Holiday Brunch
at Lakeview
Champagne flowed as delicately as the snow wafted from the skies at Lakeview’s Holiday Brunch held on December 9. More than 200 guests of all ages seized the day to savor a bounty of goodies and a chance to appeal to a jolly Santa and his mischievous elf.
After being warmly welcomed at the door by the leadership tier of Barbara Dumas, Kate Gilbert, Elizabeth Hansen, and other big hearted hosts, the lively crowd of resident families relished a delicious feast. The ambitious buffet was topped with stellar standbys such as omelettes and waffles of all varieties, huge bowls of chilled shrimp, and sliced tenderloin of beef in bordelaise sauce along with inventive crab cakes, loaded mashed potatoes, colorful vegetables, and scrumptious pastries selected from Warrington Bakery.
Each room was festooned for the season with greenery, old fashioned toys, and handmade ornaments fashioned by the residents under the direction of Maureen Riley, Nancy Winthrop and Sharon Lohse. Some of the beautiful trinkets were gifted to guests as they visited with Santa (Marc Stine).
The Arbor halls were decked too! Resident doors were custom wrapped and decorated with all kinds of whimsical symbols. The holiday project, launched last year by CNA Teresa Sawyer, sparked collaboration between residents and caregivers to create the spirited wonderland.
Two spectacular candy houses served as centerpieces on festively laden tables. Created by Sharon Smith, her mother Mary Smith, and her daughter Jackie Stotz, the sweet structures required 10 dozen eggs, 48 pounds of 10x sugar, and abundance of candy in all shapes and sizes along with 63 hours of labor.
Strolling through the event it was easy to see that Sharon Smith, director of dining services at Lakeview, gives herself so completely to orchestrating these parties. Smith glowed as she quietly enthused, “When people celebrate, and they eat well, it makes it all worth it. I like hosting a group that enjoys food and that appreciates the planning, creativity, and organization needed to carry it out without a hitch.”
Sharon’s leadership is received with respect, if not affection, by some 35 culinary and service associates whose energies, from set up to clean up, elevate the entire customer experience.
Suffice it to say everyone in attendance felt a great sense of joy and wonder with this holiday extravaganza.
Holiday Brunch
at Lakeview
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