BY CARSON ARNOLD

STAR INTERN

The Waters of Roan Highlands faculty and staff welcomed more than 2,000 people to the nursing facility for Thursday evening’s 14th annual Independence Celebration.

With countless booths set up by vendors, politicians and churches, there was something available for every age group.

Jessica Holsclaw, the Patient Care Liason at Roan Highlands has been a part of the festivities since 2009.

“This is just an event that the nursing facility wanted to give back to the community,” Holsclaw said.

Those in attendance received a free meal with drink and several other items from the vendor booths. There were also door prizes, including a smart television.

Thursday’s Celebration was the first for the new Roan Highlands Administrator Cody Clark. 

“We like to contribute to the community as much as can, because without this community here, we wouldn’t be able to operate,” Clark said. “Without them, there would be no us.”

There were almost as many children in attendance as there were adults. There were inflatables and booths set up with cotton candy and face-painting to entertain the kids.

The residents of the Waters of Roan Highlands were all dressed in coordinating tie-dyed shirts and many were recognized as veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. One man who stays at the facility is celebrating his 92nd birthday this week and served in all three of the major U.S. wars: World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

Clark says his first Independence Celebration would not have been possible without the help of his staff.

“I would like to thank my department managers and my employees, because it wasn’t me as an administrator,” Clark said. “It’s team work to get it done.”