What began 10 years ago as a simple Valentine’s banquet has become one of the most highly anticipated annual events at a Wiregrass area nursing care center.

Each February, Westside Terrace Health & Rehab First in Dothan hosts a Fine Dining Banquet for nursing home residents and their families.

“We like to do whatever it takes to make the residents happy,” Westside Terrace Administrator Kristie Hughes said. “They can’t always go out and have a treat like that so we bring it to them. It makes us all feel good to be able to provide them a special night.”

So many people want to attend the event that it’s held on two nights. This year more than 150 nursing home residents and their family members enjoyed steak and shrimp, twice baked potatoes, French green beans, sautéed mushrooms, yeast rolls, a salad and a choice of homemade a dessert.

The theme for the banquet was “A Whimsical Winter Night.”

“We totally transform our dining room,” Hughes said. “Everything is decorated with the theme, we even change the lighting and have a live musician.”

Teamwork Makes it Happen

From decorations to food to helping the residents dress up, every Westside Terrace employee pitches in to make this a success. Even the desserts are homemade by an activity department employee. Sarah Griffin made four red velvet and four pound cakes for the event.

“Everybody has to work together to make this happen and people work outside their departments,” Hughes explained. “All of the residents get dressed up in their nice clothes so all of the Certified Nursing Assistants make sure everything is taken care of so the residents can come to the party. We get ideas off Pinterest and make all of the decorations ourselves. The managers and supervisors are the waiters and waitresses for the event.”

Finally, Leon “The Blues Man” serenades the crowd as several people dance the night away. Staff hope the night left a positive impression on everyone who attends.

“They were just blown away the event and the detail and the decorations and the music and all of the food,” Hughes remarked. “They were very complimentary. I think they have a long lasting positive impression of a nursing home and the things that we do here.”

About Westside Terrace Health & Rehab First

Westside Terrace Health & Rehab First is a 165-bed skilled nursing care center located in Dothan. It offers a full range of rehabilitative services as well as long term care.

Photos are courtesy of Westside Terrace IT Director Gary Griffin.