COURTESY OF MILESTONE SENIOR LIVING
BRANTWOOD – Phyllis Quimette is a 91-year-old lady who moved from her home into Milestone Senior Living a little over a year ago. She still drives her little truck and seems to always be on the move.
One winter day she was reminiscing with Julie Thompson, Life Enrichment Coordinator, about going on past sleigh rides with her husband at Palmquist Farm in Brantwood, Wis., a little over 20 miles west of Tomahawk. In talking with her, she said they use to travel from White Bear Lake, Minn., to visit family in Tomahawk.
In their travels back and forth, they would pass a winery in Brantwood, which later brought them to discover the farm. Both she and her husband would go on annual sleigh rides, which they looked forward to every winter.
As she was talking about this, she said maybe the people at Milestone would like to do this also. Julie thought it would be too ‘blustery’ for elderly people, but lo and behold, when Milestone residents were asked, eight signed up to attend.
Phyllis said it has probably been more than 12 years since she has gone, and later found some information that stated the cost of a sleigh ride was $6 then.
“We ventured out to Palmquist Farm on Saturday, Feb. 8, as it was a whopping 19 degrees that day,” Julie said. “A total number of five residents ended up going, along with three staff and three of their children. This was such an enjoyable day for all. We all had hearty laughs as we loaded and unloaded the sleigh. Following the ride, we warmed up with hot cocoa. The exciting chatter continued for about a week after the outing, and then they said they were ready to do it again!”