Well-known as the “greatest glass artist of modern times,” Dale Chihuly has composed over 600 glass elements. One of his most famous works, the glass sculpture, “Ode to Joy,” hangs proudly in the Autorino Great Hall at the Bushnell Center for Performing Arts. Carol Brennan, resident of Middlewoods of Farmington, is a huge fan of Chihuly and has always wanted to see the “Ode to Joy” hanging sculpture.
Activities Director, Tanya Janeczko, heard about Carol’s wish and organized a trip for Middlewood’s residents to get a private tour of the Bushnell Center.
On June 27th, Tanya, Carol and a bus full of other residents drove to Hartford for this exciting event. Their tour guide, Jeffrey, first showed the group the stunning Chihuly sculpture and explained its history and creation.
Carol was ecstatic at this point, but the fun didn’t stop there! Jeffrey then took Carol and her fellow residents backstage where to everyone’s surprise, a very special performance broke out. Jeffrey and Middlewood’s resident, Hilda, started to dance across the stage while onlookers chimed in singing. This impromptu show made the trip very memorable for everyone who attended. To see a video of Hilda and Jeffrey dancing, click here to be directed to Facebook.
After touring both major stages, the group had the privilege of seeing the star’s dressing room, where celebrity signatures covered the walls.
On the way back to Middlewoods, Carol exclaims, “It was better than I even imagined!”
The residents are already excited to see another Chihuly sculpture at the New Britain Museum of American Art sometime in the fall.
If your loved one lives at a UMH community and has a dream or wish they would like to see fulfilled, talk to us today about our Journey of Dreams program! Contact your community’s Activities Director to learn more about how we are making dreams come true.
UMH provides assisted and independent living housing and healthcare options in several locations across Connecticut. Among them are Wesley Village (Shelton, CT), Middlewoods of Farmington (Farmington, CT), and Middlewoods of Newington (Newington, CT).
UMH, as it stands today, is proud to carry on a 140- year tradition of caring for people across the continuum; seniors who are independent and those needing assistance, those living with dementia, and those rehabilitating from illness or surgery. To learn more about United Methodist Homes, please visit www.umh.org or contact us at 877.929.5321.
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