Published: May 17, 2007 11:50 am      

Moran Manor displays antiques in celebration of Nursing Home Week

WESTERNPORT - Residents of Moran Manor in Westernport have been talking about "the good old days" a bit more lately, thanks to some visual reminders of those days gone by.

Many of the reminders - which range from old photographs to antique dolls, mink stoles, and lots of hats and hat boxes - are from the local area, making the trip down Memory Lane especially meaningful to the local residents of the facility.

Thanks to John Deniker, social services director at the nursing home, the front hallway and lobby of the center have been decorated this week with a collection of historic items which have struck a nostalgic chord with those who remember Coney Cleaners in Lonaconing or Lazarus and Rosenbaum's in Cumberland, to name a few.

Deniker, who has collected antiques "since I was about 16," has a connection to many of the items himself. His grandparents, Renzie and Ora Fint, owned and operated Coney Cleaners and were notorious, he remembers, for never throwing anything away.

"Our families didn't get rid of anything; they just put it away," he says.

In the front hallway, for example, is a mannequin which originally stood inside Ternent's in Lonaconing. On the mannequin is a red and black outfit which Deniker's grandmother purchased at The Style Shop in Piedmont. Hanging on the wall beside the mannequin is a black and white photograph of his grandmother wearing the outfit at a family wedding.

On the front desk is another black and white photo. This one is of the ponies which Deniker's grandfather provided for entertainment at various community events.

"My grandfather did the pony rides for all the mill picnics and other events," he explains.

Denniker said the display, put up in celebration of National Nursing Home Week this week, has spurred a lot of discussion among the residents.

"We tried to do something that would bring back memories for the residents and their families," he said.

"One lady here said she was married in a suit just like this," he added, as he adjusted the mink stole on a mannequin wearing a beige outfit which came from Dixon's.

Anyone wishing to see the local artifacts and take their own stroll down Memory Lane is invited to attend the open house scheduled from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at Moran Manor.

After viewing Deniker's collection, visitors will also be treated to a display of memorabilia from the Luke paper mill, set up by local resident Jack Fazenbaker.

"We wanted to honor Westvaco as well, so we've invited all the employees to come to the open house and have a free lunch," Deniker said.

Deniker said he plans to leave his items on display through next week, and anyone who cannot attend today's open house is invited to stop by and check it out.

"I'm not really in a big rush to take it down; it just has to all be put away," he said.

Liz Beavers can be reached at lbeavers@times-news.com.