News

By Lauren Tilghman

For half a century, the Keen Games have been a celebration of competition, determination, and community at Inglis House. What began as a special event decades ago has grown into one of the most anticipated traditions of the year—bringing residents, staff, families, and volunteers together to compete, cheer, and celebrate one another.

This September, that tradition reached an important milestone as Inglis House marked the 50th anniversary of the Keen Games. Held September 10-12th, the 2026 Games featured two full days of friendly competition, familiar favorites, and plenty of moments worth celebrating.

Residents competed in chess, Scrabble, shuffleboard, poker, bowling, Skee-Ball, range, slalom, pickleball, Home Run Derby, and Distance Throw. And in a fitting reminder that the Games have never been short on personality, this year’s Distance Throw included a special participant—Leroy, the Inglis House dog, who helped bring an extra dose of fun to the festivities.

The Games are named in memory of Alice Lightner Keen, a former member of the Inglis Board whose legacy lives on through this annual tradition. Over the past 50 years, the Keen Games have become about much more than medals or finishing first. They offer residents the chance to put their skills to the test, revisit favorite activities, discover new ones, and enjoy the energy that comes from a little healthy competition.

That spirit could be seen throughout all three days. There were strategic moves across chessboards, careful shots on the shuffleboard court, cheers during bowling and Skee-Ball, and plenty of excitement as residents took on the slalom course, pickleball, and Home Run Derby. Some competitors came ready to defend their titles, and others tried an event for the first time. In every case, the Games offered a chance to participate, connect, and be part of a tradition shared by generations of Inglis House residents.

The anniversary celebration culminated in the annual medal ceremony, where gold, silver, and bronze medals were presented in every division of each Keen Games event. The ceremony recognized not only athletic and competitive achievements, but also the dedication and effort residents brought to the Games throughout the week.

The celebration concluded with the presentation of the Most Courageous and Most Dedicated awards—the highest individual honors of the Keen Games. These awards recognize qualities that have defined the event for five decades—perseverance, commitment, courage and the determination to keep showing up and giving your best.

Fifty years after the first Keen Games, the tradition continues to capture something special about Inglis House. It is competitive without losing its sense of fun, celebratory without losing sight of the effort behind each accomplishment, and rooted in the simple joy of coming together as a community.
As medals were awarded and another year of competition came to a close, the 50th anniversary o
ffered an opportunity to celebrate not only this year’s athletes, but every resident, staff member, volunteer and supporter who has helped make the Keen Games an Inglis House tradition for generations.

Here’s to 50 years of champions, competitors, cheers and unforgettable moments—and to many more Keen Games still ahead.