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Do You Remember The Shivaree?

Connie Michaelis, Marketing Consultant for The Piper Assisted Living and Memory Support

My Mother, who would have been 102 years old this year, used to talk about the fun they had creating housewarming parties for newlyweds called a Shivaree. It was a combination of a welcome to the neighborhood party and some ornery friends creating havoc upon return from the honeymoon. Things like short-sheeting the bed, unrolling the toilet paper, stealing the light bulbs were the not-so endearing gags they played. It was all in good fun, and it really meant that the friends were happy for the new couple. Most importantly, it came with a fridge full of home-cooked food and some lovely housewarming gifts. Although the word Shivaree is not used today, the sentiment of a housewarming is still alive.

The philosophy of The Piper is really an expression of the warmth of housewarming. The origin of this custom is from medieval times, long before central heat. Each guest would bring cut wood and build a fire in the fireplace to create the warmth, then leave plenty of wood for the season. What makes a house a home for us today? Margaret Fuller, a 19th century author, said, “A house is no home unless it contain food and fire for the mind as well as the body.” Home is as much an emotional experience as a physical one. At The Piper, we understand that it takes a lot more to create a home than a physical structure, no matter how beautiful. We put as much, or more, thought and planning to create ‘food and fire for the mind’ for our household members. The Piper is not an institution; it is home full of warmth! Call us at 913.400.7006 to experience the difference!