Brookfield students organize party for care-center residents

May 2, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

Residents and youngsters alike enjoyed music and dancing.

1It wasn’t exactly the same as a traditional high-school event, but pomp and circumstance prevailed at Friday’s Senior Citizen Prom at Orange Village Care Center, 8055 Addison Ave., Brookfield.

“It’s a nice affair,” said Messersmith, of Hartford, a 1975 graduate of Joseph Badger High School in Kinsman and six-year resident at the center.

Messersmith said she went to a coronation event in ninth grade, which she described as a “mini- prom,” but was unable to attend her senior prom.

Residents had the option of attending solo or with a partner. Messersmith brought a friend and fellow resident, Patrick Mulrooney, to the two-hour event.

Many female residents wore colorful dresses, while some men donned outfits bordering on the formal to the prom, which allowed the patients an opportunity to mingle with one another, as well as with a host of young people. Also in the mix was a disc jockey who played a variety of country, pop, polka and oldies music.

Twenty-two members of Brookfield High School’s National Honor Society constructed an archway for the senior prom, among other things, as part of their service project. Also assisting with the program were several youngsters in Brookfield Middle School’s “Story Tellers” group.

One NHS member was junior Erika Zigler, who said she appreciated the “homey” atmosphere of Orange Village, as well as spending time with the residents.

“This is a really nice thing. Our prom is coming up, and it’s nice to give back to the community,” Erika said. “I realize that no matter what your age, you can have fun.”

Once word about the prom for the patients reached the NHS students, it wasn’t long before they agreed to take on building the arch and helping in other ways, noted their adviser, Peggy Kerrigan. Making up the school’s NHS chapter are 35 juniors and seniors, she said, adding that they perform five or six service projects annually.

Many residents are probably used to seeing members of “Story Tellers,” a group of pupils in grades six through eight who come to the facility about once a month to share stories, assist with activities and visit, explained Margaret Piccirilli, Story Tellers adviser. Six youngsters make up this year’s group, she said.

At the prom, the pupils weren’t engaging in storytelling, but instead found themselves on the dance floor with some residents after having helped a few get ready for the festivities.

“It’s a lot of fun to be here. I think it gives older people time to enjoy other visitors,” said Samantha Zigler, a Brookfield Middle seventh-grader and “Story Tellers” member.

Samantha, who’s also Erika’s younger sister, said she helped a few residents prepare for the prom.

The program also paid tribute to residents who are veterans, many of whom served in World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars, and Operation Desert Storm, noted Dave Paretic, activities director.

Paretic said he discussed activity ideas with the care center’s ombudsman, Rosemarie Janosko, who came up with the prom.

“We’re blessed with this event,” he added.

Orange Village is a 120-bed facility, with 65 patients on its long-term care unit. The center also has 55 residents with mental challenges, Paretic continued.

Dresses were donated by The Winner in Sharon, Pa. Donating flowers was Green’s Flower Shop in Brookfield.