Students bring joy to Fort Scott Manor residents' Valentine's Day

Kansas City-area musician Connie Wollenhaupt performs on her harp during the Valentine's Day dinner on Thursday at Fort Scott Manor, 736 Heylman St. Wollenhaupt is a favorite of Fort Scott Manor residents, having performed for them on special occasions for the past several years. Submitted photo

Valentine's Day for the residents at Fort Scott Manor was a special treat this year.

Although many activities were made available to the residents throughout Valentine's Day week, Thursday afternoon held the highlight of the holiday events.

The residents were treated to a special Valentine's Day dinner at the manor, in which spouses and family members were invited to attend. On hand to serve the residents and their guests appetizers, Fort Scott High School PRIDE students mingled with the residents.

Fort Scott High School students who participate in the PRIDE program pose with Fort Scott Manor's Valentine King Frank Proctor and Valentine Queen Ruby Brillhart during the nursing home's annual Valentine's Day banquet. The two were chosen by a vote of Fort Scott Manor staff and fellow residents. The students served as waitstaff during the banquet and visited with the residents while they were there. Submitted photo

FSHS PRIDE student Jakob Roberts said that he really enjoyed visiting with one specific gentleman.

"I like Sonny," he said. "He's got a good personality, and he's funny."

Another FSHS PRIDE student, Jessica Allmond said, "The visits make you feel good because it's making them feel good."

As the residents were partaking of a special candlelit dinner, they were entertained by Connie Wollenhaupt, a harpist from the Kansas City area. According to Wollenhaupt, she has been performing at Fort Scott Manor for several years. Wollenhaupt, whose sister is a nurse at the facility, said that she really enjoys performing for the residents at the Manor.

"I have played for the Fort Scott Manor for several years now and truly enjoy it. Not only because my twin sister, Susan Arnold, who is a nurse, works there, but also because the staff there cares so much for their residents. They go above and beyond their normal duties to help the residents. Every time I have played there, I have seen them hug and kiss the residents as if they were family. I have played many nursing homes in various cities and states and can tell you that the genuine care this staff has for their residents is highly unusual and exceedingly rare. It is so refreshing," Wollenhaupt said.

According to Wollenhaupt, the Valentine's Day dinner that Fort Scott Manor hosted for its residents was an elegant event.

"The Valentine's dinner was very nice with candlelight and flowers on the tables, so I wanted to play something extra special that I thought the residents would remember from their happier times," she said.

According to information provided by Fort Scott Manor, the residents really enjoyed the musical numbers played by Wollenhaupt. Also, at the event, Frank Proctor was crowned Valentine king and Ruby Brillhart was crowned the Valentine queen. Throughout the week, residents and staff members voted for their favorite king and queen candidates.

The facility was also honored by a Valentine's Day visit from a group of Eugene Ware second grade students. Lynette Jackson, Eugene Ware second grade teacher brought her students to Fort Scott Manor to perform a song for the residents. In addition, the students made and distributed Valentine's Day cards to the residents.