By Barbara Sutherland

Thanks to two good sports and a small but enthusiastic audience, the first playing of the newest game at Golden Sands was a smashing success. Resident Carmen Schaub and employee care partner Madison Tarrant faced off against each other and a moving hand of whipped cream.

It Was a Quiet Thursday Afternoon, Until...

As recreation coordinator Theresa Cardinal tells it, what started as a quiet Thursday afternoon over coffee in the memory cottage, ended up… well, here’s her story. “General Manager Iona Wolstenholme had just purchased a new game called Pie Face," says Theresa. "Our Health Care Aide, Madison Tarrant was very excited to see this game and eager to get the residents involved. Madison asked residents Alma, Grace, George, and even her colleagues Brooklyn, Cole, and me to play. Sadly, we all passed on the gameplay. Then Madison said, ‘Well, I know Carmen will play with me’.

Enthusiasm Puts Naysayers to Shame

“Sure enough,” says Theresa, “Carmen Schuab comes bounding into the cottage about 5 minutes later not knowing what had just transpired, and as Madison unwrapped the game box, she called out to Carmen, ‘Carmen do you want to play this brand new game with me called Pie Face?’ Carmen’s enthusiasm put all us naysayers to shame with a resounding ‘SURE!’ Madison looked at all of us and said ‘See, I told you Carmen would play with me.’

Game to Play

“So as Carmen watched Madison set up the game, she riddled her with questions on how the game works. She was still game to play even when she found out that whipped cream was placed on the hand of the extended arm and that there was a good possibility the cream would smack her in the face if she wasn’t quick enough pressing her button. Carmen had only one stipulation for Madison. ‘Don’t put too much whipped cream as I just finished having my shower and I don’t want to have to shower again.’

Lots of Laughter

“We watchers cheered them on as each feverishly pressed their button to move the hand to their opponent’s side of the board. They went back and forth, each taking their turn getting hit with whipped cream. Lots of laughter was had by all.”

Gameplay

Here’s how game-maker Hasbro® describes the gameplay: First, players load the arm with whipped cream... Then each player places their chin on one of the chin rests and at the count of 3, rapidly mashes the button nearest to them, which activates the hand on the throwing arm. The suspense builds as players try to get the arm to move toward their opponent, and when it gets too close to the pie thrower, it'll spring up, and that player will get creamed! The player who doesn't get "pie-faced" wins.

Photo: Resident Carmen Schaub and employee care partner Madison Tarrant have everyone in stitches watching them play the very silly game Pie Face Showdown.