Academy Point Resident Celebrates 90th Birthday on Dixieland Cruise
Bill, a Resident, and Lisa, an Associate, Celebrated 10 Years at Academy Point at Mystic on a Sabino Dixieland Jazz Cruise
From his home at Academy Point at Mystic, a Benchmark Senior Living (www.benchmarkseniorliving.com) Bill Romanauskas can watch the steamboat Sabino cruise along the Mystic River in Mystic, Conn.
While he had sailed on the Sabino, Bill always wanted to go on the Sabino Dixieland Jazz Cruise. Before moving to Academy Point at Mystic, he tried to go many times, but his plans always fell through.
When Bill told Program Director Heather Farnell about his wish, she was determined to connect Bill with something that dearly mattered to him. Heather immediately called Mystic Seaport, the cruise operator, spoke about Bill, and booked seats on the summer’s last Dixieland cruise.
On his 90th birthday and 10th anniversary at Academy Point, Bill departed Mystic Seaport on the Sabino ready for a foot-tapping voyage. As he does whenever musicians perform at Academy Point, Bill sat in the front row.
Bill’s niece, Sandy, several residents and associates, including Academy Point receptionist Lisa Resende, who was celebrating 10 years with Benchmark, joined him on the adventure.
On a perfect summer night, the band led everyone on the upper deck in singing “Happy Birthday” to Bill.
Before the cruise, the Academy Point dining staff served Bill his two favorites, gazpacho and a lobster roll.
“Bill loves getting together with friends,” says Heather. “He gives me so many ideas for programs that I keep a running list in my office titled ‘Ideas from Bill.’”
Academy Point at Mystic
