On Aug. 28, Sopris Lodge at Carbondale will host its very first Senior Prom, an event which will not only serve the senior residents of the living center, but also the community as a whole. Those in attendance can anticipate an evening of danceable music from KDNK DJs, one of the event’s sponsors, food and drinks and a photobooth fit with balloons and decorations. The Sopris Sun is also a collaborating partner.
“I like to work with local nonprofits and help to support them, and I love involving the community, so I thought this was a fantastic way to bring the community in for an event, not just the Sopris Lodge community, but the Roaring Fork Valley as a whole,” said Marie Herr, executive director at Sopris Lodge. “I thought it’d be a fun opportunity and a fun party for the Roaring Fork Valley.”
Herr praised her collaborators on this project for their involvement in launching this event. According to Herr, the three of them were able to bounce ideas off each other easily while they brainstormed activities for participants.
One of these brainstorms included helping select prizes for winners of the “Best Dressed” contest, where a panel of judges will award gift certificates to the Village Smithy for the best-dressed man and woman.
Discussing what Herr looks forward to the most, she said the prom will be a good opportunity for togetherness as local seniors from different living centers and the broader community intermingle. Herr was sure to extend the invitation to Heritage Park and Crystal Meadows for this free event.
“I’m looking forward to the community togetherness,” said Herr, adding she hopes new friendships emerge. “I’m looking forward to the seniors and the community as a whole just having a good time and enjoying the day and the event.”
The late Art Ackerman, “oldest DJ in the world,” per KDNK, will be honored with swing music. Ackerman was a resident at Sopris Lodge and Heritage Park and shared his love for jazz on KDNK airwaves for decades.
Before this event, on Aug. 23 from 2 to 4pm, Sopris Lodge will also host their “Summer Garden Par-TEA” to recognize and honor caregivers of all kinds. This event will feature a raffle, lawn games, tea sandwiches, spritzers and live music from Rodrigo. This event is also a collaboration between other organizations in the Valley, including Roaring Fork Home Care, Botany Houseplant Shop and Colorado Animal Rescue (CARE). Raffle entries will help fund the “Seniors for Seniors” pet adoption program managed by CARE.
“It’s to honor caregivers of all kinds,” Herr shared. “I feel like that group is often overlooked, and we need to celebrate people who are helping other people.”
For more information on both these events, visit www.soprislodge.com
In a nutshell
What: Senior Prom
When: Aug. 28, 3 to 4:30pm
Where: Sopris Lodge, 295 Rio Grande Avenue
Why: To connect for free across age divides!