“Events like this never get old,” Carmino DeRobbio said. “This place is full of excitement.”
DeRobbio, who serves as director of building security at the Johnston Senior Center, issued that statement last Friday amid the music and merriment of what may have been the facility’s best Nifty Nineties celebration yet.
From the time officials welcomed residents age 90 and over until the three-dozen-plus seniors finished their barbecue chicken dinner, the center made each and every moment of the annual bash special.
For starters, each and every member of the Nifty Nineties group received a flower courtesy of Super Stop & Shop of Johnston upon their arrival. They were immediately greeted by assistant director Millie Santilli, center coordinator Denise Bell, and program coordinator Ellen Trementozzi.
Ladies like special services staffers Madeline Ravenelle and Amy DeBiasio, receptionist Cathie Jeffrey, and dining room hostess Grace D’Andrea helped make the guests feel like royalty.
Likewise, Linda M. Giorgio, director of marketing and public relations for Golden Crest Nursing Centre in North Providence, went above and beyond her usual classic contribution to a Johnston Senior Center event.
“We can’t thank Linda and the Pezzelli family that owns and operates Golden Crest Nursing Centre enough for their extraordinary contribution to today’s program,” Santilli said. “Those people are wonderful. They always go above and beyond for our events and guests.”
Giorgio enlisted the services of Diane Miller Photography, which is located on Reservoir Avenue in Cranston, to set up a special studio and take a portrait of each and every Nifty Nineties participant. In some cases, Miller included husbands, wives, sons, and daughters.
Miller, who was assisted by her daughter-in-law Alyson Miller, made each and every photo shot special and later presented each member of the elite club with the special photograph courtesy of Golden Crest.
As each of the Nifty Nineties group left the event, Santilli and senior center staffers presented them with a specially wrapped glass jar of candy in commemoration of their visit.
As for the Nifty Nineties, DeRobbio’s mom Catherine – as she did a year ago – enjoyed the day’s honor of being the oldest member of the unique group.
“Hey, mom’s three years younger than the oldest person here today,” Carmino DeRobbio quipped about his 98-year-old mother. “But really, she’s tied with [98-year-old] Angela McCord for being the oldest lady here.”
The day’s overall oldest honor went to Orlando Ricci, who at 101 years young still drives to the center each and every day for lunch and his card game with his legendary “lunch bunch.” He was accompanied by his daughter Elizabeth.
This year’s Nifty Nineties club included Hilda Adam, 90; Muffy D’Andrea, 91; Ann Baccari, 93; Angela Barletta, 93; Frances Cardillo, 95; Ann Celi, 90; Mary Cerbo, 94; Claire Cipriano, 93; Ruth DelSesto, 95; Margaret DiRaimo, 91; Catherine DeRobbio, 98; Florence DiMuccio, 93; William Dobbins, 90; Eugene Famligietti, 96; Joe Ferino, 91; Hilda Giarrusso, Thersa Glunta, 97; Margaret Goneconte, 95; Angelina Lanzi, 96; Admando Lusi, 91; Pasquale Marrese, 95; Mary Marrese, 94; John Martino, 92; Angela McCord, 98; Marjorie Oxley, 94; Florence Prior, 96; John Prior, 94; Orlando, Ricci, 101; Alice Saccoccio, 92; Dr. Domenic Vavala, 91; Anna Venditelli, 91; Emily Ventura, 91; Vincent Zabbo, 90; and Connie Laorenza, 90.
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