Creativity shines during Cherry Hill Manor’s ‘Love Boat Cruise’

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The creativity of the Cherry Hill Manor activities department sailed to an all-time high last week.

“I love my activity girls,” Tracey Cordeiro-Aubin said. “They never cease to amaze me!”

In honor of National Nursing Home Week, Cordeiro-Aubin held a unique team competition entitled “The Love Boat Cruise,” which challenged staffers from all four floors to decorate in the style of different ports, such as Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

“We had a week-long cruise of fun,” Cordeiro-Aubin said. “The residents, their families … everyone seemed to have all kinds of fun.”

That’s because each day had a special theme, and just about every nook and cranny of the manor was decorated with a myriad of colors and objects that featured balloons, cardboard, imitation fruit and different kinds of props.

“The activities department was excluded from the competition,” Cordeiro-Aubin said. “Our staff decorated the front lobby in the ‘Love Boat’ theme and the main dining room with a Hawaiian flavor.”

The staffers on all four floors at Cherry Hill selected a captain – and theme – began planning their respective cruises.

First-floor staffers chose Rio de Janeiro for their destination, while the second-floor destination was Disney. Jamaica and Hawaii were the third- and fourth-floor themes, respectively.

As an extra attraction, Cordeiro-Aubin utilized the talents of a new activities staffer Joan Stanzione, who took time out of her schedule to go to classes to rehearse four dances with the ballroom instructor that Cherry Hill hired for National Nursing Week.

“People loved him,” Cordeiro-Aubin said of ballroom dance instructor Richard Maddelena. “He is really quite the talented dance instructor. He even taught our residents and staffers the meringue and salsa.”

Cordiero-Aubin, as always, was assisted by her friend and assistant, Loraine DiLorenzo.

“She helped every step of the way and did everything from decorate to assist with every aspect of our ‘Love Boat’ cruise,” Cordeiro-Aubin said. “She is my rock.”

The second-floor staffers with the Disney theme took home top honors and won a pizza party, as well as the sterling silver Braggin’ Rights Trophy.

“This really showed just how creative the employees here are,” Cordeiro-Aubin said. “There were no rules. They could be as clever as they wanted to be, and boy did they wow the residents and their families.”

First-floor staffers are Rico Turchetti, Sonja Guay, Amber Lundquist, Lisa Duchesne, Vivian Mendonca, Christine Heldenbergh, Sue Fagan, Laurie Holden, Bianca Stone, Idella Michaud and director Katie Gerber.

Second-floor staffers are Taylor Rose, Tanya Creighton, Sheckiea, Rose Biron, Donna Labonte, Yahaddy Darboe and Danielle Devone.

Third-floor staffers are Mary Akwensivie, Joan O’Connor, Patricia Boudreau and Melisa Dixon. Fourth-floor staffers are Nicky Lacey, Jackie Garcia, Leslie D’Aguanno, Denise Silvia, Tigast Gizaw Balme, Stephanie Morales Romero, Michelle Worthen, Gabriella Jonus and Michelle Kelsey.

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