Newtown Seniors

Celebrate Summer

Clear skies, bright sunshine and nary a hint of humidity greeted the dozens of senior citizens who gathered from the Newtown Senior Center and surrounding towns for the Annual Senior Summer Picnic at Dickinson Park Pavilion in Newtown on June 23.

From 10 am to 3 pm, friends came together to celebrate the advent of summer with food, drink, music, and dance.

The grills shimmered with heat and Senior Center members, handily aided by First Selectman Herb Rosenthal, flipped burgers and hot dogs by the dozens. The serving table, groaning with salads, side dishes, and desserts, ensured that not a soul would leave hungry.

“Look at all that food!” exclaimed one senior, surveying the bowls and baskets lined up the length of the table.

There was plenty of time for kicking up one’s heels, and many did just that, to the toe-tapping tunes spun out by Dennis Cots, John Hallenback, and Eric Kitik of The Country Callers from Shelton. The country western band has played for the senior’s summer event for several years, according to Mr Cot, and was welcomed back for each set last week with a rousing round of applause.

Said Marilyn Place, director of the Newtown Senior Center, “We just want to make sure everyone has a good time.”

From the looks of the smiling faces filling the pavilion, it seems that that was a guarantee made good.