Senior community celebrates the reason for the season

BEDFORD, Pa. - Dec. 16, 2014 - PRLog -- The Colonial Courtyard at Bedford senior living community will host a Candlelight Christmas Service at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 18. The Rev. Douglas Friant of Bedford Presbyterian Church will hold the service.

    “This is a time for the residents and their families to reflect on the reason for the season,” said Nanette Bankes, Activities Director at Colonial Courtyard at Bedford. “We dim all the lights. It’s a candle light service, but as a safety precaution we utilize battery-operated candles for our senior residents.”

    As the month and year closes, Colonial Courtyard at Bedford will hold its annual “Noon Year’s Eve Celebration.” Bedford native and popular vocalist Ricky Howsare will perform at the New Year’s Eve event, which will begin at 11:30 a.m. for residents and their families.

    “Our celebration will be with Ricky Howsare, who is in his third year in college in Kentucky, but is coming home to us,” Bankes said. “Ricky is so talented. He could be on Broadway. He’s been singing for us since he was 14 years old.”

    Howsare made Colonial Courtyard an important part of his life and singing career when he still was a high school student. His website (www.rickyhowsare.com) notes that his first performance in 2009 was at the Bedford senior living community. He currently studies vocal performance at the University of Louisville.

    “He approached us. He came with his grandmother and said he wanted to give back to the community and share his talents,” Bankes said. “He played the piano. Once every month until he graduated, he would perform for our residents. Now he comes back when he’s home. He definitely belongs on Broadway.”

    It’s been a busy month at Colonial Courtyard at Bedford. Previous holiday activities included the residents’ creating Christmas ornaments out of peppermints on December 4 and the annual decorating of the residents’ Christmas tree on December 5.

    A family holiday celebration was held on December 11, with Christmas caroling.

    “This is a special time of year, and our residents and their families truly get into the spirit of the season,” Bankes said.