Cherry Hill Manor resident wins top honors in Christmas card contest
“Who needs Hallmark or other greeting card makers?” a lady mused inside Cherry Hill Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center’s main dining room last Friday morning. “Especially when we’ve got Joe Golomboski’s great works right here.”
Each year, Cherry Hill Manor holds its annual in-house Christmas Card Contest. That was only half of last Friday morning’s exciting ceremony, which featured a surprise announcement.
“We had a decent amount of residents participate in creating their own Christmas card,” said Tracey Arpin, the manor’s activity director. “We vote here at Cherry Hill and get other residents, family, and staff involved in the voting, and then we announce the first-, second-, and third-place winners.”
Once the votes were tallied, Golomboski came out on top.
That, however, was just the beginning of a unique and record-setting story that surfaced during last Friday morning’s surprise announcement that Golomboski was $300 richer for winning first place in the annual contest.
Arpin later explained that she sent Golomboski’s Christmas card to Life Care Centers of America, which owns and operates other nursing and rehab facilities in the region, to be entered into the corporate company’s annual contest.
Golomboski’s Christmas card, Arpin announced last Friday morning, was judged the best in that contest as well, and the company will have it printed and use it as the official Christmas card.
She added that once the card is printed, it will be sent to each and every facility in Life Care’s regional family and passed out to residents and staff at each facility at Christmas. She also announced that Golomboski won another $300 for entry, which marked the first time ever that a Cherry Hill Manor resident has won the regional contest.
“His picture and brief biography will be on the back of each card,” Arpin said. “The fun part is that Joe didn’t know we were doing this today.”
During her surprise announcement, which Arpin made to Golomboski’s mother – who also lives at Cherry Hill Manor – and his family, she explained that she asked residents how they felt about a man “who people say is creative, funny, and a kind man who would be a friend to anyone.”
Arpin then offered some of those responses, like: “Joe is one of our kindest and most considerate residents; he always has a smile on his race and is always willing to help out anyone and any way he can. Joe loves attending activities such as bingo, musical entertainment, men’s only groups, game nights, cooking activities, and arts and crafts.”
Golomboski is also a passionate sports fan who loves talking about the Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins, and New England Patriot.
“Joe is an avid card player who loves the game of high-low-jack,” Arpin said. “He’s also a fan of video games and spends time with his mother as well as attending activities here at Cherry Hill Manor. Joe is also someone who takes his adversities and does not let them affect his life. We are all thrilled for Joe’s award-winning creation and new-found success.” 1
SPECIAL SUPPORT:
Joe Golomboski, right, is seated next to his mother Theresa and is joined by his sister Maria Francis, top left, son Joseph Golomboski Jr., and daughter Alicia Golomboski during last Friday’s surprise announcement. (Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)
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AWESOME ANNOUNCEMENT:
Cherry Hill Manor activity director Tracey Arpin reads comments from residents and staff about Joe Golomboski during last Friday’s special ceremony.
