Even the tragedy and anxiety of the recent sniper shootings can spawn some happiness with a little initiative. That was proven on Monday at the Paul Spring Retirement Community.
Twenty eight of the residents of the facility at 7116 Fort Hunt Road, received free corsages and boutonnieres as a result of the cancellation of homecoming events at Thomas Edison and West Potomac high schools. They were the gifts of The Blossom Shop located in the Hollin Hall Shopping Center.
"We had the orders for a number of corsages and boutonnieres and by the time the festivities were postponed we had completed 16 corsages and 12 boutonnieres," Dorothy M. Trimber, co-owner of the shop explained. "Rather than let them go to waste we figured they could brighten the day of some of the residents at Paul Spring."
That's when they contacted Barbara Sullivan, administrator at the assisted living facility, and suggested the gifts. As residents gathered in the lounge for their regular entertainment hour, Trimber and her partner, Jennifer E. Stackpole, surprised them with their floral creations.
"We thought we'd take this depressing sniper news and turn it into something positive," Stackpole said. "It's also a way to brighten their day," she noted, referring to the residents.
As Stackpole pinned a red rose boutonniere on Gertrude Kornfeld, the elderly recipient stated, "I love red roses. I'll wear it all day."
TRIMBER EXPLAINED that the students had already ordered and paid for the flowers when the cancellations were announced. However, they will receive them at no additional cost when the events do take place. West Potomac has rescheduled for October 26, and Thomas Edison for Nov. 9, according to Trimber.
Although, the shop has existed for approximately 35 years, Trimber and Stackpole purchased it in March from the previous owners, Joe and Polly Hinn. "When I was a kid I used to get my flowers at the shop," Trimber revealed.
Prior to acquiring the shop, Trimber was a medical administrator at Georgetown University Hospital in the area of Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery. Prior to that she served as a technician in the Alexandria ophthalmology practice of Dr. Connell Trimber, her father.
Stackpole, who holds a masters degree in international finance, previously worked for The World Bank and the Real Estate Relocation Coalition. Following the events of Sept. 11, 2001, Stackpole and approximately 35 others were laid off by the Coalition, according to Trimber.
Sullivan said Paul Spring Retirement Community is home to 147 residents. "We offer efficiency, one bedroom, and two bedroom apartments," she explained. "Our residents range from those still actively employed to those that are quite elderly and require assisted care but remain very self-sufficient."