Northampton Council on Aging

On Thursday, May 24, the Northampton Council on Aging held its13th annual “Party in the Park” at Look Park in Florence. The event celebrates Older Americans Month and features a special tribute to individuals turning 100 years old and older. Citations were awarded to the centenarians from offices of State Rep. Peter Kocot and Secretary of State William Galvin. The day’s festivities also included a picnic lunch courtesy of the local Elks Lodge, entertainment by Ed Knowlton, a variety of door prizes, assistance from members of the JFK Middle School Student Council, and birthday cake for all. Many area businesses also donated food and other items for the event including KFC of Hadley, Bluebonnet, Nuttleman’s Florist, Stop & Shop, Big Y and McDonald’s.

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Students from JFK Middle School work on party preparations with help from Council on Aging Program Coordinator Diana Damon, volunteer Don Moran and Staff Assistant Isabel Thrutchley.

NCOA Board Member Bob Montague helps with the decorations.

Council on Aging Volunteer Supervisor Valerie Lavender, NCOA Handyman Bill Hubbard and volunteer Susan Granetz help to check in party guests.

Members of Elks Lodge 997 grill up hamburgers and hotdogs for the picnic lunch.

Partygoers enjoy their lunch, which also included potato salad, coleslaw, potato chips, pickles, lemonade, coffee and cake.

Ed Knowlton provided the day’s musical entertainment.

Party attendees included, from left to right, Arthur Colepaugh, Northampton Mayor Mary Clare Higgins, NCOA Board of Directors Chair Michael Ahearn Jr., and his wife Pat Ahearn.

State Rep. Peter Kocot poses for a picture with Rosina Rogers, who turned 102 earlier this year.

Harry Petrucci, of the Secretary of State’s office, presents a citation to Ruth Hudgins who will be 100 later this year.

Well over a hundred people came out for this year’s Party in the Park.

Council on Aging Director Patricia Shaughnessy and City Councilor Marianne LaBarge give out door prizes.

NCOA volunteers Vivian Eastman and Terry Jacinski show off the door prizes they won - baskets of flowers.