Padres game day huge hit with Silvergate residents eager to return to exciting events

FALLBROOK – Silvergate Fallbrook hit a home run June 9 with their first big off-site event since hunkering down at the start of the pandemic, as residents and guests ventured out into downtown San Diego for last week’s Padres game against the Chicago Cubs at Petco Park.

Seniors from Silvergate were escorted in style by private bus to the stadium where they were greeted with fanfare and ushered to their private, reserved space on the Pacifico Porch overlooking third base. Their bird’s eye view of the ballfield gave them a thrilling look at one of the first games of the season.

The afternoon was filled with cheering, laughing, and dancing in the aisles, as residents and staff enjoyed each other's company while rooting for the Padres. The event was flanked by the game-time bell being rung by the youngest of fans and the action coming from the Padres commentator booth just overhead.

The community spared no expense to treat residents to a complete game day experience with a ballpark-catered luncheon of barbecue pork and chicken sliders, creamy macaroni and cheese cups, roasted red potatoes, good old-fashioned hotdogs and plenty of ballpark snacks.

For comfort, custom-made Silvergate seat cushions were provided to everyone as souvenirs from game day and lots of raffle prizes were handed out throughout the game, including official Padres’ jerseys, decks of baseball player cards and keepsake Padres’ pins.

Residents happy to be emerging from quarantine

“I loved having the opportunity to go to a ballgame in person. It was a wonderful excursion outside the Fallbrook area,” said Bobby Wheatley, longtime Silvergate resident. “We’re constantly being invited out of our apartments to enjoy all of the amazing events and activities they put on here. I don’t have to plan things because Silvergate does it for me. I’m so glad to be here.”

“I was really impressed with the organization, implementation and quality of this Silvergate event,” said Ron Mintle, who is part of Fallbrook's Vintage Car Club, a local nonprofit that donates funds to local charities and who attended the game with Silvergate. “I’ve done events for many years and this one that Silvergate put on was really well done. I enjoyed spending time with everyone and making new friends. Now I’m anxious to go take a tour of the community.”

Events and activities gearing up at Silvergate

Reintroducing fun and a sense of normalcy has been top priority for the staff and caregivers at Silvergate. For months, the senior living community’s activities team has been dreaming up a long list of creative things for residents to do in preparation for the day when opening up more widely became possible.

“We are beyond excited to finally be taking residents out to our more traditional high-profile events,” said Carie Hensley, Silvergate Fallbrook Activities Director. “Our residents have been so patient throughout the last year of waiting for San Diego County to reopen. We’re so glad to be planning exciting events like this for them again.”

Next up on Silvergate’s event line-up are an Art Walk at Liberty Station in Point Loma in August, a Luncheon Yacht Cruise through San Diego bay in September, and a holiday trip to the Hotel Del Coronado in December.

Visitors are welcome to tour the community and pick up a sample Activities Calendar to check out all of the upcoming events at Silvergate Fallbrook. The community is now scheduling both virtual and private in-person tours. For more information, call Helen Gray at 760-728-8880.

General information about the independent living, assisted living and memory care accommodations at Silvergate can be found at SilvergateRR.com/FB. Silvergate is located at 420 Elbrook Drive.

Submitted by Silvergate Retirement Residence.