Residents and their families shared a full Thanksgiving dinner at Life Care Center of Cleveland on Nov. 15, dining in four locations throughout the facility. Although the dining room, the activity room and the education room were open, the most popular location was the bridge connecting the skilled nursing center to Garden Plaza at Cleveland. Strung with icicle lights and featuring little round tables and a buffet line, the bridge made a cozy, intimate and unique setting for the holiday meal.
“Nowhere else in Tennessee can you eat on a bridge,” said Gerald Crawford, dietary manager.
Residents and their families gave many compliments to the chef and his team that night.
The menu included deviled eggs, smoked turkey drums, roasted turkey with gravy, spiral-cut ham, cornbread dressing, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, yeast rolls, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, chocolate cake and warm, spiced cider.
Annette Smith, marketing director, shared, “We try to make this a family thing. We try to make it a special occasion for our residents, and their families really enjoy it too.”
The facility was decorated for Christmas, with multiple Christmas trees adding to the festive atmosphere. The one in the entrance, the angel tree, received special recognition. Families, associates and community members can pick an angel ornament that has a resident’s name and desired Christmas gift listed. They can then shop for the resident and bring the gift in to the facility to give at the residents’ Christmas party in December.