Company throws barbecue for the elderly at farm near Lincoln with exotic animals

DENTON, Neb. (KLKN) — A group of older adults got a day full of fun Tuesday at a farm packed with unique animals.

Van Dorn Valley Construction hosted a barbecue for the residents of The Waterford Communities, an assisted living facility in Lincoln.

The party was held at the construction company owner’s farm.

The farm had emus, peacocks, ducks, geese, turkeys, sheep, cows, pigs, goats and one 200-pound tortoise.

“They’re going to talk about this for a really long time,” said Kelsey Manchester, life enrichment director at Waterford, “Even the dementia residents that can’t remember like they used to remember things like this because it’s meaningful.”

There were about 20 residents in attendance, and the farm owner said he hopes to have an even bigger crowd next time.