MONROE- Woman has a passion for hobbies
By: Al Wicklund
MONROE Virginia Brazil has been fascinated by carousel horses since she was a lively, little girl.
Now, at age 78 and still lively, a long-time dream has been fulfilled.
Ms. Brazil not only has a carousel horse, but it’s an important part of the decorative items in her apartment at The Residence at Forsgate, an assisted-living community on Forsgate Drive.
"It’s the first thing I see every morning when I wake up," she said recently.
Ms. Brazil said the horse cheers her up and, while it surely does start her day on the right note, she’s one of those people whose energy and cheerfulness multiply themselves as she goes through her day among her neighbors and friends at the Residence at Forsgate.
Ms. Brazil, who will turn 79 in June, has become friendly with another lively resident, Sandy Shaw.
Ms. Shaw used to be a dancer a rockette and Copa girl, dancing in spectacular shows at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall and the Copacabana night club and now she and Ms. Brazil are working on getting other residents involved in some theatrical productions the two of them are cooking up.
Ms. Brazil has always been active. She was in the U.S. Navy in World War II. A journalism graduate of the University of Miami, she worked in public relations and newspaper jobs in Florida.
She has the habit of working on her many other interests wherever she goes, including her painting and playing the electric organ.
When it comes to music, she’s not locked in the past. She prefers the vitality of today’s music.
"Old music is the dead people’s channel," Ms. Brazil said.
She also has her favorite things that she has collected and takes with her when she moves.
Among the things she treasures and keeps with her bringing them here from her previous place in Florida are a colorful area rug, a black and gold oriental buffet (sideboard or cabinet) and realistic stuffed animals.
Now, her collection has a new prize, the blue and gold carousel house on its black base.
"My daughter found the horse at a flea market. It’s a genuine antique. We were told that a little girl enjoyed it in her room until she went off to college and told her parents they could sell it.
"Now, I just love having it in my apartment at The Residence," she said.
For Ms. Brazil, that horse plays a role in making a house (an apartment) a home.