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Shepherd of the Valley creates island getaway
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .A group of Shepherd employees, along with honorary member of the Shepherd family Maddie Anzevino (center), were dressed for a tropical getaway during their July 28 luau.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Facility food service coordinator Amy Anzevino (right) tried out some hula moves with her daughter, Mya, during the Poland Shepherd of the Valley luau event.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Poland Shepherd of the Valley residents Marge Urchak (left) and Betsy Castrain were ready to dance the hula on July 28.
By SARAH FOOR
On July 28, the residents and staff at Poland Shepherd of the Valley welcomed fun with a friendly “aloha!”
That Thursday, the facility’s activity room was decorated with tiki torch accessories and each table featured a butterfly and tropical flower centerpiece. The bright additions to the room were brought out for Shepherd of the Valley’s annual summer luau.
“We usually celebrate our luau outside, but seeing as it’s typhoon season out there, we decided against it,” joked assistant activity director Terri Eisenbraun of the rainy weather.
Instead of suffering through the wet and humid day, the facility’s residents cooled off inside by enjoying air conditioning and sweet coconut milk drinks.
To fit with their Hawaiian island theme, the Poland facility’s kitchen served jerk chicken and pineapple skewers, rice, coleslaw and a pumpernickel roll.
Residents were free to take a humorous photo by placing their heads in cardboard cutouts that transformed them into hula girls or surfer boys.
Throughout the event, the gentle sway of traditional Hawaiian music had the Poland residents tapping their feet.
“Once I’m finished eating, I’m definitely going to try a bit of hula dancing,” shared guest Betsy Castrain with a laugh.