MONTE VISTA- Hearts, laughter and love songs, filled Homelake on Valentine’s Day during their annual Valentine’s program. Homelake has been participating with Valentine’s for Veterans for over 15 years. Anne Launders started the program 31 years ago as a way to honor, remember, and thank veterans especially veterans in hospitals and care communities. Every year the community and schools throughout the San Luis Valley, and veteran organizations throughout the State, send Valentines to the residents at Homelake. This year was no exception with boxes stuffed full of red and pink packages for our country’s heroes.

The annual Homelake Valentine’s program was a great success. This year they had a new addition to the show with two puppet show performances. One was a humorous telling of Romeo and Juliet and had a unique twist with Romeo turning into a beaver halfway through. The other puppet show was a modern tragedy of Lady and the Tramp.

There was also several song performances by the Homelake Harmonizers. The singing group sang classic love songs including, “Let Me Call you Sweetheart,” and  “Love Me Tender.” There was also two harmonica solos by the talented Ken Vaugh. Evelyn Espinola read a love letter that she wrote when her husband was serving overseas. Debbie Upton was the writer and the director for the program. This is the second program Upton has coordinated at Homelake. The first program she put on was during Christmas.

The program concluded with the 2020 crowning of the Homelake King and Queen. There were two Kings and two Queens crowned. Steven Graf was crowned domiciliary King and Barbara Cousineau was crowned domiciliary Queen. Madalyn Clark was crowned nursing home Queen, and Charles Reeder was crowned nursing home King. After they were crowned the program ended with all of the valentines being handed out.

“Seeing the smiles and joy that the valentines bring our residents is priceless. The support that our community gives to Homelake shows our veterans that we have not forgotten their service to our nation,” commented Pam Self who is the admissions and marketing director for Homelake.

 The puppet show was a huge success.

Homelake residents receiving valentines from people all over the community and Colorado.