The staff at an Ironton nursing home has turned decking the halls into a little inner-office competition. Jo-Lin Health Center has four nurse’s stations within the facility that are decorated by teams of staff members.

“It really makes it look more cheerful and less institutional,” said Jo-Lin Administrator Rick Heaberlin. “They all take pride in their work, not only with the decorating but with the residents. They’re all winners in my book.”

This year, the winning team calls the front station home.

“We all picked red and silver as the theme,” said Nurse Aide Rebecca Drawdy.

“We went to just about all the stores,” added charge nurse Kerri White.

Like truly close teammates, they finished each other’s sentences.

“We brought it all in and saw what we had, and then we sent other people out to get more stuff,” Drawdy explained.

The winning team was composed of Drawdy, White, Angie Bowman, Kimberly Riggle, Debbie Walbrite, and Mary Tallini.

“We had the front housekeepers and laundry staffs help with this too,” said White.

The women were excited to hear that their station had been selected as this year’s winner.

“Last year the West station won,” said Nurse Aid Mary Tallini. “There’s a lot of competition for this, mainly between the front and the west stations.

But we get bragging rights and a plaque to hang up all year.”

The winners will also be given a pizza party to celebrate their victory.

The Ironton Tribune’s Doug Pinkerton served as this year’s judge.

As Jo-Lin’s advertising representative, he explained that he was recruited for his honesty.

“I thought that this one looked very classy,” Pinkerton said of the winning station. “For some reason this one jumped out and said Christmas to me.”