Date: Fri 02-Aug-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

Nunnawauk-generation

Full Text:

Nunnawauk Celebrates The Generations

The sporadic rain didn't dampen the fun at Nunnawauk Meadows Second Annual

Grandchildren/Great-grandchildren Day on July 26. Four generations were

represented at the event, which took place in the Community Room on the

property.

This was one of three annual inter-generational celebrations that are planned

by Joan Bowers, food service manager and special events coordinator for

Congregate Housing Service Program. CHSP is a five-year, federally funded

program to help elderly to remain in their homes for a longer period of time.

"I enjoyed the day very much. My granddaughter did also, and my daughter,"

said Elizabeth Caffoe. "I've been here almost ten years and no matter what

Nunnawauk Meadow has had, it's always been enjoyable. I think the value of

getting generations together is to foresee what's coming up. [The young ones]

are going to get old, after all, right?"

Both seniors and youth have a lot to offer each other, said Mrs Bowers. The

benefit to the different age groups has prompted the coordinator to try to

bring in more of the community. This year, for instance, volunteers from

Newtown Youth Services assisted with the games.

The children who attended colored, hunted for peanuts and lollipops, had their

face painted, and batted at pinatas. Everyone sang along to music by The

Cellmates, a group of musicians and dancers from the the Danbury Senior Center

(located in the old jail house). The group enjoyed lunch together in the

community room, followed by watermelon and popsicles outside.

The winner of the "Fun With Grandparents" photography contest was Hilda

Schmidt. The picture, which shows her surrounded by 31 of her descendents, was

taken at Nunnawauk Meadows last year at her 92 birthday celebration.

"The activities are never funded, so I get the residents here to chip in time

and money to help put the intergenerational stuff on," said Mrs Bowers. The

seniors especially like the programs with the younger people, she added. If

they receive funding for special events and have more assistance from

volunteers, Mrs Bowers said she could involve more of the local youth in

future inter-generational activities.

"We've had a lot of positive feedback from the residents," she said. People

there enjoy showing off their families and enjoy the interactions with those

outside Nunnawauk, she said.