North Shore Living’s happy hour brings music, memories and connection

The “Grandparents’ Happy Hour” bill passed the Minnesota House 129-1 with overwhelming bipartisan support. Gov. Tim Walz signed the measure into law, and it took effect Aug. 1. The new law allows facilities like North Shore Living to provide alcohol to their residents without a liquor license.

When WTIP reached out to North Shore Living, staff said the facility had been hosting happy hour for nearly 30 years. The event often features music by Tom Novotny, who has been playing at assisted living facilities for about as long.

“My mom had to go into a nursing home because she had glaucoma to the point where she had to be in assisted care, and she wasn’t a real social person,” Novotny told WTIP.

Novotny decided to start playing the accordion at her facility to entertain the residents. He brought his daughters, who would socialize with residents while he played.

“The thing is, it got the residents something to talk to my mom about to make her feel welcome, because it was a commonality,” Novotny said.

Life eventually forced Novotny to take a break from playing accordion, but when he moved to Cook County, he reached out to North Shore Living to see if the facility would be interested in having him perform. Now retired, Novotny said the experience of playing at North Shore Living is a “dream come true.”

“I keep busy because during the week I keep working on new music,” Novotny said. “As I’m getting older — I’m going to be 73 in September — it’s just given me a reason to get up in the morning.

Dan Ryan, North Shore Living’s activities director, said he was surprised to learn about the long-standing tradition when he arrived at the facility.

“It also seemed like everybody was really excited about it. So I was eager to kind of see what was done, and I was even more surprised when I saw Tom playing the accordion,” Ryan said.

Novotny has become a regular fixture at North Shore Living. In addition to his accordion, he usually sets up speakers for accompaniment as he plays polkas and sings songs by artists such as Willie Nelson. Over the years, residents have begun making requests.

One resident, Ralph, particularly enjoys country and western music.

“When I was a teenager, back in the 1950s, I sang rock and roll, Bill Haley, Buddy Holly, you know, all that kind of stuff. And then I later on, when I got older, I kind of got into country western,” Ralph told WTIP.

For Ralph, happy hour provides a sense of normalcy in a place that can still feel unfamiliar.

“I can get over there, and I can listen to the music, and I can have a couple of cocktails, and I can listen, and I can feel like I’m doing what I did in my normal adult life, at least for an hour or two a week,” Ralph said.

Another resident, Charlene, sways back and forth to the music as Novotny plays. She said the music helps her feel at home.

“I loved to dance, and my husband and I went to every public dance there was to go to: anniversary dances, wedding dances, holiday dances, wherever there was music,” Charlene said.

Charlene broke her leg and, after two surgeries, knew she would be transitioning to North Shore Living. She has since found ways to help other residents to make the transition easier for herself.

“I always felt there was something I could do to help, and there is here,” Charlene said. “People’s shawls fall off, their slippers fall off. There’s always something for me to do. I worked for public health for 20 years, and that filled me up after my children were gone.”

Ralph has also tried to settle into life at North Shore Living, though he said it can be difficult at times.

“What I do is I talk to people here,” Ralph said. “I’ve been here a year and a half now, I’ve had five people that I befriended that died on me. You know, and I mean, and every time somebody dies, you can’t help but think, ‘Well, gee, that’s what I’m here for too, aren’t I?'”

Despite those losses, music remains an important part of Ralph’s life.

“I’ve always been into music. I got a piano in my room, even. Everyone knows me around here as being the singer,” Ralph said.

And Charlene still loves to dance.

“I absolutely love to dance, and I grab every opportunity. And just the rhythm makes me feel better,” Charlene said. “When I was five years old, my grandfather said, ‘I’m going to teach you how to dance, and here’s a good polka. Put your feet on my shoes.’ And I did, and he grabbed a hold of me, and he was six-foot two, and held me, and we danced, and I’ve danced ever since.”

You can hear more about North Shore Living’s Happy Hour in the audio feature below.

Josh Hinke August 24, 2026