Senior Prom keeps older GNV residents dancing

Feb 14, 2023 8:27 pm
Audience members cheer on retired Navy Lt. Commander Gary Cook and his wife, Carol Cook, as the couple are pronounced prom king and queen.
Audience members cheer on retired Navy Lt. Commander Gary Cook and his wife, Carol Cook, as the couple are pronounced prom king and queen.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow

It was a Valentine’s Day to remember for more than 150 aging Gainesville area residents who marked the day with love and friendship — and plenty of dancing — at the first Touching Hearts at Home Senior Prom.

Richard Nalli leads Karen Jacoby across the dance floor.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow Richard Nalli leads Karen Jacoby across the dance floor.

The Village at Gainesville, a residential community for the elderly, and Touching Hearts at Home, a home health care agency, joined forces to create a day of dance, music, and celebration at the Alachua County Senior Center.

Christina Ramos, executive director of Touching Hearts at Home and event organizer, said she first got the idea as a way to honor her grandmother, Rita Noa, 83. Noa suffers from Alzheimer’s and Ramos remembered how much her Nana enjoyed a dance she once attended at Al’z Place, an adult daycare center.

Become A Member

Mainstreet does not have a paywall, but pavement-pounding journalism is not free. Join your neighbors who make this vital work possible.

See Member Benefits

“We want to recreate something that was a special moment for her,” Ramos said. “She won’t join us in person but she will be there in spirit.”

The two-hour event featured dancing, entertainment a costume contest and plenty of other offerings including Valentine’s Day cupcakes, chocolates, and other treats. Harking back to high school days, a group of volunteers chose a prom king and queen crowned by Gainesville City Commissioner Ed Book.

For King and Queen Gary and Carol Cook it’s love the second time around. They have been married 20 years.

“Winning today was a very positive thing for us,” said Carol, after the two took a time out for dancing.

“We met on at the Stop Children’s Cancer benefit,” Carol said.

“Dancing, on the dance floor,” added Gary, a retired lieutenant commander in the Navy. “I saw this lovely lady and said I’m going to dance with her.”

And they’re still dancing.

John Richter and his wife, Terri Cole, embrace as the last song of the afternoon fades away.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow John Richter and his wife, Terri Cole, embrace as the last song of the afternoon fades away.

Local entertainer Mark Raisch sang with offerings of swing, soul, and rock n’ roll. Southern Gem photo booth gave attendees a chance to take pictures of themselves, and there were plenty of (Hershey’s) kisses to go around.

With February being heart month, Ramos said it was appropriate for the event to serve as a benefit for the American Heart Association, as well as Elder Care of Alachua County. In addition to Touching Hearts at Home and the Village at Gainesville, others contributing to the event include HUMANA, Haven Hospice, Loly’s Event & Decor, Southern Gem PhotoBooth, and The Windsor of Gainesville. Members of the University of Florida’s Dance Marathon group made valentines.

“Judging from the laughter and smiles of those who were there, the event was a success,” Ramos said. “The purpose of this Valentine’s Day Senior Prom is to offer more seniors in our community the opportunity to dress up, get excited, and come have a ball with other seniors! We want to make them smile and let them know that they are loved and this community cares about them.”

Singer Mark Raisch, left, helps Touching Hearts at Home Executive Director Christina Ramos announce the winner of a raffle contest. Photo by Megan V. Winslow (1)
Photo by Megan V. Winslow Singer Mark Raisch, left, helps Touching Hearts at Home Executive Director Christina Ramos announce the winner of a raffle contest. Photo by Megan V. Winslow (1)
Fe Flor P., left, and Marie Gier boogie on the dance floor.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow Fe Flor P., left, and Marie Gier boogie on the dance floor.
Amber Mann, an Oak Hammock employee, hugs a woman she has cared for at the facility. Mann was among a group of Oak Hammock employees who took a mini field trip to attend the dance.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow Amber Mann, an Oak Hammock employee, hugs a woman she has cared for at the facility. Mann was among a group of Oak Hammock employees who took a mini field trip to attend the dance.
Members of the UF Dance Marathon volunteer group handmade 300 valentines for dance attendees. Extra cards will be shared at a local nursing home.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow Members of the UF Dance Marathon volunteer group handmade 300 valentines for dance attendees. Extra cards will be shared at a local nursing home.
The event featured free cupcakes, non-alcoholic, fizzy drinks and party favors.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow The event featured free cupcakes, non-alcoholic, fizzy drinks and party favors.
Gainesville City Commissioner Ed Book, in red tie, dances with a partner. Later in the afternoon, Book helped crown the prom king and queen.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow Gainesville City Commissioner Ed Book, in red tie, dances with a partner. Later in the afternoon, Book helped crown the prom king and queen.
Joe Lopez, in hat, dances with Rose Ramos, co-owner of Touching Hearts at Home, a home healthcare agency.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow Joe Lopez, in hat, dances with Rose Ramos, co-owner of Touching Hearts at Home, a home healthcare agency.
Marsha Belgrade and Hobie Jacques, her boyfriend, take a break from dancing and hold hands as they watch others dance. The couple met at the senior center.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow Marsha Belgrade and Hobie Jacques, her boyfriend, take a break from dancing and hold hands as they watch others dance. The couple met at the senior center.
Meaghan Church, right, takes a photo of a couple in her photo booth. Church donated her time and equipment for the event.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow Meaghan Church, right, takes a photo of a couple in her photo booth. Church donated her time and equipment for the event.
Rosa Fernandez cradles her mother, Gisela Reyes, as the two sway to the music. Reyes was named “best-dressed female” attendee.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow Rosa Fernandez cradles her mother, Gisela Reyes, as the two sway to the music. Reyes was named “best-dressed female” attendee.
Terri Cole and her husband, John Richter, dance as singer Mark Raisch croons.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow Terri Cole and her husband, John Richter, dance as singer Mark Raisch croons.

Share this post:

  • Ronnie Lovler

    Ronnie Lovler has 40 years of experience in journalism, including assignments all over Latin America for CNN and CBS. Ronnie teaches journalism at UF and public speaking at Santa Fe College. She was a recent fellow in the Gerontological Society of America’s Journalists in Aging Fellows Program and a previous Knight International Journalism Fellow in Bogota, Colombia. She is an editor and contributor for the book titled, Local Lives in a Global Pandemic: Stories from North Central Florida and a contributing author to the anthology Alone Together: Tales of Sisterhood and Solitude in Latin America. She began her career in journalism at the San Juan Star in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Ronnie resides in Gainesville and loves to travel.

    View all posts

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
1 Comment
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Darlene

What a loving gesture.😘💕🙏🙏🙏

1
Reply