With twinkling lights hanging from the ceiling, red carpet rolled out on the floor and love of community in the air, residents of Hearthstone at Wildwood were dressed up and ready to dance on
Feb. 12 for the Starlight Soirée
event.
The soirée created a lot of special memories, starting off with a themed dinner at
5 p.m., followed by a flash mob performance from staff at
5:30 p.m. and ending with dancing to music from DJ Diorio.
Sam Grow, Hearthstone at Wildwood activities director, said the goal of the event was to get residents together for a fun dance and make sure everyone felt included.
“I enjoy going over the top for my dear residents, because they talk about it for so long,” Grow said. “They talk about it for sometimes a month or more, about how special the event made them feel. That’s what it’s about.”
Kayla Knight, Hearthstone at Wildwood head chef, said the thorough collaboration and planning with Grow and her sous chef allows the group’s creative vision to come together for every occasion and event.
“It really takes a team in order for the vision to come together,” Knight said. “For the soirée tonight, I want to bring back their past and memories from their youth, going to dances like prom. I want them to be reminiscent, because in my imagination they are in high school and they are waiting for someone to come up and ask, ‘Would you like to dance with me?’ It doesn’t matter if they are in a wheelchair or have to sit down, we will still dance with them,” she said.
Heart-shaped ravioli paired with broccolini and dinner rolls were served to residents with battery operated candles on the tables in the dining room. After the main entree, residents ended the meal eating strawberry shortcake with raspberry drizzle.After the meal was served, residents got to enjoy some surprise entertainment as employees of Hearthstone and three local hospice groups started moving to the beat for a flash mob performance.
Grow enlisted the help of a group of volunteers to make the flash mob come to life.
“I got some friends who don’t work at Hearthstone, they work for different hospice companies — Concierge Home Care, HomeWell Care Services and Arc Hospice & Palliative Care of Leesburg — all of them came together with me and formed what I call ‘Avengers of Health Care,’” he said. “The flash mob is something I think that a lot of them have never seen before and we strive to do things that are unique and make it just that ‘wow’ factor.”John Diorio, also known as DJ Diorio, ended the flash mob by calling residents to the dance floor to get down to the beat however possible.
“This means a lot to me,” Diorio said. “When I see people being entertained, I see their bright eyes and the happiness in their face, It makes me feel very accomplished.”
For an hour and a half, employees paired up with residents, spinning them on their feet or in their wheelchairs and forming dance circles.
Kay Jaschk was one of the first residents on the dance floor, with Grow as her dance partner.
“I wouldn’t be able to do this if he wasn’t holding me up,” Jaschk said. “I really loved it. They do so much for us here, they keep it to where we really feel like we are living.”
Carrie Stalbum, Hearthstone at Wildwood health and wellness director, said the dance was a great way to get residents having a good time and exercising at the same time.
“Positive energy is so good for the residents,” Stalbum said. “Sam is really good at coming up with events where residents are moving and getting exercise. He thinks outside the box to keep their joints moving and they do it with a smile.”
After the special soiree, residents enjoyed a more classic Valentine’s Day dinner on Feb. 14 with “marry me” chicken, Italian wedding soup and red velvet cake for dessert.Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
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