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Erickson Senior Living Embraces Sinatra 100th Birthday Frenzy

June 25, 2015

Sinatra Fans to Celebrate the Life and Legacy of Ol' Blue Eyes

BALTIMORE, Md. – June 25, 2015 – Planning for one of the nation's largest and most noteworthy celebrations honoring the life and music of Frank Sinatra is underway at Erickson Living communities throughout the country. Preparations have hit high gear, leading up to unique festivities in recognition of what would have been Sinatra's 100th birthday, on December 12. 

Throughout 2015, Sinatra's 100th birthday is being celebrated around the world with commemorative centennial events, exhibits and new music and film releases. Sinatra's lasting appeal among Erickson Living residents has served as the catalyst for the company's 2015 nationwide celebration titled "Ol' Blue Eyes—The Man, the Music, the Legend."

Few people know more about Sinatra's life and music than his loyal fans, many of whom attended his performances and are now living at Erickson Living communities. To them, he was simply "The Voice"—heard, loved and appreciated. Sinatra's influence on their lives extends far beyond music to embrace an exuberance, a zest for life, a sense of style and a glorious self-confidence that defines the generations and the lives of those who will be participating in Erickson Living's centennial celebrations. 

"It always warms my heart to hear that people from many generations still find comfort and joy in listening to and participating in my father's music," said Nancy Sinatra. "He'd be proud to know that his music is still enriching people's lives and keeping them young at heart."

"This national tribute is one that captures the remarkable talent and influence that such a legend had on the industry and his fans," said Jack Melick, resident of Erickson Living's Highland Springs retirement community in North Dallas, Texas. Melick, the leader of Jack Melick and His Big Band, has played worldwide with some of the biggest contributors to the Great American Songbook Era of the 20th century. "I had the honor of performing for Mr. Sinatra in Las Vegas," Melick said. "It was always special then, and now it's exciting that my fellow residents will partake in special events to honor Frank's 100th this year." Melick and His Big Band are a part of an Erickson Living YouTube video that spotlights the Sinatra 100th birthday campaign.

"Our residents grew up on Sinatra!" says Jeff Watson, Erickson Living's director of operations. "I remember my dad, a Purple Heart veteran, humming along to Sinatra films: "We needed Frank's kind of music," he would say with a grinned, 'to help get us through the Depression and World War II.'"

Specific celebrations planned at Erickson Living communities include the following:

Community and Date Event/Activity Details
     
Fox Run (Week of August 24) Sizzling Sinatra Songfest Special concert
Seabrook (Fall 2015) Ol' Blue Eyes & Blue Seas Video  Residents performing Sinatra songs
Brooksby Village (9/18/15) Sinatra's Centennial Birthday Gala Birthday bash Sinatra style
Charlestown (11/6/15) Frank Fest  Bistro Theater/Look-a-like
Wind Crest (Week of Dec. 1) Rocky Mountain Blue Eyes Song-a-thon 
Riderwood (Week of Dec. 1) "Start Spreading the News" Sinatra Centennial Celebration 
Linden Ponds (12/3/15) Sinatra Birthday Celebration Sinatra-style sing-along  
Cedar Crest (12/6/15) "A Taste of Sinatra" Tribute Special video tribute also in Dec. 2015
Ashby Ponds (Week of Dec. 7) Sinatra Week Celebration Diversity of birthday-themed events
Highland Spring (Week of Dec. 7) Birthday Celebration Featuring resident Jack Melick
Oak Crest (12/9/15) Acorn Pub After Dark Tribute  Tribute performer/events
Brooksby Village (12/10/15) Sinatra Karaoke     Sinatra classics to be featured
Eagle's Trace (12/10/15) Sinatra Birthday Bash    Lunch and special event tribute 
Devonshire (12/11/15) "Ol' Blue Eyes" Celebration Happy hour & special performer
Greenspring (12/11/15) Sinatra-themed Luncheon Special performer & tribute activities
Ann's Choice (12/11/15) "The Chairman" Variety Show Sinatra-esque performances 
Tallgrass Creek (12/12/15) Crooning with Sinatra at the Creek "My Way" memories
Linden Ponds (12/31/15) "Let's Be Frank" Event New Year's Eve celebration

According to Devonshire resident Ada Tarriff, "The '40s were the best years. . . . We had swing, the war, and Sinatra was 'The Voice' during that important period." In a collection of short stories written by Tarriff (2014), she detailed her introduction to and continued admiration of Ol' Blue Eyes in an excerpt titled "The One and Only—Frank Sinatra," as follows: "One afternoon, my girlfriends and I put on our white socks and black-and-white saddle shoes and took the subway from Brooklyn to the Paramount Theatre on 44th Street and Broadway in New York City. We swooned while Frank Sinatra sang the most beautiful lyrics," said Tarriff. "That was the start of my love affair with Frank Sinatra." Tarriff went on to follow Sinatra's career and even attended one of his final concerts in the 1990s. "He lived to become one of the greatest American singers of the 20th century. The songs of the 1940s and 1950s will never be forgotten," she concluded.

As a part of the 18 planned events, hundreds of residents and guests, donning Sinatra fedoras, will join in singing, dancing and toasting drinks to many of Sinatra's popular songs, including "New York, New York," "All or Nothing at All," "Angel Eyes," "Autumn in New York," "I Concentrate on You," "I Get a Kick Out of You," "I'll Be Seeing You" and "You Make Me Feel So Young."

"I grew up with the music of Sinatra," said Greenspring resident Anna Deane Goolrick. "I saw him in person as a young bobbysoxer in Boston; later I had the opportunity to see him again during his final national tou[[{"fid":"166006","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Greenspring resident Anna Deane Goolrick with her collect of Sinatra music, magazines and books","field_slideshow_link[und][0][title]":"","field_slideshow_link[und][0][url]":"","field_wrapper_link[und][0][title]":"","field_wrapper_link[und][0][url]":""},"type":"media","attributes":{"title":"Greenspring resident Anna Deane Goolrick with her collect of Sinatra music, magazines and books","style":"border-width: 3px; border-style: solid; float: right;","class":"media-element file-default"}}]]r. I love his music, his style, and the joy he has brought to millions of people…it touches my mind, body, and spirit. I really think the 'Great American Songbook,' featuring music of the Big Bands and the voices of Sinatra and many of his contemporaries, both men and women, will endure forever. I feel fortunate to have lived during this golden era."

Devonshire resident Bernice Cohen was just 15 when she met Frank Sinatra at the Ritz Carlton in Philadelphia. She took with her a full-page photo of him from Photoplay magazine, hoping to receive an autograph. "I gave him the picture, and he must have said, 'What's your name?' because he signed it 'To Bernice,

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Sincerely, Frank Sinatra.' I was so nervous; my knees were shaking. He was very nice, he really was. . . . He was very kind. I can still picture him. I don't think I slept that night; I was so excited. The next day, I was a celebrity in school. I'd be walking down the hall, and I'd hear, 'She's the girl who met Frank Sinatra yesterday.' It was one of the thrills of my life."

Erickson Living's planning for its smorgasbord of the Ol' Blue Eyes musical-themed celebrations has been done with the same focus as one of the legend's most popular songs—"All or Nothing at All."  In 2015, the company is giving its "all" to provide creative and unique opportunities for those living in its communities and who grew up in the Sinatra era to honor the past with fond memories and music. There is no doubt that the Chairman of the Board's great legacy will shine bright at all of the events outlined above.

Photo (1): Greenspring resident Anna Deane Goolrick with her collect of Sinatra music, magazines and books.

Photo (2): Devonshire resident Bernice Cohen holding up her treasured, signed Frank Sinatra picture.

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About Erickson Living

Erickson Living is a nation-leading developer and manager of continuing care retirement communities, based in Baltimore, Maryland.  Further information regarding Erickson Living is available at:  www.ericksonliving.com.

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