Mary Ann Ruth and her fellow residents at Carlisle Place are staying busy in their golden years.
Ruth said that some of her favorite activities at the assisted living facility are dancing and singing with her husband, Gale, and the others under the direction of Becky Gottfried, a retired school teacher who now works as one of two of the residents’ activities directors.
“We have so much fun and we are so busy. We have our dances we are working on along with the songs we sing. We also do things like make greeting cards and crafts. I love people so this is all so much fun for me,” Ruth said as she got ready to dance with her husband as they sang, “A Bicycle Built for Two.”
Evelyn Kieffer is also a resident at the 41-bed facility located at 1721 Whetstone St., in Bucyrus.
“I serve as an ambassador so when new residents come into Carlisle Place, I greet them and show them around,” said Kieffer.
Kieffer also loves to sing and dance.
“I was a member of the Sweet Adelines and also, the Copper Kettle Chorus for about 30 years so singing is something I really treasure,” said Kieffer.
Gottfried said the residents are in their eighties and nineties yet they eagerly come to practice music and exercise two times a day, three days a week.
“They give me joy with their eagerness and enthusiasm,” said Gottfried.
The residents perform their song and dance routines for others on special event nights at the facility such as Family Night.
“Performance days are full of excitement and fun. Several residents have shared that it gives them something to look forward to. It gives them purpose and joy,” Gottfried said. “I am truly humbled and honored to work with these special, talented individuals. I am so very proud of them.”
For more information about Carlisle Place, call (419) 561-4991 or visit http://www.enlivant.com/communities/ohio/carlisle-place-bucyrus.
