AUBURN — On the evening of Lewiston High School’s prom, Schooner Estates hosted a “Senior” Prom across the river. 

Mark Prevost, resident services director at Schooner, which offers assisted and independent living quarters, said he’s been wanting to do something like this for a while.

“The residents would get up so often to dance when other entertainers came, it inspired us to do a formal dance,” he said.

From beaded ball gowns to mink shawls and full colonial attire, the residents and staff of Schooner came to the dance prepared, “dressed to the nines,” as the invitation said.

“The residents have dressed up like I can’t believe,” Prevost said. “I haven’t seen them dressed like this probably ever. It’s so heartwarming,”

Not only were they dressed for the prom, many kept the dancing going all evening.

One of the residents, he said, has Parkinson’s disease but once she gets dancing, she told him, it “goes away.”

Marcel Gagne of Steppin Out DJ Services provided timely and fun music that had the residents visibly excited, jumping up after a break when a song they had requested came on.

There was even a packed dance floor for the electric slide and the chicken dance.

Schooner resident Irene Delorme said she was having a wonderful time.

“I hope this gets repeated,” she said.

This was the first time in the nine years since she’s lived there that they’ve had a formal dance.

“It’s our first prom night, and it’s good. I’m glad I’m here,” she said. “I’m happy so many of the residents took advantage of it.”

Delorme’s friend said she couldn’t even remember the last time she’d danced.

August and Joanne Jaccaci, dressed as Thomas and Martha Jefferson, were on the dance floor practically all evening.

He said they used to travel around the country as Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson and have an act together.

“We love to dance together,” he said, “and it’s been a long time since we’ve done that. Joanne has a wonderful rhythm.”

The evening included hors-d’oeuvres, desserts and drinks. The “Village Green” area was decorated with streamers, flowers, balloons and a disco ball.

“We even dug out the stemware and tablecloths,” Prevost said.

He added that the residents helped make the bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres as a craft project.

Several employees came to the dance on their off time, dressed up, to have fun and hang out, he said.

Neal Hallee and his wife, Peggy Hallee, dance with Elaine Morrison and Morrison’s daughter in-law Gail Morrison, far right, during the “Senior” Prom at Schooner Estates in Auburn on Saturday evening.  (Daryn Slover/Sun Journal)

Hope Weston looks her best during the “Senior” Prom at Schooner Estates in Auburn on Saturday evening. (Daryn Slover/Sun Journal)

Gus Jaccaci smiles at his wife, Joanne, during the “Senior” Prom at Schooner Estates in Auburn on Saturday evening. (Daryn Slover/Sun Journal)

Irene Delorme talks with deejay Marcel Gagne prior to the start of the “Senior” Prom at Schooner Estates in Auburn on Saturday evening. Delorme knew Gagne when he was a “little boy,” but had not seen him since. When Delorme saw Gagne’s name as the evening’s deejay, Delorme said to herself, “I once knew a Marcel Gagne.” As it turned out, Gagne was indeed the person Delorme knew years ago.  (Daryn Slover/Sun Journal)

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