“That’s why I moved here—community, pure and simple.” So says Robert Ryan, a makeup artist since 1976 (and previously a dancer and university professor!) who moved to the MPTF campus last April. “When I got here, I was the new kid on the block. I started dreaming up this idea of a Harvest Ball with a live band, and we could invite literally everybody on campus.” Working with the MPTF team, including Wilson Wong and Sylvie Madore from Recreation and Activities and Debra Mancuso from Hospitality, Robert came up with the idea of turning the Country House’s dining room into a New York supper club. “The funny thing,” he says, “is people in L.A. don’t know what a supper club is, but every movie used to have one in it!” Our Volunteer Engagement Manager, Holly Spiegel, worked with volunteer Elena Arroy from Local 706 – The Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild, to bring in volunteer members to beautify the residents for a night of joy glamor.
“Seeing the people, especially the ones from Long Term Care and Harry’s Haven, show up really did it for me,” Robert says of the evening which led to plans for our first New Year’s Eve Ball on December 31, 2025, complete with watching the ball drop live from New York and expanding the space into the Country House lounge. Looking ahead, Robert also wants to pull together a Senior Prom, complete with boutonnieres and corsages! Find out more about living at MPTF here.
