Senior Center Picnic Heralds Summer

By Nancy K. Crevier

Newtown Senior Center members partied beneath the Dickinson Park pavilion Tuesday, June 12, from 11 am to 2 pm, at the center’s annual summer picnic. Red, white, and blue balloons bobbled in the warm breeze, complimenting the likewise-colored top hats sported by many of the partiers. The patriotic theme, said center director Marilyn Place, reflected on ongoing project that members of the Senior Center have undertaken this past year.

“We have been making cards and sending them to the soldiers overseas,” said Ms Place. “This theme is just a way to welcome the upcoming Fourth of July and to remember the guys over there.”

As has been the tradition for the past 16 years, music for dance and enjoyment was provided by The Country Gentlemen. Denny Cots, Larry Ace, and Greg Chasse provided toe-tapping tunes that had several people taking a spin around the dance floor.

As with any good picnic, tables groaned with a variety of salads, side dishes, pies, cookies, and cakes. Bowls of fresh fruit and pretzels quickly disappeared and thirsty throats were soothed by a plentiful supply of cool drinks served up by summer Senior Center assistant Erica Carino.

No picnic would be complete without hotdogs and hamburgers, of course. Phil and Shirley Orfino of Shelton staffed the sizzling grills, making sure that hamburgers were flipped and hot dogs perfectly grilled.

“It’s a great day,” said Senior Center member Florence DePalma, capturing the sentiments of all who had gathered to welcome the first days of summer.