Nearly 200 people attend Colonial Courtyard at Bedford’s first Western Day

BEDFORD, Pa. - June 12, 2015 - PRLog -- The inaugural Western Day hosted by Colonial Courtyard at Bedford was deemed a huge success at the senior living community located at 220 Donahue Manor Road.

    “We sold out. It was a great event,” said Nanette Bankes, Activities Coordinator at Colonial Courtyard at Bedford. “We had more than 100 seats reserved in advance, and another 50 or 60 people ordered takeout food from our barbecue.

    “The Bedford County Youth 4-H square dancers were great,” she said. “They entertained the crowd with an excellent demonstration. The 4-H Youth brought the mini horses in and there were other animals such as kittens here for the residents to look at.”

    Bankes said the theme-based event raised the spirits of residents and their family members. The public also was invited, adding to the turnout.

    “An event like this brings so much to the building,” Bankes said. “It brought in a summer atmosphere. It was a great way to start summer.”

    Prior to the barbecue, Colonial Courtyard at Bedford residents from age 60 to 96 gathered to shuck ears of corn. Bales of hay and a horse saddle on display added to the atmosphere.

    “We got all the corn from a local grocer and did corn shucking in the afternoon,” Bankes said. “The residents shucked approximately 200 ears. They had a blast.”

    Bankes credited volunteers such as Steve Imes, Barry Calhoun and Jeff Dibert for making the barbecue chicken.

    “We had so many compliments on the chicken,” she said. “Our volunteers did the chicken on the grill at The Pit at Snake Spring Church of the Brethren.”

    The large turnout and positive experience for the residents, family members and guests made an impact.

    “We were trying to provide an atmosphere of a Western day, and we think it was a huge success,” Bankes said. “We think it will be an annual event. We’ll make it bigger and better next year.”