Continuum Café Takes 2nd in Gingerbread House Contest with “Funny Farm”

The Continuum Café team of Tammie Hill (center), Rebecca Watkins (left) and Samhita Irriki captured 2nd place with “Funny Farm,” which was their entry in the Purdue Food Company’s 2024 Gingerbread House competition.
The Continuum Café team of Tammie Hill (center), Rebecca Watkins (left) and Samhita Irriki captured 2nd place with “Funny Farm,” which was their entry in the Purdue Food Company’s 2024 Gingerbread House competition.

Congratulations to Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Continuum Café Team for winning 2nd place in this year’s Gingerbread House contest sponsored by the Purdue Food Company. The Continuum Café’s entry broke the Gingerbread House mold and stole hearts with it’s unique depiction of a farm scene as an alternative to the traditional Gingerbread House theme. Named “Funny Farm,” the café crew’s gingerbread creation featured a barn, fenced pasture, a pig, horse, cow, sheep, chickens, a duck in a pond and even Snoopy resting on the roof.

Multiple Purdue Food Company eateries entered the Gingerbread House competition. Over the period of a couple of weeks before and after the Thanksgiving holiday, customers had the opportunity to vote for their favorite entry. Results were announced this week. Funny Farm was a close second to the winning entry, that was created by the Panera team. That design also featured Snoopy, with a depiction of the beloved pup on a doghouse dubbed, “Snoopy Pole.”

For their success in the competition, the Continuum Café team of Tammie Hill, Rebecca Watkins and Samhita Irriki received the “Little Miss Almost Fabulous” Award. Thanks to all the faithful Continuum Café customers who cast votes in support of Funny Farm and congratulations to the Café Team for their 2nd place finish!

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

Keeping Your Pets Safe from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)

The Purdue Veterinary Hospital has not detected Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in its practices but is providing important information to help pet and livestock owners stay informed. HPAI affects various species, including birds, cats, dogs, and livestock, and can spread through contact with infected animals or raw food. To reduce risk, avoid feeding raw meat or unpasteurized dairy to pets, limit wildlife exposure, and use protective gear when handling animals. Owners of feline and avian patients will be asked screening questions during appointments.

Purdue Engineering Hosts PVM Canine Educators for ‘Canines, Cookies, and Calm’ During Mental Health Action Week

Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s beloved Canine Educators found themselves amidst a throng of engineering students last Friday, March 7, in the Herman & Heddy Kurz Atrum of Armstrong Hall, where they were the center of attention during an event on the final day of Purdue’s Mental Health Action Week (MHAW). Named “Canines, Cookies, and Calm,” the event hosted by the College of Engineering fostered smiles, laughter, and endless thanks from a total of some 300 engineering students.

“Paws Up” – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

March is National Social Work Month! It’s a perfect time to recognize our very own Veterinary Hospital Social Worker, Jennifer Dehn, LSW, MSW.

In Memory – Dr. Raymond Backe (PU DVM ’66)

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine community mourns the passing of Dr. Ray Backe, an alumnus who was a member of the college’s fourth graduating class – the Class of 1966. Dr. Backe, of Amherst Junction, Wisconsin, formerly of Greendale, Wisconsin, passed away January 19, 2025. He was 84.

Purdue Veterinary Alumni Meet up in Las Vegas at WVC Annual Conference

Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine alumni stood out from the large crowds of veterinary professionals attending the Viticus Group 2025 WVC Annual Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada as they gathered for the Purdue Veterinary Alumni Reception held in conjunction with the conference. The event Monday evening, March 3, attracted close to 70 alumni who met up at the Rhythm and Rifts lounge located just off the Mandalay Bay casino floor.

Purdue Veterinary Student and Small Animal Surgery Resident Achieve Recognition at Major Specialty Conference

A Purdue second-year veterinary student and a third-year small animal surgery resident helped put the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine in the spotlight at the 52nd Annual Conference of the Veterinary Orthopedic Society (VOS) this year.

PVM Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Announces Plans to Retire

An esteemed and dedicated Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine faculty member and administrator, Dr. S. Kathleen Salisbury, has announced that she will conclude her Purdue career of more than 40 years when she retires effective June 30, 2025. Her decision was shared with the college’s faculty, staff and students by Dean Bret Marsh, DVM, Wednesday (3/12).