TEN GREAT YEARS: Alzheimer's Care benefit also notes 10th anniversary of Williams Center

It was standing room only as guests wined, dined and dressed to the nines for the Evening for Alzheimer’s Care benefit on Friday. Held at the Senior Services’ facility on Shorefair Drive, the dinner and auction fundraiser also commemorated the 10th anniversary of the Elizabeth and Tab Williams Adult Day Center, recently named the Best Adult Day Center in the nation by the National Adult Day Services Association.

“We serve 80 people per day at the Williams Day Center,” said Patti Mead, the director of development for Senior Services. “Our guests exercise, sing and have meals with us, and we serve everyone who comes to the center with dignity.”

Sue Henderson and Marian Douglas were co-chairwomen for the dinner and auction. As guests arrived dressed in everything from traditional cocktail attire to Halloween sweaters adorned with strategically positioned spider brooches, Douglas explained that the 2010 event should take the total raised for the Day Center to more than $1 million.

“This year, we really wanted to ‘do it up big’ for the 10th anniversary,” Douglas said. “Phil and Jean Waugh underwrite the event, and our admission price is the same amount we charge clients to go to the Day Center.”

“He just flew in from China to make this event,” Henderson said, referring to her husband, Doug Henderson. The Hendersons shared a laugh with Jim Douglas, who joked that “Doug came all that way to see Marian.”

Crystal Crawford and Meredith Macy, members of the Senior Girls Service Club for Reynolds High School, and Anita Abernathy and Sylvia Martin, staff members at Senior Services, distributed programs and directed guests to the auction tables. Just down the hallway, Marlene Schiftan of Five Loaves Catering served a delectable assortment of culinary treats including grilled lamb “pops,” grilled salmon with cucumber-dill sauce, seared green beans, roasted garlic potatoes, triple cream-cheese brownies and a turtle cake with maple whipped cream. Richard Gottlieb, president and chief executive for Senior Services, explained the organization’s mission.

“Everyone to us is valid — there are no ‘invalid’ individuals,” he said. “From Meals on Wheels to our home-care program, Alzheimer’s respite care and the Williams Day Center, our goal is to help older adults stay in their homes as long as possible. Since we opened the Williams Center in 2000, we have not turned anyone away due to a financial inability to pay, and this night helps us provide those services to people in need.”

Rob Simon of Windsor Jewelers donated a sizeable gift certificate to the auction.

“This is one of many phenomenal organizations in our town,” Simon said. “We support them because they make our town a better place to live, work and retire.”

Mary Jean and Ken Carlson browsed the jewelry section of the auction items while Sybil and David Smelcer looked over some of the cooking-related donations and art by Bill Gramley, Dell James and Nick Bragg. Hunter Douglas stopped to chat with several staff members, while Chuck and Mary Brady and Jean and Jack Small made their way toward the dining area.

Dave Gronewoller, owner of Golden Corral and provider of the food served through Meals on Wheels, checked in with Mead, who explained how the collaboration between Golden Corral and Senior Services came about.

“Dave’s dad is in Colorado, and when he went to visit, he saw what his dad received through his Meals on Wheels organization,” Mead said. “He decided that he could do better than that, and now we’re serving seven counties with Dave’s help.”

As Caroline and Tom Stopyra and Claudette Weston wove through the crowd, Sam and Mary Ceile Ogburn considered bidding on crystal glassware. Mrs. Ogburn’s Halloween sweater included at least three large sparkling spider brooches and was the envy of all the spooky holiday fans in the building.

A dapper Bill Womble was celebrating his 94th birthday with his daughter, Ann Strater and Allan Hollan. Dr. and Mrs. William Bell sponsored music for the evening, and Kevin Douthit entertained the crowd with vocals and keyboard.

“Bill was on the board for many years and is a leader and advocate for Senior Services,” Mead said. “And he is fascinating as well — he has the history of this community in his memory.”

Other guests seen in the crowd included Holly Marion, Susan Mann, Kathleen Pond, Janet Shepherd, Robin Modica, Linda Kersley and Dan and Suzanne Fawley. Camille Townsend, director of development for Summit School, joked that she currently has a second career in addition to her duties for the school.

“My daughter, Katherine Hollis, is getting married a week from Saturday,” Townsend said. “So mother of the bride is my most important role right now!”

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