DW JOURNAL
November 2016
“Respecting the path of life.”
Dear Family and Friends:
As I return to work in November, I am ever mindful of what I am grateful for during a month
known for “thankfulness.”
There are so many great expressions I learned from my elders which now hold a deeper meaning to me, after experiencing firsthand what the words reference. Have you ever heard the following:

Everything happens for a reason.

Something good comes from every unfortunate situation.

Sometimes what you see, is not what you get.

Be slow to judge, unless you have walked a mile in their shoes.

Bad things happen to good people too.

Remember where you came from.

Never forget the people that gave you the opportunity to be where you are today.

All of us can complain, but remember there is always something to be thankful for.

If you don’t have anything nice to say, consider saying nothing at all.

When you interact with people, do you leave them better off with your words and actions and
choose to make a positive difference?

Listen carefully to how a person speaks about other people to you, as this is how they will likely
speak about you to other people.

Your character is not only defined when people are watching, but rather when no one is watching.

Whatever you think, will be your mindset. The glass is either half full or half empty. Only you decide. You choose. Whatever you tell your mind – that is what it will be.

You are either part of the solution or part of the problem – never both.

Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence.
–Colin Powell

Play the cards you were dealt.
As I reflect on my experience with Breast Cancer and the five surgeries that followed in the
past 18 months, I have learned more than I ever thought possible. I have pondered the statement
made to me, “You are a Breast Cancer survivor.” I have decided that my path happened to be Breast
Cancer, but I truly believe many are a survivor of something. Some survived WWII, the Vietnam
War, domestic abuse, alcoholism, loss of children, medical setbacks, and numerous other tragedies.
So, for me, I have learned to not question “Why me? “ but rather to accept it with “Why not me?”
Once I stopped questioning why this happened to me, I was able to embrace all that came my way.
Even while I was hospitalized the last time, I had numerous care givers who once worked for
me or with me over my 25 years in Duluth, MN. I was amazed how many times I was told how wonderful Keystone Bluffs and Diamond Willow Assisted Living are. I was amazed how many times
people thanked me for creating great places for them to work, to gain experience, and to grow before
they pursued their dream of hospital work. I was humbled by how small the circle of life really is.
Now, so many I had employed at one time, were caring for me at my most vulnerable time. As a patient, I was able to thank them for their service to seniors and to share the joys of their career path.
Even though years had passed, everyone who once worked for us, was still grateful and appreciative
for the experience and opportunity. In fact, it reminded me that we never forget kindness and friendliness. People always appreciate those qualities, and as caregivers, we realize how every opportunity
is a stepping stone for our own development and growth.
As Thanksgiving comes this year, I hope you all take a moment to reflect on what you have to
be thankful for. Take a moment to help someone less fortunate than you and thank those who make
your light shine.
With Thanksgiving,
Natalie Zeleznikar
Natalie Zeleznikar, CEO
Activities
1. I had a customized recording done with two musicians to record songs from our seniors’ childhood and lifetime. These DVD’s will be at all locations for daily sing-a-longs.
2. I had placemats laminated with common prayers for our seniors at meal times.
3. I have aromatherapy scents and vaporizers ordered for all sites. Research shows that lavender
helps calm seniors.
4. I have new comedy DVD’s for all sites of comedians from our seniors’ lifetime.
Grand Rapids
Lester Park
Mountain Iron
Campus Listing
Diamond Willow Alexandria
Lake Agnes Suite
Lake Henry Suite
803 Victor Street
803 1/2 Victor Street
Alexandria, MN 56308
Alexandria, MN 56308
320-762-1448
320-762-2067
RN: Kellie Plencner
Director of Operations:
Sara Kleinschmidt
218-591-7541
Diamond Willow Baxter
Scandia Suite
Fjord Suite
14396 Grand Oaks Dr.
14398 Grand Oaks Dr.
Baxter, MN 56425
Baxter, MN 56425
218-825-7034
218-825-7162
RN: Robyn Gries
Director of Operations:
Sara Kleinschmidt
218-591-7541
Diamond Willow Cloquet
Stillwell Suite
Trygg Suite
130 W. North Rd
132 W. North Rd
Cloquet, MN 55720
Cloquet, MN 55720
218-878-1972
RN: Nancy Hillstrom
218-878-1974
Director of Operations:
Sara Kleinschmidt
218-591-7541
Diamond Willow Detroit Lakes
Burlington Suite
Soo Line Suite
1558 Randolph Rd
1564 Randolph Rd
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501 Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
218-846-0825
218-846-0147
RN: Jennifer Mann
Director of Operations:
Sara Kleinschmidt
218-591-7541
Diamond Willow Grand Rapids
Eagle Pine Suite
Mississippi Suite
949 SW 11th Ave
949 1/2 SW 11th Ave
Grand Rapids, MN 55744 Grand Rapids, MN 55744
218-327-9463
218-327-9460 or 327-9461
RN: Bethany Hagman
Director of Operations:
Sara Kleinschmidt
218-591-7541
Diamond Willow Lester Park
Lester River Suite
Gitchi Gammi Suite
6353 E. Superior St
6355 E. Superior St
Duluth, MN 55804
Duluth, MN 55804
218-525-8093
218-525-8177
RN: Emily Quast
Director of Operations:
Sara Kleinschmidt
218-591-7541
Diamond Willow Little Falls
Staurolite Suite
Lindbergh Suite
1401 5th Ave NE
1405 5th Ave NE
Little Falls, MN 56345
Little Falls, MN 56345
320-616-2845
320-616-2848
RN: Derek Peterson
Director of Operations:
Sara Kleinschmidt
218-591-7541
Diamond Willow Mountain Iron
Wacoutah Suite
Leonidas Suite
8583 Unity Dr.
8585 Unity Dr.
Mtn. Iron, MN 55768
Mtn. Iron, MN 55768
218-741-1413
218-741-1450
RN: Maureen Typpo
Director of Operations:
Sara Kleinschmidt
218-591-7541
Diamond Willow Park Rapids
Birch Park Suite
Evergreen Suite
911 Crocus Hill St
909 Crocus Hill St
Park Rapids, MN 56470 Park Rapids, MN 56470
218-732-1674
218-732-1671
RN: Donna Guck
Director of Operations:
Sara Kleinschmidt
218-591-7541
Important Dates in November
November 6th—Daylights Savings Time Ends
November 8th—Election Day
November 11th—Veterans Day
November 24th—Thanksgiving Day
Diamond Willow Proctor
Arbor Rose Suite
Misty Ivy Suite
913 Old Highway 2
915 Old Highway 2
Proctor, MN 55810
Proctor, MN 55810
218-624-9771
218-628-3535
RN (Suites): Nichole Olson
World Traveler Cottage
919 Old Highway 2
Proctor, MN 55810
218-624-5102
Traditions Cottage
921 Old Highway 2
Proctor, MN 55810
218-624-5034
Lake Superior Cottage
923 Old Highway 2
Proctor, MN 55810
218-624-0363
RN (Cottages): Korey Kampen
Director of Operations:
Sara Kleinschmidt
218-591-7541