The Willows celebrates with residents, families with big picnic

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Residents of The Willows and their families enjoyed a picnic supper on Monday evening with a bounce house and ice cream truck, visible in the rear.

MEDINA – Residents and their invited guests enjoyed a picnic Monday night with a bounce house for young visitors, an ice cream truck, special bicycle rides and musical entertainment.

More than 100 RSVPs were received for the event, said administrator Jacquie Morgante. That is double last year’s attendance, she said.

Personal care aide Mary Ellen Donovan bends down to hug resident Joan Roberts at the Monday night picnic.

The 17 residents were allowed to invite family and friends, who enjoyed a buffet supper of chicken barbecue by Chiavetta’s, and  baked beans and cheesy potatoes prepared by The Willows cook, Mary Schaal.

“Mary has been our head cook for more than a decade,” said Jordan Banaszak, administrative assistant. “Before that she worked in catering. She is an amazing cook and we are lucky to have her.”

A food truck was also on site, providing ice cream for dessert.

A bounce house was set up to entertain the younger visitors, while the adults were treated to bicycle rides by Susan Walders of Albion, who leads Cycling Without Age in Orleans County. She started the organization more than a year ago, and it is a popular attraction at senior events. Her special bicycle seats two, while she pedals from behind.

The first picnic was organized last year by Morgante.

“She has great ideas,” Banaszak said. “It was a hit last year, so we were excited to do it again this year, amped up with more activities for the kids and the ice cream truck. We had double the turnout from last year, so that was amazing. The Willows family is growing. Our residents have been looking forward to it all summer and they all have said how lovely it was. Even a couple of resident’s family members we’ve seen since the picnic commented how fun it was. And everyone loved the music and the dancing.”

Mary Lou Blount has been a resident for three months. Her husband Bob and daughters Roberta “Gilly” Keirn and Shawna Baldwin also joined her for the picnic.  Baldwin said her mother is happy that they always have a lot of activities going on. Mary Lou likes the old-fashioned religious services with the old-time hymns, Baldwin said.

The evening’s entertainment was provided by Brian Beaudry of Nerds Gone Wild, who sang and played guitar.

Residents and guests also enjoyed lemonade and iced tea.

“We will continue to do the picnic annually and look forward to seeing it grow each year,” Banaszak said. “Our residents truly are our family, so having a family picnic just made sense.”

Bob Matthews and Joan Roberts, residents of The Willows, get a ride in a special bicycle pedaled by Susan Walders of Albion.

Mary Lou Blount, right, with her husband Bob is joined at The Willows’ picnic by her daughters Shawna Baldwin, left, and Roberta “Gilly” Keirn.