Friendship Village is looking especially beautiful these days, thanks to a painting created by Tiffani McCann.  Tiffani is the very talented wife of lifestyles director Mike McCann. Tiffani painted her own beautiful rendition of Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Nights on the mirror in the fitness center.  Be sure to stop in a see this wonderful piece of artwork!

The Rat Pack performs at Friendship Village's talent show

The 2011 Friendship Village Talent Show Las Vegas Style was warmly received by its standing-room only crowd on Friday, August 26 in Assembly Hall at Friendship Village. The lively event featured our talented residents and staff in a number of rollicking acts saluting the glitz and glamor of Las Vegas.

Las Vegas favorites were on hand as FV residents Joe and Dot Gondek preformed their own rendition of Sonny and Cher’s I’ve Got You Babe. FV staff member Rick Paisley impersonated Elvis Presley presenting Viva Las Vegas with backup by the Las Vegas Show Girls Lavonne Verkade, Kay Schmidt, Valerie Dawson, Marion Bohm and Barb Callanan. FV staff members Mike McCann, Dean Dellaria, and Lavell Hampton performed as the beloved Rat Pack featuring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr., singing Me and My Shadow and Chicago. And back by popular demand was Friendship Village’s very own singing bus driver, Frank Valenti. Bringing down the house was a spoof on synchronized swimming when Norb Ciesel, Jim Moffett, Cliff Amundsen, George Steele and Jim Quigley donned their shower caps and their most graceful moves in a choreographed water dance. Additional acts included dancers, singers, choirs, magicians and pantomimes, each one delighting the over 300 attendees.

Professional MC for the evening was the charming Jimmy Niteclub. The production was directed by FV Lifestyles staff members Jeannette Magdaleno and Donna Brown, with light and sound coordinated by Jeff Rose and Rick Paisley.

The annual talent show is a great way to show off the talents and exuberance of Friendship Village’s vibrant residents and staff.

According to Stephen Yenchek, President and CEO of Friendship Senior Options and Friendship Village of Schaumburg, “Pat brings a wealth of marketing and planning experience to us from both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. We’re very pleased to welcome her to this important leadership position.”

Ms. Mash said, “I feel very fortunate to be part of this forward-thinking organization and appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the future of senior care and housing.”

In addition to nearly 20 years in various senior management positions with United Airlines, Mash previously served as senior vice president of marketing for two of the nation’s largest apartment communities.

Mash holds an MBA degree from Binghamton University in Binghamton, NY and a bachelor’s degree from St. Lawrence University.

Later that evening the Polish Palooza continued with the fabulous Polanie Dancers. Children ages 6 – 18 danced traditional Polish numbers from various regions of Poland. The costumes were beautiful – so intricate, detailed and full of color. The variety of dances and costumes was breathtaking! The dancers were seasoned with ultimate grace. Every step, every turn, every whirl was perfect not a move out of place.

The evening ended with a grand finale with the polished voices of Brian Fowler and companion Char. Brian worked his magic and became the “Polish Prince” of music singing all the wonderful Bobby Vinton songs we all love so well. Brian also chose a resident to be his “Polish Princess” the very lovely Stephanie Rowinski was the lucky lady of the evening.  The Polish Palooza was a huge success and was well received by all.

Click here to visit our facebook page to enjoy our Polish Palooza photos.

The 20-by-30 foot American flag was recovered from the rubble of the World Trade Center and is now on a national tour of all 50 states. It was nearly destroyed in the collapse in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, but was stitched back together by tornado survivors in Greensburg, Kansas. The small white square at the bottom right portion of the blue has a piece of the flag that President Lincoln’s head rested on when he was shot. This flag was also on display at the funeral of Christina Taylor Green who was killed in the Arizona shootings and will tour each state where people continue working to repair it. Afterwards, it will return to the site of the World Trade Centers where it will be flown again as a patriotic symbol of survival.

Click here to see the online photo album from the award ceremony.

Early in 2010, Donna Brown planned and coordinated a movie-making project — a 25 minute movie completely written, produced and performed by the residents of Friendship Village. From the very beginning for a call to writers to the finished product, the entire process took six months to complete.

The process of making a movie began with the initial call: for writers, production team, casting team, auditions, through the rehearsals and the filming. The writers produced a well written screenplay by a retired high school principal. The finished screenplay turned out to be a delightful comedy called “Let’s Dance.” Additional resident writers helped to develop the characters. Once the screenplay was written, a casting committee and production team held auditions for residents. Rehearsals were held twice a week for six weeks. The production team consisting of makeup, wardrobe, props, set decoration, craft services, 1st and 2nd assistant directors were at the heart of the film production. The filming, which took three days to complete, was a true learning experience for all involved.

Once filming was completed, a ‘Red Carpet’ movie premiere and party was planned. The actors arrived by limousine (the same limousine drove around 6 times and dropped two resident actors off at a time) and were surrounded by paparazzi (family members) taking pictures. Actors wore sunglasses, dressed in formal attire and were given the ‘Red Carpet’ treatment — as they entered, ‘Joan Rivers’ interviewed the celebrities.
Two separate showings were needed due to the overwhelming turn out. Prior to the movie, guests enjoyed entertainment and a premier party was held after the show which included a three-piece band for dancing.

Forty residents participated in the making of the film. All agreed the experience was one they would never forget. They thoroughly enjoyed the celebrity status and learning about the film industry. Experiencing the behind the scenes of film-making was something to remember!

Visit our online photo album to see pictures from Let’s Dance

Stephen Yenchek, President and CEO of Friendship Senior Options, the parent company to Friendship Village, participated in a panel for industry leaders. Their discussion entitled, “Make It To Market” provided insights regarding how to bring new projects to market after the post-crisis access to capital that has plagued the economy for the past two and one-half years.

Friendship Village Chaplin Shawn Kafader spoke about “Introducing Contemplative Spirituality with Seniors” in his one and one-half hour discussion. That afternoon he was joined by his fellow Friendship Village Chaplin, Richard Oas on the topic of “Toward an Interfaith Chaplain Ministry in a CCRC.” Since the community is faith-based and mission-driven, it is important to recognize every resident’s spiritual needs regardless of their denomination. Shawn and Richard epitomize this inclusiveness.

Lifestyle managers, Jeff Rose and Jeannette Magdaleno shared their story about resident volunteering with their audience. Residents Shirley Odegaard and Bob Green spoke as witnesses to the extensive outreach opportunities that Friendship Village makes available in the wider community. Both residents are avid volunteers and serve on numerous committees. Bob shared his story in a question and answer format with Jeff Rose. Shirley read her heartfelt message from a prepared speech.

Friendship Village received the “Community Impact Award” from Life Services Network during their annual conference held at Navy Pier. The award honors Friendship Village’s outreach program to Herbert Hoover Elementary School where the Friendship Village residents and staff worked with students and teachers to create “Hoover Friendship Garden… Growing Green Dreams.”

“The intergenerational partnership between the school and our community served both organizations in many ways,” said Mike McCann, Director of Lifestyles for Friendship Village. “Residents helped students build a greenhouse where they planted and tended the organic garden. Once harvested, all food is donated to the local food pantry.”

The Hoover Friendship Garden project contributed to Herbert Hoover Elementary School earning the recent Math and Science Academy designation.

Life Services Network (LSN) is the state chapter of the national trade organization for not-for-profit senior housing and services (Leading Age). LSN’s Community Impact Award recognizes the impact Hoover Friendship Garden has on the community-at-large, the organization and its core mission. The initiative helps to change the paradigm of volunteer programs and sets an example for other senior communities to follow.

This program will continue and grow this year and into the future. Follow the progress by reading How Does Your Garden Grow by Friendship Village resident blogger, Shirley Odegaard.

The night hit its climax when the 1920’s police force raided the illegal gambling establishment and lined up all the big name gangsters for questioning. Dino “The Nose” Andrea, Tony Shako, Franco “The Godfather” Villa, Carlotta “Loose Lips” Luciano and other mobsters were interrogated as the “coppers” attempted to find the one responsible for running the joint. Even “Loose Lips” Luciano managed to keep her mouth shut during the line up, but speakeasy owners Diamond Lil and Johhny Capone (Helen and John Jerusis) finally settled the commotion with a hefty bribe to get the coppers off their back.

Once the authorities left, the evening resumed with more lively entertainment and refreshments, and prizes to be won by all. Everyone left in high spirits after an enjoyable excursion into the Jazz Age and back.