The residents of Andalucia in Van Nuys, CA, have been coming to the Holiday Singalong Party for 6 years. Louahn Lowe on piano and Theo Stevens on sax provide the entertainment of mixed secular and non-secular songs. Elizabeth Sampson makes Holiday Singalong Books so that everyone can join in the lyrics and sing out with commitment. She makes a special hot cider (secret ingredients are Apple Juice, Honey, Cloves, Cinnamon Sticks, sliced/crushed Oranges and a dash of Holiday Spirit), platters of cookies, festive napkins and decorations, and for the next hour, all are immersed in a musical interlude both joyous and tender. Even care-givers who say they are just there to support their resident, eventually ask for a songbook and join in the musicale. It has become tradition at all of Elizabeth Sampson’s properties, and an evening we look forward to all year.
At one point in the song “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” we all looked up to notice that Programs Assistant Brian Cole was putting the star on the tree just as we all sang “So hang a shining star upon the highest bough” – it was a perfect moment of timing and magic.
~ Elizabeth Sampson, Regional Program Director
