Local families enjoy Halloween festivities at The Birches
The halls of the Birches Assisted Living in Clarendon Hills were filled with little ghouls and goblins on October 28 when local trick-or-treaters stopped by for some sweet treats and holiday entertainment.
Children stayed warm and cozy on an otherwise bone-chilling evening as they went from apartment to apartment collecting their candy. Birches residents were eager to pass out treats and spread Halloween cheer, with some even dressing up for the occasion.
Resident Miggy Sciackitano received kudos from her neighbors for getting into the holiday spirit as she paraded around the Birches community in a Halloween get-up that included orange braids, oversized glasses and a skirt.
"I told her she deserved a prize," said Sciackitano's neighbor on the Birches' third floor John Turner. "She has a number of grandchildren and children and they all came to see grandma dressed up."
In addition to witnessing Sciackitano's entertaining Halloween display, trick-or-treaters had the opportunity to interact with one of Halloween's most beloved mascots- a black cat. Residents Mike and Neta Meier brought their 16-year old cat Maude out to greet visitors, and she loved every minute of it.
"Neta put on a witch hat and brought Maude out. This is Maude's time of year, after all," said Mike Meier. "She enjoyed it. She's super friendly, and she was just eating up all of the attention."
After just under an hour of trick-or-treating, the children and their families joined Birches residents in the dining room for a Halloween variety show delivered by juggler and magician Jason Kollum. Kollum's interactive show, which went far beyond your typical three-ball juggling, received an enthusiastic round of applause from both the younger and older audience members.
"He was very funny, and he involved the kids in practically everything," said Meier.
John Turner said he enjoyed seeing the amazement in the eyes of the children as they sat at Kollum's feet and watched his performance. Turner said he was also impressed with how Kollum started his performance casually and then progressed to some extremely difficult juggling maneuvers.
"He started out just talking with the kids and being silly and funny," said Turner. "Then once he started juggling, he was walking through the crowd of little people as he performed. It was amazing. He would drop a ball and it would hit a wall and bounce back, and he would catch it behind his back as he was juggling seven balls."
The Birches' invites local families to its Halloween party and variety show every year, and plans to continue doing so for many years to come, because it allows residents and local children to celebrate Halloween while also enjoying the benefits of intergenerational bonding.
"Since the kids get to trick-or-treat in a safe, warm place, and the residents enjoy having trick-or-treaters come to their door, it's a win-win for both the younger and older participants," said Birches' Activities Director Katie Klitchman.
The Birches Assisted Living in Clarendon Hills offers professional services to support the physical, social, intellectual and spiritual growth of the older adults who make it their home. The Birches offers purposeful programming and activities designed to promote a healthy aging lifestyle and a strong sense of community. For more information about The Birches, call 630-789-1135 or visit: birches.net.