February 18, 2013 (Cheektowaga, NY) ─ Combine the delicious foods on Bourbon Street, the colorful decorations of Chinatown and a visit from cupid gave residents at Glenwell plenty of reasons to celebrate last week. The festivities kicked off with a Chinese New Year Party on February 11, followed by a Mardi Gras parade, and float and mask contest on February 12, wrapping up with a Valentine’s Day party on February 14.

Pictured here, Glenwell residents Shirley Hanes, Sarah Kreigbaum and Janet Ruth show off the Hawaiian-themed float created by residents of Glenwell’s assisted living unit during the Mardi Gras parade. Residents of the memory care unit assembled a patriotic-themed float for the contest. The assisted living float won popular vote.

Pictured here during the Mardi Gras parade are Glenwell residents and staff (back row, left to right) Team Leader Donna Jonak, Director of Resident Care Lynn Harmening, Administrator Amy Hayward, Administrative Assistant Sue Freshwater, Activities Leader Amanda Tobin, Assisted Living Nurse Christine Pazian, resident Marcella Olson, (front row, left to right) Dietary Director Fran Roselli and residents Sarah Kriegbaum and Shirley Hanes.

The celebrations were complete with appropriately themed menus. Glenwell’s dietary staff pulled together meals fit for a king to celebrate Fat Tuesday including Cajun baked chicken and banana fosters for dessert, followed by muffuletta, a popular submarine-style sandwich on Sicilian bread which originated among Italian immigrants in New Orleans.

Residents assisted with the festivities by crafting paper snakes which dangled from the ceiling during the Chinese New Year Celebration, and they also made Asian pot stickers. For Valentine’s Day, they crafted decorative hearts and homemade Valentine’s Day cookies.

For more information about Glenwell, please contact Administrator Amy Hayward at (716) 608-7000 or visit us on Facebook.