Celebrating mothers
May 11—Wyngate hosts brunch; Art show set for June 13
ROME TOWNSHIP — The main dining room at the Wyngate at RiversEdge was decorated in pink, while attendees wore hats and a special meal was served.
The senior living community hosted a Mother's Day brunch on Wednesday, featuring a string duo, Katelyn Walker and Winter Hite, from Marshall University's music department performing for those assembled.
"We are hosting a special Mother's Day event for our 89 residents," Cheryl Fuller, resident manager of the facility, said.
She noted that the decorations were done by staff and created by residents.
Some of those were done as part of an activity planned by Amber Carpenter, the facility's new activity's director, who led a group in making centerpieces on Monday.
Residents and staff are also gearing up to show friends and family the results of all of the craft work they have been doing at the senior living facility in recent months.
Carpenter said they will be hosting an art show from 4-6 p.m. on June 13.
"It's from everything we make in our activities," she said. "And a chance for families to come and see it all."
Carpenter, who has been the Wyngate's activities director the past few months, said they keep a busy schedule at the facility, offering more than 60 events for residents a month.
They can include exercise, crafts, bingo and games.
Carpenter says she specifically plans games that help keep cognitive functions sharp.
She said they also have a regular Bible study, with Scott Jenkins, pastor of Gateway Baptist Church in Ironton, who visits.
One activity Carpenter says was popular was an Elvis Night, in which they had trivia, a movie and a dance.
Another that the residents enjoyed was a murder mystery.
"We went all out," she said of props and the mood. "They really enjoyed it."
In addition, they do activities off site, such as taking part in the Senior Prom in March at the Lawrence County Senior Center across the street, while also going on "country cruises" to locations around the Tri-State.
As an example, Carpenter said their recent Easter event was a hit with residents and featured raffle drawings, an egg hunt for families and a petting zoo.
Animals are a big part of their activities and the facility has lucked out in that Carpenter and her daughter, Montana Runnels, have a longtime involvement in Lawrence County 4-H, where Runnels serves on the senior fair board, and farming and have a variety of animals they can bring into show Wyngate residents.
Carpenter said the benefits of the activities can be seen in the story of one resident, who graduated from hospice and improved after she got involved.
"She's over there right now," she said, pointing to a table of the seniors, who were working on centerpieces for an upcoming Mother's Day brunch.
Carpenter is assisted on events by Alyssa Hall and she said they try to cater to what residents look for.
"Anything they want," she said. "They can name it."
She said she also maintains a page online of photos from everything that takes place at the Wyngate, so that families can see what their loved ones are up to.
"It's great for them to see them out and about," she said.
In addition to activities for residents, Carpenter said the Wyngate also does regular food giveaways at the building for seniors around the area. All they have to do is show up.
"It's our way to give back to the community," she said.
