BY KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer
OLD BRIDGE — It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
With a festive Santa’s hat and bright red sweater, Joan Brand, a resident at Carriage Pointe on – a 14-unit, 55-years-old and older senior housing complex on Route 516 – brings holiday cheer to her fellow neighbors by decorating their complex from top to bottom.
“I moved here in 1995 and from day one, I have decorated for every holiday and season,” she said. “I have always loved decorating. … I just enjoy it and I do it from my heart for everybody.”
With blessings from the property manager, Brand said she decorates the lobby with real wreaths, a small Christmas tree and bells. The smell of pine needles emanates from the wreaths.
Inside the hallway sits a large poinsettia and the second floor is decorated with large red bows and a “Seasons Greetings” sign. Outside there are also decorations.
“I start right after Thanksgiving,” she said. “I do it for all the holidays: Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Halloween, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and the seasons.”
Brand said she goes to various places for the decorations, including Christmas Tree Shop in Freehold and nearby farms.
Bruno added that it’s a time consuming process.
Neighbors Eileen Oliveri, who has lived at Carriage Pointe for six years; Jean Bruno, who has lived at the residence for 18 years; and Anne Apito, who has lived at the residence for 21 years, said they enjoy the decorations.
“It’s beautiful,” Oliveri said. “She (Brand) is very talented, energetic and dedicated.”
Apito said seeing the decorations makes her feel great about the upcoming holiday.
“They are so beautiful,” she said. “She (Brand) does it for every holiday.”
Brand’s daughter Denise Tierney said she came to help her mom this year with the decorations.
“She enjoys it,” she said. “I think it will become a tradition for me to come and help her.
Contact Kathy Chang at kchang@gmnews.com.
