Serene Karplus, Nederland. He donned the custom leather vest signed by all sixty of the bikers that surrounded him and wrapped the bandana around his chemo-bald head. Grinning, he straddled the back of the big motorcycle and rode away in his honorary escort, his lifelong dream of 72 years finally come true. Two weeks later he died.

Nicole made that happen for her strong Sicilian father, whom she still considers her best friend. Her grandmother was a tiny vibrant woman who taught her how to cook, shared stories of the good old days, and was her dance partner at the elder’s sock hops. As she tells stories of those dear to her who have moved on, her heart melts. 

Nicole Cavalino’s passion for older adults began at an early age, pursuing education and careers that reached out to seniors and people with disabilities. Thanks to her, hundreds of people remain independent with renewed mobility.

After acquiring a bachelor’s degree in Integrated Physiology, she taught nutrition and meal planning to pre-bariatric patients at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. This launched her related private practice “Body Love”, teaching families how to plan and prepare healthy meals. She then continued her education with a Master of Science degree in adapted kinesiology, focusing on mobility rehabilitation.

As a manager with Mobility Management Partners, a non-profit organization that served older adults and people with disabilities, Nicole led the Los Angeles and Ventura County mobility training teams teaching the practical skills needed to safely navigate the public bus system. She developed multiple training programs while commuting to Nevada to care for her father during his battle with stage four lung cancer.

Her work with the mobility teams led her to present at the 2012 Annual Association of Travel Instructors conference in Boulder on the same weekend as Nederland’s High Peaks Art Festival. A lover of nature, art fairs and exploring new places, Nicole visited here, met locals, listened to live music and fell in love with Nederland. She purchased her home in Big Springs the following summer, and for a few years, commuted between her work in California and with Via in Boulder, along with her commitment to caregiving her father until he passed. 

In 2017, Nicole served as our town clerk, where she worked closely with the Board of Trustees, festival organizers, business licenses and elections. Soon she felt the pull of family and her love of working with older adults and left to connect with her sister and niece while continuing her career path in mobility. 

However, Niwot’s Curse prevailed, and she was drawn back to our beautiful mountains and the village that is truly home to her now. Her impeccable timing brought her back just as the 12-year Director of Nederland Area Seniors felt it was time to hand the reigns over to a fresh perspective. 

Nicole is thrilled to step into the position of program director of this vibrant and vital nonprofit organization, where she will manage the daily operations of the many services enhancing the quality of life for hundreds of local mountain seniors with nutrition, fitness, wellness, educational, cultural and social activities.

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All ages of adults are welcome at all events. Sign up for all meals and events at 303-258-0799. Meals are served at the Nederland Community Center. Please call two days ahead for lunch reservations (more for dinners and breakfasts if possible). Missed the deadline? Call anyway. Vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free are accommodated on advance request. Please note that all age 60+ are welcome at meals regardless of ability to contribute financially.

(Originally published in the May 23, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)