Rosie Red makes stop in Blan
By Aly Shinkle
CINCINNATI -- Monday marked a special occasion for one Blanchester resident.
Laverta Stewart, a hospice patient at Continental Manor, received a visit from Rosie Red, the Cincinnati Reds’ female mascot Monday afternoon.
Since Stewart, 82, is no longer able to attend games in Cincinnati, the Reds and Crossroads Hospice brought the spirit of Great American Ball Park to Continental Manor.
At the event, the residents, Stewart and her family were entertained by Rosie Red and a special showing of “Rosie at the Bat.” The Reds organization provided stickers and baseball cards for the residents, who also enjoyed cake, ice cream and an opportunity to interact with Rosie. A special rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” was sung by the crowd as they anticipated Rosie’s arrival.
Gary Brose Chaplain at Crossroads Hospice told the News Journal, Stewart previously lived in California and followed Dusty Baker and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Stewart eventually moved to Ohio to be closer to her family after encountering health complications, but would regularly attend games in Cincinnati. Stewart and her daughter became avid fans and Stewart adopted the Reds as her new franchise team.
The event was coordinated by the Crossroads Hospice Gift of a Day program. Gift of the Day provides patients in hospice care with an event that the patient would enjoy.
According to Crossroads’ website, the organization was inspired by the life lessons taught in Jim Stovall’s novel “The Ultimate Gift.” Since the program’s inception, Crossroads stated it has helped hundreds of patients experience the perfect day. That day is based on the question: “If you had one perfect day, what would it look like?”
Continental Manor is located at 820 E. Center St. in Blanchester. Crossroads is located in Cincinnati.