Fun Fridays at Westminster Community Center:We’ve Formally Arrived! 🥳✨

Mary Powell, one of our participants, made a beautiful floral welcome sign for our entryway.

Change can be a little bumpy—especially when you throw in a few construction barriers!—but the Graceland Center family knows how to turn a detour into a party. Throughout April and May, we hosted our "Fun Fridays" at the Westminster Community Center to help everyone get comfortable navigating to our gorgeous new home.

And oh, did we sweeten the transition! A massive shout-out to Courtney Moore, chef extraordinaire, who kept our bellies full and our spirits high with absolutely delicious meals and desserts every single week.

We packed our Fridays with pure joy, incredible talent, and unforgettable memories. Here is a look back at the magic we shared:

🎸 April 10th: "Come Rock the Rhythm with Deb Rocka!"
Debracca Williams-Hangen brought the house down! Who knew chair exercises could feel like a high-energy Zumba class?! There was no shortage of laughter, sweat, and wide smiles as Deb got us moving and grooving to the rhythm.

🎤 April 17th: Karaoke Sing-Along with Amber Bowcott
We unleashed our inner rockstars! Led by Amber, we spent the afternoon crooning along to our favorite golden oldies. We even discovered some serious hidden talent in our group, as multiple folks stepped up to lead the crowd in song!

🗺️ May 8th: Barry Cloyd’s "Our Land Between the Rivers"
Our good friend Barry Cloyd took us on a spellbinding, Bicentennial storytelling and musical adventure through Illinois history. We learned so much about our state's pivotal role in shaping the nation and left with a much deeper appreciation for the heritage, songs, and sacrifices of those who came before us.

🎶 May 22nd: The Sweet Voices of "Sounds of Joy"
There wasn't a dry eye in the room—in the best way possible! "Sounds of Joy" graced us with a stunning lineup of historic, patriotic, and spiritual songs. Their beautiful harmonies moved our hearts, taking us on an emotional journey from joyful smiles to sentimental tears.

❤️ A Huge Westminster Welcome!
Transitioning to a new space takes a village, and we lucked out with the best partners imaginable.

A monumental THANK YOU to Courtney Moore and Elizabeth Richmond from the Westminster Community Center. Thank you for rolling out the red carpet, managing the logistics, and making our participants feel completely at home from day one.

We navigated the orange cones, found our seats, and made some incredible memories. Westminster, get ready—the Graceland Center crew is here to stay! 🏢🎉