Crosby Commons resident gets dream day

Crosby Commons resident Marie Bawol poses
for a photograph with her daughter, Alison Cotter,
during a special “trip to England” celebration,
part of the community’s Journey of Dreams program.

SHELTON >> Marie Bawol has lived as a resident of Crosby Commons Independent and Assisted Living Community for the past three years and has always dreamed of visiting England again. Although she has lived in the United States since she was 18 years old, Marie was born and raised in Liverpool, England. She vividly remembers life during the bombings of World War II, and the difficulties that followed during and after the war. Even still, she longed for the chance to return again to the place she grew up, where many of her family members reside. After sharing her dream with Crosby staff, she was surprised with a special day to make her dream come true.

As part of the community’s Journey of Dreams program, staff and residents took “a trip to England” together with Marie. On June 30, the community hosted a Tour of England celebration, with a traditional English meal prepared by the Crosby Commons Dining Services team, a tea party hosted by Bigelow Tea, and a musical performance by Brett Bottomley, who entertained residents on the Chapman Stick, a unique multi-string electric guitar. Lectures on English history were offered throughout the day, as well as a fun photo booth opportunity, which featured a giant double-decker London city bus that was custom-built by a staff member. Residents and staff posed behind the bus windows for pictures, which were then transformed into postcards and sent to friends and family members.

In honor of her special day, Marie was presented with an album of photographs of the royal family, a china tea pot and tea cup, biscuits and jam, and English toffee. A champagne toast ended the day, along with a look back at the royal wedding celebration. “I didn’t realize the celebration was going to be so elaborate! It made me stop and think how lucky I am to have such a loving family here; at Crosby Commons and in England,” Marie said. “The day was absolutely fantastic.”

Crosby Commons Assisted Living Community is located on the Wesley Village Campus in Shelton, CT. The award-winning “Journey of Dreams” program was created on the campus to offer opportunities for personal growth and fulfillment of individual dreams. To learn more about Crosby Commons or other dreams that have been fulfilled for residents, visit www.crosbycommons.org or contact Lisa Bisson at 203-225-5024.

This is a press release from Marissa Salvesen, marketing and promotions manager for United Methodist Homes.

PHOTO: Crosby Commons resident enjoys visit from Santa and Mrs. Merry Claus

SHELTON >> Residents, family members, and staff of Crosby Commons Assisted Living Community at Wesley Village gathered together on Saturday, Dec. 6 to celebrate the season with an annual holiday party. The party, hosted by the Dining Services team at the community, featured an elegant display of festive hors d’oeuvres, desserts, drinks, and more, along with an ice sculpture (prepared by a staff member) and an extravagant buffet. Entertainment was provided by Anthony Cafeiro on keyboard and vocals and a special appearance was made by Santa and Mrs. Merry Claus, to the delight of all the guests. Crosby resident, Mario Poliferno, smiles for a photo with the iconic holiday duo during the party.

This is a press release from Marissa Salvesen, marketing and promotions manager for United Methodist Homes.

PHOTO: Crosby Commons residents take flight on Veterans Day

(From left to right): George Clark poses with Crosby Commons residents Helen Carlson and Bob Shields.

Two Crosby Commons residents, Bob Shields and Helen Carlson enjoyed a memorable ride in the sky last month on Veterans Day.

The residents were treated to a high-flying trip Nov. 11 in a Cessna Model 177B plane, known as the Cardinal. The plane was flown by George Clark, son of Crosby Commons resident and veteran, George “Bush” Clark (103 years old), in honor of his dad and his service to our country. Though his dad was not able to take part in the flight, Clark offered to fly any other interested residents as part of a Veterans Day celebration.

 

Shields served as a U.S. Naval officer in the South Pacific on an LST (Landing Ship Tank) during World War II. He was responsible for moving troops, tanks and aircraft fuel through the area, often under fire, as part of an early wave of landings on the beaches of Guam, Saipan, New Guinea, and others. Carlson took the ride in memory of her husband, veteran Roland A. Carlson, an Air Force pilot who spent two years in Germany as a prisoner of war in the Stalag 13 camp after his plane was shot down during World War II.

 

Crosby Commons is an award-winning assisted and independent living community located on the Wesley Village Campus at 580 Long Hill Ave. in Shelton. For more information about the community, visit http://www.crosbycommons.org/ or call 203.225.5000.

 

The above information was provided in a press release by Marissa Salvesen, marketing and promotions manager for United Methodist Homes.

Talk to focus on winter challenges for visually impaired

SHELTON - The next meeting of the low vision support group in Shelton - Learn to See the World - is scheduled for 2 p.m. Feb. 20 in the library at Crosby  Commons at Wesley Village, 580 Long Hill Ave.

Light refreshments will be served.

Speaker will be Mark Leventhal, a member of the Board of Directors of the Blind Veterans Association, Connecticut Regional Group.
He will discuss how to safely navigate through the challenges of winter.

The meeting is free and open to the public. Individuals with low vision or are legally blind are encouraged to attend for fellowship and support.

Contact group facilitator, Mary Ann Milano, Activities Director at Crosby Commons, 203-225-5018 or at mamilano@umh.org.

Cooking demonstration on tap in Shelton

SHELTON - Crosby Commons at Wesley Village, 580 Long Hill Ave., is hosting “Healthy Eating in the New Year” at noon Jan. 16.
The program is part of a Caregiver Support Group offered at Wesley Village.
Enjoy a cooking demonstration and sample tasty and healthy offerings presented by Tina Miller, registered dietitian for Wesley Village.
Recipes and a schedule of programs for 2013 will be provided. RSVP at 203-225-5000 by Jan. 15.


The above was taken from a press release from United Methodist Homes' Wesley Village.

Assisted living association honors Crosby Commons resident

Doris E. Thorn shows her oil paintings. / Contributed photo

SHELTON - Doris E. Thorn, a resident of Crosby Commons at Wesley Village community, was recently recognized by the Connecticut Assisted Living Association with the first ever "Distinguished Resident Accomplishment Award."
This award is given to a resident who has found meaning and purpose through achieving a goal that brings them fulfillment and benefits others.  
 
At age 82, Thorn joined an oil painting class for residents, having had no experience. 
Her talent blossomed and Doris's paintings have been displayed in a local art gallery and at the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce office in Shelton.

In recent years she had her old record, "Be Still and Know," a collection of hymns she sang, put onto a CD, which is now for sale.
She finished writing a book, "Casting Light on the Mystery of God in You" in December 2011 and it is in the process of being published by Friesen Press.
 

 Visit www.umh.org for more information on the Wesley Village community.


This information was taken from a press release from Mary Ann Bradshaw, development and public relations coordinator, United Methodist Homes.   

Disabilities topic of talk in Shelton

SHELTON  - The next meeting of the low vision support group in Shelton - Learn to See
the World - will be held at 2 p.m. Aug. 27 at Crosby Commons at Wesley Village, 580 Long Hill Ave. The meeting in the second floor Nautical Lounge is free and open to the public.

Speaker will be Mark Leventhal, a member of the Board of Directors of the Blind Veterans Association, Connecticut Regional Group, will present "Coping with Disabilities."

Individuals with low vision or are legally blind are encouraged to attend for fellowship and support.
Contact the group facilitator, Mary Ann Milano, Activities Director at Crosby Commons, 203-225-5018, or at mamilano@umh.org.

 

Bridgeport history focus of book talk

SHELTON - Crosby Commons will host a lecture and book signing with Jeffrey C. Williams, author of  "Home of Happy Dancers - The Story of Bridgeport Connecticut's Ritz Ballroom" from 1-1:45 p.m. July 10 in the Gallery at Crosby Commons. 

Crosby Commons is located at Wesley Village, 580 Long Hill Ave.
The event is free; books will be available for a nominal fee.

For information contact Mary Ann Milano, activities director, 203-225-5018 or at: mamilano@umh.org.

The above is from a press release from Crosby Commons. 

Actress to share performing arts experiences

 SHELTON  - The next meeting of the Smiles Within A Village Happiness Club will be held at 2 p.m. June 18 at Crosby Commons at Wesley Village, 580 Long Hill Ave.
    Light refreshments will be served.
    The meeting, which is free, will feature a presentation by Martina Sternfeld, a screenwriter, actress and teacher. She will share her many experiences of being involved in the performing arts through audience participation in theater exercises.
    Meetings of the Smiles Within A Village Happiness Club are held on the third Monday of every month at Crosby Commons.
    Contact the group facilitator, Mary Ann Milano, Activities Director,  203-225-5018 or by e-mail: mamilano@umh.org.


This information was provided by Mary Ann Bradshaw,  Development Coordinator, United Methodist Homes.