Bright Side Manor’s 2nd Annual Garden Party

Bright Side Garden Party Dignitaries galore were present to help Assisted Living Home Bright Side Manor in Teaneck celebrate their 2nd annual garden fundraiser. 

Director Elizabeth Davis welcomed them all, not only citing their contributions but also poking good natured humor at some of them before they approached the dais.
37th District State Senator Loretta Weinberg, State Assemblywoman and Bergen County Freeholder Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Mayor Elie Y. Katz, Deputy Mayor Lizette P. Parker and Councilman Adam Gussen as well as members of the Bright Side Board of Directors were among the participants. To my surprise, Valerie Huttle already knew of www.ParamusPost.com and the chief reporter .. me! 

Let me explain why we were there. Hazel Snell, a friend and former Paramus resident, now lives at Bright Side as do other Paramusites. Having met Marge Mazzo, Activities Director, at the Van Saun Senior Picnic and knowing of my interest in Hazel’s welfare, she informed me of this upcoming event. This gave me a chance to visit Hazel while covering the event.

Director Davis explained to the audience that Bright Side is a 65 bed facility and the only one in Bergen County that accepts Medicaid patients. To remain fluid, the facility depends upon Federal and State aid as well as donations and fundraisers. Senator Weinberg was not only influential in bringing aid, but in the beginning found too much at fault with the facility. It was her comments that had Director Davis take a second look and to correct many of the items that Weinberg had criticized. This made for a far better facility and today Bright Side has her total support. It is a nice place to visit.

Davis also mentioned that many of the staff had volunteered their free time to come in and assist with the gala. Among them were Lucille Pecci and Jane Galligan (Wellness RNs), Jeanette Vlantis (Dietary), Peggy DeSipris (Administrative Assistant) and Marge Mazzo. A woman named Anne showed up in a motorized wheelchair and told me she was a volunteer. On some days, she rides her chair on Teaneck Road for the five blocks to the home. A victim of MS, she does not let her free spirit deaden. No wonder it is so nice.

One member of the Board of Directors, Gary Fetzer, was there because his father had been a patient. After his father passed away, he stayed on to help. Board President William McDowell was home recovering from an illness so Board member Joan Wright spoke for him and the other members.

Unlike many assisted living homes, Bright Side is small enough to remain a home and not a house. They take care to recognize each patients problems and to try and help them. Under constant improvement, a patio in the back yard with paving stones and picnic tables has been erected along with a gazebo for the residents to take advantage of the outdoors.