By Madison Butkus
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Westwood Council on Aging (COA) members gathered together this past Wednesday, March 13th to celebrate their annual Saint Patrick’s Day Luncheon. The Patricia Carty-Larkin Center was packed full with ecstatic seniors, ready to reign in the upcoming holiday in a very festive way.
Decked out in all shades of green, joyous beads and necklaces, and commemorative hats and ties, these Westwood seniors really went all out for this event! As everyone took their seats, each table was set up with beautifully crafted centerpieces, green table clothes, chocolate roses, candy bars, and chocolate goodie bags.
Before starting this luncheon, Director of the Westwood COA Lina Arena-DeRosa took the time to thank her fellow staff members, volunteers, board members, and sponsors for helping put together this incredible event. Seniors were then called, table by table, to be served a delicious, traditional lunch of corn beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, salad, and Irish Soda Bread. Volunteers walked around the function room, lending a hand to those seniors who needed help retrieving their lunches and drinks.
Whilst eating their lunch and talking amongst friends, seniors could enjoy music performed by local musician Roger Tincknell. He added his own touch of Irish flair as he played an array of pub songs and jigs, many of which the seniors danced and sung along to.
Once lunch had ended, three raffle winners were picked from a bag and won prizes like caramel corn popcorn, boxes of chocolates, and Dunkin Donuts Gift Cards. For those who still had room leftover from their tasty meal, a decadent dessert of homemade carrot cake was served. This was made by the amazing Chef Thi who often teaches cooking classes to these seniors at Powisset Farm.
As the event came to a close, seniors left with not only a full belly, but also with smiles on their faces. It can be said with ease that this Saint Patrick’s Day party put everyone in the holiday spirit, along with some Irish jigs stuck in their heads.
