MANCHESTER – It was a celebration of life – long life and life lived well – when members of Leisure Village West LGBTQ and Friends group sponsored a party to honor those senior residents who have hit some milestone birthdays.
One of those was Pearl Green who turned 100 last year and Eileen Collins who was only a few years behind her having observed her 98th birthday. There was also a 97-year-old and two 93-year-olds.
Green was the oldest attendee at the day’s gathering and she was ready to party. She told The Manchester Times that “my husband worked for The New York Times.”
“I’ve lived here for 37 years,” Green said.
Florence Markowitz, at left joins Ellie Kravetz, Gloria Lubrano and Pearl Green at the special party held at a Leisure Village West clubhouse honoring those who have reached their 90s and beyond. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
“She has a lot of energy, everybody has to keep up with her,” a fellow attendee at the table remarked.
Florence Markowitz said she would soon be 92. “God has been very good to me.”
Green plays gin rummy “and I used to play mahjong.” She joined Markowitz, Ellie Kravetz, and Gloria Lubrano at her side of the table. Across from them were Carolyn Cheesman, Henry Sher, Carole Oppenheim and Thomas Lubrano.
Leisure Village West residents Carolyn Cheesman, Henry Sher, Carole Oppenheim and Thomas Lubrano enjoy a good time at a community event sponsored by the LVW LGBTQ and Friends group that served as a tribute to seniors in the community. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
“We wanted to give something back to the community and many of us here have friends who are 90 and above who are vibrant and active and who get out and they are close friends. We get together with them for a social event,” said Wayne Steinman, one of the group’s leaders.
“Some have mobility issues and we help them arrange for rides to get here. Some groups needed to stay together and it has been wonderful to talk to them. We have a volunteer at every table to help them in getting the food and to get around. They tell us about their history here,” he added.
The Tuesday Troubadours brought their musical expertise to the event. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
Steinman, 73, said, “Leisure Village West is a microcosm of a bigger community and we want to let our super seniors know they aren’t alone. This is a group effort.”
There were 108 cupcakes baked for the occasion by a group member and a whole lot of food prepared for the event held at one of the two club houses at LVW.
Irma Rudnick, 92, holds up the handmade gift she received that was made by the Leisure Village West Arts & Crafts Club. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
It wouldn’t be a party without some music and the sing-along group the Tuesday Troubadours brought their voice and talent to the event. The group’s pianist Ron Owens pounded the ivories and the group’s first song was, “Let There Be Peace On Earth.”
There were also handmade items from the LSV Arts & Crafts Club that were presented to the honored seniors as gifts during the event and Irma Rudnick, 92 was enjoying the knitted item she received. She’s been around LVW for some time now. “I’ve lived here for 30 years,” she said.
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