Kentwood Park resident Barb Daubney enjoys corn-on-the-cob at the home's recent corn roast.
Two Prince Edward County events a sweet success
Wednesday September 5, 2007 -- Natalie Miller
With more than 70 relatives in attendance and people in cars pulling over at the side of the road to listen to the entertainment, West Lake Terrace’s family barbecue was a success.

“It was phenomenal,” says Dori Bigg, clinical care co-ordinator at the long-term care home in West Lake.

“It was a wonderful turnout.”

Bigg estimates about 150 people were in attendance at the Aug. 29 event including the home’s residents, staff members and family members.

Those who took part enjoyed a meal on the barbecue, fresh salads and melon and entertainment by a Neil Diamond and Neil Sedaka impersonator.

Given the home has only 47 residents, Bigg attributes the large turnout to two factors.

“We have a really good rapport with (family members),” she says. Secondly, “It’s an event they look forward to.”

Bigg says it was interesting to for family members to see how staff interact with their loved ones on an individual basis. For some, it was educative to witness how employees support a resident with cognitive impairment, she says. “It was really appreciated” by the relatives, she notes.

Restorative care aide Wanda Parks, who works at both West Lake Terrace and sister home Kentwood Park in Picton, says a recent corn roast at Kentwood was also a hit.

About 24 residents took part in the Aug. 23 event. Residents were involved in husking the corn and after the corn was boiled took turns rolling it in a fresh pound of butter. Parks says one resident in particular who doesn’t attend many activities “enjoyed that so much.”

Resident Gordon Hopper, who has a collection of music, provided the entertainment.

“Food outdoors is always fun,” says Parks. “We always reminisce about when (the residents) got their kids to husk corn.”