Ms. Washington Hits the Big Apple
Last year, Marilyn Washington, a resident at A.G. Rhodes Atlanta, was surprised with a party from TaleGate, a storytelling group that travels across the country to collect and share unique stories from older adults.
But the surprises didn’t stop there.
In talking with TaleGate founder Jack York, Ms. Washington mentioned that she would love to travel to New York again. She had fond memories from traveling there when she was a flight attendant with Delta, and she got married there.
Jack made it happen. In July, he escorted Ms. Washington, along with members of her family and A.G. Rhodes staff, to New York City.
“She lit up the Big Apple with her smile and laughter,” Jack said. “She has limitless energy, never turning down another stop in Manhattan; she soaked it all in. It was a fun time for her, and a reflective time as well, reminiscing about her earlier visits to New York at the early stages of her remarkable life.”
Ms. Washington experienced many of the attractions that New York has to offer, including the World Trade Center Memorial where she was moved to tears. She dined at New York’s most delicious restaurants, strolled through Times Square, and saw the Lion King on Broadway. She also saw—and loved—MJ: The Musical. After she talked about the show when she got home, an outing was added to the A.G. Rhodes activities calendar to give other residents an opportunity to see it next month at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta.
Ms. Washington was incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to visit New York.
“The trip was fantastic,” she said.
“TaleGate was honored to help sponsor her visit,” Jack said. “She has given so much to so many people in her lifetime, it was nice to see her on the receiving end of some love this time.”
Jack asked Ms. Washintgon where she wanted to go next.
She didn’t hesitate to reply: “Las Vegas!”
September 2023