GOSHEN, N.Y. (Dec. 15, 2011) – Elant recently held a network-wide gingerbread house contest to help get residents in the spirit of the holiday season. The judging took place on Friday, Dec. 9 at Glen Arden and featured dozens of participants, festive piano music (provided by Glen Arden resident Beth Cantline), hot cider and holiday cookies.

The activity staff from each Elant campus helped the residents design and build the houses, which took most residents more than one month to complete. On Dec. 9, the houses were transported from their respective campuses to Glen Arden, where contest participants came to watch the judging and enjoy the festivities. Todd Whitney, Elant’s President and CEO, Nicholas Lanza, Elant’s Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and Kathy Iozzino, Elant’s Senior Director of Marketing, judged the contest.

“The gingerbread contest was a nice way for our residents to get together and enjoy some holiday fun,” said Mark LaBruna, Elant at Goshen’s Director of Activities and coordinator of the contest. “They really liked taking part in the event, and the staff enjoyed helping them. Everyone involved had a great time.”

Prizes were awarded in three categories to the three communities that had the best gingerbread houses. Elant at Fishkill won Most Creative, Elant at Wappingers Falls won Most Original and Elant at Brandywine won Best Overall.