PVE's Gala Celebrates its 25th Anniversary

Residents were dressed in their finest for the annual Gala held on Friday, December 7, 2022. This annual event was highlighted by combining it with the celebration of the 25^th anniversary of PVE. Gathering early in Rawlinson Hall and the Main Dining Room residents enjoyed champagne and passed hors d’oeuvres. Following an introduction by CEO Kevin Burke, a special video honoring our PVE founders was shown. The video which featured several of our founders speaking about the early days of PVE and what they liked about living here. There were “flash backs” showing many of the founders from early times. Those of us who know them today were surprised and pleased to see them pictured back in 1997-98 when PVE was in its infancy. With everyone seated, dinner service began with a butter lettuce, spring mix, endive salad followed by crab Imperial crusted beef tenderloin, garlic mashed potatoes and baby carrots. Dessert was a Belgian chocolate Mousse Cake which was a perfect finish to the meal. Each table had wine available. The table decorations were particularly beautiful this year done in silver and blue especially for the 25^th anniversary. Each place had a “favor;” a split of champagne wrapped in silver and blue paper and

tied with a blue ribbon and a small circular sign which read “25th Anniversary Holiday Gala.” There have been many changes over the 25 years that PVE has been around, but the original concept remains unchanged. As the NCROC Board said many years ago, PVE was designed to nurture independence, promote wellness, preserve dignity, and protect individual rights.