Piano finds ‘good home’ at Wiscasset Senior Center

Dresden family donates Willard Chicago Cabinet Grand piano
Thu, 03/20/2014 - 5:00pm

It's always a good time at the Wiscasset Community Center's senior center when Ellie Tracy plays piano and fellow members of the center sing along. But the music had added meaning on March 19.

The members were honoring the Jasmin-Melnicove family of Dresden, for giving the circa 1920 piano to the senior center about a year ago. On hand for the supper and the singing were Denise Jasmin, and her 92-year-old mother, Lee Damioli.

“I think it's great,” Damioli said about the recognition the family was receiving for the donation.

“Thank you, ladies,” Rudi Rines said during a program for the guests of honor. Then he led fellow members in a round of applause for them.

While Tracy played the upright, Rines and a line-up of other members sang “Sweet Caroline.”

The singers had rehearsed in the community center's lobby before heading inside the senior center for the program, which also featured “Side by Side.”

“It was very sweet,” Jasmin said afterward. “I'm so glad (the piano's) being used.

“It's found a good home.”

The family, including Jasmin's husband Mark Melnicove, and their son Damian Melnicove, was ready to part with the second-hand, Willard Chicago Cabinet Grand when Jasmin's childhood piano was moved into the home.

The family put a note up at the community center, in an effort to give the Willard away for someone else to enjoy, Jasmin said.

The senior center took the family up on the offer. The piano, with Tracy at the keys, now entertains members and others at the center's weekly, Wednesday night suppers and other gatherings, Tracy said.

“I think it has added a touch more fun,” she said.