“We have the inside of our facility decorated for the Fourth of July, but we wanted to do something that both the tenants and their families could enjoy during their window visits since due to the threat of COVID-19, tenants are not allowed to have in-person visits,” said Megan Kahler, manager of the Villa Cottages.

Kahler had talked to her staff about having someone paint some of the windows for the holiday, and staff member knew just the person – Maggie Hurdel, of Fort Dodge.

“I really like to paint,” Hurdel said.

Hurdel then spent several hours on Wednesday and Thursday, painting patriotic designs on the two large picture windows in the front of the facility. All of Hurdel’s designs were made free-hand, using acrylic paints.

-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
Maggie Hurdel, of Fort Dodge, painted patriotic designs on the front windows at the Villa Cottages Assisted Living, 925 Martin Luther King Drive.

Passersby will see the red, white and blue of the American flag, an angel, Lady Liberty, stars and fireworks on the windows.

“The tenants have enjoyed watching the process – they think it is pretty neat,” Kahler said. “They thought that Maggie did a great job with the free-hand artwork.”

She said that judging by the smiles on the faces of the residents, the paintings have lifted their spirits during this time.

“I think the windows look great, especially since it was kind of a spur of the moment idea that actually became a reality within a few hours,” Kahler said.

Kahler said that the Villa Cottages plans on keeping the paintings up for as long as they will last through the weather, hopefully at least through the holiday weekend. As for future window paintings, Kahler said she’s leaving that idea open.

-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
Maggie Hurdel, of Fort Dodge, paints a patriotic angel on one of the front windows at the Villa Cottages Assisted Living, on Thursday morning. Hurdel, while having some time off work, decided to donate her time and talents to decorating the front windows at the facility.

“I think it would be a great opportunity for young artists to showcase their art talent and cheer up the elderly,” she said.

-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
The front windows at the Villa Cottages Assisted Living now feature patriotic paintings for the Fourth of July holiday, courtesy of painter Maggie Hurdel, of Fort Dodge.