The oldest current resident at Premier Armstrong Nursing Center in Kittanning, 98-year-old Thelma Walker, is visited by Santa Claus and Elf Nikki Adams during yesterday’s Project Joy Christmas Party.
Project Joy; Operation Yuletide brought smiles and laughter to residents at the Premier Armstrong Rehabilitation and Nursing Center yesterday.
Activities Coordinator Hannah Megown said the event has been held for the last 31 years at the South McKean Street location.
“Most people of the community remember that we are the old Armstrong County Health Center. Although we have changed ownership and the name, nothing else has changed.. We still have the same activities; the same care; the same staff. We didn’t want people to forget about us since our name change. We still have plenty of exciting programs and activities that we do for our people. We accommodate everybody in the community the same.”
“We ask for community donations – a variety of items that we can give the residents as gifts, and monetary donations. The whole program is supported by the community. We get the food, the drinks, snacks, gifts, entertainment, and decorations. It’s a big community warming event that shows these people are still cared about and valued, and not forgotten about just because they are in a nursing home.”
The party atmosphere also included the guitar music and voice of Tony Barge from Ellwood City. Tony is a well-known entertainer, who has known in Nashville circles as well as regionally. As he sang Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, his voice blended with many residents in the room who sang with him.
An exciting part of the event was the arrival of Santa Claus. He made his grand entrance into the room, greeting each person individually before sitting down on his special chair near the tree. Joined by his elves, he begins to call out the name of each resident and makes sure they have a present from under the tree.
“Santa brings smiles. Everyone gets excited. Santa is an iconic person and brings the meaning of Christmas which is joy, love, appreciation. He knows some people by name since he is here every year. He makes it fun and brings happiness.
“A lot of them don’t have family unfortunately. We are one big family.”
Thelma Walker, at 98, is now the oldest resident currently at the nursing center. She said she worked most of her life. She spent a lot of time in Emlenton at Whitehall Campground and Conference Center of the Western Pennsylvania Church of God.
“I worked in several restaurants as a cook and a server both. I lived at Spring Church and raised my family. I was married twice. Both of my husbands passed away. My second husband got a job in Ohio so we moved out there for about three years.”
She said she had hundreds of cards sent to her in September for her 98th birthday and plans to be around to make her 100th. She said good living is the secret to a long life.
“Live a good life and doing what the good Lord wants me to do” Thelma said.
Megown said there is also a Christmas Feast on Christmas Day, and they will also have a big New Year’s Eve Party.
Ellwood City Musician/Songwriter Tony Barge plays his guitar and leads the Premier Armstrong residents in different Christmas carols. He often holds concerts for the residents, singing classic country tunes.