On a chilly fall evening, approximately 120 guests assembled at the Holiday Inn in Mansfield, MA for the NEPVA Annual Banquet on October 21st, 2011. Upon their arrival, members, friends and family, along with VA staff gathered and mingled in the cocktail lounge while meatballs, scallops wrapped in bacon and stuffed mushrooms were being passed around. This year’s banquet again featured a four course dinner with a choice of entrée (filet mignon, stuffed chicken breast, grilled salmon or a vegetarian meal), awards, and dancing to the music of DJ Corin Ashley.
As in the past, the lounge area and banquet hall were beautifully decorated with balloons, and colorful centerpieces in an array of fall colors. Decorations, as always, were provided by Balloons over Boston. Keeping with tradition, ladies were again presented with a long stem red rose as they approached the banquet hall.
Upon entering the banquet hall, everyone was seated and enjoyed their fresh fruit cup followed by salad. After salads were served, NEPVA President Craig Cascella came forward to the microphone to welcome everyone and introduce some honored guests. As in past years, NEPVA was honored to have several officials from the VA Boston Healthcare System and VISN I in attendance. These included: VABHS Associate Director Dr. Susan MacKenzie; VABHS Chief of Staff Dr. Michael Charness; Acting Director of the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital Christine Croteau; VABHS Associate Director of Nursing/Patient Services Cecilia McVey; Associate Chief of Nursing-Brockton Annmarie Fredericks; and Deputy Nurse Executive Joan Clifford. Craig went on to introduce the NEPVA officers and Board members present, PVA Service Office staff, and NEPVA staff. Following the welcome remarks and introductions, everyone was served dinner.
After guests completed their entrees, the awards portion of the evening began and President Craig Cascella returned to the podium. He spoke briefly about New England PVA, its history, and accomplishments. Carrying on an annual tradition, Craig then presented the Pierik awards to two nurses. The award was founded many years ago by retiring Chief of Nursing Madeline Pierik, who donated a sum of money to be used for recognition of outstanding SCI nurses, from the West Roxbury VA SCI unit and the Brockton VA Long Term Care unit. This year’s winners were: Marybeth Butler, RN from VABHS-West Roxbury Campus and Tamie Reynolds from VABHS-Brockton Campus. The two recipients were awarded silver bowls with the engraving, “For Outstanding Care and Devotion To SCI Patients.” Two additional awards of recognition were presented to Bass Trail Director Tiny LaFontaine and Bob “Soupy” Campbell for being among the top 10 PVA volunteers in the Non Member Category as part of the Dwain Taylor Award for Volunteer Service. Both PVA certificates of award were accepted by Bob Campbell, since Tiny was unable to attend the banquet.
Following the awards presentations, chocolate cake and coffee were served. As the early birds departed, the dance music got going and the serious wheelchair dancers came to the floor. Once again, dedicated VA staff members made sure that the patients enjoyed their night out.
We hope to see everyone, and some new faces as well, at next year’s banquet. Check future issues of Cord Word for the date.
