September10, 2014 (North Chili, NY) ─ The residents of Westwood Commons, a DePaul Senior Living Community in North Chili, have plenty of opportunities to get their toes tapping and hands clapping as they discover the “Magic of Music,” the theme of this year’s National Assisted Living Week.

Pictured here, Westwood Commons residents Frank DiNitto and Betty Kates get to know Rick and Margie Jordan, a national touring country act who recently entertained at the DePaul Senior Living Community. Activities Director Cathy Toney schedules about four musical entertainers each month at Westwood Commons, with even more during the holiday season.

“Music allows our seniors to go back and relive beautiful times in their lives,” said Toney. “It allows them to remember the good old times; maybe with their first love, their husbands or wives, or maybe their teens or war times when loved ones were away.”

For Singing’s Sake, an all-female vocal ensemble with members from Spencerport, North Chili, Churchville and Gates, the group leads sing-alongs at Westwood Commons several times a year.

Pictured here are (back row, left to right) Kathleen Raniewicz, Carolyn Meyers, Priscilla Thomas, Sally Robb, Nancy Bodziak, Diane Harrington,Mary DiPonzio, Joanne Lee (hidden), Sue Feuerherm, Janet Murray, Lynda Wanzenried, (back row, left to right) Tina Fenton, Westwood Commons resident Frank DiNitto, Erin Zurick and Westwood Commons resident Doris Taft. Not pictured is Dottie Lootens of Singing for Sakes.

“We all love to sing and we get great joy in seeing people’s faces light up,” said group member Christina Fenton. “They come up to us afterwards and hug us and invite us back. It’s that connection with the generation and the music that’s so important to us.”

For more information about Westwood Commons, please contact Administrator Karen Shaffer at (585) 293-2060 or visit us on Facebook.