
We must begin by apologizing for our long hiatus. We have so many wonderful things to share with you we will do our utmost to keep this blog up to date.
Each December Christmas comes and with it a flurry of activity. There is hardly enough room on the Activity Calendar for all the many things taking place. There were parties, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, and choirs and some days there were two or three entertainments scheduled. So after Christmas there is a long pause and often not much happens. This year was really an exception to the rule!

The group, called Dance Revelasian has as its mission the preservation of the Chinese culture through traditional dance. It teaches young American girls of Chinese heritage their traditional dances.
A large group of young dancers arrived at our home. There was a flurry of activity as they changed into their colorful costumes and then there was a burst of color as one act after the next took to the dance floor and performed.

With Lent fast approaching, we celebrated Mardi Gras in a grand style! Our auditorium was once again festively decorated in the traditional Mardi Gras colors of green, purple and gold. For days the voting had been taking place and each unit was busy selecting one man and one woman to represent the unit as their Duke and Duchess. Also on the agenda was the selection of the King and Queen of Mardi Gras.
The afternoon of March 7, the auditorium began to fill early. Many of the residents were on hand to celebrate. Let the good times roll and they did! Our celebration began at 4:30 p.m., with the presentation of the Royal Court. A DJ provided the music for our celebration and as our DJ played “Let the Saints Come Marching In,” our court jester, Joan Eagan, led in the Duke and Duchess representing each floor. They took their seats at the front of the auditorium where they would “reign” for the evening. At last after much anticipation, the King and Queen of Mardi Gras, Warren Barry and Lorain Solari made their royal entrance to the delight of all! After the introductions were complete, the King and Queen danced the traditional dance. By this time everyone had worked up quite an appetite and everyone was ready to dig in. Our Food Service Department had put their best foot forward once again and everyone enjoyed tasty finger sandwiches, wieners in a blanket as well as chicken wings and an assortment of salads and chips. After dinner, some of the residents took to the dance floor and our Queen, Loraine at ninety-nine years young outdid them all. Our stunned DJ couldn’t believe it when at the end of her eighth dance she asked where her cane was!


Our auditorium was awash in traditional green as a tribute to St. Patrick and the Emerald Isle. The tables were draped in alternating colors of green and white while shamrocks and balloons in green white and gold added to the festive décor. Many of the residents also donned green, some sported hats and beads as they joined in the celebration! Rev. David White, our assistant chaplain, helped to animate this afternoon’s gathering with a repertoire of Irish jokes. John Kolbe, the brother of a Little Sister played the organ and everyone joined in a lively sing-along. Our Food Service made sure there were ample treats to be enjoyed and there was an abundance of cake and green punch (with no punch in) to wash it all down. ‘Twas a grand day all the way around!

Many of the employees and even the Little Sisters had prepared items for the table that complimented the many goodies prepared by our faithful Food Service staff. There were cakes and pies as well as home-made Portuguese pasties and puddings. The table was laden with so many good things it was hard to know where to even begin! Father David White, our assistant chaplain, blessed the table then everyone dug in! Some of our faithful volunteers and Association Jeanne Jugan members were on hand to help serve those who couldn’t help themselves! Residents and staff lined up and filled their plates but there was too much so one had to carefully choose what they wanted to try! Everyone certainly enjoyed the afternoon evidenced by the fact there were now a lot of empty plates and bowls!
