Party Time Under Dickinson Park Pavilion––

Seniors Undaunted By

A Little Rain Falling

By Dottie Evans

What with the smoky aroma of hamburgers cooking on the grill, the mellow, toe-tapping tunes provided by the Country Gentlemen band, and the colorful red, white, and blue balloons decorating the Dickinson Park picnic tables, the Newtown Senior Center Annual Picnic held June 18 was a grand success despite wet weather.

“We’ll have it anyway,” said Senior Center Director Marilyn Place, when asked whether the rain would be cause for cancellation.

“We always have a good time and the food will be fantastic,” she said.

The seniors and their picnic guests may have left their lawn chairs and sunglasses at home, but the many who came seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves. They relished the chance to sit down together in a parklike setting and eat a picnic meal under the shelter of the Dickinson Park pavilion, not to mention play a hand or two of bridge when a foursome was found.

Several left their hot dogs half-eaten to stand up and join a group in the middle of the floor for a line dance, or they found a partner and made a twosome. It was almost impossible not to at least tap their toes to the upbeat guitar of Denny Cots and his Country Gentlemen. The group has provided music and entertainment for several Senior Center picnics in the past, “going back at least ten years or so,” Mr Cots recalled.

The main meal was provided by the Senior Center, and the desserts and snacks were contributed by those who attended.

Paul Orfino, who helped First Selectman Herb Rosenthal cook hamburgers and hot dogs, said this was not the first time he had come out to help with the Senior Picnic.

“I really enjoy doing this, putting out the hot food for the seniors. The mood is always happy and it’s just nice for people to eat a meal together outside, rain or shine.”