To say the Johnston Senior Center celebrated Christmas in an unusual manner would be an understatement.
The center, whose membership exceeds 3,600, held a number of holiday happenings over several days last week.
“Christmas is always a special time around here,” said Tony Zompa, the center’s executive director. “We begin with a tree lighting, then concluded with a party … it’s two days of fun for our members.”
And for some members and volunteers, it’s a two-day event highlighted by the annual trip to the La Salette Shrine Festival of Lights in Attleboro, Mass., and a concert featuring Father Pat.
The two-day celebration began last Thursday afternoon with light refreshments and the annual lighting of the tree. But this lighting was different, with two trees that were decorated by staff and volunteers.
After that, nearly 60 people boarded the center’s motor coach – the New Wave Express – driven by transportation director Ed Joseph for the trip to La Salette.
“Our people really love this time of year,” Zompa said. “And the Festival of Lights is just a beautiful spectacle that everyone should see.”
The center’s celebration continued last Friday with the annual luncheon, which was preceded by a heart-warming performance by children from Winsor Hill Elementary School.
“Those children were really, really cute and they all had such beautiful voices,” said Marie Venditti, the center’s activities director. “This visit really gets everyone in a special mood.”
Brenda Martin, the center’s dietary manager, then took center stage for the luncheon along with a group of highly-valuable volunteers who served the day’s luncheon that was prepared, in part, by center cook Joe Fanning.
The two-day custom wound up with Zompa issuing a special holiday greeting and going from table to table wishing people well during the holiday season and throughout the New Year.
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