FRANKLIN – Love is in the air at East Pavilion as the residents and staff prepare for one of the most popular holidays of the year.

Valentine’s Day is under way this week beginning with intergenerational activities for residents and students from the Gingerbread House. Children and residents gathered at East Pavilion to create their own cards in honor of the upcoming holiday.

&uot;Volunteers Eva Williams and Patricia Grizzard worked with the Gingerbread kids and the residents on the projects,&uot; said Melissa Flythe of the Activities Department.

Iola Lamison, branch manager of the Rawls branch of the Blackwater Regional Library, also visited the group.

&uot;She read a story about quilting, and brought a handmade quilt to show them,&uot; said Flythe.

Residents also participated in a special dessert-making activity during their weekly cooking class.

An easy recipe that provides a sweet/salty treat was created on Tuesday. Chocolate truffle Hershey kisses were melted atop of pretzels.

&uot;We melt the kisses at 200 degrees in the oven for 10 minutes,&uot; explained Katie Cobb of the Activities Department. You have to add the M&M while the chocolate is hot.&uot;

Sweets are going to be part of another project called the Heart Cart, of which the Hershey pretzels will be a part.

Said Cobb, &uot;The Heart Cart will be decorated with balloons and other items in honor of Valentine’s Day. We will have sweets on the cart and take it around to residents who aren’t able to get out of their rooms as often as the other residents.&uot;

Wednesday was an exciting day for most at the facility, as it was time for the annual Sweetheart Dance.

Larry Sutphin of the Hampton Roads area is very popular with the residents.

&uot;We had lots of ladies in red, sweet treats, sodas and some good ol’ fashion fun,&uot; said Cobb.

&uot;Larry entertained us with his pedal steel guitar. He has been coming to East Pavilion over the past few years every other month.

&uot;His claim to fame is that he is a good ol’ country boy from the Blue Ridge Mountain area.&uot;

Cobb said he performs at various facilities and is so popular that he has to be booked a year in advance. He performs a mixture of musical genres, including gospel, bluegrass, country, pop and 50s rock and roll.

According to Flythe, when activities are planned at East Pavilion, resident’s family and friends are also invited.

&uot;They love having things to do,&uot; she said. &uot;We are always hearing how good everything was from the residents.

&uot;We had about 40 residents participate during the Sweetheart Dance, and about 50 people attending altogether.&uot;

Activities are announced in the facility’s quarterly newsletter, which is sent to family members.

&uot;They particularly enjoy the special activities we plan centered around the holidays,&uot; said Flythe. Valentine’s Day is no exception.