Living at Lakeside August 2026

By: Sheila Willis

McKENZIE - August served as a gentle reminder to slow down and enjoy the warm days of summer, and that is exactly what we did at Lakeside Senior Living.

We kicked off the month with a watermelon social on National Watermelon Day. We also switched things up with a nighttime BINGO session followed by a small fire and homemade s’mores. On one especially hot afternoon, we built a lemonade stand and served fresh lemonade with a splash of Sprite and orange juice. Each glass tasted like tropical sunshine.

We celebrated National Rock, Paper, Scissors Day with a few friendly games. Since it was also Lottery Day, we created homemade lottery cards featuring “WINNER!” and “Sorry Charlie!” for a random drawing, with winners receiving special treats. On National Picnic Day, we filled a basket and enjoyed lunch outdoors in our own backyard overlooking beautiful Carroll Lake.

Other outings this month included the Monday morning Hometown Clinic Breakfast Club. Residents enjoy spending time with other seniors in the area over a cup of coffee, breakfast and a fun activity. If you have ever considered attending this free weekly event, we encourage you to give it a try.

We ventured to McKenzie City Park for Nights on Broadway. We encourage everyone to come out and enjoy the entertainment, visit one of the local eateries around the square and reconnect with old friends. If you do not see a familiar face, you are always welcome to sit with us. The group 24-7 is scheduled to perform September 17. We were also out and about during our regular errand day, visiting many local stores.

We had two major events this month, and both fell on the same weekend, keeping everyone busy with preparations.

For the third year, the ladies of Lakeside fed the McKenzie Rebels on opening day. The meal included garlic herb grilled tenderloin, thanks to James Ozment, loaded mashed potatoes, country green beans and rolls. We also prepared boxed snacks with homemade Uncrustables, pimento and cheese sliders, turkey and cheese sliders, chips and chocolate chip cookies.

Our annual Family Fun Day brought plenty of excitement as we transformed Lakeside into the Wild West. This event has become what we consider a family reunion for our Lakeside residents and their loved ones.

Wranglers Richard Ozment and Todd Walker helped with the heavy lifting as a western town came to life throughout the facility. Visitors entered through a scene featuring a stagecoach and old suitcases, offering families the opportunity to step back in time and take photos together.

The Watering Hole, staffed by Angela Fitzgerald with Baptist Hospice, served “Pond Water” tea, “Cactus Juice” green lemonade and bottled water. Barbecue, chips and slaw were prepared by our “Cookie,” Rita Trevathan, and her “Pot Slingers” crew. A ladies’ small group from Overflow Church operated an old-fashioned ice cream parlor with toppings and Blue Bell Vanilla Bean ice cream.

The halls were transformed into an old western town, complete with a local jail and wanted posters featuring some familiar faces. Restrooms were converted into faux outhouses marked for cowgirls and cowboys, while staff members dressed in western wear, cowboy hats and bandanas.

Guests traveled from station to station, collecting goodies and playing western-themed games. Activities included mason jar guessing games, fishing for Goldfish, a saloon toss, digging for gold, cattle roundup, Western Bank Lotto, a popcorn “grain bin,” cotton candy spinning, horseshoe toss, a tattoo station, a garden game, apple barrel knocking and more.

Country and gospel music filled the “town,” provided by Steve Price and his son Elijah and sponsored by Paul Evans of Evans Clinic. The afternoon concluded in the “Gambling Hall” with raffle prizes and Cowboy and Cowgirl Item BINGO.

A special thank you goes to Charlene Doyle for helping from start to finish and to every vendor and organization that donated gifts, baskets, time and services. An event of this magnitude does not happen without the support of the Lakeside staff, local vendors, volunteers and organizations that care deeply about our residents.

Visit our Facebook page, Lakeside Senior Living, to see the smiles on our residents’ faces as they welcomed their families into their Lakeside home.

We celebrated one birthday this month: Mrs. Nellie Wright. We welcomed new residents Carolyn and Royce Wright, Shelby Grant and Deanna Mason. We also bid farewell to our friend Peggy Cole. May she rest in peace.

Until next time…