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Residents experience annual Pennsylvania Farm Show traditions from their home

Just four miles from Ecumenical Retirement Community campus, more than 585,000 people were expected to visit the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex for Pennsylvania Farm Show between Jan. 9-17, 2025. Guests watched livestock competitions, met the animals and the farmers who care for them and tasted the delicious foods and beverages that are a staple of Farm Show Week. Although our residents were not able to attend the show in-person, they didn’t miss out on any of the fun and embraced time-honored Farm Show Week traditions through daily activities inspired by what was going on right down the road.

“It can be harder for older adults to navigate the halls and crowds, which is why it was important that we could bring it to them,” described Diana Bixler, Director of Dynamic Living at Ecumenical Retirement Community. “Many of our residents had attended the Farm Show in the past. Our activities allowed them to connect to these memories and make new ones with their neighbors.”

Throughout the week, residents learned about homesteading from a Traveling Farm Show Exhibit of antiques and quilts. They made their own butter—a nod to the famous butter sculpture; and sampled jams and jellies—just like the jelly judging contests. Of course, they also enjoyed the famous milkshakes and donuts!

One activity that was greatly enjoyed was the seated square dancing activity, which involved residents using their hands to perform some of the traditional square dance moves.

“It’s an all-around beneficial activity,” described Dynamic Living Associate Jess Budd and one of the square dance callers. “They loved the movement—especially slapping their neighbor’s knees—they get to socialize with each other and do exercise on top of that.”

Regardless of ability or mobility, Ecumenical’s Farm Show-inspired activities were open to all residents.

“I love dancing but can only do it in the chair,” explained Marci, an Ecumenical resident. “It doesn’t stop me from doing it. We didn’t stand up, but we could do what we could do and it was a lot of fun!”

Watch the residents do-si-do in a report from ABC27.

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