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As if to wring
as much pleasure as possible before the end of daylight
saving time today, this has been a busy time chock-full
of wonderful events. Here’s a peek at just one week
in the date book:
Oct. 20, after a busy work day and a flu shot, courtesy
of the Canoe Brook Senior Center in Branford, I attended
the opening of the first of two new health facilities for
our area. Keepsake Village is an absolutely beautiful new
memory care community at the well-known Hearth at Gardenside
on Alps Road. Under the experienced leadership of Peter
Allen and Leigh Czech, residents can expect to receive the
ultimate in professional services in a caring, nurturing
environment.
Oct. 21, there was an invitation to the exciting dedication
ceremony for the long-awaited Smilow Cancer Center of Yale
New Haven Hospital. Many VIPs from Gov. M. Jodi Rell on
down were present, but the thrill for me was hearing Joel
Smilow, the founder and former CEO of Playtex, speak about
the dividends (in human lives saved) that this “investment”
will pay. Would that others blessed with as much wealth,
feel the same way.
Thomas Lynch, Jr., physician in chief of the Smilow Cancer
Center, is such a dynamic and energetic force that when
you hear him state that all who work at Smilow will be dedicated
to doing everything in their power to help those they are
privileged to treat, you know that this is going to be a
rare and exemplary hospital.
Once the ribbon was cut and we entered the soaring and
spectacular new space itself, everyone felt a sense of both
awe and pride that New Haven is home to this very special
cancer facility.
Oct. 23, was my birthday and as a senior, it is always
special to know you’ve made it safely through another
good year. Making it extra special were loving words from
family, friends and co-workers at Pearce Senior Services
and even a cake when I went to a meeting of the Shoreline
Eldercare Alliance, a nonprofit educational resource for
seniors.
Oct. 24, was my first, but definitely not my last experience
with an amazing new innovation called HDLive which allows
participating theaters (in this case, Regal Cinemas 12 in
Branford) to bring you live productions on a huge screen,
as they are occurring.
A large audience, filling several of the theaters, sat
mesmerized for four hours as we heard and watched the opera
“Aida” as it was being performed at the Metropolitan
Opera in New York. It was gratifying to see many young people
in the audience as well as seniors, transported by buses
from various retirement communities in the area. There are
a few limited tickets available for future performances
of other operas scheduled from November to May. Call the
(203) 481-4089 to inquire.
Immediately following the opera, I dashed out to Daniel
Hand High School in Madison to hear the Destiny Africa Children’s
Choir comprised of orphaned children from war-ravaged Uganda
who have found new hope and new lives through the Kampala
children’s center in Uganda.
Madison resident Martha Hoffman, who started Call to Care
Uganda just a few years ago, has worked tirelessly on behalf
of these destitute children. One of her daughters attends
Daniel Hand High School where the students started a special
Uganda Club to raise awareness and funds.
The exuberant Ugandan children not only sang, they danced,
they drummed and they completely stole the hearts of everyone
in the audience. Also on the program were the high school’s
award-winning a cappella group, Encore, and former Madison
resident and rising singing star Kallin Garrity. Even driving
home in a torrential rain could not dim such a rewarding
day. To find out more or to make a donation, visit www.calltocareuganda.org.
Oct. 25, the sun shone for my final outing when I joined
Eleanor Watt and other friends at the beautiful Pine Orchard
Club for the Madison Women’s Club annual fund-raising
fashion show. For 109 years, the club has been dedicated
to helping to improve the educational, cultural and civic
conditions in their community. This year’s events
funds will help toward the purchase of some furniture for
the new Madison Senior Center which is being built. I ended
the week in a state of tired elation; feeling so fortunate
to be living in an area where so many exciting and worthwhile
events are right in my own backyard.
Jean Cherni is founder of Senior
Living Solutions, a retirement advisory service. Contact
her at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or 15 The Ponds, Branford
06405.
H. Pearce Company REALTORS®
is a full-service real estate company with more than 100
agents and branch offices in greater New Haven and the Shoreline.
Corporate and & Commercial offices are located in North
Haven, where the company was founded in 1958. All listings
can be found in color on the web at: www.hpearce.com. |
