New Year's Eve celebrations at Shepherd of the Valley Care Center are a bit different.

Sure, there are party hats, music and dancing and, of course, champagne.

But it all takes place about 14 hours early. The nursing home's New Year's Eve party begins at 10 a.m. Most residents will be in bed by 7 p.m. long before most people pop open their bottles of the real bubbly.

Residents at the nursing home drink sparkling grape juice instead of actual champagne.

After celebrating 85 New Year's Eves, Dr. Jim Lane's days of dancing late into the night on the holiday, like he used to, are over. He uses a walker to get around and has trouble hearing.

"When you are 85 and a half, there's nothing to look forward to," said Lane, who has been living at the nursing home the past three months. "The kids are grown and doing well. My wife died."

Even though he wasn't sure what 2009 would bring him, Lane said he was glad to be at the nursing home for New Year's. The party would definitely force him out of bed before 10 a.m., he said.

Jeanie Fitzpatrick, activities coordinator, said New Year's can be difficult for some residents, but they look forward to the party and other activities planned during the holiday.

"They've been through enough years adjusting," Fitzpatrick said. "That's what life is all about - adjusting. Most of them are adjusting to this part of life."

She expects about 50 to 60 residents and family members to attend the party.

Resident Stephanie Sundem is determined to stay up until the ball drops. As a tradition, she calls her son and daughter at midnight to be the first person to wish them a happy New Year.

Though she says the holiday will be much more tame than her partying days at the Beacon Club 30 years ago, New Year's still marks a time of new beginnings.

"To not make the same mistakes again," Sundem said. "My plans are just to be safe and happy."

Her New Year's resolution is to do everything she can to stay out of the hospital in 2009. She met her resolution this year to lose weight. She lost 47 pounds even though she is in a wheelchair.

Most residents are just glad not to be alone during the holidays, said Penny Frantz, who is retiring from her post in the activities department today after 23 New Year's Eve parties.

She remembers one woman who always thought the champagne was alcoholic.

"Oh, it tastes so good," she recalls the woman saying. "I can already feel it."

Monday morning, Lane told Frantz about how he used to kiss all the women at the country club on New Year's Eve. And how he didn't always wait until the clock struck midnight.

"That's why I don't find this place depressing," Frantz said. "There is always someone to make me laugh with their stories."

Contact health reporter Allison Rupp at (307) 266-0534 or allison.rupp@trib.com.