Back in 1975, Gerald Rudolph Ford was sitting as president of the United States, Philip W. Noel was Rhode Island’s governor, and the Boston Red Sox won 95 regular season games before losing the World Series to the Cincinnati Reds.

That same year, Lorie Martel was a banquet manager at the Holiday Inn, and Joe Polisena was a member of the Johnston Fire Department.

Times, they have indeed changed.

Lorie Martel is now Lorie DeVito, the long-serving president of the Manton Seniors. Polisena served as a state senator and is now in his third term as mayor of Johnston.

Sunday, DeVito and Polisena shared the spotlight, as the Manton Seniors of Johnston celebrated their 40th anniversary during a gala dinner-dance and induction of officers ceremony at the famed Twelve Acres in Smithfield.

With the Calamari Brothers providing a marvelous musical backdrop and the sold-out crowd chatting about the impressive table settings, DeVito quietly queried: “Where did those 40 years go?”

Moreover, as the long-serving Manton Seniors president said: “Many people always ask how the organization began. Well, it was organized by Alex Morelli simply as a place where seniors could enjoy the camaraderie of their peers, and founded in 1975 and chartered by then Secretary of State Robert F. ‘Bobby’ Burns.”

Today, many similar social organizations are either folding up or losing members at a rapid pace, but not the Manton Seniors – which people like Polisena and others said Sunday is the state’s top-rated senior citizen organization, and which DeVito noted “is made up of people from all walks of life and towns and specializes in themed dinner dances, interesting monthly meetings and even bowling leagues.”

“Today is truly a special occasion,” said Polisena, who served as the event’s emcee and later inducted a veteran group of officers headed by DeVito. “This is an incredible milestone. Think about how this independent group has stayed together for 40 years and is still as strong as ever.”

Polisena went on to say: “This group has done a lot for the community and I want to personally congratulate Lorie DeVito for being the glue, the driving force keeping this important and wonderful group together for four decades.”

Polisena – who was a friend of DeVito’s late husband William “Billy” DeVito, who succumbed to a battle with cancer several years ago – went on: “We are all thankful for the extraordinary job Lorie DeVito has done in leading the Manton Seniors.”

What’s incredible, people like long-time Manton Seniors member and one-time treasurer Tom Bianco will tell you, is that DeVito has served as the group’s president during the 25th, 30th, 35th, and now 40th anniversaries.

“I cannot believe that the Good Lord has continued my good health,” DeVito said, her voice cracking with emotion as she remembered her struggle with, and triumph over, breast cancer. “God has enabled me to keep going on with my work and to function in the capacity I love best.”

Polisena, who DeVito and company complimented for his “lively service as master of ceremonies and offering today’s prayer,” later told an attentive audience: “There’s no question this group has some of the best loyal members anywhere, and it’s safe to say the Manton Seniors’ future looks as bright as ever.”

The mayor, who was accompanied by his wonderful wife Lucille, installed DeVito as president, Mario Dalmazzi as vice president, JoAnn Krzyzek as treasurer, Mary Cerra as secretary, and Rose Coppola as corresponding secretary.

One of Sunday’s most memorable moments came when each and every Manton Senior – and his or her guests – arrived at Twelve Acres and saw the 40th anniversary program book that featured the names of two dozen former officers and dedicated members like Krzyzek, who chaired the project, as well as committee members Irene Calicchia, Graclyn Travison, Laura Morrocco and Mary Cerra, who worked tirelessly to produce what Polisena called “a real and genuine masterpiece of history.”