The Season of Smiles
December 15, 2023
Colorful decorations, delicious food and festive music set the scene for our 2023 Resident Christmas Party on December 15. In addition to dressing up our tables with a donation of gorgeous holiday poinsettias, John Marshall and his team served up a delicious meal featuring beef tenderloin and twice-baked potatoes. Stephanie Bedford, a fifth-grader from Girl Scout Troop 46796 in Sewickley, passed out handmade cards and treat bags she made for our Residents as she explained how happy she was to return to Mt. Assisi Place, home to her late great-grandmother, Rose Seethaler, for many years. Among those happy to greet young Stephanie was our own Alice Armany, herself a Girl Scout many years ago.
Also on hand were several lay Associates of the School Sisters of St. Francis, who volunteered to help bring Residents to and from the dining room. Musician Jerry Coyne provided live music, and our Activities Team added a heaping helping of fun, including a raffle of cozy blankets and other prizes.
Things really got “spirited” when — as the song promises — Santa Claus actually came “to town” and brought Mrs. Claus along, too! Our Residents’ smiles stretched from ear to ear as the famous duo — brought to life in impressive fashion by Bill & Mary Pegg (family of Antonia Hall Resident Loraine Poslusny) — visited each table to spread some special cheer. Everyone was on their best behavior, of course, as Residents and employees alike snapped photos with Santa on what was also Fa-La-La Foto Friday. Before the fun faded, our bellies and our spirits were full of festive flavors and fun.
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More Festive Fun
In addition to our Resident Christmas Party, December has been filled with special events, visits, activities, crafts and themed days — all part of our Very Merry Hilltop Holiday. Below are a few images capturing just some of the fun.
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There was nothing "ugly" about the sweaters worn by Iris Sliwinski, Karen Vevers and Cindy McCullough for the Holiday Sweater Showdown on December 14.
Carolee Mandernach sported colorful outfits and accessories throughout our three-week Very Merry Hilltop Holiday.
Carolyn Hunter's entire outfit impressed for the Holiday Sweater Showdown on December 14.
Dorothy ices cookies on December 13.
Elsie and Flora decorate cookies on December 13.
Our Very Merry Hilltop Holiday featured three weeks of festive fun for our employees and volunteers.
Families from Redeemer Anglican Church in Bellevue stopped by to sing carols for our Residents over dinner on December 8.
Flora and Elsie make pine cone Christmas trees on December 6.
Loraine treats Sister Anece to a moving rendition of "Silent Night" on December 10.
Among the fun features of our Very Merry Hilltop Holiday was the Jingle Bell Jars guessing game on December 6.
Betty, Maryann and Dana make floral teacup crafts with volunteer Sue Chandler on December 4.
Maria Faller, a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, and Jean show off some of the bingo prizes donated by the organization's Bellevue chapter.
Karen Vevers, Sue Chandler and Carolyn Klingensmith enjoy North Pole PJs Day on December 11.
Sister Georgette Dublino (right) helps Dana write Christmas cards to her family on December 10.
The ICTUS Choir treated everyone to carols on December 2.
The children from Amazing Scholar Academy Preschool performed a dress rehearsal of their Holiday Spirit Spectacular for our Residents on December 14.
Sister Cindy Kibler and seminarians from the Diocese of Pittsburgh lead a sing-along in Antonia Hall on December 19.
Residents in Antonia Hall join in a sing-along with Sister Cindy Kibler and friends on December 19.