SOUTHWICK – The Council on Aging center was rather busy on Wednesday morning as they hosted their annual Christmas party for seniors.
Around 100 seniors came to the event held in the dining area of the senior center. Festive decorations were hung throughout the entire dining area and a candy cane sculpture created by Council on Aging Director Cindy Sullivan was on display.
Hors-d’oeuvre’s were available at the beginning of the party and Tucker’s Restaurant provided the meals. In years past the Christmas party was held at Tucker’s but for the past four years, since Sullivan has been the director, the party has been at the senior center with Tucker’s doing the catering.
While seniors were picking at their appetizers and chattering about, several town and local officials arrived to help with the event.
Select Board members Russ Fox, Doug Moglin, and Joe Deedy were all present along with the town’s Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart.
Other town officials present included DPW Director Randy Brown, town clerk Michelle Hill, and Fire Chief Russ Anderson.
The first grade class from the Woodland School gets ready to sing for the seniors. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
On the state side, Sen. Don Humason and Rep. Nick Boldyga were also present.
A number of town officials were seen helping deliver salads and other food items from the kitchen to the senior’s seats in the dining room. It is an experience that the officials always enjoy participating in.
“We try to do more and more each year for our seniors,” said Fox. “This is a little way of the town repaying them for all they’ve done.”
“It’s always nice to see the seniors in town,” said Sen. Humason.
As there isn’t much snow on the ground, Humason always enjoys a holiday party where there is at least some snow on the ground.
“Things are in a Christmas frame of mind,” said Humason.
The seniors also got some live entertainment as a first grade class from the Woodland School in Southwick who sangs to those in attendance.
It was a great connection as the first graders have been pen pals with some of the seniors during this school year.
Superintendent of the Southwick-Tolland-Granville School District, Jen Willard, was also in attendance for the party and noted that she loves the bond that has been formed between the two generations coming full circle at the event.
“I just love seeing our schools giving back to the community,” said Willard. “There is this nice connection to the youth and the experience of our district.”
Select Board Chairman Russ Fox is all smiles as Select Board Vice-Chairman Doug Moglin and Clerk Joe Deedy help prepare the salad for the seniors. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
Barbara Mickna, who is a senior in town and regularly goes to the senior center, is always looking forward to the annual Christmas party.
“It is just fantastic,” said Mickna. “We have a good time every year.”
Mickna also added that the event allows the seniors to relax.
“We just kind of sit and enjoy, which is wonderful,” Mickna laughed.
Other activities were provided for the seniors during the event, including raffle prizes that were donated by businesses in town.
