Oakbrook Olympians return to winning ways

Members of Oakbrook Health Care Center's Senior Olympics team show off their first place trophy from last week's 26th annual event in Tyler.

The team from Oakbrook Health Care Center captured first place at the Senior Games, held Sept. 11 at the Oil Palace.

This year's victory was especially sweet for the Oakbrook Olympians, who placed second at last year's event, breaking a string of victories.

"It's not unusual for us to win first," said Shanna Kennedy, Oakbrook's longtime activities director. Kennedy acknowledged that the fall from the top spot might have lit a competitive spark in her team.

"They are very, very enthusiastic about it, and take it very, very seriously," she said, adding that the residents and staff had a pep rally the day before the games were held. "They like winning first place."

This year marked the 26th annual Senior Games and featured competition among 32 nursing facilities throughout East Texas. Contestants competed in events such as spelling bee, 42, dominoes, walking races, wheelchair races, ragball toss and dancing (ballroom, country and western two-step and free style rock and roll).

Shanna Kennedy has been Oakbrook's activities director for 14 years.

Individual winners receive gold, silver and bronze medals, and the top group gets to take home the trophy. No one goes home emptyhanded, however, as all non-medalists receive a participation award.

Competing in her first Senior Games, Doris Smith of Whitehouse didn't get a gold medal, but she had a good time.

"Oh, I enjoyed it thoroughly," said the ragball toss participant. "I didn't win -- that ball just didn't want to go -- but I had fun all day."

Her daughter-in-law, Johnnie Smith, was also on hand as one of the many volunteers who help out with the event.

"I don't know who enjoyed it the most ... the workers or the residents," said Johnnie.

Oakbrook residents participating in the Senior Games (listed by event) were:

Dominoes (42): Josephine Barbee, Bill Terpening.

Dominoes (regular): Mary Lewis, Larry Davis.

Ragball throw: Jean Steel, Frank Altmeyer, Hugh Hall, Michael Carey, Bettey Gair, Totsie Large, Doris Smith.

Electric wheelchair: Dotti Fitchett, Evvie Simon, Ronnie Malone.

Wheelchair: Allie Wanger, Doris Riddle, Doris Kelly.

Spelling bee: Joan Smith.

Dance: Joyce Sartain.

Walking races: Bobbie Stephenson, R. Van Der Brooke, Alice Spiers, Jack McKay, Theta Baxter, Maudene White, Zelda Crouch, Richard Boaz, Gary Lackey, Joan Smith and Charletta Martin.

Resident Jane Newby was the group's official cheerleader.

In addition to Kennedy, other key staff involved in the Senior Games were Mary Allen, assistant activities director; Nurse Lela Reep; aides Lori Wheat, Tina Hensley and Amanda Huggins CNA; and driver Pedro Carpio.