For most of her life, Pauline Daninger’s hobby, and sometimes part-time job, has been creating arts, crafts and baked goods.
“I guess I was about in my 20s when I started crafting and baking. My mother showed me how to crochet, my sister showed me how to embroider and my older sister showed me how to bake bread,” says Pauline, a senior living resident at Good Samaritan Society – Heritage Grove in East Grand Forks, Minnesota.
After marrying, Pauline and her husband relocated every few years due to his military service. The couple had four children. When the family was stationed in Hawaii, Pauline became interested in doing oil painting on canvas. Then she tried china painting on porcelain.
“I did plates. I poured my own designs and then I would fire them and paint on them,” Pauline says.
At one point, Pauline started her own art business selling ceramic and porcelain items.
Pauline’s daughter, Marie Watts, says, “My mom’s been crafty my whole life. She had her own business for a long time. When we lived in Florida, she also taught classes at an organization. She’s always wanted to give back to the community.”
Over the years, Pauline showcased and sold her creations at craft fairs.
“I was in the fifth grade when I first remember helping her sell her items. From fifth grade through high school, we were going to craft shows,” says Marie.
Pauline still pursues her hobbies after moving to Heritage Grove a year ago – including selling items at the annual craft fair. Last year, Marie helped Pauline with her booth.
“When I was working at Heritage Grove, she came and taught a group of residents how to make amazing potholders,” says Marie.
Senior living: Just the right fit
Marie was the office manager at Heritage Grove for about five years. At that time, Pauline drove from her home in Hoople, North Dakota, to have lunch with her. That was Pauline’s first introduction to the campus.
“She knew from my time there what it was like and that helped her know what she wanted and didn’t want in a senior living community. We encouraged her to look at several properties and Good Samaritan offered more than them, so it was the better choice for her,” says Marie.
Pauline enjoys her apartment and the welcoming community.
“The people are very friendly and there’s a lot of activity going on almost every day. They do bingo twice a week, and they have music every now and then where kids come in and play their instruments or singers come and perform. We did a thing where we all dressed all up and had our pictures taken and that turned out really cute,” says Pauline.
She likes sharing her talents with her neighbors and once led a resident activity called Creative Kitchen.
“Several people came and I showed them how to make chocolate-covered coconut balls,” Pauline says.
“When mom is asked if she’ll do something, she’s always on board,” says Marie.
Joyful life with family close by
Pauline hadn’t lived near her siblings since she was a young woman. Now that she lives in East Grand Forks, she’s only five minutes away and visits them often.
“I really like it. I’m close to my sister, my sister-in-law and other extended family. We play cards, eat snacks and have fun,” says Pauline.
Marie is glad her mom gets to see family regularly and live in a familiar area.
“She goes to church at Sacred Heart, which is where she went to high school. That’s her stomping ground,” says Marie.