Oh Frabjous Day! Callooh! Callay!

Lewis Carroll caught the spirit of the day. The Jabberwock – better known at Kendal at Granville as the past two years of Phase II construction – has been overcome. The challenge has been met. It was time to celebrate the triumph.

And celebrate is what we did. The big event, held this morning, was formally titled the "Phase II Dedication & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony." But it was more than that. In attendance were not only the current residents and soon-to-be residents, but also representatives of some of the various groups and bodies that had helped us in various ways as we moved through the whole planning and construction process: our bankers, our architects, our designers, our friends in the Granville government and community, our friends in the media. The brand new Amelia Gathering Room, our meeting place, was on its inaugural voyage, and it was filled for the occasion! And (to continue the metaphor), as conversation after conversation testified, we were quite consciously embarking on a new era in the great adventure that is Kendal.

The ceremony was brisk, as four speakers provided brief opening remarks. Doug Helman, the executive director, greeted everyone with words of thanks to all the people who had contributed to the success of the project. Dr. Tom Mills, president of the board of Kendal at Granville, spoke of his pleasure to see the board's vision finally fulfilled. Ashley Wade, director of marketing, celebrated the diversity of interests that our residents, with their rich range of life experiences, were bringing to the community. (As a footnote, it may be added that she wept with joy – really, truly! – and in doing so caught the spirit of many in the audience.) Finally, John Diffey, president and CEO of Kendal corporation, in congratulating everyone, reminded the audience that the Kendal project was an affirmation of a set of humane values grounded in caring and generosity.

This series of short remarks was followed by a series of dedications, with attention given to the generosity of several anonymous donors. Future generations will see testimonies to these acts of generosity in the memorial plaques to be placed in the Amelia Gathering Room and the Florence Wellness Center respectively. Then David Skeen, president of the Kendal at Granville Residents Association, presented a check for $27,000 to Doug Helman as a gift from the association to help meet the costs of the A/V equipment that will enhance the usefulness of the Amelia Garthrering Room.

Finally came a ceremonial ribbon cutting. With David Skeen holding the scissors and residents from all areas of Kendal life holding the ribbon, the new facility was formally dedicated and opened. Applause filled the room.

The post-dedication activities that were on offer included tours of the new health center, tours of the new apartments, and a luncheon buffet. As the assembled guests moved into the hallways and lobbies, it was a time for chatting, for questions, for comments, and for congratulations. I suspect that many of the conversations turned in one way or another on the symbolism of day: for happy events portend happy futures. Kendal is entering a new era. Callooh! Callay!, indeed.