Students Brighten Christmas Season for Residents at Central Wisconsin Senior Living

"Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our

childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport

the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!"  ~ Charles Dickens

We love the holiday season and not just because our cooks are the best at recreating the special holiday treats our residents remember from their Christmas past. Among the sounds of the Christmas music and the merry chatter of family members spending time with the residents is the sound of children and young adults helping to make our season bright.

Pre-Kindergarten students from Bannach School singing Christmas carols following a visit with the residents. 

The talented Pacelli High School Choir performed for the residents on Christmas Eve Day. These wonderful singers amazed everyone with their artistry.

Several Pacelli High School students working at North Crest with Chef Teri Lepak for the day. They helped with activities, dancing with the residents, entertaining in the afternoon.

CWSL and Pacelli High School Host Senior Prom 2011 at North Haven

While we all associate Fall with crisp, frosty mornings, football, and Homecoming, spring is when couples everywhere anticipate that gala event known simply as Prom.

Everyone is caught up in the excitement of selecting that special dress and the trip to the salon to insure your hair and make-up is perfect. When you arrive, you are greeted with balloons and a refreshment table laid out with amazing canapes and punch; standing along the sidelines are the guys dressed to the nines. We all share the same memories of attending Prom and for the residents of North Haven Homes, their memories of Prom from decades ago are now shared with new memories of Prom 2011.

Eight years ago the idea of hosting a prom for the seniors at North Haven Homes was brought to Pacelli High School in Stevens Point. With the assistance of the students at Pacelli and the staff at North Haven Homes, plans were made for a (truly!) Senior Prom. 

Some residents wore either prom dresses with a few arriving for the event in elegant evening attire. The students arrive in their formal attire in collaboration with the North Haven staff. Every year the cooks at all the homes have pulled out all the stops to create an amazing refreshment table which includes punch, bars and a beautiful cake created for the occasion.

At this years event, North Haven's very special friend, Gene Hershey, provided the entertainment, performing music from the Big Band era fulfilling requests from the residents for songs that hold special meaning.

What would Prom be without having a King and Queen? Jim S was chosen as King of the Senior Prom 2011 and Marge W was selected as the Queen. The royal couple and two members of Paceilli's senior class took to the dance floor to an a acappella version of "Over The Rainbow."

This event is very special to the residents evident in the attendance: almost every resident attended the prom. There were sixty-six residents and twenty Paceilli students who enjoyed this years Senior Prom. Several family members of the residents and a few students who attended the event also joined in the festivities, taking to the dance floor.

It's true what they say about dancing: "you can dance anywhere, even if it's only in your heart."