Event Calendar

Events for Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Seniors' "Turkey Trot" Thanksgiving Party & Dance at Smallwood Center!
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Attention Seniors! Celebrate Thanksgiving early with us at our rousing "Turkey Trot" Party & Dance on Wed., November 18th, 11-3 at the Smallwood Center! Enjoy a delicious turkey lunch, snacks and refreshments, raffle prizes and surprises and fun and dancing all afternoon to the music of Mike Jacobs! Bring a friend, meet old friends and make new ones at this fun and friendly party at the Center! Advance Tickets $10 at the Front Desk---Dance Only (1-3) $6 at the Door. See you there!
Location:
The Smallwood Center (formerly Parma Senior Center) is located at 7001 West RIdgewood Drive, the first traffic light east of Ridge Rd., up the hill behind Parma City Hall.
Click here for more information
Seniors' "Turkey Trot" Thanksgiving Party & Dance at the Smallwood Center
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Attention all Seniors! Celebrate an early Thanksgiving with us at our rousing annual "Turkey Trot" Thanksgiving Party & Dance, Wednesday, November 18th, 11-3 at the Smallwood Center. Enjoy a great turkey lunch, raffle prizes, surprises, refreshments and lots of music and good company. Dancing all afternoon to the music of Mike Jacobs! Bring a friend, meet old friends and make new ones at our fun, friendly dance as we party all day! Advance tickets at the Front Desk $10, Dance Only (1-3) Tickets $6 at the Door. All seniors welcome! We’ll be looking for you there!


Location:
The Smallwood Activities Center (formerly Parma Senior Center) is located at 7001 West Ridgewood Drive in Parma, the first traffic light east of Ridge, up the hill behind Parma City Hall.
Click here for more information
A Rock and Roll Memory
12:00 PM


A ROCK & ROLL MEMORY
by Lizabeth Braskey


The beat ripped the air. Gigantic, throbbing speakers greeted the expected two thousand ticket holders to this unique, 1991, Richard Marx concert event. I was consumed with anticipation and allowed my feet to lead me into a world of euphoric mystique. Marx, rock and roll superstar, offered a free, limited performance to publicize his newest album, “Rush In, Rush Out.” His stop at Cleveland’s IX Center would be the third venue on his one day, five city tour, having started that morning in the Baltimore/D.C. area, then New York City, Cleveland then Chicago. His last stop would be that evening in L.A.

Patti, my twenty-four year old daughter, had obtained our bright orange wristbands which allowed us entrance to the facility. We arrived early and joined the crowd of young and old alike which proved that the music of our fabulous “in-person” vocalist bridged the generation gap. We followed the group to an inside area and lined up in front of the stage. We positioned ourselves to enjoy maximum view with minimum decibel distress. Seven rows of fans stood in front of us with more behind. I worried about getting caught in a rush of the stage and planned our retreat just in case.

The speakers blared Marx’s songs, pumping us for the real thing minutes away. My anticipating heart pounded while I remembered newspaper coverage of touring concert stars. Fans camped at airports and arenas hoping for a glimpse of their idols while most of us sat hypnotized watching famous singers on TV. That was our way of being connected to a dream. Was this a fad, we wondered?

Rock and roll exploded and the gyrations that epitomized the beat touched off a trend that has endured. I was speechless and mesmerized to be within smiling distance of this current heartthrob. Richard Marx and his group were now on stage, overflowing with talent. Marx thanked us for attending this “Rush In” event which introduced his new songs along with a favorite or two. The succeeding thirty minutes showcased a dynamic rapport this live band exchanged with its audience. Some girls had fainted at these shows and I now understood the reason that happened. The real-life presence of a rock star is not limited to screams of the teenyboppers. While I watched and listened to this probable legend, I had turned into a breathless sponge.

Now, a favorite song filled the air, “…I don’t know why I keep coming back to you, babe…” I asked myself the same question. Why rock and roll? What motivated me to recently visit a dance club and a popular outdoor live show with my daughter. My generation gave birth to rock and roll. The seeds planted in my youth now required nourishment and observation. Culture shock needed to be explored.

As we stood and listened to the final ballad, this page of history would end. I blew a kiss to the superstar who waved goodbye. We turned to leave and slowly savored the memories. I felt joined in kindred spirit to the ranks of those who shared space with Elvis, the Beatles and other legends. Did they, too, feel a buoyancy in their steps and a hunger in their hearts for more?

As a recycled participant, I vowed to continue my vigilance. I assumed the role of trustee for the rock and roll infant and self-imposed duty to watch how the child grows up.

From my observations, the kid was in capable hands. Let the beat go on…..

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