The sense of renewal that comes with warmer New England weather also has its affect on Fairlawn staff and patients. So here’s a taste of just some of things that have been happening at the hospital since the arrival of spring.

Annual Hoop Contest One for the Record Books

This year’s wheelchair basketball game between Fairlawn and the Bay State Wheelers was one for the record books.

The 12th annual competition raised a record-breaking $6,200 to support recreational programs sponsored by the Wheelers, a Central Massachusetts organization comprised of athletes with disabilities. This year’s game also brought a record-breaking crowd to the local Bancroft School gymnasium.

The only predictable thing about the night was that the Wheelers won – just like every other year. But the numbers on the scoreboard were of no significance – thanks to all the players and supporters, the Wheelers continue to provide recreational and athletic activities for people with disabilities.

Gardening Takes Hold On Hospital Campus

Thanks to some of our patients and rehab staff, employees and visitors can now enjoy the fruits of the earth as they enter Fairlawn.

Two large raised vegetable gardens are now growing in a grassy section between the hospital and back parking lot. Patients and rehab staff started a slew of tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers from seed back in March in and then tended to them until ready for planting in May. Members of the OT and PT staff, as well as a few patients, also built the large wooden planting containers.

What will become of the veggies once they are ready for picking remains to be seen. But something tells us that certain members of our rehab staff have some fun ideas in mind.

	After building the raised containers, rehab staff and patients spent a beautiful May morning setting the plants into their new home.

Trees Serve As Living Memorials to Staff

Two new trees now grace the hospital’s side lawn as living memorials to Susan Carlson and Terry Lowery, members of our nursing staff who passed away last year. Thanks to all who made the tree dedication such a beautiful reminder of all that Sue and Terry gave to us and their patients.

Mary Aleksiewicz, Vice President of Nursing, and Dave Richer, CEO, stand by one of the newly planted Trees after a dedication ceremony.