Woodhaven Manor’s Friday afternoon activities saw a little extra excitement as residents and members of the staff took time out of their day to take part in the facility’s first domino tournament.

According to activities director Mattie Bryant, facility-wide events are not uncommon, but this particular event had special meaning.

“We have something different every month,” Bryant said. “One of our residents put (Friday’s event) together, Miss Louise Jay.”

“They all love this,” facility director Glenda Miller said. “Besides bingo, this is their favorite thing to do — dominos.”

Jay said the idea for the tournament took its root when she arrived at the assisted living facility in July.

“I came here in July and they didn’t have anybody to play dominos at all,” Jay said. “So, I started in July teaching everybody how to play. I thought it would be nice to have a tournament where everybody got to play, residents and employees too.”

The tournament started with four players at four separate tables. The quartets played until one player from each table moved on to the winner’s table.

“They enjoy it. They play dominos two and three hours a day,” Bryant said.

After all the winners moved to their champions table and the dust settled, it was Edwina Ross who had won the entire tournament and the accompanying trophy to commemorate her victory.

“I can’t wait to tell my son,” Ross, who learned to play dominos from her son, said. “I just can’t believe this.”

Bryant and her fellow organizers said the event was a hit, a success achieved in large part due to the number of businesses in town who contributed door prizes and other donations.

“We did have different businesses in town that donated prizes,” Miller said.

Those donations enabled Miller and her staff to make goodie bags to give away to each resident who participated.

“We really want to thank all of the businesses that gave us donations,” Bryant said.

The list of businesses includes Colony Office Products, Comfort Care Hospice, Crowne Management, Jay’s Seining Fish Company, Joan Spence Medical Solutions, Lindsey’s, Maison de Fleur, Mustard Seed, Patrice Gibson, LPN, Restore Therapy, River City Fencing, Robertson Banking Company, Rock-Tenn and Southern Care Hospice.