For Whitney Center residents, no project is beyond reach. Take Seamus the Seal for example – Whitney Center’s life-sized sculpture made of recyclable waste. Seamus the Seal is a Whitney Center passion project inspired by the conservation efforts of the late Robert Lane, a former Whitney Center resident who was a Professor Emeritus at Yale University and Founder of Gray for Green, a national online gathering of older Americans aspiring to create a green legacy for the future.
At Whitney Center, a Life Care community located in Hamden, CT, residents are free to pursue their passions and dive deep into their field of work or interests. Robert Lane and those who knew him understood the meaningful work that turns passion into legacy.
Seamus the Seal was brought to life by Save Our Seas (S.O.S.), a group of dedicated Whitney Center employees, members of the resident-led Conservation Nature Committee and the Whitney Center Chapter of Gray for Green. Motivated by Dr. Lane’s efforts to spread the word about ocean pollution, Save Our Seas’ mission is to educate people on the effects of ocean pollution and to spark positive change in consumer habits by promoting recycling.
Stephanie Zilinski, Whitney Center’s Life Enrichment Coordinator, led the group and the project. “Seamus is a shocking transition of art that shifts into a symbol of our society’s waste consumption right before your eyes,” says Zilinski. “He is a beautiful reminder of Dr. Lane’s passion, and we hope he will inspire that passion in others.”
Seamus is the result of many months of planning, recyclable waste collection and a commitment to ensuring Dr. Lane’s legacy continued. S.O.S.’s initial plan was to have Seamus on display for the community’s Earth Day Celebration. However, The Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration heard about the project and wanted to give Seamus a bigger platform.
“We were excited about the prospect of the 100 or so expected visitors to be able to see Seamus at Whitney Center,” says Zilinski. “When the Mystic Aquarium called about displaying him at their Earth Day celebration, we were so excited because that means 10 times the visitors! We think Dr. Lane would be very pleased.”
Seamus fits perfectly into the message for this year’s conservation focus. Globally observed on April 22 this year, Earth Day’s theme for 2018 is End Plastic Pollution. Seamus will be on display at The Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration during its “Party for the Planet” Earth Day Celebration event on April 19, 2018 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. The Mystic Aquarium is located at 55 Coogan Boulevard in Mystic, CT, and the public is welcome to attend.
After Seamus’ stint at the Mystic Aquarium, he will be on display at Whitney Center in honor of Dr. Lane. The community hopes that Seamus will be a testament to the passion of its residents and the meaningful achievements they can accomplish together.
Call Whitney Center today to learn more about Seamus and other ways our residents live life to the fullest.
Discover Excellence in Senior Living.
At Whitney Center, you’ll find a distinguished senior living community where residents do what they love. Located in Hamden, Connecticut, Whitney Center combines all the cultural, educational and historical charms of the Greater New Haven area with the intricate details of daily life for active seniors. Whitney Center is a Life Care community, offering not just an unparalleled independent living lifestyle, but a full continuum of care services as well, including assisted living, rehabilitation, skilled nursing care and memory care. Whitney Center even offers a home-based long-term care program, Thrive at Home, which connects seniors to the services they need to live well in their own home.
Choice. Freedom. Opportunity.
We believe that remaining engaged and striving for excellence builds a more meaningful life. That’s why residents experience a host of services and amenities, events and cultural opportunities and wellness programs designed to foster endless growth and personalized living. Backed by our first-rate hospitality and philosophy of continuous improvement, our residents are free to travel, learn, volunteer, set new goals and create the life they want to live.
Come Here to Thrive.
At Whitney Center, residents live in the midst of cultural arts and education and dignified connections to the greater community. Seniors thrive in pursuit of what brings them joy, with unlimited opportunities to create and contribute. And, with the confidence in quality care services available on site if health needs ever change, Whitney Center makes it possible for seniors to continue enjoying the freedom to embrace life at its fullest.
