BY FRANK RUBINO
Correspondent

He conjured a dove out of thin air, and drew a cardboard genie that moved its eyes and talked, but magician Valentine O'Connor's neatest trick was his disappearing act.

He made years vanish.

O'Connor shouldn't get all the credit, but his show Friday at the Immaculate Mary Nursing Home, 2990 Holme Ave., seemed to melt seven or eight decades between the two groups that composed his audience-27 little kids and about as many senior citizens, including 15 who don't live at the home but attend its Adult Day Program.

The show was part of that program's intergenerational project, which unites the seniors with 3-4 and 5-year-olds from nearby Trinity Lutheran Nursery School once every month for a day of fun and friendship.

Valentine performed for about 45 minutes, and nobody was seen demanding a refund. OK, the show was free. But the crowd seem to genuinely enjoy it.

"What's not to like?" asked 79-year-old Dorothy Egan. "It was entertaining, and the kids all enjoyed it." Then she laughed. "And I'm easy to please."

Anthony Varano and Tommy Trampe, a couple of 4-year-old avain experts, agreed with Dorothy. "I liked the (dove) best," Anthony said, as Tommy nodded in agreement.

And Grace Duross, 82, thought O'Connor's talent for mesmerizing the kids for nearly an hour was pretty magical in itself. "I thought he was really, really good," she said. "These kids are really smart, and he kept them interested."

The mingling of seniors and small children makes for more than cute photo opportunities, according to Holly London, director of the Adult Day Program. Alternately discussing the program and smiling at O'Connor's antics, London explained that the monthly get-togethers liven things up at the home.

"It's something our people look forward to," she said. "It brings something positive into their lives, and I think they find it delightful."

The 25 seniors who attend the program (some weren't there Friday) live with family members, but need additional social and medical support. The program provides it on weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.

"People want to keep mom and dad at home for as long as possible, and the program helps them to do that," London said. "It also gives the caregiver a break and some peace of mind during the day."

Back at the show, Florence Lucera, 91, was sitting away from the crowd because her arthritic knees were acting up. But her spirits were fine. She said that being around the children acts as a sort of substitute for her, since her great, great grandchildren live in different parts of the country.

A visitor asked Florence what a 91-year-old might tell a nursery schooler about the important things in life. "I would tell them to be polite and to be caring," she said after a moment of reflection. "I would tell them to be courteous and enjoy people."

If the number of smiles in the room was an indicator, Florence's advice was getting around.

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