Eighteen senior citizens over age 90 were honored by East Hampton Town with a proclamation at the American Legion Hall in Amagansett in a celebration of the town nutrition program’s 52nd year.
The parking lot was overflowing.
Inside, a handful of nonagenarians danced to “Superstitious” by Stevie Wonder and other hits of the ‘70s and ‘80s, which were absolutely blasting from two large speakers pointed at 15 round tables filled with the honorees and their loved ones.
Each year the town gathers for the “Over 90” party to celebrate the 90-and-over set, many of whom also participate in the nutrition program.
“In many ways, you are the heart of the community,” Councilwoman Cate Rogers told the room, as she handed out the proclamations. “It’s my honor
to stand here and say ‘Thank you’ to all of you.”
Doris Rodriguez, born March 8, 1927, is now the town’s oldest resident, at 99.
Frances Diange, Mary Fix, Ann Foster, Elizabeth Foster, Dorothy Friedman, Edward Galligan, Scott Jackson, Julia Kayser, Walter Klauss, Joe LaCarrubba, Pat LaCarrubba, John Ryan, Maryam Seley, June Tilley, Rita Wasserman, Joan Werbel, and Janet Wood also received proclamations.
“It’s the attack of the walkers,” joked one man as the celebrants gathered for a photo. “Now let’s see you get up,” joked another, as Diane Patrizio, the director of the Human Services Department, which oversees the nutrition program, knelt in front of the seniors for the picture.
After the photo was taken, a song from ABBA roared.
