Spring Forward with the Leonard Florence Center!

The last few months have been busy at the Leonard Florence Center as we transition from winter to spring. Our Red Sox home opener party in the café, always a much-anticipated event, did not disappoint. Of course, there was an abundance of food and drinks, but the sense of camaraderie and spirit that prevailed is really what made the day so special.

In February, our Second Annual VENTalines Day Party was held in honor of our vent dependent residents. One highlight included a karaoke party where different residents and staff sang to our vent dependent residents. There was a great deal of talent in the room! Resident Yvette J. summed up the day perfectly: “I really enjoy these kinds of activities. It’s fun to do something out of the norm.”

The café at Leonard Florence Center became the site of a beautiful wedding ceremony and reception in late March. Take a look at the story and photos elsewhere in this newsletter. Congratulations to Maria and Stanley! You make such a beautiful couple.

Residents continue to enjoy a variety of activities, including bingo, Family Feud and Wheel of Fortune, arts & crafts, paint days, restaurant outings, socials, concerts and much more. On the food front, residents are savoring the cookie decorating program. Daniela Purcell, our baker extraordinaire, helps residents create beautiful and delicious cookies. As resident Bernice F. explains, “Cookie decorating is so much fun. We get to be a bit creative with our designs, flavors and colors. The best part of all: we get to eat them!”

At our annual Purim party, residents, families and staff joined together for a festive afternoon which included singing, face painting, ballon art and goodie bags for the kids. The famed “T-Tones” band provided lively music to set the tone. Passover was also a joyous occasion for both our Jewish residents and our non-Jewish residents with traditional seders. Prayers, songs, rituals and delicious foods brought everyone together.

Residents Steve Saling and Patrick O’Brien recently experienced a night they will remember forever. They attended a live performance of Saturday Night Live in New York City with guest hosts Jon Hamm and Lizzo! You can read all about it in this newsletter. Thank you to the amazing LFCL staff members who made the trip possible.

As April comes to a close, we are all looking forward to warm weather, outdoor activities and the time to relax with staff, families and friends. Here’s to Summer 2025!