Founding member of Brockton Symphony returns to her roots

Penacook’s “Tree of Dreams” makes wish come true for resident

HAVERHILL – Rebecca Carlson, 95, a resident at Penacook Place Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, ventured more than an hour away from Haverhill recently to attend a performance of the Brockton Symphony Orchestra – a wish she was granted through Penacook’s Tree of Dreams program.  But the excursion was really a trip back in time for Carlson, one of the orchestra’s founding members.

Carlson was a cellist who performed with the Brockton Symphony Orchestra from its founding in 1948 until 1995, when she was 85 years old. That’s when she made the move north of Boston to be closer to her family. When Penacook residents were asked to submit their dreams, Carlson said she’d like to return to the Brockton Symphony once again to view another performance.

“Rebecca was so excited when she found out it was going to happen that her face just lit up whenever she talked about it,” said Beth Torla, a rehabilitation technician at Penacook Place. “She had a wonderful time. We thought she might tire and we would have to leave early, but she wanted to stay.”

On  Nov. 13, during the orchestra’s first concert of the season, Carlson accepted a plaque, flowers and conductor’s baton from Paul Carchidi, chairman of the board of the Brockton Symphony Orchestra. She was honored before an audience of close to 500 people.

Carlson was one of the Brockton Symphony Orchestra’s five founding members. The first Brockton Orchestral Society Concert was held at Brockton High School on Nov. 16, 1948. Tickets were priced at 75 cents.

“We were awful glad when people finally recognized us,” Carlson said. “We thought at first that we were terrible. But then people loved us. What fun it was to get together and play the beautiful music.”

Residents at Penacook Place get the opportunity to have their wishes come true through the Tree of Dreams program. Other recent wishes that have been granted for residents include attending concerts, sporting events and enjoying special meals. Local businesses and individuals often help out with expenses associated with granting wishes. For example, Trinity Ambulance Service donated the transportation to transport Carlson to and from Brockton.

Penacook Place is a member of Second Wind Dreams, an international non-profit organization based in Alpharetta, Georgia, which is dedicated to enhancing the lives of those living in elder care communities through the fulfillment of dreams and innovative educational programs.

Located at 150 Water St., the 160-bed Penacook Place is the only not-for-profit nursing and rehabilitation facility serving the city of Haverhill. Penacook Place has a professional staff of 230 employees.