By Janet McGregor
Contributing Writer
jmac_snippets@hotmail.com

To celebrate Nursing Home Week and Older American's Month, local senior centers and nursing homes hosted numerous fun events during May.

Southland Nursing Home residents went on a “sea cruise,” complete with games, entertainment and fun foods. Activity director Angie Brown and David Porter painted a 30-foot cruise ship, including ocean and sea life in the home's main dining area. Each hall was decorated with sea life and cruise decorations.

They kicked off the event with outdoor games and a pina colada party. The Southside Singers and musical duo Wings sang to the group and Chef Sandy treated the residents to a fruit party complete with a cruise ship carved from a watermelon.

The ladies enjoyed hand massages, manicures and make-overs. Sea cruise portraits were made with the “largest shark ever caught at Southland,” and residents battled the staff with water pistols. The Kiwanis of Peachtree City gave residents a tour of Peachtree City on their golf carts after a fun cookout complete with hot dogs, baked beans and corn on the cob.

The grand finale for the sea cruise was a pirate day, with the staff all dressed in black and a few sporting an eye patch. To end the grand finale day, “The Magic Man” performed magic tricks and “made all the residents and staff laugh at his antics,” said Lyn Williams, assistant activity director.

Fayette Senior Services took a group to the DuRoc CafÈ for a barbecue lunch to celebrate and had numerous other activities.

LaFayette Nursing Home celebrated by having a variety of theme days. For hat day residents wore the hats of their choice - which ranged from the caps with baseballs glued to them to bonnets. For Hawaiian day, everyone dressed for a trip to the Islands, listened to Hawaiian music and danced. Some of the other theme days included Braves day and Western day.

At Ashley Glen Assisted Living, residents kicked off the month-long celebration with a balloon launch. Ten balloons were sent into the unknown with messages attached asking for a call if read. According to Melissa McCammon, activity director, residents are still hopeful. “We haven't received a response yet, but we may.”

Each week the center had an afternoon ice cream social. Children from the Multimedia Musical School entertained residents on five separate occasions with a variety of musical recitals. Also, special trips were made to the Atlanta Zoo and to Outback Steakhouse for dinner.

At Dogwood Forest of Fayetteville, “A fun time was had by all,“ said Dolores Harrison, activity director. Residents enjoyed the Southland Chorus show one Saturday, went fishing at Clearwater Lake, traveled to GTO's Fabulous Fifties Drive-In for a nostalgic trip back-in-time and planted their garden.

The garden planting was combined with a family night potluck dinner. Guests brought covered dishes and plants. Dogwood provided the main dish.

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