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"This is our eighth annual St. Patrick's Day Celebration," said Larsen, the activities director for Leisure Pointe Full Service Senior Living Facility.
"We try to give people a good time in a family atmosphere so they are not so lonely," said the 23-year-old Larsen, now in her third year at Leisure Pointe. "We celebrate every holiday - it gives them a better quality of life. "
Leisure Pointe is home to about 114 residents - ages ranging from the 60s to 106 - in midtown San Bernardino.
About 90 residents ate corned beef and cabbage with roasted red potatoes on Sunday in celebration of the Irish holiday. There also was green beer. Most of the residents wore green hats and shirts and listened for their ticket numbers as Larsen called out winning numbers in a pair of raffles.
Prizes were a green-and-white crocheted blanket and a leprechaun hat.
"This is a really nice place," said 80-year-old Jacqueline Ball. "They do such a good job. It's almost like we're a family. Every once in a while, we get someone grouchy, but not very often. "
Ball, wearing a bright green blouse, sat with a doll she had made standing near her placemat. The doll was dressed in a bright green, Scarlett O'Hara-esque gown and hat, with a beautiful sculpted face and long blond hair.
"I made her clothing, sculpted her face - made everything," Ball said. "I had a doll-designing business in San Diego before I got sick and came here four years ago. "
Ball said it was hard for her to lose her business, but the kindness of the staff at Leisure Pointe - who often had residents' wishes memorized - eased the transition.
Caroline Roddy, 96, was wearing a jaunty little green hat. She was happy her "boys" had come to visit her earlier.
"We have fun at these parties. They mean a lot to us," she said.
"The residents do get very enthusiastic and excited about these occasions," Larsen said.
Reach Michel via email, find her on Twitter @michelnolan, or call her at 909-386-3859.
