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mokenamessenger.com life & arts
the Mokena Messenger | March 22, 2018 | 25
Oldies but goodies at Clarendale for St. Pats
Singer Kym Frankovelgia
returns to Mokena for
Irish holiday
Amanda Stoll, Assistant Editor
There was not a dry eye in the
room when singer Kym Frankovelgia
finished her set with “Danny
Boy” during Clarendale of Mokena’s
St. Patrick’s Day event on
Friday, March 16.
Frankovelgia may have ended
with a gut-wrenching, Irish love
song, but she kept the seniors well
entertained with oldies from their
younger years, and had them clapping
and singing along with her.
She said although their memories
may not be as good as they
once were they never have trouble
remembering the words to their old
favorite tunes like “Somewhere
over the Rainbow,” which was
sung by Judy Garland in 1939 in
“The Wizard of Oz.”
Julie Mangiaracina, the director
of life enrichment at Clarendale of
Mokena, said the event was one of
many they put on for the seniors.
She said they especially enjoy celebrating
holidays at the senior living
home with independent and assisted
living, as well as memory care.
“Our team is responsible for
providing activities and positive
engagement for the residents,”
Mangiaracina said. “... Everything
is very resident-centered, so our
calendar changes often. It’s always
something unique and different.”
She said they create clubs centered
around residents’ interests
or find activities for them to do to
make sure their lives are fulfilled.
In addition to the special events
planned regularly by Mangiaracina
and her staff, they go on frequent
outings and have lower-key events,
such as their recent Sunday brunch.
“I firmly believe that if your
mind, body and spirit is nurtured,
and those three things are fulfilled
then you have a more positive outlook
on your days,” said Mangiaracina.
She said sometimes residents are
not happy because of their declining
health or mobility, but “if we
Kym Frankovelgia sings during Clarendale of Mokena’s St. Patrick’s Day party Friday, March 16. Frankovelgia has been singing classic songs and
bringing back memories of the old days for seniors for 20 years. Photos by Amanda Stoll/22nd Century Media
Clarendale of Mokena resident Joan O’Sullivan (left), her daughter Deb
Denison (center), daughter-in-law Pat O’Sullivan (right) and greatgrandson
Tyler O’Sullivan enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
can provide them a smile for the
day or something positive for the
day, something fulfilled then it’s all
worth it.”
Making new friends and adjusting
to a new schedule can be difficult
for the older generation, many
of whom were used to living at
home, independently before moving
to Clarendale of Mokena.
“It’s a scary change, especially
at this age to come in and have to
(Left to right) Raymond Przybylski, John Levey, Betty Murray, Vivian
McNally and Catherine Hallen won pots of gold for their festive attire
during the St. Patrick’s Day event at Clarendale of Mokena.
meet new people, make new friends
and find new routines,” Mangiaracina
said. “We just want to make
sure that that transition is as easy as
possible and as enjoyable,”
The festivities included entertainment
and green “leprechaun
pudding” made for an enjoyable
afternoon at the facility, and those
residents who won the best dressed
contest made off with a pot of gold
to boot.