Crosby Commons residents in Shelton enjoy variety of summer activities

Residents Eileen Keogh and Jon Krijgsman

SHELTON - Summer may be winding down as the new school year starts, but Crosby Commons residents are making the most of it and enjoying summer bucket list favorites both indoors and out. 

With trips to the shore for lunch, entertainment on the patio, Chef Hector’s famous smash burgers off the grill, yard games, and ice cream truck visits, Crosby residents had no shortage of opportunities for classic summer fun. 

“Residents love our annual outings to Captain’s Cove in Bridgeport and Riley’s By The Sea in Lordship for a glass of wine and a fresh seafood lunch outdoors on the patio,”  said activities director Lauren Donovan. “We have several residents from Stratford who love heading to Riley’s and stopping at Boothe Memorial Park rose garden on the way back.” 

“We also make a trip to Pepe’s in Fairfield every year for the fresh tomato pie, which is another resident favorite. It wouldn’t feel like summer without visits like those.”

Resident Steve Pecylak and Director of Spiritual Life Crista Hernan (with Boo) enjoy a Midsommer celebration.

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The senior living community, part of the Wesley Village campus, also hosted a few unique summer socials, including a strawberry festival, a Swedish Midsommer celebration, and a “Party Like a Pineapple” day. 

The festival featured homemade strawberry pie made with the Jones Family Farms' strawberry festival recipe, homemade strawberry shortcake, live entertainment, and an array of berry-themed treats. 

For the Midsommer celebration, resident Rita Lund made traditional Swedish cookies, the Crosby chefs prepared a Swedish meal, and residents crafted seasonal floral crowns. “Party Like a Pineapple” day was a celebration of all things summer, with reggae music and dance, a Dole Whip culinary demonstration, homemade pineapple upside-down cake, pineapple salsa, pina coladas, and a visit from “Little Miss Pineapple,” two-year-old daughter of Executive Director, David Fife.

The summer’s outdoor entertainment series included favorite performances by the bands, Over Easy and the Boogie Boys, as well as a performance by professional musician and vocalist Stephen Bennett, the son-in-law of a Crosby Commons resident. 

Patio entertainment came with an ever-changing menu of summer cocktails and mocktails such as strawberry-basil lemonade and root beer floats, and sing-a-longs around the campfire with homemade s’mores.

In early September, a week-long celebration in honor of National Assisted Living Week is planned. The week runs from Sept. 8-14.

“Our summer programming is always well-received,” said Donovan. “Crosby residents look forward to sharing their interests, ideas, and requests for favorite trips or events, and everyone comes together to enjoy them.” 

For more information about life at Crosby Commons, please contact Rhonda Stasulli at 203-225-5024 or rstasulli@umh.org.  

About Crosby Commons & Wesley Village: Crosby Commons offers independent and assisted living options at the Wesley Village senior living campus located at 580 Long Hill Ave. in Shelton. 

The campus is part of United Methodist Homes, a local not-for-profit organization, and offers a continuum of care: independent and assisted living, enhanced assisted living, early memory support/memory care, skilled nursing, and short-term rehab. 

To learn more about Crosby Commons, Wesley Heights, Lifestyle Transitions, or Bishop Wicke Health Center, visit our website or contact us at 203-225-5024. 

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.