Laughter, games, and grilled hotdogs filled the air last Thursday at the Long-Term Care facility of Mineral Community Hospital in Superior, where residents, families, and staff gathered for a heartwarming, circus-themed celebration focused on joy, interaction, and community. 

The event, which has taken on different themes in the past, including a Hawaiian Luau, shifted this year to a more dynamic and interactive circus atmosphere. Cathy Jones, the Activities Director and a long-time advocate for TLC residents, explained the reason behind the change: 

“I really noticed last year that the residents and families were socializing, which was a big part of the day, but I felt the event needed some interaction and momentum. This year, we have about eight different games that the family or friends help our residents with as they go around and win prizes.”

Among the cheerful voices and colorful decorations were Stan and Luanne Clark, devoted family members of a TLC resident. Stan manned the grill, serving up hotdogs and hamburgers, while Luanne helped oversee the game stations. 

“The family members take each person to a game station to play and winning the prizes is loosey-goosey — as they just win,” Luanne smiled. “No competition, just win. We have bags with their names on them to put the prizes in, like candy, stuffed animals, little wiggly-squiggly things, Cracker Jacks, frosted animal crackers like they remember from the olden days.” 

The whimsical stations included a Fling Sport game, Frisbee toss, a Plinko board that even played the iconic Plinko song, a fishing pond, and a Treasure Island sand pit brimming with pirate loot.

This year’s festivities were made possible thanks in large part to Wade Herbert, owner of Black Knight Security & Investigations, who attended the event to support his team’s community involvement. 

“It’s important that our staff are present in the communities where they work,” Herbert shared. 

His presence was also deeply personal, as his President of Operations, Arianna Jones, is Cathy’s daughter and has helped her mother at the facility since childhood. 

“This makes her very happy, which makes my sisters and me happy,” Arianna said. “These residents become family to all of us. Thanks to Wade, he covers the costs of this event and I wanted him to experience the joy it brings.”

While not physically present, MCH CEO Laurel Chambers Haskins offered insight into the hospital’s role in supporting events like this one. In an email, she explained that MCH is a Critical Access Hospital with 25 beds, offering care for both acutely ill patients and long-term residents who live in the TLC unit. 

These patients may be recovering from surgery, managing chronic conditions, or residing long-term in the facility, which, though not a traditional nursing home, offers essential care and connection.

As the day came to a close, the event proved more than just a carnival as it was a celebration of family, community, and the simple joy of being together.

  

    Families and friends of patients living in the Long-Term Care facility of Mineral Community Hospital wait for the hotdogs, burgers, salads and desserts at this year’s Circus and then tried their luck at different games to win prizes.