Halloween may come once a year, but at Well-Spring it is nothing short of legendary. For decades, Halloween night has been the most anticipated evening in the community, a time when residents and team members, alike, pull out all the stops to create a celebration filled with laughter, creativity and just the right amount of spooky fun.
From the moment the evening began, the dining venue looked more like a haunted banquet setting than a restaurant. Themed stations invited residents to sample dishes that were as imaginative as they were delicious.
The Dining team had a field day crafting creepy-creative dishes like “eyeball” deviled eggs, “Franken-fried” chicken legs and “monster” mac n’ cheese. Guests also munched on fresh-fried tortilla chips with “gross” guacamole and scary salsa, plus a hauntingly good hand-shaped cheese ball served with coffin crackers.
Todd Dumke, Director of dining Services, summed it up best: “Dining is about more than just feeding people, dining should be an experience. In our department, we take pride in creating a social environment for residents and not just a meal.” Halloween night was the perfect example of that philosophy brought to life.
Residents arrived in everything from elaborate couples' costumes to disguises so clever their friends can barely recognize them. Some even dressed up as their favorite Well-Spring team members, adding a layer of humor and connection. Team members joined the fun too, appearing as inflatable dinosaurs, Elvis impersonators and video game characters.
As Dining Administrative Coordinator Vivian Worsham recalled, “One year a couple of residents rented a Chinese dragon costume and danced around with it. It brought so much joy to everyone.”
The spooky fun didn’t stop there. Assisted Living and Healthcare residents enjoyed the same creepy, creative menu in their dining areas, making sure no one missed out on the treats. And in Healthcare, things got even sweeter as trick-or-treaters filled the halls. Team members’ kids and residents’ grandchildren brought bags, costumes and plenty of excitement, while residents with pumpkins at their doors handed out candy and smiles. It was a heartwarming reminder that Halloween magic belongs to every generation.
Halloween at Well-Spring is truly a team effort. Dining, Life Enrichment, the theatre team and many others work together to transform the community into a festive wonderland.
Todd may have summed it up best: his favorite part of the night is “seeing residents turn into little kids again.”
Between the laughter, the costumes, the candy and the connection, Halloween night at Well-Spring proves that retirement can be just as playful as it is meaningful.
This year’s cruise was bigger than ever, with an even stronger turnout from residents and team members. Todd added, “Food can be a universal language,” and it was clear that language was spoken fluently at Well-Spring. With a Dining team as diverse as its menu – from Latin backgrounds to Eastern European, African and Asian roots – it is no wonder the event was such a success.
At Well-Spring, retirement is anything but ordinary. Events like “Cruising Around the World” encourage residents to stay adventurous, team members to share their heritage, and the whole community to come together in celebration. And if you missed the boat this year, don’t worry – the cruise will be back, and the flavors will be ready to sail again.
By Jessica Ford
Kintura Content Specialist