Stuart Berson Creates “Where in the World is Stuart?” Travel Program for Residents of The Allendale Community for Mature Living

[media:20110623052854459]Program Part of Senior Living Community’s Extensive Educational, Cultural and Social Offerings for Residents

Through films and photo montages, Stuart Berson transports the residents of The Atrium at The Allendale Community for Mature Living to different places and time periods during his “Where in the World is Stuart?” program. This dedicated volunteer created the 90-minute program specifically for the residents of the senior living community in Bergen County and has been leading sessions every week since January.

One recent program featured the World War II film “Sand in Our Boots.” The movie depicts how more than 500,000 Army Air Corps recruits trained for months on the beaches of Miami, Florida before being deployed overseas. Berson has also showed a wartime recruiting film with legendary actors Jimmy Stewart and Clark Gable.

“The residents were particularly interested in ‘Sand in Our Boots,’” remarked Berson, who resides in Mahwah, N.J. “After the film, the group reminisced about life during the war and we took a few moments to honor one resident, who is a highly-decorated WWII veteran.”

This program had particular significance for Berson, who is the son of a WWII veteran. In addition, Berson’s sister, Judith, organized a Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony in Miami in 2003, at which “Sand in Our Boots” was first shown. She owned Miami’s Edison and Royal Hotels, both of which served as barracks for Army Air Corpsmen and frequently hosts reunions for the local WWII veterans.

Berson plans to base many upcoming programs on his extensive photo collection and that of his father. Currently, he is culling through the 3,000 or so photographs in his father’s collection from the 1950s and 60s including those taken in Israel, England, and Portugal as well as from the 1964 World’s Fair in New York City. Berson’s son, Jordan, who works as an archivist at the New Bedford Whaling Museum in Massachusetts, is helping in the process by putting many of Berson’s photographs from Cuba onto a disk.

“It’s been a real pleasure getting to know the residents and staff at The Atrium,” added Berson, who also started a book discussion group for the residents. “The seniors have such rich histories to share.”

Developed in stages beginning in 1967, The Allendale Community was one of the first retirement communities in the region to incorporate three fully licensed levels of residency offering a continuum of care in one campus-like location. The Allendale Community for Mature Living is widely recognized for its modern-day health services, amenities and educational, wellness, cultural and social programs. The Atrium offers apartment-rental residential senior living as well as an adult day program, The Senior Social Club, and Short-Term Stay Program. In addition to The Atrium, The Allendale Community includes Carlton Court, which offers assisted living; and The Allendale Nursing Home & Rehabilitation Center, a skilled nursing facility focusing on rehabilitation.

To complement its superior on-site services, The Allendale Community has forged strong partnerships with area hospitals, including Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, Hackensack University Medical Center and Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, N.Y.

The Allendale Community is located at 85 Harreton Road, on 12 suburban acres in Allendale, N.J. The campus is easily accessible via Route 17 South with private driveway access.

PHOTO CAPTION: Stuart Berson, seated with book, has been leading a popular travel program for residents of The Atrium every week since January. Through films and photo montages, Berson transports the residents of The Atrium at The Allendale Community for Mature Living to different places and time periods.