Wartburg June Gala at Surf Club in New Rochelle to Celebrate Arts & Music and 150 Years of Service

Wartburg, an integrated and comprehensive senior care services provider in Westchester County, will be hosting their 4th Annual Gala celebrating arts and music as well as their 150th Anniversary on June 16th from 6pm-10pm. The evening will feature a special appearance by restaurateur, model, author, and television host B. Smith along with her husband, Dan Gasby. Dominic Carter, RNN/FIOS1 political reporter will be the event emcee. This prestigious event will take place at the Surf Club on the Sound in New Rochelle, NY.

During this commemorative evening B. Smith, who at the young age of 63 was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, will be talking about her recently published book Before I Forget, co-authored with her husband, Dan Gasby, television media sales executive, and contributing Vanity Fair editor Michael Shnayerson. The book, which illuminates stories about family, life and hope is designed to be a practical and helpful guide for readers dealing with the day-to-day challenges of Alzheimer's.

Smith has been heralded by The New York Times as “a Renaissance woman,” by The New York Daily News as “one of the most important African-American style mavens of all time,” and honored with a 2012 Silver Spoon Award for sterling performance by Food Arts. A broadcast talent, entrepreneurial spokesperson and multiple award-winning recipient across a wide range of fields, including the first African American model to be on the cover of Mademoiselle, Smith also earned kudos when she returned to the stage in her Off-Broadway debut in “Love, Loss, and What I Wore,” the award-winning play by Nora and Delia Ephron. In 2012, Smith was inducted into the American Chef Corps, part of the U.S. Department of State’s newly-formed Diplomatic Culinary Partnership with the James Beard Foundation. Until recently, she ran three B. Smith restaurants: on Theatre Row in Manhattan; Sag Harbor, NY; and Washington DC. But then her life changed in 2013 with her diagnoses. Since then, she and her husband have worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the disease, and its effects on the African-American community in particular.

“What I have come to realize in my journey with my wife, B. Smith, is that Alzheimer’s disease is a 21 century civil rights issue. Two out of three people living with Alzheimer’s are women. Black and Latinos are two or three more times as likely to be diagnosed and the cost of care is staggering and devastating to a family of moderate means. We recognize Wartburg as a beacon in long term care and a backstop for those who need to know that their loved ones with Alzheimer’s are treated with dignity and respect and are delivered first class healthcare services,” said Dan Gasby.

The June Gala, which will be celebrating Wartburg’s 150th anniversary, will be followed by numerous other celebratory events throughout the year that highlight and educate the public about Wartburg’s ongoing mission of caring for the whole person in an effort to nurture body, mind and spirit. “I feel that I’m walking on sacred ground because of the service to the children and the orphanage” says current resident Clyde Delores Herring, “I’m very excited about the 150-year anniversary.” A complete list of 2016 events can be seen at Wartburg Events.

With a long history caring for orphans at their farm school in the wake of the Civil War, this year’s event will honor Larry Fair, The Wartburg Orphans’ Farm School Alumnus and Founder/CEO of The Future Society, Inc., a non-profit that provides mentoring activities to disadvantaged inner city youth and their parents. Saint Peter’s Church, New York, NY- Spiritual care provider to the New York City community and longtime supporter of our mission. Alzheimer's Association, Hudson Valley NY Chapter- Dedicated community partner, this non-profit organization supports research initiatives and provides assistance to those affected by the disease. “These are exciting times at Wartburg. We are in the midst of an era of tremendous change and growth, meeting the needs of seniors and their families in our community” says David J. Gentner, President and CEO of Wartburg.

As an integrated senior care provider, including independent and assisted living, nursing home, Alzheimer’s/dementia care, adult day care, inpatient/outpatient rehabilitation, home care and caregiver support, this 34-acre wooded campus offers a variety of residential options, including affordable senior housing and is home to over 500 area seniors. Founded in 1866 by Reverend William A. Passavant as a place to provide not only physical care, but also spiritual care to orphans and seniors of all faiths, Wartburg has earned the reputation of being a trusted, forward-thinking leader in the area of senior care.

Most recently, Wartburg received the Eli Pick Facility Leadership Award from the American College of Health Care Administrators and the 2015 Legacy Award from the Westchester County Chapter of the Links. In addition, Wartburg was named one of the "Best Nursing Homes in New York State", by U.S. News & World Report for the fifth consecutive year in 2015.

This festive evening will be set on the captivating grounds of The Surf Club on the Sound, with a catered dinner prepared under the direction of Sicilian-born Executive Chef Profita. Enjoy live music performed by The Groove Shop, recognized as amongst the top bands in the tri-state area. With singer Addie Silver and musical directors Jeff Catania & Jeffrey Miller. Sponsors of the event include Patient Care Associates and Morrison Community Living. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Angela Ciminello at 914-513-5179. The event will also feature a Silent Auction. The cost to attend is $250 per person. To purchase tickets for Wartburg’s 150 Anniversary Gala, please visit their website.

Wartburg, located in Westchester County, NY, offers integrated, comprehensive senior care services for all stages of life. Unlike conventional retirement communities, they provide a wide range of services to both residents living on campus and people in their own homes. From independent, assisted living and award-winning nursing home care to inpatient/outpatient rehabilitation, home care and adult day care services, their continuing care approach has earned them a trusted reputation in Westchester. They also provide caregiver support at every stage, with an array of options to find the right level of care for the individual while also considering the needs of the whole family too.

Launched in 2009, Wartburg’s award-winning Council for Creative Aging allows nearly 500 Westchester seniors with assisted living, memory care, nursing home and adult day care programs to express themselves through art, song, theater, poetry and oral histories. The Creative Aging Initiative promotes greater emotional health, social engagement and lifelong learning for older adults through a wide range of arts-based programs led by professional teaching artists trained to develop the creative capacity of older adult learners. Over the past several years, the Wartburg Creative Aging Initiative has been the recipient of numerous prestigious industry awards and recognitions, including the 2012 Innovation of the Year Award by LeadingAge New York, a premier organization dedicated to creating the future of aging and continuing care services in New York State. In addition, Partners for Livable Communities selected Wartburg Creative Aging as one of two winners in their 2011 Stories for Change Contest and highlighted it as a “Best Practice” for innovative arts programs addressing the growing needs of older adults.

Wartburg Website Homepage: www.wartburg.org
Wartburg Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/thewartburg
Wartburg Twitter Page: www.twitter.com/thewartburg
YouTube Page: www.youtube.com/wartburgny
Creative Aging Stories: www.creativeagingstories.com

Photo: Dan Gasby and B Smith. Photo by Heather Weston.