In The News:

For Marilyn Shuler, It’s Never Too Late to Dream

by Lisa Van Over
Times News Correspondent

Mooresville: The goal of Never Too Late of Indianapolis is a lofty one - its organizers want to grant 365 wishes a year. Bob Haverstick of Never Too Late said to achieve this goal, they need help from people who work with or know of elderly people and terminally-ill patients - especially those who have an unfulfilled dream.

Erin Canada, Activities Director for Miller’s Merry Manor Nursing Home in Mooresville asked her staff and residents to share their wishes and dreams. She placed a wish board in the activity room where residents could post their wishes. One resident, Marilyn Shuler, said she wished for big band music from the 1940s and asked for a band to come and play for her at Miller’s Merry Manor. She added that if the band knew any Guy Lombardo music, that would be even better since that was her favorite.

After some searching, Haverstick found a band from Greenfield, “Stone Soup Jazz Band.” On Sunday, April 20, Shuler and her family and friends enjoyed an afternoon of fun and entertainment. 

Don and Jackie Zalty of Stone Soup Jazz presented Shuler with the original sheet music from Guy Lombardo’s band entitled “Sweetheart on Parade.” Shuler was ecstatic. “I saw something I thought I’d never see,” she said. “I enjoyed the music so much! My niece, Julie Shuler, got me all new clothes, and I felt really special.”

Canada said Shuler’s gift was really a gift to the whole nursing home. The other residents and the staff enjoyed the music. Julie Shuler, Marilyn’s nephew, Chad Shuler, her great-niece, Miranda Shuler, her friend, Amanda Horneck and her sister-in-law, Diana Shuler, joined the Miller’s resident to see her wish fulfilled.

Haverstick said Never Too Late seeks financial support and in-kind donations of goods or services to make wishes happen for individuals. It is a 501(c)3 Public Charity with greater than 99 percent of all expenditures going toward helping seniors realize their dreams.

For more information, go to the website at www.nevertoolate.org. 

You can contact Haverstick at 317-823-4705 or by e-mail at stick47@aol.com.

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