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Shepherd residents relish tropical paradise
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Sue Dutko (left) came by to visit with her mom, Marjorie Haynie (right).
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The "Hula in the Coola" was a family affair for Boardman Shepherd resident Margaret Borts. The happy family posed between dance moves. Sandy Smik (left), Kristine Mazzella, and Anthony Mazzella (right) posed with Borts (thrid from left) during the celebration.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Boardman Shepherd of the Valley resident Martha Angelo's favorite part of Feb. 25's "Hula in the Coola" was the food. Shrimp on a skewer was a favorite.
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Many family members came to visit Boardman Shepherd resident Nenette Gamberale. Posing for an impromptu family photo were, seated, Nenette (left) and Frank Gamberale, Sr; standing are Mary Gamberale (left), Geanna Gamberale, Carina Gamberale, Frank Gamberale, Jr, and Margherita Haviella (right).
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Local entertainer Steve Fazzini provided music for the event, playing everything from Bob Marley to Elvis Presley.
By SARAH FOOR
On a very icy and snowy Friday evening outside, the activity room inside Boardman Shepherd of the Valley was a tropical paradise.
Beach-favorite songs, selections of seafood and flowery shirts and leis were everywhere during the facility’s “Hula in the Coola” party on Feb. 25.
Entertainment was provided by guitarist and vocalist Steve Fazzini, who played tropical classics like “Aloha Oe” and Elvis Presley’s “Rock a Hula.”
“Have any of you ever been to Hawaii?” Fazzini asked the crowd. Many residents and their families raised their hands.
“You few are lucky, but for the rest of us, this is the best we can do here in Ohio,” Fazzini said with a laugh.
Facility administrator Richard Limongi had a similar thought about the Ohio weather.
“If you can believe it, we had terrible weather during our first ‘Hula in the Coola’ last year,” Limongi remembered. “I think the inclement weather actually makes our Hula party a welcome escape. Along with visiting families, it lifts the moods of everyone in the facility.”
The luau had the facility’s staff dressed in tropical shirts as they served a seafood feast to guests. Dancing was welcome to any guest, and Sandy Smik took advantage while eating dinner with her family.
“The music is great! It has me moving my shoulders and dancing along when I should be eating,” she said with a laugh.
Smik’s nephew, Anthony Mazzella, enjoyed the event with his aunt, mom, and grandma and Shepherd resident, Margaret Borts.
“The food is really yummy — I love this orange drink they gave me,” Mazzella said. “And I like to come here to spend time with my grandma.”