From helping seniors with the gift of song to providing bottles of clean water to the military, local residents know that small gestures can often have the biggest impact on others.
Watching a handful of senior citizens dance around to music may not seem like a big deal, but Janna York, owner/administrator of Always Sunny, Ramona Senior Day Care, is thrilled to see their participation.
Musician Dana Duplan said he has been coming to the facility once a month for nearly a year, after being asked by York to help add variety and enrichment to the program.
“I choose songs with a catchy beat or that might be familiar to them, or that they can sing or dance along to,” said Duplan, a Ramona resident.
He plays guitar while he sings songs from a range of styles and times. The Eagles’ “Peaceful, Easy Feeling” might be followed by “Got the Blues for Dixie,” a late 1940s hit by Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, or “Evacuating Chickens,” a tune he wrote after one of Ramona’s past wildfires.
In between songs, Duplan tells stories, asks the guests questions and gets them talking and dancing, interspersing slower songs with the more upbeat tunes so the seniors are able to take breaks.
“I try to be entertaining and engaging, and let them feel they are part of the show as best I can,” he said.
His first song of the day for his Nov 3 visit was “King of the Road,” a 1965 Roger Miller hit. Several seniors immediately started singing along.
“Some of our people aren’t very vocal, but they can tap into the songs. Some can hardly hear, but even they remember and join in,” York said.
Most of the guests have dementia, but they look forward to Duplan’s visits. York said they remember him and want to know when he’s coming back.
“Many of the people here were band members or had their own band, or were singers or guitarists themselves,” said York. “They can’t play anymore, but when they hear the music, they remember.”
Richard, an Always Sunny guest, proved York’s point. Although she said he normally spoke very little, he eagerly join Duplan in front of the small crowd for a rendition of the Everly Brothers song “All I Have To Do Is Dream.” York asked that only last names of the guests be used.
Richard’s fellow guests clapped enthusiastically while he stayed with Duplan for “Act Naturally,” appreciating both the men’s singing skills and the tune.
Not just the guests, but the staff at Always Sunny, Ramona Senior Day Care couldn’t help but get up and dance to some of musician Dana Duplan’s music. (Regina Elling)
Since Duplan’s regular monthly appearances at Always Sunny, York said many of the residents have learned some of his original tunes, while singing along to songs they were long familiar with.
“The music often leads them to clarity for a couple of hours; it’s magical,” York said of Duplan’s visits. “It reminds them they were once professional, that they’re friends and their relationships are real.”
Duplan said he can see the appreciation from the guests in their words and gestures.
“They tell me I’m the highlight of their day and they are attentive and join in,” he said. “I think it’s a great program and I’m happy to be a part of it.”
Personal connections were also behind a different kind of gift — Famous Ramona Water donated a truckload of their premium bottle water to service members stationed at Camp Pendleton earlier this month.
“We wanted to set an example of how local businesses can step up to help those who serve our country, especially during challenging times when many are not being paid,” said Sam Garrabrant, general manager of Famous Ramona Water, whose father was a U.S. Marine in World War II.
The donation, totaling 4,600 gallons, was delivered directly to Camp Pendleton. The water will be distributed among units that are continuing their operations despite limited federal support during the shutdown.
“With many essential services strained due to the government shutdown, we felt it was our duty to step up,” said B.J. Kjaer, president of Famous Ramona Water. “Our military personnel make enormous sacrifices for this country. Ensuring they have access to clean, high-quality drinking water is the least we can do.”
Solar Rain Water managers Sam Garrabrant, left, Carlos Bustamante and P.J. Kjaer, president, stand behind some of the bottled water they recently donated to U.S. Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton. Delivered earlier this month, the water was distributed among units that continued their operations despite limited federal support during the shutdown. (Courtesy Solar Rain Water)
The donation was made after Kjaer noticed that water sales had slowed at Camp Pendleton.
“We felt that the troops were pulling back on spending and the last thing we want is for them to stop spending on water. We wanted to help them out,” Kjaer said. “It’s what we can provide for them and what we do.”
Famous Ramona Water is no stranger to giving. They not only donate to numerous organizations in Ramona, including the Chamber of Commerce and the Ramona Food and Clothes Closet, but to events from San Diego to Temecula.
Although the company has no specific plans for water donations over the holidays, they encourage local charities or those in need to reach out to Famous Ramona Water, 250 Aqua Lane, Ramona, or 760-789-0174.