Seniors Celebrate The Season

By Nancy K. Crevier

The Annual Senior Center Christmas Party was held Thursday, December 8, at the Fireside Inn. Elegantly dressed in holiday clothes that gleamed and glistened with rhinestones and sequins, more than 200 senior citizens from the Newtown Senior Center and surrounding towns gathered for dining, dancing, and fellowship from 10 am to 3 pm.

Door prizes, raffles of homemade goods made by seniors in Newtown and Brookfield, and a gift for everyone added to the feeling of good will that pervaded the banquet hall. Plenty of Santa’s helpers were available to shepherd guests to their tables and assist in the purchase of raffle tickets. There was no mistaking who the elves were, either, with polka dot tights, stocking caps, pointy shoes, and tunics of bright red and green to set them apart. Santa and Mrs Claus were even able to tear themselves away from the North Pole this busy time of year to make a special appearance at the senior’s celebration. It was not clear, however, if jolly old St Nick was adding to or subtracting from the “naughty” list that draped from his belt loop.

The Fireside Inn provided a delicious meal, ranging form Seafood Newburgh to Beef Bourguignon, but before that, tunes by The Country Gentlemen, John Hallenbeck on bass, Denny Cots on guitar and lead vocals, and Tom Reilly on steel guitar, lured dancers to the floor. Whether taking part in line dancing led by Lynn Flanders or taking a spin with that special someone, participation was steady as Christmas songs with a country flavor mixed with classic melodies.

Arlene Farrell, director of the Brookfield Senior Center, and Marilyn Place, Newtown Senior Center director, were thrilled by the level of participation, and said that this year’s gala was the largest they had hosted in the 18 years the party has been held outside of the Senior Center’s Riverside location.