Charlie and Joan Redinger (wearing a festive party hat) of Johnston enjoy clamcakes and chowder for lunch at Briarcliffe Gardens' "Bah Humbug to Snow Beach Party," held on Friday, Jan. 28. The couple recently celebrated their 56th anniversary.
California dreamin'
Tired of the snow? The folks at Briarcliffe Gardens are too, and wanting to get rid of the mid-winter blahs, decided to hold a "Bah Humbug to Snow Beach Party" on Friday, Jan. 28. Briarcliffe Gardens chef Robert Alves had some clams, and suggested a special lunch, which evolved into a theme. The event included the lunch (clamcakes, chowder, macaroni salad and "hot-diggedy-dogs"), a Beach Workout exercise activity, dancing to Beach Boys music on the jukebox, prizes for the best beach costume, and beach-related movies in the afternoon. Staff set up a simulated beach in the snow behind the facility with a beach chair, pink flamingos, a beach umbrella and beach blankets, providing a splash of color in an otherwise white wonderland in the backyard for the residents to enjoy from the warmth of the foyer. "The staff needed a pick-me-up after the snow and the residents needed a pick-me-up," said Stefany Reed, program and marketing director for the facility. The facility, which opened last year, is currently filled to capacity. Administrator and CEO Akshay K. Talwar is hoping to build a third facility, to create a campus-like atmosphere, on the property. Insider photos by Beth Hurd
 
Above left, Stefany Reed, program and marketing director for Briarcliffe Gardens, puts a festival hat on the head of resident Jeanette Ragosta during the Beach Party luncheon. Above right, Stefany Reed, program and marketing director for Briarcliffe Gardens, puts a lei around the neck of resident Carolyn Fishburn during the Beach Party luncheon.
 
Above left, Briarcliffe Gardens resident Mike Bucci and his daughter Angela Bucci look out at the simulated beach scene, set up outside in the snow, from the warmer facility foyer. Above right, Briarcliffe Gardens resident Allen Dexter, formerly of Scituate, who attended the "Bah Humbug to Snow Beach Party" shows his bowl of chowder — it's almost gone!
 
Above left, They needed a pick-me-up, and Briarcliffe Gardens chef Robert Alves (center) idea for a beach-styled luncheon snow-balled (literally) into an idea for a "Bah Humbug Snow Beach Party," which was held at the facility on Friday, Jan. 28. Here, members of the staff — Alessandra Escobar, Laurie Orduna, Moses Logan, Ryan Lepore, Ginette Marcotte, chef Robert Alves and Stefany Reed — pose in front of the simulated beach behind the facility, complete with pink flamingos, beach chair and beach umbrella. Above right, A splash of color in an otherwise white wonderland: part of the display included pink flamingos. |
