Resident's wish granted at Shelton community

'Journey of Dreams' program brings smiles

Crosby Commons resident Hank Gambaccini, right, is all smiles as he poses with fellow resident Marion Prescott and Hawaiian dancers from Dancin’ in the City during a special "trip to Hawaii" celebration. The event was part of the community’s Journey of Dreams program. / Contributed photo

SHELTON - Though Hank Gambaccini has made his home at Crosby Commons Assisted Living Community for the past nine years, he has always dreamed of visiting Hawaii again. Gambaccini was stationed in Hawaii for some time while he was in the Armed Forces and fell in love with the island but was never able to return. After sharing his dream with Crosby staff, he was surprised with a special day to make his dream come true.

As part of the community’s Journey of Dreams program, staff and residents took “a trip to Hawaii” Tuesday with Gambaccini.
The community hosted a luau celebration, with a special Hawaiian meal featuring a traditional roast pig prepared by the Crosby Commons Dining Services team, a chocolate dipping station, and a tiki bar with tropical drinks. 
Hawaiian dancers from Dancin’ in the City brought along the sounds and rhythms of the islands with a hula dance performance and to complete the experience, Hank, 94,was presented with a palm tree trophy and a certificate for a complimentary plane ride over the Valley.

“Hawaii brings back lovely memories,” he said. “Everything was very, very nice.”

Crosby Commons Assisted Living Community is located on the Wesley Village Campus in Shelton.
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 call 203-225-5000.


This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Community in Shelton hosts 'Disney Day' for resident

Mickey Mouse visits Dorothy Cotton, 99, at an event held for her last week at Crosby Commons at Wesley Village in Shelton. / Contributed photo

SHELTON - At Crosby Commons Assisted Living Community, everyone understands that no matter what your age, you still have dreams; places you want to go, things you want to do, milestones to achieve.

Ninety-nine year-old Crosby resident Dorothy Cotton had always wanted to go to Walt Disney World and never had the chance to visit the theme parks with her family.
Her wish became part of the “Journey of Dreams” program and the Crosby team set to work making her dream come true. Last Thursday Crosby Commons hosted “Disney Day” in honor of Cotton, bringing the world of Walt Disney to the comfort of her home.

The day was filled with Disney-themed festivities, including a Disney parks travelogue, Disney trivia, a 3D roller coaster ride, Disney music by John Redgate, photos with Disney characters, and a “Dance into Disney” performance by the Rita Tottenham School of Dance.

Staff and residents joined in on the fun, wearing “Mickey Mouse” ears and dressing up for the occasion. Dorothy posed for a photo with “Mickey Mouse” after being crowned as a Disney princess and presented with a commemorative Walt Disney book, mug, and of course, a magic wand. “It was delightful,” Cotton said. “I enjoyed it tremendously. I had never been to Disney and finally it came to me.”

Crosby Commons Assisted Living Community is located on the Wesley Village Campus on Long Hill Avenue.
 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 about Crosby Commons or other dreams that have been fulfilled for residents, visit www.crosbycommons.org or call 203-225-5000.


This is a press release from United Methodist Homes. 

Residents of Shelton facility enjoy vaudeville show

Performer Elaine Jacobs wows Crosby Commons residents. / Contributed photo 

SHELTON - The vaudeville act, “Make ‘Em Laugh & Sing,” from Manchester, Mass. recently visited Crosby Commons Assisted Living community in Shelton as part of the Journey of Dreams program at the assisted living community on the Wesley Village campus.

The vaudeville team fulfilled a life-long wish for Crosby Commons’ resident Bob Shields, of being part of a vaudeville act. 
Shields thoroughly enjoyed the knee-slapping humor and one-liners from a talented family of vaudevillians, Elaine and Robert Jacobs, Stephen Vrattos, and Thankful Bert.

The Journey of Dreams program invites residents living on the Wesley Village campus (Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center, and Crosby Commons and Wesley Heights independent and assisted living communities) to write down their personal wishes, goals, or desires. 

Staff enlists the assistance of family, friends, and volunteers to make each resident's dream become a reality. 
Regardless of the types of wishes, the emphasis is on helping residents continue to achieve their goals, no matter where they are on life’s journey.  
 
For information visit http://umh.org.journey-of-dreams.
  


This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.