Southgate Village hosts surprise 90th birthday party for resident Gloria Harvey

There was lots of planning and some obstacles, but the event went off without a hitch
3/16/2018  - Deron Hamel
 

It took a lot of planning, and there were some bumps along the way, but the Southgate Village team successfully pulled off a surprise party for resident Gloria Harvey’s 90th birthday on Feb. 12.

The idea for the party came from Gloria’s daughter, Liz, who had asked the event be held on Feb. 4, the day before Liz was leaving on a holiday. But an outbreak at the Kingsville, Ont., seniors living community forced a change of plans, so the party was rescheduled on the 12th, closer to Gloria’s birthday on the 15th.

Liz had already booked magician Ron Gudel and ordered plates and other items for the party, so even though she couldn’t attend she asked for the surprise party to be held for her mother.

The idea was sprung on the residents during their February council meeting. Fun co-ordinator Susan Davis told the residents she would shorten the bingo that day and asked them to be in the dining room by 1:45 p.m.

There was one more important instruction from Susan.

“I said, ‘don't tell Gloria’,” she chuckles.

Susan was calling bingo that day and shortened the program (and upped the jackpot) to make time for the party.

Susan says getting everything lined up was a bit of a challenge. Gloria’s friend was picking her up for lunch that day and they were scheduled to leave at 12:30, but the party was due to start at 2 p.m. and Gloria needed to be back in time, so Susan asked Gloria’s friend to pick her up before noon.

When Gloria and her friend were on their way back to Southgate, her friend called to say they were on their way, but the setup for the party still wasn't complete.

“So I asked them to drive around for a bit,” Susan laughs.

In the end, the party went off without a hitch. Gloria was surprised when she saw that there was a party waiting for her when she came back to Southgate. Of course, the party began with everyone singing Happy Birthday for her.

“The look on her face was priceless, she was absolutely stunned,” Susan says.

Most importantly, Gloria had a great time at her surprise party. The magic act was outstanding, Susan says, adding some of the highlights of Ron’s performance were his levitation tricks, where he levitated a staff member and a table. Gloria even helped the magician with some tricks, Susan notes.

“Gloria had a wonderful time,” she says.

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