Personal best: Golden Games participants enjoy a little competition

They entered the Osage Centre clad in flapper dresses, sequined accessories, bowler hats, boas and costumes reflecting the Roaring '20s. Despite the cool temperatures on Sept. 30, residents from a dozen area nursing care facilities in Southeast Missouri, representing Missouri Healthcare Association District 5, were pumped for a little competition. Their grand entrance, a costume parade, was one of the competitions for which they might later receive a trophy. Some were singing. And a group from Fountainbleu Lodge were even meowing. Proudly identified by their royal blue and white T-shirts made up for the occasion, the group called themselves the Cat's Pajamas.

Residents and health-care workers lined up for the five games of skill ranging from paper airplane distance throws to the gangster shoot, ball toss, hoop toss and washers. Other scheduled activities included a dance contest, wheelchair races, hog calling and bingo. Each participant received a participation medal and winning prizes ranged from gift baskets to trophies and bouquets.

Cynthia Kothe home and communities supervisor for the department of health and senior services volunteered to help residents pitch washers at the Will Rogers washer pit. She said, "It's a blast. Everybody's happy and successful. It's a wonderful opportunity for these folks. It's well organized, safe and fun."

Self-esteem boost

Naydean Walsh was released from Southeast Missouri Hospital just Friday morning before coming to the games. She said, "I told the doctor and Cato [Glenda Cato, administrator of Heartland Care and Rehab] that I had to be released to go to the games." All she could do was watch, but she said, "At least I get to be here and see what's going on. We had so much fun last year I just wanted to come back."

The games are sponsored by the MHCA.

"We sponsor these events all over Missouri and we'd love to find a way to bring the winners all together for a competition, but we must remember their health. These are wonderful people who are sick. Traveling is a hardship. If we held a competition in the middle of the state it would be a four-hour drive for these folks," said Earl Carlson, executive director of MHCA.

For the competing residents -- some practiced, some not --the games are a boost to their self esteem. The games are easy and the judges and game attendants are all enthusiastic cheerleaders.

"The games make you forget about everything else. You forget all your troubles," said participant and Ste. Genevieve Care Center resident Devota Schmelzle.

Mary Mitchell, a little shaky now, used to handle a gun quite well in her teenage years. The gangster shoot was particularly nostalgic for her. She said, "We used to shoot the turtles in the creek when I was about 13 or 14. There were too many and we had to get rid of them because they ate the fish."

It's her second year coming to the games and, although she didn't participate in the wheelchair races last year, she was looking forward to the event and named it as her favorite.

"I think the hog calling contest is the most popular," said wheelchair-race judge Tim Jeit. Winners are determined by audience applause.

Heartland Care and Rehab won the Traveling Trophy for the fifth consecutive year.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133