GrandPals

GrandPal Achilleas Antoniades

Ella Leving • May 14, 2024

Achilleas Antoniades — “This is not going to be a long story. It will be just enough to convey my love for these two little boys, whom I had the great fortune to read to this past year at Riverside.”

My little friends Shaham and Vince
“First, it was Shaham, the son of immigrants from Bangladesh. I knew I was going to like him the moment I saw him. He was enthusiastic, talkative, smart, and interested in everything. He had something to say about everything, even though it did not always jive with reality. That’s fantasy, the world of a small boy. He interrogated me about all subjects that came up in our books. I was there to answer. I don’t know if I satisfied his fiery imagination, but the exchange was lively. So lively, I had to try hard to keep him interested in the story we were reading. He had his own take on stories, and once he got going, I couldn’t stop him.

Shaham is going to go places. I know it. He will not sit idle for a moment. He will talk his way through anything. How can you not miss interaction with this fantastic human being? I certainly will.

Then it was Vincent, who joined us halfway through the year. A quiet boy with long blond hair, you could not guess he was a recent immigrant from Brazil. Quiet but smart, his eyes were slowly burning with interest, inquiry, and intrigue.

He was a lovely boy. I would be happy to have him as my real grandson. I didn’t see him much, but I was so happy he recognized me one day when he and his parents met me at McCaffrey’s. He was a delight to read to and such a contrast to Shaham. I will miss them both.”

  • GrandPals

    GrandPal Deb Pillow

    Deb Pillow, originally from Michigan and with a background in teaching and storytelling, found her perfect fit in GrandPals after moving to Princeton from Arizona...

    Ella Leving • Mar 27, 2025

    READ MORE
  • GrandPals

    GrandPal Bob Swierczek

    Bob Swierczek, a United States Navy veteran, resides in Princeton, where he selflessly dedicates his time to various volunteer roles. He serves as a crossing...

    Ella Leving • Mar 25, 2025

    READ MORE
  • GrandPals

    GrandPal Christine Piatek

    Christine Piatek was a GrandPal at Littlebrook School before the pandemic and eagerly rejoined when the program returned in full swing. Before retiring, she worked...

    Ella Leving • Mar 20, 2025

    READ MORE
  • Open Doors

    Frances

    Frances: A heart full of dance and joy in Princeton We’ve had the pleasure of seeing Frances at the Suzanne Patterson Building’s Nutrition Program, and...

    Ana Carolina González-Peña • Mar 18, 2025

    READ MORE
  • GrandPals

    GrandPal Frank McBrearity

    Frank McBrearity is pursuing a degree in MGA (Master’s of Grandparent Administration) and spreading joy one fist bump at a time.   I believe I...

    Ella Leving • Mar 13, 2025

    READ MORE
  • Open Doors

    Patrick Ryan

    Embracing Life and Connections: The Story of a Global Adventurer in Princeton Meet Patrick Ryan, a spirited Princetonian whose adventurous spirit and love for life...

    Ana Carolina González-Peña • Jan 15, 2025

    READ MORE
  • Open Doors

    Rosetta Bruce

    Rosetta Bruce: Embracing community and connection “I’m Rosetta Bruce. For many years, I’ve been involved with the Center for Modern Aging Princeton. Hosting lunches and...

    Ana Carolina González-Peña • Dec 19, 2024

    READ MORE
  • EmpowerHer

    EmpowerHer Speaker Series: Suzanne Ngo-Mandong

    Leadership in action: Suzanne Ngo-Mandong and the global fight for equity EmpowerHer, a series amplifying the voices of transformative women, welcomed Suzanne Ngo-Mandong to its...

    Ana Carolina González-Peña • Dec 16, 2024

    READ MORE
  • Rhythms and Roots

    Rhythms and Roots – “Khruangbin”

    Rhythms and Roots: A Musical Journey with Nick Khruangbin, A Global Musical Journey As part of our ongoing Rhythms and Roots series, this October, Nick brings us...

    Ana Carolina González-Peña • Oct 07, 2024

    READ MORE

BE THE FUEL

MAKE A DONATION TODAY

Your generosity is truly the fuel that empowers CMAP to change lives and to help older adults discover their “why!”

We invite you to donate to the 2023–2024 Annual Giving Campaign by June 30 to help us reach our goal.