Pictured, from the left: Ricardo Pena, Mark Barbone, Patricia Milligan, Florence Knapp, Naomi Levine and Sister Julienne
On December 11, 2013, a group of our Residents participated in a senior talent show, held at The Westminster Theater at Bloomfield College. The show was sponsored by the Canterbury Nursing Home in Cedar Grove and the Twilight Wish Foundation and organized by Ricardo Pena, activity director at Canterbury. The show was open to local area nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Seventeen single and group acts preformed. Our hand bell choir playing “Let There Be Peace On Earth” and our choral group, the Razzle Dazzle Rockers, singing “Hit the Road Jack” represented St. Joseph’s Home. The Residents had a wonderful time preforming and thoroughly enjoyed the event. The next day we were happy to learn that the hand bell choir won 3rd place and the Razzle Dazzle Rockers claimed 5th place.
The bell choir now gets to choose their prize, a possible trip to the Hunterdon Hills Playhouse or to a Broadway show. The prize will be completely funded by The Twilight Wish Foundation.
The members of our winning hand bell choir are: Sister Julienne, choir leader, Volunteer Annamay McGrogan on keyboard, and Residents Florence Knapp, Naomi Levine, Mary Ann Madama, Patricia Milligan, Mary Murray, Hermenia Salvacion, Rose Zelinski, Jessie Hladik and Eleanor Parker. The members of the Razzle Dazzle Rockers are: Activity Staff Member Mark Barbone on guitar, Annamay McGrogan and Residents Ray LaConte, Bob Dorigatti, Rudy D’Onofrio, Wardelle Allen, Audry Stivale, Virginia Monk, Florence Knapp and Patricia Milligan. Congratulations to the lucky winners!
A note about the Twilight Wish Foundation: It was founded in 2003 by Cass Forkin and is headquartered in Doylestown Pennsylvania. It became the first national senior wish giving organization. They are dedicated to “honor and enrich the lives of deserving seniors through wish granting celebrations that connect generations.” Their belief that by treating the elderly with compassion, they help restore their dignity and bring them hope, is in the same spirit as the mission of the Little Sisters of the Poor. For more information about the foundation visit them at www.twilightwish.org. (Information and quote about Twilight Wish is from their website.)
“Who’s Got Talent Show”