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Shepherd of the Valley celebrates the new year
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Polka master Johnny Oakes provided the tunes for the New Year's Eve party at Boardman Shepherd of the Valley.
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Assistant activities director Cookie George got the party started by clapping and singing along to the polka tunes.
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Every good party needs a photographer. Bill Davis, who volunteers at the facility, also snaps photos during most festivities.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Boardman Shepherd of the Valley resident Robert Graham was in the party mood on Dec. 30, as he clapped along to the music playing at the facility's New Year's Eve festivities.
By SARAH FOOR
The familiar strains of “Auld Lang Syne” emitted from the accordion of Johnny Oakes at Boardman Shepherd of Valley on Dec. 30, as the residents and staff celebrated New Year’s Eve a day early.
The earlier celebration didn’t make the staff skimp on a wonderful party, however.
“We’re having our party a day early so that our residents can have a good time with friends, but spend the actual eve with their families. Other than the earlier celebration, everything else is classic New Year’s,” said Assistant activities director Cookie George.
The classic celebration included a traditional meal of pork, kielbasa and sauerkraut, along with assorted finger foods and sparkling grape soda. The tables were covered in glittery decorations and many hats with “Happy 2011” were perched on the heads of the residents. Johnny Oakes played Christmas tunes and popular polkas and the famous New Year’s tune many times as residents asked to hear it again.
The residents also were visited by their families, including Joanne Johnson visiting her husband Norm Johnson, a resident. Glancing up at her husband’s silly hat, Johnson told him, “You look so cute in that hat, Norm,” before kissing him on the cheek and looking forward to the year ahead.
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The Barnharts and Johnsons decided to make the New Year's Eve party a couples' night. Norm (left) and Joanne Johnson joined Don and Marilyn Barnhart (right) to enjoy food, fun, and music.