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Seniors have tea party

MARIETTA – To coincide with a centuries-old tradition from across the pond, clients at WASCO Inc. enjoyed tea, scones and fancy hats during a first-time event Thursday.

The Royal Ascot, held each year on the third week of June, features horse racing and garden parties designed to showcase the pageantry of British royalty.

And at WASCO, where older adults in the 55 and up senior room enjoy a variety of day programs, recreational activities and workshops, clients were able to enjoy the experience right at home with their own tea party.

“Over in England they have this Royal British Ascot with horse races and parades, and on that Thursday the queen has a huge party for the kingdom,” said Jillian Jones, care transition coordinator for Marietta Home Health, part of the Memorial Health System. “The one condition is that you have to wear a fancy hat.”

With about a dozen regular seniors in WASCO’s program, volunteers helped make everyone hats worthy of the British royal family, decked out with colorful flowers and ribbons, in addition to serving teas and snacks.

“I really like crafts, and I really like tea, so this is great,” said Lori, a client at WASCO’s senior room. “Here we get to draw and crochet and learn how to do other crafts.”

WASCO Inc. provides local services to area adults with developmental disabilities under the umbrella of the Washington County Board of Developmental Disabilities. The organization includes an individual room and programs catered to clients that are 55 years of age and older.

“We like to try and do fun and different activities that are senior-related,” said Sandy Lang, senior room support specialist. “They see us every day, so it’s nice for us to plan things to allow them to meet new people that breaks up the routine.”

Lang said the senior program allows adults to come in for a variety of schedules based on their needs, whether it is every day of the week or just once or twice a week.

The event Thursday, which included a sampling of a variety of teas and sweet scones, was sponsored by Marietta Home Health, which brought the event to WASCO for the first time this year.

“We take this around to individual home health locations, and we’ve been to places like the O’Neill Center and to Hannah’s House, and now here,” Jones said. “We’ve been doing it for four years now and it has really been a big hit so far.”

The Royal Ascot includes the Royal Procession, a parade announcing the arrival of the British royal family dating back to the 1820s.

According to the official website of the British Monarchy, the procession is followed by the Royal Enclosure, which can be best described as a royal tea party, and requires formal day wear and of course, hats.

“My favorite color is pink, so I got a pretty hat with pink flowers in it,” said Gloria, another client of WASCO. “And I like all kinds of tea and will drink any kind, but I really like sweet tea the best.”

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