EAST LONGMEADOW, Mass (WWLP) – At the East Village Place retirement community, residents started celebrating the summer Olympic games, with games of their own.
“It’s just everyone getting together, enjoying themselves, and having a little bit of fun,” said Executive Director, Patti Castelli.
The ceremony started off with residents on both floors of the community passing a torch, walking from front door to front door, and ending up in the designated room where they lit the caldron to signify the start of their games, all while the Olympic theme song was playing.
Judith Gagnon, the Community Life Director, organized all of the Olympic games, some of which are similar to many of the actual games, and others are a little unique.
“Today is target shooting, tomorrow is axe throwing, we have an egg spoon race, relay race, and we have the wet t-shirt contest, which isn’t the traditional wet t-shirt, up on a clothesline with squirt guns,” said Gagnon.
Residents frequently show up eager to participate. And when any cups were knocked down, smiles and cheers filled the room joined with many waving American flags.
Residents, associates, caregivers, and family members all joined in on the fun to try and knock the cups down to win an Olympic gold, silver, or bronze medal.
“It’s engaging, it gets our residents actively involved, and they are having a blast. Some family members are here, the associates participate, and it’s just such good well-being and great feelings for everybody,” said Castelli.
Gagnon said it is the best feeling to see all of the smiles and hear the laughter and cheers.
Their opening ceremony is being topped off tonight with a champagne ball tonight for all residents and associates. It will be complete with appetizers, music, photography, and more.
Local News
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
Most Popular
Comments / 0