Both homes were visited by a pair of teams who were participating in the event.

Each year Tom Jenkins, Classic in the Country coordinator, contacts some of the schools and sets up a visitation time in which the players can go one-on-one with the residents.

Both years of the Classic, it's hard to say who got more enjoyment out of the experience, the residents or the girls.

"As soon as they heard that the teams had arrived, the residents began clapping," said Becky Snyder, director of admission and marketing at Sunset View.

"They get so excited about these visits.  It's a real treat for them.  They love visitors.  They love the company.  It's exciting to watch the interaction taking place."

This year Lakota West (near Cincinnati) and Mt. de Chantal of West Virginia had the privilege of visiting Sunset on Sunday.

"We're happy to do this," said Lakota head coach Andy Fishman.  "The event lets us showcase the skills we have on the court, and this gives us the opportunity to return something to this community.  We thought it was a great idea when Tom approached us about it.  Each year we try to do something like this at some point in the year.  It's a great experience for the girls and it's obviously great for the residents."

"I've never done this, but I've got grandparents myself, so it's not too hard to relate," said Lakota West player Emma Zieverink, who, along with a small cluster of girls found a resident who was more than willing to talk up a storm about one of their favorite common grounds -- the Los Angeles Lakers.

Then there was the instant bond between Lakota sophomore Lachelle Trout and resident Elmer Wengerd.  Lachelle sat face-to-face with Elmer and the two talked at length on a wide variety of subjects, just like two old friends who hadn't seen each other for a while.

"I'm a people-person" said the outgoing Trout, who had an ever-present smile plastered to her face.  "It's nice to go to an event and do something like this for a change.  I just enjoy relaxing and meeting people."

According to Mt. de Chantal coach John Rowan, "We are grateful to have the opportunity to give something back to the community for being so hospitable to us.  This is an opportunity for our kids to experience an environment that will help them understand the importance of long-term health care and how it can have an impact on the lives of so many people."

Part of attending the program at Mt. de Chantal is doing community service projects, and many of the team's players are foreigners from all over the world.

"I think it's a great experience for everyone involved," said Snyder.  "There's an awful lot of smiles around here, and that's great."