Monday, May 10, 2021
Crosby Commons in Shelton hosts Italian-American night fun for residents
Crosby Commons residents Janet and Leo Onze enjoy Italian-American night./ Contributed photo
SHELTON - More than just music welcomed Crosby Commons residents to the dining room last week for a “Goodfellas” inspired Italian- American night.
Team members wearing fedoras greeted residents with a chocolate cigar at the door and escorted them to their tables, each decorated with a lighted wine bottle in the center.
Personalized “wanted” posters were placed at each seat, revealing notorious mobsters with the names and photos of Crosby residents and descriptions of each person’s mafia history.
Italian music filled the air, wine glasses were full, spaghetti and meatballs were piled high, and spumoni was the finishing touch.
Crosby Commons resident Joyce Bocchino raved about the event. “It was fantastic!” she said. “What a surprise when they brought me my glass of wine and that wanted poster; we were hysterical!”
“The wanted posters were a riot,” said resident Phyllis Buckley. “I brought them to show my kids.”
The special evening was part of a weeklong “Destination Italy” event coordinated by Activities Director Lauren Donovan.
The week’s activities included Italian dishes and desserts prepared by Crosby Commons Chef Hector Velez, a travel discussion on the 10 best places to visit in Italy, a showing of the movie “Moonstruck” and an outdoor lunch trip to Casa Nova restaurant.
“Dining restrictions have continued to loosen and it has been very exciting to be able to gather together again for meals more frequently,” Donovan said. “To capture this excitement, we started a themed dining program and twice a month we decorate, plan a special meal, schedule entertainment, and create a unique dinner experience for the residents. Walking into the music-filled dining room and seeing them eating, dancing, and laughing together once again has been terrific.”
“We continue to follow every safety measure put in place for dining and the team does a great job balancing precautions while still making our residents feel comfortable,” said Lori Pisani, who serves as the Executive Director at Crosby and Vice President of Assisted Living for the Wesley Village senior living campus. “There is a real feeling of togetherness in being able to gather again. Even the simplest sound of the silverware clinking on the china plates is a thrill.”
“I have had a lot of enjoyable dinners here,” said Bocchino, “but this was absolutely outstanding. When I think back on the evening, I still get a smile on my face.”
Wesley Village senior living campus at 580 Long Hill Ave., Shelton is part of United Methodist Homes, a local not-for-profit organization.
The Wesley Village campus offers independent and assisted living, enhanced assisted living, early memory support, skilled nursing and short-term rehab.
To learn more, visit our website or call 203-225-5024.
This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.
Derby Public Library Board of Directors announces scholarship award recipient
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| Schuyler Cummings |
DERBY - The Library Board of Directors has announced the 2021 Scholarship Award recipient is Schuyler "Sky" Cummings.
She will receive her $500 prize award virtually from the Library Board of Directors.
After graduating Holy Cross High School in Waterbury, Sky will attend University of Connecticut in Storrs and plans on majoring in English Literature.
In her essay Sky wrote,“The ignorant become educated, the lonely find a friend, and those in the dark turn on the light. This is the kind of power that libraries, books, and authors all hold. A cornerstone to every community, the library, in every essence, is every town’s very own fairy tale.”
We wish Sky many adventures and hope she comes back to visit us.
In addition to the monetary prize, her name will be added to the Scholarship Prize Plaque located in the Teen Zone.
For the meeting's Zoom details, please visit https://www.derbyct.gov/meetings
This is shared from the Derby Public Library Facebook page.
Congratulations and best wishes to Sky in her future endeavors!