Fishkill – July 1, 2010 – Theresa Laidlaw, 98, can recall quite clearly the fire that destroyed the Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge all those years ago. The story was covered in all the local papers in 1974.

Some 36 years later, Mrs. Laidlaw and 18 other residents of Elant at Fishkill Nursing Home & Rehabilitation Center – all of whom were in wheelchairs – were able to see first-hand the bridge’s rebirth, during a recent outing to the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historical Park.

The bridge, which re-opened in late 2009 to tourists, reaches 1.28 miles and connects Poughkeepsie and Highland. The residents, the oldest being 101, explored the entire span, with some help from Elant at Fishkill staff, family members, and volunteers who pushed the wheelchairs.

Once back on the Highland side, residents were treated to a complete picnic lunch of fried chicken, macaroni salad, and fresh watermelon.

“I think this was the best outing yet,” said Mrs. Laidlaw. “We saw how beautiful the river and the Hudson Valley are from way up high!”

A few months before the outing, Walkway Board of Directors President Fred Schaeffer made a presentation at the Elant at Fishkill campus about the bridge, offering background and historical information to residents.

“Our residents had heard about the Walkway before, but they were able to see it for themselves,” said Pat Usifer, Director of Activities for Elant at Fishkill. “It was really a special moment for all of us. They are still talking about it!”

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Elant, Inc., a community-based, not-for-profit organization, has been a part of the Hudson Valley healthcare landscape for the past 25 years. Its seven campuses, located across five counties, serve an estimated 3,500 people daily and provide sub-acute care and rehabilitation services, nursing home care, assisted living, adult day care, retirement community living, home health care, and a managed long-term care plan. Elant’s mission is to provide personalized, high-quality care and lifestyle options to persons of diverse generations, cultures, means, and needs.