Halloween Fun in Florida

November 21, 2024

by Joseph Gould

On a beautiful 80-degree day last month, in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, the community at St. Alphonsus Villa, an assisted living community for Redemptorists, came together to celebrate Halloween. The Halloween cheer was in full force on the final day of October as staff, nurses, and Redemptorists participated in a costume party.

The community at St. Alphonsus Villa likes to participate in any reason to get together and celebrate. This includes holidays, seasons, special days, birthdays, and Holy Days. The community members at the Villa look forward to the events, even asking “So what’s next?” when speaking with staff member Avonda who oversees the planning of community events.
Avonda excels at finding new and exciting things to plan. Anything from an outing to the Kennedy Space Center, going to see old town St. Augustine, playing a seasonal game, or just a relaxing afternoon painting on the porch. Avonda always finds something new, fun, and engaging for the members of the community to do.

The pictures here show the thoughtful planning and fun the St. Alphonsus Villa community had while dressing up as characters for Halloween. Everyone was excited and filled with the anticipation to see all the costumes. They even voted for whom they thought was best.

Group photo of everyone all dressed up for the costume party: Back row from left to right: Mirian G. as a healthcare worker, Fr. Clement Krug as a Cereal Killer, Jane S. as a cat, Fr. William Spillane as a cowboy, Jene G. as Kamala Harris, Justin as Trump, Regina L. as a healthcare worker Middle row from left to right: Avonda V. As Cruella Deville, Fr. Louis Olive as himself, Michele G. as a ghost, Eisela M. as a pumpkin, Fr. Arthur Tuttle as a pirate, Fr. Thomas Deely as ‘the Joker’, Danielle L. as a tye dye lady, Ana D. as Kamala Harris, Br. Leonard Samuel as the birthday boy, Calley G. as Dorothy Front row from left to right: Fr. Robert Lennon as himself, Fr. Mike Koncik as a Zombie, Fr. Eugene Daigle as scared, Fr. Tom Travers as Lizzy Borden

The Podium:

1. Fr. Mike Koncik took first prize, not only for his zombie

costume, but as his confreres stated, “for being quiet so long.”

2. Fr. William Spillane took 2nd prize as the cowboy.

3. Fr. Thomas Deely came in 3rd place as The Joker.

This year’s Halloween costume party was a resounding success with everyone involved, leaving everyone in the community to already look forward to the next event. With Thanksgiving and the Christmas season around the corner, I don’t think they will have to wait long!