2 0 2 5 H I L L T O P O L Y M P I C S & S U M M E R P I C N I C
Resident Dana Funk (in pink) and her great-nephew, Bronson, join in the Chicken Dance with Sister Lorita Kristufek and employees Carolyn Hunter, Tammy Towers and Dee Hersi. It was all part of the fun during our fourth annual Hilltop Olympics & Summer Picnic on July 17.
A Flock of Fun
July 17, 2025
Laughter filled the air as employees, Residents and their family members flapped their feathers in the Chicken Dance-Off, the crescendo event in our 2025 Hilltop Olympics & Summer Picnic on July 17. For both the young and young-at-heart, sunshine and smiles spilled over on a special day that included a picnic lunch, a patriotic opening ceremony, and a hilarious display of athleticism and antics.
The fun got underway as our ceremonial Olympic parade — led by our Resident Ambassador, Father Buzz Costello, and our Employee Ambassador, Lisa Bickar — circled the upper parking lot to raucous applause from adoring fans. American flags added a touch of patriotism, while Olympic-themed centerpieces handmade by Joanne Osborn set the scene for picnic-goers. An energetic team from John Marshall Catering got everyone fed in record time so that the games could begin.
Feathers flew during the Flamingo Frenzy obstacle course, which challenged the bravest members of our flock to complete a series of simple tasks all while wearing or carrying a giant flamingo pool float. Carson Oberst, 12-year-old grandson of Resident Betty Oberst, ran away with the youth division crown by completing the course in a whopping 25.31 seconds. Second only to Carson was surprise competitor Jake “The Snake” Salisbury of John Marshall Catering, who set a new land speed record for adults at 28.81 seconds!
Our spectators were treated to some impressive performances during the Water Balloon Toss, during which pairs of all ages splashed their way to glory. The Battling Banovatzes — comprised of Resident Sylvia Banovatz’s son, John, and granddaughter, Vanessa (both first-time competitors) — looked like experienced veterans as they completed 18 successful tosses for the gold medal. The Awesome Obersts set sibling rivalry aside for the event, with shared athletic prowess powering Diane and Bill Oberst — children of Betty Oberst — to a silver medal with 16 tosses. Advanced Home Health’s Kelly “Spunky” Spino and Jen Krepps logged 11 tosses for bronze.
No matter their age or mobility, everyone was an Olympian in the Chicken Dance-Off. As all participants clucked along to the wedding reception standard, the Mother Hen of Mt. Assisi Place — none other than Carolyn Klingensmith — invited the best dancers to a second round in the Hen House. Although it was nearly impossible to choose, Dynamo Dee Hersi (bronze), Bronson Funk (silver) and Jack Smith (gold) ruled the barnyard. In addition to a keepsake trophy, Jack earned the very prestigious Honking Chicken Award for his efforts.
Keep scrolling below for a video highlight, Olympics results and fun photos!
Video: In the Hen House
Turn Sound On! Employees, Residents and family members gather in the "Hen House" to cluck along to the Chicken Dance during the 2025 Hilltop Olympics & Summer Picnic at Mt. Assisi Place.
Jake “The Snake” Salisbury
Flamingo Frenzy
Adult Division
Gold Medal
Jake “The Snake” Salisbury
(28.81 seconds)
Silver Medal
Dynamo Dee Hersi
(35.62 seconds)
Bronze Medal
Tammy “The Tornado” Towers
(36.47 seconds)
Carson Oberst
Flamingo Frenzy
Youth Division
Gold Medal
Carson Oberst
(25.31 seconds)
Silver Medal
Kallie Krepps
(33.53 seconds)
Bronze Medal
Charlotte Dickerson
(33.94 seconds)
John & Vanessa Banovatz
Water Balloon Toss
Gold Medal
John & Vanessa Banovatz
(18 Tosses)
Silver Medal
Bill & Diane Oberst
(16 Tosses)
Bronze Medal
Kelly Spino & Jen Krepps
(11 Tosses)
Jack Smith (with helper Bridget Goetz)
Chicken Dance-Off
First Place & Honking Chicken
Jack Smith
Second Place
Bronson Funk
Third Place
Dynamo Dee Hersi
2025 Hilltop Olympics & Summer Picnic Photo Gallery
Thanks to our friend, Ralph Flaugher, for serving as volunteer photographer and capturing all the great images below. Click on any photo to view it in larger format.
Linda Sozanski, Mary Kastory, Iris Sliwinski and Diane Ott welcomed everyone to the picnic. They got everyone entered into our raffles and distributed Mt. Assisi Place totebags as a special gift to our employees.
Elsie Thompson sports a stylish summer hat.
Father Buzz Costello, who served as our 2025 Resident Ambassador, was all decked our in red, white and blue.
This giant flamingo added a pop of summer color and kept our drinks cool.
Our "lawn enforcement officer, Joanne Osborn, has worked hard on our grounds this summer.
The team from John Marshall Catering did a wonderful job getting everyone fed despite the heat.
Inflatable palm trees and flamingos helped to set the scene.
Sister Cecilia Jacko makes her way outside for the summer fun.
Resident Betty Oberst serves as honorary captain of The Awesome Obersts, featuring her children and grandchildren.
Sister Elaine Hromulak visits with her sister, Bernadette DeMay, and Jack Smith.
Resident Rita Hirschfield shows off her beautiful smile.
Event emcee Nicole Buchlmayer assists as Sister Georgette Dublino reads our opening prayer.
Carolee Mandernach hustles lunches to our guests.
Resident Barbara Hanchin shares a summer smile.
Members of Team Mt. Assisi -- including Karen "Viva La Vevers," Elaine "Elena" Chegas, and some of The Awesome Obersts -- assemble during athlete introductions.
Team Mt. Assisi included Amanda "Halo" Duffer; Big League Lisa Bickar and her granddaughters Emma and Charlotte; Carolyn "P.I.T.A." Klingensmith; Sizzlin' Cindy McCullough; Karen "Viva La Vevers;" Elaine "Elena" Chegas;" and Awesome Obersts members Diane with Carson, Stevie, Gage and Troy.
Team Mt. Assisi tries to get its collective act together for Opening Ceremonies.
Carolyn Klingensmith powers Father Buzz Costello, our Resident ambassador, along the opening parade route.
Our 2025 Ambassadors -- Father Buzz Costello (representing our Residents) and Lisa Bickar (representing our staff) -- wave to the crowd during the opening parade.
The parade continues around the main circle.
Residents, family members and staff enjoy the action.
Ruth Ondo (right) watches the games with her cousin, Andrew Zurchin.
Residents Loraine Poslusny, Anna Mae Genst, Fran Opiela and Betty Oberst watch the games.
Sizzlin' Cindy McCullough (center) shares a smile with Antonia Hall's own Maryann McClain and Betty Donovan.
Loraine Poslusny shows off her patriotic spirit.
Sisters Barbara Ann Lengvarsky and Virginia Rose Carroll take in the action with Maryann McClain.
Tammy "The Tornado" Towers competes in the Flamingo Frenzy obstacle course. Her time of 36.47 seconds was good enough for bronze in the adult division.
Here comes "Roadrunner" LaTonia Lucky, who put up a time of 46.25 seconds in the Flamingo Frenzy.
Rookie Dynamon Dee Hersi posts a silver medal time of 35.62 seconds in the Flamingo Frenzy.
Elaine "Elena" Chegas takes advantage of the small print in the Flamingo Frenzy rules by carrying her flamingo float along the way to a 48.94 time.
Jeff Funk, brother of Resident Dana Funk, hops, skips and jumps his way to a 41.53-second score in the Flamingo Frenzy.
Jake "The Snake" Salisbury of John Marshall Catering threw his hat into the ring at the last minutes and ended up storming his way to the gold medal with an astonishing time of 28.81 in the adult division.
Bronson Funk, great-nephew of Resident Dana Funk, bravely tackles the course wearing a flamingo that was bigger than he was. He posted a score of 45.32 in the youth division.
Last year's Flamingo Frenzy champion, Stevie Oberst (8-year-old granddaughter of Betty Oberst), impressed again by posting 37.22 time in the youth division.
Ultimately, Carson Oberst, ran away with the youth division gold medal. The 12-year-old put up an insurmountable time of 25.31 seconds!
Kallie Krepps, daughter of Advanced Home Health's Jen Krepps, kept her cool while navigating the obstacle course, taking silver in the youth division with a score of 33.53. Next year, the 16-year-old will move to the adult division.
Charlotte Dickerson, granddaughter of Lisa Bickar, earned the youth bronze medal by posting a time of 33.94.
Bronson Funk gets a little assistance from Bridget Goetz (daughter-in-law of Charles Goetz) with the Swim Ring Stack challenge during the Flamingo Frenzy.
Kathy Jones, wife of Resident Dennis Jones, brought along her furry friend.
Big League Lisa Bickar and her granddaughter, Charlotte, compete in the Water Balloon Toss.
Tammy "The Tornado" Towers and Diane Clifford complete one of their five successful water balloon tosses.
Kallie Krepps narrowly escapes disaster while completing in the Water Balloon Toss with Emma Dickerson.
The splashes on the pavement were clearly from someone else, as Vanessa and John Banovatz -- The Battling Banovatzes -- toss their way to victory by completing a whopping 18 successful water balloon tosses.
Dynamo Dee Hersi and Carolyn "P.I.T.A." Klingesmith were all business during the Water Balloon Toss.
Vanessa Banovatz, granddaughter of Resident Sylvia Banovatz, puts the squeeze on a water balloon.
With a serviceable score of seven, Sizzlin' Cindy McCullough and Iron Claw Irene Oesterle showed they're better at patient care than tossing water balloons.
Stevie Oberst and her mom, Sheona, try their hand at the Water Balloon Toss.
More Awesome Obersts -- this time siblings Diane and Bill -- grabbed the silver medal by completing an impressive 16 tosses.
Brothers Troy and Carson Oberst put aside sibling rivalry on their way to completing 10 tosses.
Steve Oberst and his 5-year-old son, Gage, teamed up to toss some water balloons.
Carolyn Klingensmith served as Mother Hen of Mt. Assisi Place. In addition to clucking around and ruffling feathers, she was charged with choosing our best Chicken Dancers.
Dana Funk, Sister Lorita Kristufek, Tammy Towers, Carolyn Hunter, Karen Vevers, Dee Hersi, Jack Smith and Bridget Goetz shake their tail feathers.
Dana Funk, Sister Lorita Kristufek, Carolyn Hunter, Tammy Towers and Dee Hersi joyfully do the Chicken Dance.
Dana Funk, Sister Lorita Kristufek, Carolyn Hunter, Tammy Towers and Dee Hersi joyfully do the Chicken Dance.
Stevie Oberst, Charlotte Dickerson, Lisa Bickar, Emma Dickerson, Jeff Funk and Bronson Funk do the Chicken Dance.
Employees, Residents and family members flap their wings during the Chicken Dance.
Designed for everyone of every ability, the Chicken Dance-Off drew Residents, employees and family members to the Hen House.
Kelly Spino and Jen Krepps of Advanced Home Health earned bronze in the Water Balloon Toss with 11 tosses.
Dynamo Dee Hersi accepts her silver medal in the Flamingo Frenzy.
Emcee Nicole Buchlmayer applauds Jake Salisbury on his gold-medal performance in the Flamingo Frenzy.
Charlotte Dickerson, granddaughter of Lisa Bickar, receives her bronze medal for the speedy show she put on in the Flamingo Frenzy.
Kallie Krepps shows off her silver medal.
Young Bronson Funk, great nephew of Dana Funk, earned a silver medal for his moves in the Chicken Dance-off. The dancing gene seems to run in the family.
With a little help from Bridget Goetz, our Chicken Dance champ Jack Smith, makes his way to the Hen House.
Sister Lorita Kristufek, Maryann McClain, Cindu McCullough and Sister Georgette Dublino cheer on their fellow Chicken Dancers.