LIFE Butler County’s Inaugural Winter Gala: A Celebration of Beauty and Dance

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In a dazzling debut, LIFE Butler County hosted its inaugural Winter Gala, a sensational two-day affair that unfolded on February 26th and 27th, meant to embrace beauty and spark some dance moves. The soiree kicked off each day with participants being pampered by the talented LIFE Butler County staff, indulging in hair and makeup sessions.

“I want the works!” said participant, Carolyn Mazar about wanting to get her makeup and hair done.

Lynn Rhoades, a participant of LIFE Butler County for 9 years, was looking forward to everything about the day.

”It’s different, but really fun,” Rhoades said of the whole experience about getting pampered. “I usually wear a hat. I am also very excited about dancing.”

After hair and makeup, participants eagerly headed to the dance floor, awaiting the announcement of the first Winter Gala King and Queen, who were picked at random from a hat. Fred Ferrari was named King, while Anna Hansel was named Queen.

“It feels very nice, I was surprised” said Hansel about being named Queen. And her first order of business as Queen?

“Everybody should have cheesecake for desert,” Hansel said with a laugh.

Michael Sadecky, or as he introduced himself, “The Human Jukebox”, got the party started playing hit after hit on the piano, getting participants and staff to show off their best moves.

“You can tell by all the smiles and laughter they are having fun,” said Sara Davison, Activities Associate.

The LIFE Butler Staff went above and beyond, to put on this amazing day and it was truly a team effort.

“We got as many staff as we could to help out to make it not only successful,” said Ingrid Tallarico, LIFE Butler Recreation Therapy Manager. “But help everyone get their movements in by having them dance and move around to the music.”

Linda Kleemann, Rehabilitation Technician, has been with Lutheran SeniorLife for 49 years helped participants with their hair while Davison and Terri Clouse, Physical Therapist Assistant, worked on the makeup. Other departments who helped in various capacities included Therapy, Social Workers and the Recreation Staff.

As the party came to a close, Sadecky played the appropriate song “Celebration” by Kool & The Gang.

“Just seeing all the reactions from everybody, you just want to see people happy and today, there was a lot of happy people,” said Tallarico.

For more information about the LIFE Programs, call (412) 356 -1673 or visit LIFE Viecare