It seemed most fitting that our Home happened to celebrate its’ annual Family Picnic this month on September 12. How perfectly this event correlates with this month’s visit by our Holy Father, Pope Francis and the purpose of his visit; the World Meeting of Families.
About 200 family members attended our Home’s picnic this year, some traveling from as far as FL, NC, NY, NH, CT, MA and of course, RI. Our hard working kitchen staff prepared traditional picnic food of hamburgers and hotdogs, potato and macaroni salad and baked beans. A favorite on the menu each year is the locally grown corn on the cob! This year Stamp Farm in Johnston generously donated bushels of corn, which happened to be shucked by our own residents. (We have learned from past years that such a mundane chore always seems to be more fun when one shucks corn to music!)
Live entertainment was provided once again by Mike D. who knows which oldie but goodie always gets everyone’s toes tapping and bodies swaying. No picnic is complete without children. For some reason it’s these family members that bring such warm smiles to our resident’s faces. Perhaps it’s the colored balloon they cling to that draws their attention or the fact that the child is eye level with the wheelchair bound resident. Or could it be that these little ones stir up fond memories of joy filled days of their own youth?
Families are a blessing! May God bless our family and all of our extended families here at Jeanne Jugan Residence in Pawtucket.
Our Fall Family Picnic!