Woodland Haus residents celebrate walking 252 miles to Memphis
CULLMAN, Ala. – Dozens of residents at Woodland Haus on Wednesday, Aug. 16, celebrated the feat of walking the distance from Cullman to Memphis (with a few stops on the way!). The recreation room of Woodland Haus was transformed into Graceland, filled to the brim with crimson and gold decor inspired by The King himself as seniors laughed, sang and took pride in walking a combined 252 miles.
The program was sparked by a partnership between Woodland Haus and CenterWell Home Health. The challenge, “Walking to Memphis,” was designed to motivate seniors to get moving and grooving. With a healthy dose of competition and milestone celebrations, the challenge was accepted as seniors put the pedal to the metal – or the walkers to the floor.
Woodland Haus Administrator Mary Briscoe said the celebration was four weeks in the making. Each senior wore a pedometer, and steps were tracked daily and totaled weekly. Of course, competition was fierce as seniors went head to head to have the most steps for the day.
“We had little parties where we celebrated each week, and we gave certificates and awards along the way!” smiled Briscoe, gesturing to the progress tracker and map on the wall.
The party kicked off with each resident receiving an award before indulging in peanut butter and banana sandwiches and other Memphis fare. The delight of the afternoon, though, was a visit from a surprise guest, The King himself (Elvis impersonator John Ellis). Ellis strolled into the room on a red carpet while the ladies couldn’t help but elbow each other and grin. As Ellis sang along to Elvis classics, residents clapped and shimmied along with him. Resident Eunice Camp, 95 years young, stood up and started twisting and twirling to the rockabilly beat with Briscoe.
Jon Stephens, area director of CenterWell Home Health, shared in the excitement of the celebration, grinning and saying, “We were so excited to partner and do this…We got a hunk-a-hunk-a burnin’ love for these seniors!”
To learn more about Woodland Haus, call 256-739-2988.
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