Spring Is For Fashions At Nunnawauk Meadows

By Nancy K. Crevier

The community room at Nunnawauk Meadows was buzzing with activity on Tuesday, April 26, as residents there, and their guests from Spruce Bank Farm in Woodbury and Grace Meadows in Southbury, gathered for the Nunnawauk Meadows Annual Spring Fashion Show.

Marion Pollack, resident services coordinator from Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging, and Nancy Barnes, WCAAA, orchestrated the afternoon of fun and fashion with Janet Falkenthal, owner of The Fashion Exchange on Route 25 in Newtown, and her assistant, Kelly Green.

“The fashion show provides an opportunity for socialization,” said Ms Pollack. A raffle, door prizes, and refreshments add to the festivities of the show, she added, thanks to the efforts of kitchen site manager Jean Mascola and volunteers Lea Caggiano, Dee Defeo, Rosalind Ginsberg, Vicki Scalora, Gerri Dramond, and Elizabeth Caffoe.

“The volunteers do all of the setting up, obtain prizes for the raffle and door prizes, and do the baking,” Ms Pollack said. She and the staff were impressed by the generosity of the local businesses that donated prizes.

All of the fashions modeled by the seven residents of Nunnawauk Meadows were provided by The Fashion Exchange, as were the accessories.

“This is the first time we’ve done the fashion show with Nunnawauk Meadows,” said Ms Falkenthal. “The residents came to the store and picked out their own outfits.”

The models, ranging from just under 60 to 91 years of age, were encouraged to select from the pre-owned garments items that they would themselves wear, spring wear that suited their individual personalities. Linen dresses, flowered shirts, brilliantly colored shawls, and elegant silk suits were among the outfits the models settled upon, proving that fashion consciousness does not fade with age.

The hats the models wore, however, were from Ms Falkenthal’s private collection.

“I wear a hat every day!” she exclaimed.

As the seven models moved smoothly down the center aisle, pausing to turn and show off their ensembles, Ms Falkenthal provided a description of each outfit for the audience of more than 60 women. Appreciative applause followed the models as they glided out of sight.

An opportunity to peruse a display of glittering necklaces, earrings, and brooches while sipping coffee and nibbling goodies, as well as to purchase some of the outfits modeled, followed the fashion show.

“It’s a lot of fun,” agreed Ms Falkenthal and Ms Pollack.