Nunnawauk Meadows, a private housing community for seniors and those with disabilities, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The first section of apartments, and the clubhouse, were built in 1976 — since then, the community has been expanded three times. Now, the community at 3 Nunnawauk Road has 134 apartments and about 140 residents.

On Wednesday, May 6, Nunnawauk Meadows’ Board of Directors decided to throw a spaghetti dinner to celebrate the milestone. The idea, however, is not new.

Nunnawauk Meadows’ Board President Rick Mazzariello began the night, welcoming everyone in and sharing a few words. He said, “One of our original executive directors, Frank DeLucia, is here [and had] actually started the spaghetti dinner. Some of you may remember it, maybe. So, we wanted to try to resurrect that tradition as well as maybe some others this year. We’re looking forward to it.”

The other board members introduced themselves and then dinner was served. Dinner was supplied by Pizza Palace and included spaghetti and meatballs, salad, and dinner rolls.

About 45 residents attended the dinner and were joined by First Selectman Bruce Walczak. Walczak was invited to the dinner and noted that he was happy to go. It was his first time in the clubhouse.

Mazzariello told The Newtown Bee that this old tradition lost momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic, like most things. The inability to meet as a group hindered Nunnawauk Meadows’ activities, but the board is looking to bring the spaghetti dinners, as well as a few other traditions, back into the spotlight.

Board member Rich Simoneau said, “They used to do the spaghetti dinners very frequently … [We want] to revive this kind of involvement.” Simoneau added that the board wants to plan a barbecue for the residents and hopes to have a new pavilion structure outside for residents to enjoy.

The staff is also working on obtaining the proper licenses and certifications needed to use the commercial kitchen within the clubhouse in hopes that more dinners can be planned at no cost to the residents.

Frank DeLucia, former first selectman and executive director of Nunnawauk Meadows, said he started the spaghetti dinners because “we wanted to have social activities.” He confessed that his wife was the one who suggested the idea.

DeLucia was happy to see the dinners come back. “I think it’s wonderful … [the dinner] brings them all together.”

Plans for more events in the future are in motion within Nunnawauk Meadows’ Board of Directors. Mazzariello and Simoneau hinted at participating in Newtown’s Labor Day Parade to further recognize 50 years of the community, but are not sure what that will look like yet.

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Reporter Sam Cross can be reached at sam@thebee.com.