Some National Nursing Home Week celebrations in Alabama are taking on an orange and blue tone.
Auburn University’s most famous ambassadors – Aubie and War Eagle VII – visited nursing homes this week to delight residents and staff members.
Read on to learn where these events took place and to see photos from the events.
McGuffey Healthcare & Rehab First
Residents and staff of McGuffey Healthcare & Rehab First literally took a walk on the wild side during one of their National Nursing Home Week events. Eagles, owls, falcons, hawks and vultures from Auburn University’s Southeastern Raptor Center were on full display in the Gadsden facility’s courtyard on Tuesday. Southeastern Raptor Center staff allowed everyone to view the birds up close and outside of their cages.
The special guest was Nova, also known as War Eagle VII. Nova, a golden eagle, flies around Auburn University’s Jordan-Hare Stadium as part of pregame festivities at football games.
Following the raptor presentation, the crowd of over 100 attendees took part in a cook out luncheon complete with snow cones.
Arbor Springs Health & Rehab Center
Arbor Springs Health & Rehab Center in Opelika kicked off National Nursing Home Week with a famous “celebrity.” Auburn University mascot Aubie was on hand for team day with everyone dressed for their favorite sports team. On Monday, Aubie led a balloon release then toured the facility and posed for pictures with the nursing home’s residents. In the photo gallery, you’ll see that Aubie even made friends with one of Arbor Springs’ Crimson Tide fans.
The fun continued on Tuesday with a Hawaiian Luau. Arbor Springs staff and volunteers dressed in traditional Hawaiian leis and grass skirts to perform hula dances. Residents enjoyed the entertainment will dining at a cookout that featured tropical drinks.
Who would you rather meet at a National Nursing Home Week event – Aubie or Big Al? Leave your answer in the comment section.
- Nova, also know was War Eagle VII, is a golden eagle that flies around Jordan-Hare Stadium before Auburn University football games.
- McGuffey Healthcare hosts a demonstration from Auburn University’s Southeastern Raptor Center.
- McGuffey Healthcare hosted a demonstration from Auburn University’s Southeastern Raptor Center.
- Aubie helps Arbor Springs residents and staff kick-off National Nursing Home Week with a balloon release.
- Arbor Springs staff and volunteers entertain the residents with a hula dance.
- Arbor Springs resident Arthur Walker at the luau.
- Even Arbor Springs’ Alabama fan Wendell McLindon joins in the fun!
- From left to right, Arbor Springs resident Eddie Eiland, volunteer Jennifer Hood and resident James Davis at the luau.
- Arbor Springs resident Florence Knowles with Aubie.









