, “Then and Now.” This beautiful musical journey explores Celtic harp music from the Middle Ages to the 21st century. It promises to be both inspiring and delightful! 🎵

☘️ Tuesday, March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day! | 1:00 PM

Let the shenanigans begin! Our friend, the ever-popular and talented accordionist Mike Hamski, will fill the room with lively Irish polkas and sing-alongs at our St. Paddy’s Day party. And what’s a celebration without a sweet treat? We’ll top it all off with sundaes featuring green mint chocolate chip ice cream! 🍨💚

🎤 Wednesday, March 18 | 2:00 PM

The very next day, Dennis Franck returns to charm us once again with his music and storytelling. A man of many talents, Dennis captivates audiences whether he’s singing beloved favorites or sharing heartfelt (and humorous!) stories. His signature song, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” never fails to bring smiles. It’s no wonder everyone asks when he’s coming back! 😊🎶

🍽️ Friday, March 20 | 12:00 PM

We’re heading out for lunch at Mully’s Irish Pub & Patio! This locally loved spot is known for its three-level patio views, house-made deep-fried cookie dough dessert, shareable bites, creative cocktails, and lively art-deco-inspired atmosphere. Afterward, we’ll return home for some laughs with “A Wee Bit o’ Irish Humor.”

And that’s not all!

🤠 Saturday, March 21 | 12:00 PM

John and Jan Stump are back by popular demand—this time with their Western show! 🤠🎶 So grab your Wranglers, cowboy hats, and boots and join us for another Sentimental Journey with this dynamic duo. Our wonderful dietary staff is just as excited for the event as we are and will be preparing and serving a delicious chuckwagon-style meal for us to savor while we sit back, relax, and enjoy the music. 🍽️✨ It’s sure to be a toe-tapping good time filled with great food, great company, and fantastic entertainment! 🎵🤎

March is bursting with music, friendship, laughter, and celebration. We can’t wait to share every shamrock-filled moment together! 🍀

03/01/2026

Ah, March is here, signaling the awakening of spring! This is the magical month of expectation, giving us a sense of hopefulness as we leave the winter behind. There’s excitement in the air as we eagerly anticipate the warm, sunny days ahead, and the good times we’re going to share. ☘️☀️

03/01/2026

🌞 A “Ray” of Sunshine in Every Detail 🌹✨

Our very own “Ray” is turning gold cloth napkins into beautiful rose creations—adding an elegant, thoughtful touch to our friends’ table settings. 💛

She goes above and beyond, bringing warmth and sunshine to our gatherings. There’s nothing she loves more than surprising everyone and seeing their smiles light up the room. 😊🌟

03/01/2026

02/28/2026

💙 Happy Birthday, Cynthia—Our Beautiful “Blue Eyes”! 🎉🎂

We are so happy to celebrate Cynthia as part of our Ravenwood family! With the biggest, most beautiful blue eyes you’ve ever seen, it’s no wonder everyone notices them right away. In fact, some have lovingly called her “Blue Eyes” her whole life—and anyone who knows her understands why. 💙

This week, Cynthia is celebrating in her favorite way: dining out with family and friends and savoring every moment. When we asked what she wanted for her birthday, she answered instantly—chocolate cake! 🍫🎂 No hesitation… and a big smile to go with it!

From a young age, Cynthia knew exactly what she wanted to do. Adventurous and independent, she has never been afraid to step into the unknown and embrace new experiences. Here’s a glimpse of her remarkable journey, shared in her own words:

She attended St. Agnes High School—one of the happiest times of her life. With just 69 students in her graduating class, lifelong friendships were formed. At only 16, she began working in the lab at St. John’s, already pursuing the career she had set her heart on.

After graduating in 1972 from Drury University with a degree in biology, she returned to St. John’s to train as a Medical Technologist. She worked there for five years before visiting her sister in Fairbanks, Alaska—and promptly falling in love with the Last Frontier. True to her adventurous spirit, Cynthia returned home, resigned from her job, and moved to Alaska to continue her work as a MedTech.

Her journey didn’t stop there. She later headed to Southern California, working at Nichols Institute while living in a tiny apartment on Balboa Island—a chapter she remembers fondly. From there, she ventured to Boston, spending four years at New England Deaconess Hospital. Eventually, life brought her back home to Missouri, where she happily returned to St. John’s and dedicated 20 more years before retiring six years ago.

Retirement hasn’t slowed her down one bit! She has traveled to England, Italy, and South America with close friends—with South America being her favorite adventure. She loved meeting fascinating people along the way, and locals were amazed that she and her friends had traveled so far from home!

Cynthia is also a devoted Kansas City Chiefs fan ❤️💛 and has attended two games at Arrowhead Stadium. As she says, you can watch on TV—but nothing compares to experiencing it live. It’s bigger than life!

After a serious fall a few years ago, her family helped her make the move to Ravenwood. Here, she has built new friendships and continues to enjoy life—joining monthly dining outings, looking forward to a visit to the Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park this spring, and hoping to catch a few Springfield Cardinals games this summer.

Looking back, Cynthia says she has lived a happy life filled with wonderful friends—many of whom are celebrating this special birthday with her now.

Cynthia, your courage, warmth, and beautiful spirit (not to mention those stunning blue eyes!) inspire us all. 💙

Here’s to many more blessings, adventures, and chocolate cake in the year ahead! 🎉✨