Peachtree – Two seniors at Murphy Rehab & Nursing are not only staying connected with others, but winning some nice prizes while doing it.
Dorothy Graczyk and Dolores Maresca were part of a writing contest last month about staying connected. May is Older Americans Month, and the contest encouraged folks to share their stories.
The Cherokee County Department of Social Services asked local seniors to submit entries about how they stay connected and involved with others, which in turn would help to inspire more people. A total of 18 seniors participated in the writing contest, using their own personal experiences.
Graczyk, 93, said she enjoys greeting other residents while she walks the halls. She participates in all of the activities at the center.
“I always ask others where they are from and try to find out a little about them. Usually they like to talk about past employment and activities they have enjoyed,” she said, beaming.
Graczyk recently had the pleasure of painting with fourth-grade students. One youngster enjoyed his time at the center so much that he told her, “ ‘When he gets old, around 21 years old, he wants to live here, and enjoy everyone and have fun.’ ”
Her favorite activity is the Around-the-World Program, in which Graczyk said she really likes, “The tasty morsels and history of the country we are visiting. Someone occasionally will have been to the country we would be visiting and adds a little of what they had enjoyed.”
The cheerful lady entered the Cherokee-Clay County Senior Games/Silver Arts for mixed media and won a silver medal for a booklet she wrote titled, “Christmas Journal.” Graczyk earned a gold medal for another booklet she created named, “Lost Relatives.”
Her favorite color is blue, and she loves roses. Graczyk also enjoys making greeting cards.
Her most memorable moment?” I met a lady that I hardly knew, and I ended up going on a cruise to South America with her. It was tremendous,” Graczyk said.
Dolores Maresca, 88, stays connected with others by encouraging them to attend activities at the center. She has always been an outgoing person beginning in childhood.
Maresca also participated in the Senior Games, winning a silver and bronze medals for jewelry making.
She makes it a point to complement other people on how they look each day. “It makes them happy,” Maresca said.
She has participated in putting together small personal bags for a women’s homeless shelter as well as sent dog bones to an animal shelter and made backpacks with school supplies for foster children.
“In the afternoon, we sometimes gather to have coffee and cookies, it is always enjoyable,” Maresca said, admiring the quilt she received as part of several prizes for winning the contest.
Her favorite color is red, while her flower of choice is hydrangea. Maresca said he most memorable times happen daily.
Having moved from Florida three years ago, she enjoys everyday at Murphy Rehab & Nursing Center. Maresca said with a smile that lit up her eyes, “Everyone here is nice and very sociable, they’re friends – almost like family.”
Both winning ladies were given a certificate, a brightly colored handcrafted quilt with their favorite colors from Southern Appalachian Modern Quilt Guild and a $50 gift card to use at Walmart. The gifts were presented by Daunita Maennle, adult protective services unit supervisor with the Cherokee County Department of Social Services.