Senior Stars At Senior Center

By Nancy K. Crevier

Several members of the Newtown Senior Center took to the floor Thursday afternoon, August 13, to compete in the first leg of the Health Net/Medicare-sponsored Senior Stars karaoke program, under the direction of area musician Bob Mell. Two finalists and one alternate will be selected from the contestants to go on to regional finals in the fall, where they will be videotaped for YouTube for the final judging. Those winners will compete in December at the Miller Library in Hamden.

Mr Mell has been hosting the Senior Stars events since April at senior centers around the area, and will continue to do so through October 22.

At the Newtown Senior Center, Joe Previte, visiting from Bethel, led off the afternoon with a rendition of “Carolina in the Morning” that resulted in long and loud applause. Marianne Posser, whose performance of “Ring of Fire” had the whole crowd clapping along, followed him. “Grand Old Flag” was Marie Parker’s choice, and Dick Goodman crooned his way into the hearts of the audience with “The Way You Look Tonight,” also performed later by Phyllis Fives. Bea Piskura sang “I’ll Be Seeing You,” and Jayne Turner took on “It Might As Well Be Spring.”

Sy Dennerlein was yet another contestant, and when he began to belt out the “Marines Hymn,” the former Marine was joined by a cluster of other center members wanting to back him up.

“It’s a lot of fun and we’re hoping for some winners,” commented center director Marilyn Place.