Margaret "Miggy" Sciackitano Embraces Life at The Birches

Although Margaret “Miggy” Sciackitano moved to The Birches Assisted Living only six months ago, she has already become one of the most social and active residents. Sciackitano participates in the Scrabble Club, Pinochle Club, Bingo Club, Acting Out Club, and has even started a new club since her arrival— the Rummikub Club.

Sciackitano, of course, is no stranger to leading an active life. She raised three kids, worked as a fourth grade teacher for 25 years, and continued substitute teaching until she was 79 years old.

But when health issues began interfering with her active lifestyle, Sciackitano realized she needed support to continue doing the activities she loved. Sciackitano, who was widowed 20 years earlier, also felt lonely and longed for more companionship. That is when she found The Birches.

“So far, The Birches has been the perfect solution for me,” said Sciackitano. “I’ve gotten to know new friends, and we play Scrabble, pinochle, rummikub, and bingo together. We also do baking and crafts.”

During The Birches’ National Assisted Living Week talent show, Sciackitano performed with a group of her fellow Birches residents in a kazoo band. Birches’ Activities Director Katie Klitchman handed out kazoos to the audience, and Sciackitano and her bandmates played their kazoos while the audience followed along.

Sciackitano’s kazoo performance is just one example of her love of music and the dramatic arts, a love that she shared with her late husband. When she was younger, Sciackitano and her husband performed in variety shows at their church. In one comical skit, Sciackitano’s husband dressed as an organ grinder while she dressed as a monkey. Both Sciackatano and her husband also sang at church events, although usually with a comic slant. Her husband even dressed up like Shirley Temple and performed “On the Goodship Lollipop” with an Italian accent in one of Sciackitano’s favorite performances.

At The Birches, Sciackitano still finds many outlets for her dramatic side. For example, as a member of the Acting Out Club, she and other Birches residents come together to practice plays. In August, Sciackatano and other Acting Out members gave a performance of the play “Ladies at Lunch,” and the group continues to meet regularly to have fun and be expressive.

Other passions Sciackitano plans to pursue in her new home include sewing, cooking, and making crafts. She has several quilts underway and recently baked a pineapple angel food cake and apple bundles with her fellow Birches residents.

At this point in her life, Sciackitano is grateful to live in an environment that provides the support she needs to continue doing the activities she loves. After living alone for so many years, she is also grateful to be part of a tight-knit social community like The Birches where she’s found many friends who share her passions.

“Everyone at The Birches, the staff and residents, are very thoughtful people that are always willing to help one another. We have a good time with a lot of laughs and goodwill toward one another,” said Sciackitano.