Panorama is closely monitoring the coronavirus situation and taking appropriate precautions.

Dancing with the Panorama Stars!

Our fourth annual Dancing with the Panorama Stars event hosted by the Utah
Ballroom Dance Company was a night to remember! Paired with a professional
dancer, residents and staff came together to showcase their dancing skills and
creativity in a fun-filled happening that brought joy and entertainment to
participants and onlookers alike.

This year’s theme was popular movies and the performances were surely
amusing- to say the least! The judges provided comical and constructive
feedback as each pair brought their own style and flair.

Watch the full video below to see which staff member and resident took home the
coveted mirror ball trophy!

Aerial Show

New to our performance list are acrobats and aerialists! The Wings Aerial Acrobats performed a fantastic show recently in McGandy Park on our campus. Residents and staff alike were blown away by the talent and look forward to this event returning in the future!

Artfully Recycled

With 60 displays and 260 onlookers, this year’s Artfully Recycled show was a huge success! Residents had the chance to show off their creative designs, all made from recycled materials- the innovation and attention to detail was impressive! 

Inside the Woodshop

The Woodshop at Panorama is located in the lower level of the Quinault apartment building and is one of the most frequented activity rooms since we began our process of reopening with COVID safety restrictions. For most of our Woodshop members, the itch to get back in the shop was more than one could bear. Through the series of shutdowns and changes in restrictions given by the state of Washington, capacity of the Woodshop decreased to as little as 1 person at a time leaving many of its members waiting to get their hands on some of our beloved power tools. During pre-COVID times, “We’ve seen as many as 17 in here at a time,” says Dave Taylor, part of the resident-led leadership team. So it was not a surprise that when the shop first reopened in July with a maximum capacity of 4 people, every slot was consistently full with many more eagerly waiting for their turn.

It is clear that much of the way we’ve operated in the past has changed. From getting our temperatures checked before we can enter our favorite stores to how close we can stand next to one another; the world has entered a new normal. This hasn’t been any different for the Woodshop at Panorama. With many not having left their homes since the beginning of the pandemic, getting back to doing something you love, and simply getting out of the house, was a real treat. It’s been apparent in the response to the changes in restrictions and rigorous cleaning measures that were put into effect just how great the capacity of adaptability and willingness lives within our members.

For those unfamiliar with woodworking, it may come as a shock that it is the cherry on top for many considering a move to Panorama. “This was actually the reason I wanted to move here,” says new resident and member of the Woodshop, Larry Peabody. The process of transformation that one experiences doing woodworking brings a sense of relaxation and is scientifically proven to lower stress levels while also giving a sense of accomplishment from honing a creative skill.  There’s an endless variety of what they’re able to create in the Woodshop, and this fact is what keeps them coming back.

While much of the work being done may be personal, that isn’t to say they are the only one’s reaping the benefits. We see this in some of the projects produced by longtime woodworker and member, Steve Dobosz. In between his bigger projects, Steve brings out his inner child by making toys for kids. There’s a novelty about the toys he makes – his toy boats, games and train sets rake in enough cash to donate to some of his favorite causes. This dedication translates even more so in the work that our members do for other residents and the joy it brings them. They’ve been tasked with things like fixing shelves to creating screen doors for pets and even jewelry boxes for the Gift Shop. These are just a few examples of how much of what goes on in our Woodshop gives back to our community. Who knew woodworking could have such a charitable impact?

It’s been a long year of uncertainty and our longing for normalcy has only grown greater. As with most things, there’s been a period of adjusting. However, it’s amazing to see how well everyone has adapted to life’s new rules. While we look forward to our full reopening, we can take solace in knowing that, while the world outside continues to change, the graciousness of our residents remain. We’re excited to see the Woodshop and all other aspects of the vibrant Panorama lifestyle continue to thrive through the end of this pandemic and beyond.

Aztec Box by Dave Taylor
Deer by Dave Taylor
Pen Sets by Dave Taylor
Train Set by Steve Dobosz

Dancing with the Panorama Stars

January 18th was an exciting evening as we partnered with the Utah Ballroom Dance Company to put on our first Dancing with the Panorama Stars event! Four employees and four residents were each paired with a professional dancer to learn a unique dance routine. The auditorium was bursting at the seams with audience members eager to watch their neighbors and friends perform live on stage! All dancers were decked out in flashy costumes as they performed their 90-second routines before facing a panel of three judges (also made up of residents and employees). Praise and playful criticism were dished out in equal measure but ultimately there could only be one star.

The crowned champion of the 2019 Dancing with the Panorama Stars is Alfred Lacanlale! Alfred has been a much loved server at our Seventeen51 Restaurant & Bistro for three years. The crowd was thrilled to see him win and a few of them will expect him to have a fancy kick in his step the next time he waits on their table. 

Congratulations to Alfred and to all the participants for having the courage and spirit to put on such an impressive show! 

Arts Walk 2018

Written by a Panorama resident for the July 2018 Newsletter

All the members of the Arts Guild survived the wonderful day of Panorama Arts Walk and offered special thanks and congratulations to resident volunteers for their leadership and organizational skills. Thanks must also go to the staff of Lifestyle Enrichment, Operations and Seventeen51 for all their work and support. While numbers are still coming in it is amazing to note that 375 people visited the Wood Shop in the Quinault and many of them also saw the TV Studio, the Weavers Studio, and the photography and quilting displays, not to mention the other art, music and live performance venues throughout the campus. Overall, the event featured more than 100 resident artists and their work, whether it be in clay, paint, fabric, metal, wood, music, the written word, or theater. 250 people went through the lunch buffet in two hours and the special Arts Walk Happy Hour at the end of the day was filled with tired feet and smiling faces. In eighteen months –we’ll do it all again. Congratulations and many thanks to all the participants, volunteers and patrons at this year’s very successful Arts Walk.