Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Performer Outback Ray from Cleveland performed for residents of Beeghly Oaks on May 14, bringing with him a number of animals, including an armadillo.
Neighbors | Jessica Harker.A milk snake named Coral was one of the many exotic animals to visit Beeghly Oaks in Boardman on May 13 for Outback Ray's performance.
Neighbors | Jessica Harker .Performer Outback Ray let residents of Beeghly Oaks pet his pet milk snake, named Coral, on May 13, kicking off National Nursing Home Week.
Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Residents of Beeghly Oaks watched Outback Ray as he taught them about his exotic animals, including an armadillo.
Neighbors | Jessica Harker .Outback Ray presented a variety of exotic animals, including a blue toe lizard he named Ziggy, to residents of Beeghly Oaks and its guests on May 14.
By JESSICA HARKER
Boardman’s Beeghly Oaks Center for Rehabilitation & Healing celebrated National Nursing Home week starting on May 14.
Recreation Director Traci McCoy said that she organized a week of activities both for the residents and the staff.
“We always do something big to celebrate the week,” McCoy said.
On Monday, the residents were visited by Outback Ray, a performer from Cleveland who brought an array of exotic animals.
Outback Ray brought a corn snake, an armadillo, a blue tailed lizard and more for residents to pet. During his presentation he gave facts about the animals, and welcomed the audience to ask any questions they wanted.
Later in the day, McCoy said that the home organized a free lunch for the staff to enjoy.
“We are very grateful for our staff and the hard work they do,” McCoy said. “We want them to know how much they are appreciated.”
Later in the week, residents were visited by a representative from Three Sheep who taught them how to weave.
McCoy also organized a baseball game with the staff facing off against the residents.
“This is something we do every year,” McCoy said. “The residents are undefeated.”
To wrap up the week, Pat Heiserman performed for the residents.
McCoy said that the building also faced off in a flare my chair competition.
“We decorate a resident’s wheelchair and hold a contest to see whose is the best,” McCoy said.
She explained that Beeghly Oaks has been participating in National Nursing Home week celebrations for a long time.
“They have been doing this since before I got here,” McCoy said. “We love the opportunity to celebrate our residents and staff.”