It was somewhat fitting, many people suggested last Thursday morning inside the Johnston Senior Center’s multi-purpose room, when the Walk with Cops season finale was forced inside.
After all, back in May when the Johnston Police Department’s Community Policing Unit was about to launch the popular, weekly outdoor event inside Johnston War Memorial Park, rain wrought havoc with the schedule.
The first four Walk with Cops events were, as coordinator Marie Conti noted, rained out.
So when rain was forecast for last Thursday morning’s season finale, Conti conferred with Johnston Police Chief Richard S. Tamburini about the possibility of a postponement for one week or actually holding the event at the senior center.
“This was kind of ironic,” Tamburini said while greeting the town’s senior citizens, who have enjoyed the now award-wining series of events he launched 19 years ago just after becoming the town’s chief. “All our Walks are, of course, contingent upon weather.”
At one point last spring – when rain washed out the first month’s schedule – Tamburini said “people kept calling and saying, ‘Chief, it seems to be raining every Thursday; why don’t we change the day?’”
Last Thursday’s season finale being forced indoors didn’t dampen the spirits of those on hand, including Deputy Chief Dan Parrillo, Maj. Joe Razza, Capt. Thomas Dolan, Conti and special volunteers Robin D’Allesio or Cami Corrente.
Even Chris Giardina, the Explorers Post 405 advisor – who made up special T-shirts for staffers – was as excited as if the sun was shining.
“Today seems like one of those extra-special Walk with Cops,” Giardina said as he poured coffee for servers who again rolled out the red carpet for the town’s seniors. “Even the menu is extra, extra special.”
In addition to the usual coffee, muffins, Danish and donuts, Conti’s crew pulled out all the stops for the season finale by serving two kinds of breakfast sandwiches.
“We’ve got sausage and egg as well as bacon, egg and ham on English muffins,” Conti said while putting out the traditional display of raffle prizes. “I think the people really like today’s menu.”
Throughout the fun and camaraderie-filled event, the chief, Parrillo and Razza made their way throughout the jam-packed tables thanking each and every senior citizen for his or her participation this season.
“There’s no question the chief makes this special,” said Tony Zompa, the senior center’s executive director noted. “Our people really enjoy helping out as well.”
Thus, the customary after-breakfast walk around Johnston War Memorial Park with Tamburini and other Johnston officers was replaced by another heart-warming announcement the chief made to all the morning’s attendees.
“We’ve had another successful season of Walk with Cops,” he said. “The weather didn’t always cooperate, but everybody had fun. And for all you wonderful folks, there’s more fun on the way.”
Tamburini then announced that “you’re all invited to the Walk with Cops Thanksgiving Party right here on Thursday, Nov. 13, and our Walk with Cops Christmas party on Thursday, Dec. 11. Please come and join us and have fun. We’ll have coffee, pastry and raffles – and Santa will be here, too!”
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here