Senior Center to host back-to-back parties

TASTY TREATS: Rumor has it that the always-popular Zeppoles that Golden Crest Nursing Center has donated for previous JSC St. Joseph’s Day Luncheon will make their return on March 19 courtesy of Sales/Marketing Director Linda Giorgio who holds a tray of the caloric creations with Dietary Manager Brenda Martin during last year’s party. (Sun Rise photo by Pete Fontaine)

Posted Thursday, March 8, 2018 11:58 am

By Pete Fontaine

They’ll be wearin’ the green mixed with orange and white as well as red inside the highly-active Johnston Senior Center on March 16 and 19.

It’s that time of year when the JSC hosts its fun and food-filled St. Patrick’s Day and St. Joseph’s Day celebrations that people are saying may be the best back-to-back luncheon parties in recent memory.

For starters, it’s expected that Jean D’Arezzo, the JSC’s popular Activities Assistant who doubles as Sunshine Secretary, will again put her personal stamp on decorations that have become her trademark for themed holiday since she assumed her present post when Marie Vendetti retired a few years ago.

Jean always does a great, great job with our decorations,” Tony Zompa, the JSC’s Executive Director, said. “She always has unique table top center pieces and other decorations that create a festive atmosphere for the day’s celebration.”

Dietary Manager Brenda Martin, who will again be backed by a number of the JSC’s volunteers, has the perfect menu for those folks who’ll help celebrate the highly-popular Irish and Italian heritage holidays.

In fact, Zompa, Martin and other JSC officials have asked that those planning to attend the St. Patrick’s Day Party on Friday, March 16 and St. Joseph’s Day event on Monday, March 19 are asked to make reservations as early as possible in order that the kitchen crew can plan accordingly.

“We’ll begin the St. Patrick’s Day luncheon with pea soup,” Martin said. “Then, it’s the traditional corned beef with mustard, seasoned boiled potatoes, carrots and cabbage medley with rye bead and lime jello for dessert.”

She said the St. Joseph’s luncheon will include pasta fagioli, Italian sausage, seasoned shells, peppers and onions, garlic roasted roll, and Spumoni ice cream.

“There could also be a few special surprises,” said Millie Santilli, the JSC’s Assistant Director who works tirelessly to ensure the success of every event the nationally-accredited center hosts.

When asked if the always-popular Zeppole’s will make a return visit for St. Joseph’s Day, Santilli smiled saying “only time will tell.”

In past years, the JSC has also held interesting raffles in conjunction with both holiday luncheons that will begin at 11 a.m. or thereabouts on March 16 and March 19.

Meanwhile, people like Zompa, Santilli and Center Coordinator Denise Bell were recently talking about other “food subjects” while announcing that the JSC’s annual Food Drive is officially underway and urged people to stop by the Center and make a donation of non-perishable food items that people can simply place in a container that’s located inside the lobby at 1291 Hartford Avenue.

“March is also nutrition month,” said Santilli. “We will be providing many nutritional quizzes which are intended to promote a better knowledge of nutrition.”

To which Zompa said, “Spring is almost here! Most of us can’t wait for warmer weather. I believe the official date for spring to being is March 21 and we’re glad there are only a few more weeks of winter.”