It was a big day for thirteen Long Island seniors, between the ages of 76 and 98, at the Gurwin Jewish ~ Fay J. Lindner Residences in Commack, as they each took their turn arriving on a celebrity-style red carpet to celebrate the reveal of the "L'dor v'dor From Generation to Generation: 2025 Gurwin Jewish-Fay J. Lindner Residences Calendar," celebrating the beauty and wisdom of the ages.
"I'm 88 years old and it was worth waiting for," said Maureen Collins, "Ms. April," who says her life's motto, "Have Faith," sustains her. "I never thought I'd see the day I'd be in a calendar and up on a screen and made a big deal of. It's been enjoyable."
Each resident was chosen to appear in the calendar for their unique personal story and their active involvement in daily life at Gurwin. The calendar was photographed earlier this year, in a professional celebrity-style photo shoot that included professional hair and makeup sessions and a pro-photo shoot. This is the 13th annual calendar from Gurwin featuring its residents.
"It's almost a competitive event with the residents wanting to be in the calendar," said Stuart Almer, CEO of Gurwin Healthcare System. "It's a truly special event and one of the things that makes Gurwin unique."
As part of the event, each calendar page was displayed on a giant projector at a reception including the models' family and friends.
"I never thought that would be me in the calendar," said Joseph Barreca, "Mr. March," who's advice for a good life is to smile. "I'm happy. I really enjoy life and I'm ready for whatever happens."
Born between 1926 and 1948, these vibrant seniors have lived to see:
Eighteen US Presidents (Calvin Coolidge to Donald Trump)
The telephone, the iPhone, AI and Chat GPT
The invention of the automobile, airplane and space travel to Mars
Gurwin Jewish ~ Fay J. Lindner Residences assisted living community, located in Commack, Long Island, is part of the Gurwin Healthcare System, a renowned healthcare provider offering a full continuum of healthcare and senior living services for the frail and elderly, and younger adults with complex medical needs. In addition to its assisted living community, the System provides skilled nursing care, rehabilitation therapy, advanced care, ventilator and respiratory care, on-site dialysis, memory care, and palliative and hospice care, as well as adult day care programs and home care. The campus is also home to Fountaingate Gardens, a newly opened 129-apartment Life Plan Community for seniors ages 62 and older. For more information, visit www.gurwin.org.