ASHLAND — Brookwood Place residents at Brethren Care were introduced to pumpkins that don’t spoil by Art of Gardening Club members on Oct. 1.
In addition, the pumpkins would serve as room decorations, according to member Ruth Ann Linder who organized the once-a-year community project.
Residents seated at three tables created toilet tissue pumpkins with the help of garden club members.
Skip Cather provided the fabric, Cathy Siwek the bathroom tissue and Linder cinnamon sticks and artificial leaves for the finishing touch. Kathy Bargar added cookies and candy goody bags to the festive scene.
Newcomer Maryanne Wise, a friend of member Pat Edwards, joined the group in assisting Brethren Care residents with the craft following a short business meeting at Peace Lutheran Church.
Other members who took part in the activity besides Edwards were Lee Heckman, Patty Stauffer and Claudia Dunn.
Residents Joanna Hynek and Pat Johnson diligently tucked in the fabric on their pumpkins.
With her completed pumpkin by her side, Judy Rickey returned to a word search game she had in front of her prior to residents being led into the pumpkin project by garden club members. Phyllis McCulla said her pumpkin would sit right by her bed.
Stephanie Peterson was elated with the final appearance of her creation likening it to a ray of sunshine.
A former resident of Lake Crystal, Minnesota, she said she had worked as a bank teller there.
Her husband, Norman, who passed away earlier this year, was chosen by Art of Gardening Club members as the August 2023 “Yard of the Month” winner when he was 90 years old.
Paige Reynolds and Chloee Johnson, Life Enrichment Assistants at Brethren Care, gave Brookwood residents and garden club members a helping hand.
Besides the morning Fall Craft with the Art of Gardening Club, Brethren Care hosted an All-Campus Fall Carnival Wednesday afternoon.
The event included a petting zoo, snacks and carnival games, according to Reynolds.