Staff
Each Monday Jamie Pace, activities director at Wiley Creek Community, adds a little color to the dining room.
When Pace moved from residential assistant to activities director two years ago, she continued Paint & Polish – a weekly nail-painting session her successor Roxy Paddock started.
The makeshift salon serves, as many beauty shops do, as a place to catch up with friends.
“(Jamie) has a really good, outgoing personality to do activities,” said Marsha Blankenship, administrator. “Residents love her. She’s very outgoing.”
That was apparent during a recent Paint & Polish, as half a dozen women chatted and shared laughs while they waited their turn for Pace to paint their fingernails.
“She does a good job,” said Mary Ripley. “She’s got a lot of patience.”
Ripley participates in the other events for Wiley Creek residents but can’t decide on a favorite.
“They’re all good,” Ripley said. “Jamie comes up with good things.”
Pace was quick to respond: “You’re just saying that because I’m sitting here!”
They all laughed but couldn’t resist adding a few more words of praise.
“She’s a beautiful person,” said Toni Rowlan. “We’re very lucky to have you, Jamie.”
Paint & Polish is just one of the popular activities Pace plans at the facility. While she beautified her “clients’” nails, she reminded them about upcoming events.
“We’re going to the Elks Lodge on Sunday for breakfast,” Pace told resident June Pattison as she painted Geralyn Wands’ nails. “You’ve got to try it. That’d be good for you to come.”
Pace adjusts her schedule to allow for a monthly Sunday breakfast and a Saturday trip to The Rio.
She plans a variety of outings, events and activities.
Residents enjoyed a 1950s-themed dance for Valentine’s Day and Pace is planning a luau in August
Daily activities, such as crafts, games, and trivia, fill the calendar between the big events.
“There’s a couple that won’t come out (for trivia) because they know all the answers,” Pace noted.
“Play Ball,” a daily game in which residents play with a giant beach ball, is among the most popular, she said.
On Mondays playing ball immediately follows Paint & Polish. That’s one reason Pace encourages the women to sit still and wait for their nails to dry completely,
“I can only fix so much with sparkle,” she said with a chuckle.