Tabitha senior living host Oktoberfest

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - Tabitha Senior Living Community celebrated Oktoberfest on Friday with music, brats and brews.

"Senior living is so much fun and it's so much more than what people think of," said Tonya Van Pelt, Campus Administrator. "It's so important to stay active for our mind, our body and have fun and just live with purpose in mind and stay active."

Artist Rascal Martinez kicked off the afternoon event with an hour-long performance, and residents enjoyed pretzels and brats along with a variety of beers, some of which went along with the Oktoberfest theme.

"I love music and he's pretty good," said Kathleen, a resident at Tabitha. "It's just nice to be around happy people."

Van Pelt said hosting events like this is important for engagement with the residents.

"It helps prevent memory loss and Alzheimer's disease, it helps an array of things to just keep our bodies healthy," said Van Pelt.

The Tabitha location has been open for nearly two years, and Van Pelt said the building provides them the opportunities to offer fun events.

"This facility is so beautiful and we're so honored to be a part of this community," said Van Pelt. "It's just a wonderful environment and a place to be able to offer to our seniors."

This isn't the only event that gets the community together at Tabitha, they recently took home second place in the float contest at the Harvest of Harmony parade.

"Working on a project together as a community and then seeing the results in the end was really fun," said Van Pelt. "Their smiles are worth everything, that's why we do what we do, right? Is just to serve our seniors who have paved the path for us and I think it's a special place in all of our hearts."