Riverside Rest Home residents enjoy good, old-fashioned fun at Carnival Day

Deb Cram, Foster's Daily Democrat
·2 min read
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DOVER — Dick Muse was born when Franklin Roosevelt first became president. The 90-year-old grew up in Wakefield, Massachusetts, and remembers riding the Boston subway for a dime. On July 19, he sank three baskets at Carnival Day at the Strafford County-run Riverside Rest Home and surprised himself.

“I played freshman basketball and I was terrible,” he recalled. “I had to throw the ball from between my knees to get it into the basket from the foul line!”

Riverside Rest Home employee Jodi Brown gives a thumbs up as she hits the water in the dunk tank during the home's Carnival Day July 19, 2023.
Riverside Rest Home employee Jodi Brown gives a thumbs up as she hits the water in the dunk tank during the home's Carnival Day July 19, 2023.

The halls of Riverside Rest Home are filled with peoples’ memories and realities. Carnival Day was a chance for more memories to be made as residents and staff got together outside for some good, old-fashioned fun.

Richard Muse sinks some baskets at one of the game stations at Riverside Rest Home's Carnival July 19, 2023.
Richard Muse sinks some baskets at one of the game stations at Riverside Rest Home's Carnival July 19, 2023.

Activities director Kristina LaPointe, carrying a clipboard and wearing a blue tutu and tie-dye shirt, said, “We needed something big to get the residents excited about especially since COVID and this was a chance to bring everybody together to maybe start what will be ‘our new normal.’”

Arlene Thomas says she's known as the "Hat Lady of Dover," as many people recall her walking on Garrison City streets always wearing a different hat to make people smile. the Riverside resident took a moment to show off today's hat at the Riverside Rest Home Carnival July 19, 2023.
Arlene Thomas says she's known as the "Hat Lady of Dover," as many people recall her walking on Garrison City streets always wearing a different hat to make people smile. the Riverside resident took a moment to show off today's hat at the Riverside Rest Home Carnival July 19, 2023.
Riverside Rest Home activities employee Katlyn Brillard is a colorful clown and has been with Riverside Rest Home for eight years and says she loves every minute of it. A Carnival Day was held July 19, 2023.
Riverside Rest Home activities employee Katlyn Brillard is a colorful clown and has been with Riverside Rest Home for eight years and says she loves every minute of it. A Carnival Day was held July 19, 2023.

Activity aide Katlyn Brillard, wearing a painted face and multicolored robe, said she’s been at Riverside for eight years and started in the kitchen when she was 16. “I knew after college I always wanted to work here,” she said. “I love coming to work; there’s always something fun to do and it’s always about the residents.” While helping a resident get the hang of Skee Ball she looked back and said, “I think I’d like to retire from here.”

Riverside Rest Home activities director Kristina LaPointe gives a high five to Tammy, a resident, during Carnival Day July 19, 2023.
Riverside Rest Home activities director Kristina LaPointe gives a high five to Tammy, a resident, during Carnival Day July 19, 2023.

There was a long line of residents waiting for action at the dunk tank. Anticipation and excitement was obvious as they wanted a chance to sink Riverside employee Jodi Brown as she sat on the board hovering above a tank of water. Under an overcast sky yet humid air, Brown was dunked consistently. It didn’t seem like such a bad volunteer job on this day at the carnival.

As a new resident named Marjorie played a giant Connect 4 game she had a constant grin on her face. “This carnival this place is wonderful. The last place I was in, the people didn’t talk to you. The staff didn’t even make an effort to get people involved. I love this new place I’m in.”

Marjorie, a Riverside Rest Home resident plays Connect 4 during Carnival Day July 19, 2023.
Marjorie, a Riverside Rest Home resident plays Connect 4 during Carnival Day July 19, 2023.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Riverside Rest Home residents in Dover NH enjoy Carnival Day