New Twist on Ancient “Gourd Fest” Proves Innovative for Award-Winning Alexian Village

New Twist on Ancient “Gourd Fest” Proves Innovative for Award-Winning Alexian Village

Pathway Senior Living, LLC, headquartered in Des Plaines, IL, is the proud recipient of the 2012 International Council on Active Aging’s (ICAA) Innovator… Award for pioneering life-enrichment programming for older adults. Pathway earned the distinction for its annual fall Gourd Fest, which takes place at annual Alexian Village in Elk Grove, Illinois. Gourd Fest takes a fresh twist on the primeval, African Festival of the Gourd, turning this ancient practice into an innovative opportunity for enriching seniors’ lives.
The ICAA Industry Innovator Award distinguishes Pathway’s Gourd Fest for excellence and creativity in health, wellness and active aging, setting new standards and making a difference in the lives of older adults. Pathway’s Gourd Fest demonstrates that “innovation” doesn’t necessarily need to be “rocket science,” low-tech can be just as innovative as high-tech and “what’s old (in this case ancient!) is new.”
The Gourd Fest humbly begins with the purchase of a $1.79 seed packet. Gourd growing is dirty, yet rewarding work. To create a “Gourd Hut” (see enclosed photo), the gardeners train the vines to grow over a trellis and hand-pollinate using paint brushes laden with pollen (gathered from male flowers) to dust into the center of the female flowers as they open in the evenings. After many days, weeks and months of patiently tending to the plants, the result is a spectacular green-leafed, squash-blooming space that provides a shady spot to sit and a natural wonder of beauty to enjoy in the community’s courtyard. Alexian Village’s Gourd Hut has attracted the attention of the American Gourd Society, which featured the hut in its quarterly magazine and fully supports and participates in the annual festival.
“This unique event offers a variety of ways for seniors to participate and involves everybody at our community in one way or another,” said Andi Rothenberg, Alexian Village’s Community Life Manager, who is integral in making the Gourd Fest a reality and success.
When the gourds are harvested they provide blank canvasses for senior artisans. Transforming and elevating the gourd into works of art or utilitarian object gives the seniors a creative outlet, artistic freedom and joy of expression. They create birdhouses, jewelry, rhythm instruments, bowls, ornaments and more. The festival itself provides a fun-filled day with drummers, African storytelling, art vendors, food and a bonfire that is open to local artisans and the community at large.
“Gourd Fest is a celebration of the gourd’s oddity, beauty and multiple uses that mirrors Pathway’s progressive attitude toward and celebration of our seniors’ individuality and continued relevance in society,” said Maria Oliva, Chief People Officer for Pathway Senior Living, LLC. “By name, the fest appears to be a salute to the gourd, yet it is really a celebration of the seniors who plan, cultivate and execute the event from start to finish.”
“Like the gourd itself, the festival reinforces and promotes the belief that seniors have purpose, meaning and beauty,” said Colleen Koziara, Pathway’s Regional Life Enrichment Manager. “Gourd Fest helps meets seniors’ needs for acceptance, connection and inspiration, factors that profoundly affect quality of life.”
“Older adults today are transforming outdated concepts about aging and later life,” says Colin Milner, ICAA’s founder and CEO. “Increasingly, people realize that they don’t have to accept society’s stereotypical views of later life as a time of decline and diminished worth; they can continue to grow and learn, contribute to society, and live well and fully despite any health
challenges they may face. For many, having opportunities and support for active living and access to innovative programming like Gourd Fest can make all the difference to their quality of life.”