Newtown Senior Center

Rings In The Holidays

By Nancy K. Crevier

Friends and family of Newtown Senior Center members, including members of the Bethel Senior Center and Nunnawauk Meadows’ residents, joined with them in celebrating the holiday season, Tuesday, December 13, at the annual Holiday Party, held this year at Capellaro’s Grove in Bethel. Also joining in the festivities were Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra, Selectman Will Rodgers, and Ann Piccini, director of Newtown Social Services.

A new venue this year for the Senior Center, Capellaro’s Grove provided an intimate setting for the 110 revelers who gathered there from 11 am to 3 pm, dancing and dining, and chatting animatedly with friends. Dominating one side of the banquet room was a tall evergreen, glowing with tiny white lights and decorated with maroon, gold, and white ornaments, a color theme carried throughout the room where tables were dressed in white linens with maroon napkins, and equally colorful centerpieces. On the opposite wall from the tree, hung high above it all, a large, pinecone-studded wreath balanced the festive look.

Marilyn Place, senior center director, said she was pleased at the good attendance, and noted that by hosting the party in Bethel, rather than the Monroe venue of the past several years, members were able to take advantage of SweetHART bus service, as well as the Senior Center van, to get to and from the event.

Hot and cold hor d’oeuvres, eggnog, and hot mulled cider were set out on a beribboned table wrapping around the Christmas tree, whetting the appetites of partygoers. Those not lined up for premeal goodies, lined up to buy a ticket for the 50/50 raffle, or for a chance to win a handmade Christmas afghan, or one of two gift baskets.

“We’re just having such a good time,” said Newtown Senior Center member Phyllis Fives, as she stepped from the dance floor. She and Bill Thiessen were among the many dancers who took to the spacious dance floor, enjoying the music provided by one-man-band Vinnie Carr, from Branford. Mr Carr set the upbeat tempo of the afternoon with his music that included classic holiday tunes like “White Christmas” and plain old classics like “I Could Have Danced All Night” — an appropriate melody for June Hanna and Larry Schneider, who found themselves on the dance floor more than seated at their table.

“We met at a ballroom dancing class,” said Ms Hanna, who has taken classes at both the Newtown and Southbury Senior Centers, “and we have been dancing ever since! It’s great fun, and great exercise.”

Bob Sharpe, van driver for the Newtown Senior Center, and Kevin Parker, attending with his mother, Marie, added a bit of Santa cheer to the party. Mr Sharpe donned a festive stocking cap, and was pleased to show off its features: blinking lights and a bobbing cap tip. Mr Parker’s Santa hat was more conventional, a long red and white stocking cap tipped with a pom-pom, but it brought smiles and laughter to all those with whom he visited.

Before diners were served with salads and invited to the buffet in the adjoining room, where they chose from slow-roasted whole tenderloin, walnut and apple-stuffed chicken, poached salmon with dill buerre blanc, or penne with broccoli and roasted red peppers, as well as mashed potatoes and vegetables, Ms Place offered a holiday toast to all. To wishes of joy, and a season “rich with laughter of friends,” she added her desire that all celebrate good health and happiness in the year to come.

“It’s always such fun to see everyone here, all of our members and all of our many friends from Newtown,” said Ms Place.

A slide show of the 2011 Newtown Senior Center Holiday Party can be viewed at www.newtownbee.com.