Local senior citizens enjoyed a festive holiday mood on Sunday, December 15, when they gathered in the large activity room at the Newtown Community Center for a holiday party, this year jointly hosted by the Newtown Senior Center and Friends Of Newtown Seniors (FONS).

Unlike past Senior Center holiday parties, which were held at restaurants in the area, the seniors held the event at the Community Center, a town-owned facility at Fairfield Hills that opened earlier this year.

About 85 seniors attended the gathering, which was catered by Full Bloom Catering of Sandy Hook. Proprietor Dennis Bloom said the menu for the event included roast beef, chicken, mashed potatoes, fancy green beans, pasta primavera, and salad. Mr Bloom headed a kitchen staff of about a dozen, who prepared food for the party. The Community Center has a full commercial kitchen for food preparation.

As party guests ate and socialized at large circular tables, Master of Ceremonies Kevin Burland played holiday-themed music and made announcements.

On display along one wall of the room were a wide variety of raffle prizes, which had been donated for the party. Proceeds from the raffling of items will benefit Chore Services, a project of FONS.

Chore Services helps seniors accomplish various tasks at their homes, explained John Boccuzzi, Sr, FONS president. FONS is a local advocacy group for people age 55 and older who live in Newtown.

Following dinner, those attending watched as a group of seniors demonstrated their proficiency in synchronized dancing to a variety of music. The spacious, well-lit room provided a good environment for their performance.

Mr Burland also played some pulsating rock-and-roll tunes, sparking memories of the 1950s, a time when many of those attending the party were teenagers.