New Jersey Seniors Remember Frank Sinatra in Short Documentary

Screening of “Seniors in Sinatra’s Backyard” on December 11

A screening of “Seniors in Sinatra’s Backyard,” a short documentary paying tribute to Frank Sinatra on his 100th birthday, featuring residents of Cedar Crest, an active continuing care retirement community in Pompton Plains, New Jersey, will be held on December 11 at 3 p.m. at Woodland Commons Conference Center.

To view “Seniors in Sinatra’s Backyard – Trailer,” visit http://bit.ly/1Ovhj4C

Many of the residents of Cedar Crest have been faithful fans of Sinatra since they were teenagers and their love and passion for the man and his music continues to this day. The seniors recall meeting him in person, attending his concerts, and of course, singing and dancing to his music.

In this entertaining film, the residents share their personal experiences and memories of ‘Ol Blue Eyes and visit his old stomping grounds in Hoboken. The seniors have fun doing a kick line in Frank Sinatra Park, dining at Leo’s Grandevous (one of Sinatra’s favorite Italian restaurants), and taking photos at Sinatra’s birthplace on Monroe Street.

Excerpts from “Seniors in Sinatra’s Backyard”:

· Joann West - In 1956 three best friends cut school to go to New York City to see Frank Sinatra at the Paramount. The newspaper photographers were all over the place, but we didn’t realize and the next day on the back page of the Daily News was a mob scene of teenagers and who is standing right there—me, Martha and Jeanne. My father never said a word and neither did we.

· Rita Shedlin - It was Passover, and we decided we were going to see Frank Sinatra. We were there for three performances. At the fourth performance, Frank Sinatra came out and handed us matzah and milk and said, “You kids must be starving.” I never forgot that!

· Janet Pomponio - My brother-in-law’s aunt was Frank Sinatra’s first girlfriend. She broke it off. She left him because she didn’t think he would amount to anything!

For more information, contact Petra Shaw at petra.shaw@erickson.com.

Photo 1: from left, Cedar Crest residents Martha Buergermeister, Nina Holy, Mary Seitz, Gisela Curtis, Irma Rosenberger, Helga Geyer, Joann West doing a kick line at Frank Sinatra Park.