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.
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