Annual corn roast returns to Forest Hill

The resident-favourite event included live entertainment for the first time since 2019

Forest Hill residents once again enjoyed a beloved end-of-summer tradition on Sept. 2 when the Kanata, Ont. long-term care home hosted its annual corn roast.

The event is always a huge hit with residents, who look forward to tucking into cobs of fresh, locally grown corn and barbecued pork riblets made by Craig Forrest, the home’s life enrichment co-ordinator.

Salads, buns and dessert accompanied the riblets and corn.

Although we are still in a pandemic, some restrictions have eased since last year’s corn roast. One welcomed addition to this year’s event was live entertainment, courtesy of Jumpin’ Jimmy Leroux, a resident-favourite musician known for engaging the crowd and encouraging people to sing along.

This was the first corn roast to have live entertainment since 2019.

“We bought our corn the day of (the event) and it was fresh-picked that day, and we even had a few residents come down and husk the corn,” Craig tells The OMNIway.

As with past corn roasts, family members were welcomed to attend; however, safety protocols require them to wear face masks at all times while visiting the home. Because people need to remove their masks to eat, family members were unable to have food at the event.

“We still had families who came to sit with their loved ones and enjoy the entertainment, and I offered them all a to-go bag,” Craig says, adding family members have worked well with the home throughout the pandemic and have understood the need for the protocols.

“Our family members have been really good – they’ve been outstanding.”

Another change from last year was that Craig was able to organize a single corn roast. Due to last year’s protocols, he had to run four events, so the residents were happy to be able to eat together again, he says, adding this year’s corn roast was a big hit with the crowd.

“It’s always a great time,” Craig says.

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