From left to right, Caressant Care Mary Street administrator Paul Ludgate, Caressant Care regional representative Wendy Patterson and Lindsay Mayor Ric McGee, discuss decorated pumpkins on display at Caressant Care McLaughlin Road. The pumpkins were displayed as part of a contest the trio judged.
Pumpkin contest strengthens engagement, promotes Halloween fun at home
Caressant Care representatives, Lindsay mayor, visit home to judge competition
Tuesday November 3, 2009 -- Deron Hamel
LINDSAY, Ont. - In a show of Halloween spirit, Caressant Care McLaughlin Road in Lindsay hosted a pumpkin-decorating contest Oct. 27, engaging residents, staff members’ children and grandchildren, management and even the town’s mayor.

The contest had staff members’ children and grandchildren work with residents decorating pumpkins for Halloween. Residents decided on a design and the children worked from home to get the pumpkins designed to the residents’ specifications.

After the week-long activity was complete, the pumpkins were put on display in the home’s front lobby, where they were judged by Lindsay Mayor Ric McGee, Caressant Care regional representative Wendy Patterson and Caressant Care Mary Street administrator Paul Ludgate.

The contest, which was initiated by activity director Pat Haringa, who heard about another long-term care home having success with a similar event, says the idea behind the activity was to bring residents, children and staff members together through a program they could all enjoy.

“It was a way to (bring people) together and the residents had a chance to be creative,” says Haringa, who, along with activity staff, creates three new programs each month for residents.

The judges were impressed with the pumpkins on display, taking their time deciding on the winner. In the end, they chose a pumpkin decorated as a witch, with a green face, eyes attached to springs and a pointy hat.

Maurice Boyd, president of the residents’ council at Caressant Care McLaughlin Road, says the most important aspect of the contest was that it involved residents and children and had community representation from McGee.

“Anything that puts us in the public’s eye so that they know what (the home) does for people,” he says. “There are all kinds of activities here for people and the staff is just terrific.”

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