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Nursing home celebrates national week with activities

Daily News - 5/18/2017

Sgt. John Ballance of the Bowling Green Fire Department began calling out the bingo game Wednesday at Greenwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

It wasn't long before resident Dennis Hoover said "bingo" and chose a treat from the cart of goodies that served as prizes.

The nursing home was celebrating National Nursing Home Week, which occurs the week after Mother's Day each year, with an all-day community bingothon.

"It's a week to make them feel special, but I feel like we make them feel special every day," said Greenwood Activity Director Nolly Brandon.

The national theme is "Spirit of America." At Greenwood, Wednesday was "Superhero Day" and the residents donned masks of their favorite superhero.

"We've had real-life heroes come in and call bingo," Brandon said. "We had (Bowling Green City Commissioner) Brian "Slim" Nash. He did the whole morning. He judges our Halloween costume contest. We have the fire department and the (Warren County) sheriff's office."

The residents have been doing different activities throughout the week, including a salute to America, a watermelon social, an all-American cookout and magic with Uncle Sam. They will continue to celebrate through Friday when they cap off the week with fireworks.

Bingo is a favorite activity, though, Brandon said.

"We do it twice a week," she said. "They would do it every day if they could."

The residents were excited as they waited for the game to begin. Janice Vaughn had already won a Snickers bar earlier that day.

"(Brandon) said we were gonna have bingo all day," she said. "It's better than laying in your room and laying in your bed."

Her roommate, Sandra Smith, agreed.

"People don't appreciate when they can get up. I like getting out of the room and being around other people," she said. "I'm a people person. That's the way I've always been."

Vaughn, who wore a Spiderman mask, said she enjoys winning prizes and keeping busy.

"I like playing with friends," she said. "I've got my chips all ready."

Smith, wearing a Flash Gordon mask, was ready as well.

"It's not whether you win or lose," she said. "It's how you play the game."

Greenwood keeps the residents entertained a lot, Smith said.

"We have a good time at Greenwood," she said. "They've always got something going on."

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