The second annual Senior Prom for members of the Day Break Club, held Tuesday afternoon in the Zimbabwe Room of the Odell Recreation Center, brought out about sixty individuals in their finest silks, satins and glitter for a very special time.
The club is about fun for adults of all ages with developmental disabilities, Alzheimer’s Disease and other mental and physical conditions which render them in need of round-the-clock care. The dedicated volunteers experience much joy and gratification from providing food service , games and activities for the club members — and respite for their caregivers.
Club founder and committee chairman, Mickey Baughman, was beaming as he saw how happy the club members were with the festivities. After lots of hard work planning the event, organizers Ron Baller, Don Wheatley, Gini and Phil Cronauer, among other Villagers, stood by making sure everything was working smoothly . It was.
In true Senior Prom fashion, members lined up for professional souvenir photographs under a decorative blue and white arch of balloons.
DJ Ken Stewart provided music for listening and dancing — plus background sounds for the vocal talents of Dale Pilcher and, Mary Lou Majewski; torch singer Billie Thatcher, Ron Mezzano as Frank Sinatra, Joe Baltzell as Jimmy Durante and Dave Maurer — who was rumored to be in town dressed as Elvis. Clyde Hamilton and Leo Bitz were among a group of cl o ggers dressed in ‘Gangsta style’ black outfits and fedoras with white ties.
“There’s lot of variety — a full afternoon of entertainment — this is a very special undertaking for us,” Baughman said. “And our members will talk about today for a long long time “.
Director of The Villages Recreation Department, John Rohan, stopped by to greet some of the folks. “We are indebted to John,” Ron Baller said. “He and other members of his department helped us tremendously to get our club started — and always makes himself available for our needs.”
A delicious buffet lunch of finger foods was served on a shin y blue and silvery table with lots of sparkling Mylar balloons as a centerpiece .
A Prom King and Queen were crowned in the persons of Ed Ebmeyer and Renee Kwasneski. The new royalty paraded in their wheelchairs with crowns and a bouquet of red roses to applause from their fans in the audience.
Each week, all year long, caregivers can stay and enjoy the fun at the Day Break club — or utilize the group as adult day care.They can leave their loved ones in safe hands at the club, knowing they will be well cared for. They can use the three hours to run needed errands or just get some rest or rare pampering for themselves.
Thirty-or-so volunteers tend to the needs of about 30 disabled adults, bringing a variety of games and crafts.
The group meets every Tuesday from 1:30-4:30 p.m. For more information, visit the club’s website: www.DAY-BREAK-CLUB.ORG
