Autumn Green Wright Campus - Chevy Equinox

Yesterday, I went to Autumn Green Wright Campus. It was a really nice afternoon. I had the chance to talk with many excited residents. They all had such incredible memories to share. Some of them had a hard time remembering the recipe that goes along with the memory. They said that since they don't cook anymore, they don't have all of their cookbooks. Also, a lot of the recipes were done by eyeballing and they can't remember exact amounts. That has been the tricky part about this project. It was so nice getting the chance to sit and just talk with the residents. I love what I do.

A girl named, Ashley, from Edelman (PR Firm representing Chevy) came yesterday too. She took lots of pictures and a video of me talking about my project and how Chevy has helped me to complete my mission. All of those pictures and comments will be on their twitter, facebook and blog, so check it out!!
Twitter: @ChevyMissions
Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/chevrolet.
Chevy's Blog: http://www.chevymissions.posterous.com.

Here are some pictures:


Doing the cooking demonstration

Talking and taking pictures with some of the residents

Me in front of the Chevy Equinox

Lake Barrington Woods Assisted Living Home

Today, I drove in the Chevy Traverse to Lake Barrington Woods Assisted Living Home. It was absolutely amazing. The staff and residents were so attentive and so excited to share their favorite memories and recipes from their lost loved ones. I made the berry crisp (recipe in past blogs) and then had a chance to sit down and get everyone else's stories. The stories keep on getting better and better!!

I would like to thank Chevy for letting me drive the amazing Traverse. It is an incredible car with OnStar navigation, hands free phones, and a back up camera in the rear view mirror. It has been a pleasure driving it and I would definitely recommend buying one!

Also, I would like to thank the staff at Lake Barrington Woods (22320 Classic Court in Lake Barrington, IL) for allowing me and my publicist's, Annie and Kassy, to come and talk with their residents. To see pictures from today's event, see below.

On Wednesday (May 19th), we are going to
Autumn Green at Midway Village
6700 S. Keating Ave. in Chicago, IL at 2 pm

On Friday (May 21st), we are going to
Autumn Green at Wright Campus
4239 N. Oak Park Ave. in Chicago, IL at 2 pm

On Tuesday (May 25th), we are going to
The Breakers at Edgewater Beach
5333 N. Sheridan Road in Chicago, IL at 1 pm

You are all welcome to come out and see the cooking demonstrations!!


Taking and performing the cooking demonstration

The residents of Lake Barrington Woods


Me in front of the amazing display that they set up for the demonstration

Chevrolet Your Mission. Our Drive. "Do Good" Project

Illinois Chevy has a new philanthropic project called: Your Mission. Our Drive. The idea is simple: If you have a volunteer project that requires wheels to complete your mission, Chevy would like to loan you some.

Chevrolet will support 25 local missions through short-term vehicle loans. Chevy will work with you to identify resources to "drive" your Mission forward. Bittersweet Memories was selected to drive Chevy's cars to assisted living homes and perform cooking demonstrations as well as getting submissions for the book! I am so honored to have been picked and to be partnering with such an incredible company.

I will post pictures tomorrow of me, in my Chevy Traverse, on my way to Lincolnwood Place. Lincolnwood Place, a part of Senior Lifestyle Corporation, is located at 7000 N. McCormick Boulevard in Lincolnwood, IL. 60712. The demonstration begins at 1 pm and is open to the public! I hope to see you all there!!

Follow @ChevyMissions on Twitter (twitter.com/chevymissions): Be the first to get the latest news about statewide volunteer opportunities, Mission launches and more.

Illinois residents can learn more about Chevy Missions and apply for their own Mission on the Chevrolet Fan Page on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/chevrolet.

To read a recap of each Mission on Chevy's blog, go to http://www.chevymissions.posterous.com.


Join the conversation at http://bit.ly/ILChevyMissions. Get ideas, peer support and more at the Illinois Chevy Missions wall. Find mission applications and program details.

Thanks, Chevy!!!

Senior Lifestyle Corporation & Barton Healthcare

Great News!! I am going to do cooking demonstations at 6 senior assisted living homes in May. Five of them will be at Senior Lifestyle Corpoation communities and 1 will be at Barton Heathcare. At these events, I will be cooking one of my favorite dishes and then talking with the residents and getting their bittersweet memories of their lost loved ones! I am so excited to sit and and listen to their favorite stories and recipes. Here is the schedule:

Tuesday May 4th
Barton Healthcare in Zion, IL
*not open to public

Tuesday May 11th
Lincolnwood Place in Lincolnwood, IL

Monday May 17th
Lake Barrington Woods in Lake Barrington, IL

Wednesday May 19th
Autumn Green at Midway Village in Chicago, IL

Friday May 21st
Autumn Green at Wright Campus in Chicago, IL

Tuesday May 25th
The Breakers at Edgewater Beach in Chicago, IL

Some of these are opened to the public. Please feel free to come and watch me do a cooking demonstration. And remember, bring your favorite bittersweet memory and recipe!!!