Memorial Day Weekend – The Collington Way

By Marian Fuchs and Lois Brown

There was more wind this year and more action in the five-boat regatta on the Collington Lake on the Saturday of Memorial Weekend 2018.  The crowd enthusiastically cheered or groaned as the sturdy little boats made their rounds. Meanwhile, hamburgers, hotdogs, and trimmings were available to bolster spectators’ energies.  Cluster 1000’s boat, the Priscilla, skippered by Dick Garrison, came in first.  He received the trophy that evening at the Commodore’s Ball.
The Ball was to have started with cocktails and canapes in the courtyard, but fearing the predicted downpours (which in fact never came), the goodies were on offer in the Clocktower and corridors instead.  Much-praised raw oysters, shrimp, and other offerings were enjoyed to the background of the Kollington Katz doing their thing.  Their ‘thing’ is getting better and better with every performance — some attendees couldn’t resist the chance to start dancing early.

Ball-goers moved to the auditorium for a scallops appetizer, lobster-tail and steak entree, and a hand-made fruit tart dessert.   Wine was flowing, inhibitions lowering, and the eight Big Band players attracted dancers right away.   The best dancers of the night were by no means the youngest, but were certainly the most fun to watch. A very good start to the Memorial Weekend was had by all, including the foot-tapping servers!

As Memorial Day approached Collington became more serious. Sunday afternoon, Jessica Bateman on flute and Sherry Anaveson on piano presented their program “A Tempo.” The audience was moved by the patriotic, spiritual, and classical music. During “The Armed Forces Salute” Ms. Bateman gave her piccolo a real work out. The audience showed their appreciation as they stood for their branch of service.

Memorial Day brought Collington’s own unique service. Mary Ann Pellerin, in honor of her mother, has constructed our own “Memorial Wall” of remembrance. Going back to 1988, by year, the names of those late Collingtonians are written with their date of death.

The service included prayers and music and concluded with the naming out loud of Collingtonians who passed from January 2017 through May 2018. The audience then added other loved ones to the recital. Taps was played and the service concluded with a benediction.

The weekend ended on a high note with a Memorial Day brunch prepared and served by our dedicated culinary staff and enjoyed by residents, friends, and family.