About 220 seniors attended the mayor’s annual holiday senior luncheon at the Annapolis Senior Activity Center on Dec. 11.
The day before the luncheon ABC2 News reported more than 130 weather-related delays and closings. Not knowing how much time they would be working that day, office support staff Mary Crowner came in early to join custodian Gary Matthews in preparing for the Christmas luncheon. It took the two about three hours, from 6:30 – 9:30 a.m., to complete the preparations.
On the day of the event, the weather was sunny and in the 30s-- no precipitation to deter the seniors who turned out to meet Annapolis Mayor Mike Pantelides.
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Pantelides recalled having visited the center with his grandmother and said it was wonderful to see so many people there.
Alderwoman Sheila Finlayson assured the seniors that “We are here to serve you.”
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Harry Latimer, president of Annapolis Seniors, Inc., a nonprofit organization that serves as a friend to the center, thanked all the volunteers for their work at the center.
Annapolis Senior Activity Center member Beatrice Smith welcomed the mayor to the center. She told him, “This is our playground, and we have a good time here.” She also said, “Please don’t forget us, the seniors, Mr. Mayor, when budget time comes round.”
The oldest senior attending the luncheon was Sadie Harris at age 103. To join the center, people must be age 55.
As the seniors settled down to lunch, special thanks were given to Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Lambda Delta Sigma Chapter (Anne Arundel County and Annapolis alumnae), the Annapolis Recreation and Parks Department, WE CARE & Friends, area businesses and restaurants, the Annapolis Transit and the Department of Aging and Disabilities Transportation Program, and the contributions of other City of Annapolis and Annapolis Seniors, Inc., volunteers.
Good food was followed by good music as Mooney Day of the Bates Jazz Ensemble sang “Let the Good Times Roll.” With tables packed with seniors from the Front Desk to the stage, it seemed improbable that seniors would find space to dance, but some did.
Between sets, Becky Batta, director of Senior Center Operations and the Annapolis Senior Activity Center, read a poem she’d composed about the center and the seniors.
Then, 25 door prizes that were solicited from area businesses by Mary Crowner, were given to the seniors.
The second set featured such favorites as “Mustang Sally,” “Blue Christmas,” “The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You)”, “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”
Mooney Day ended the performance with a big “Ho! Ho! Ho!” Left behind were feelings of Christmas cheer and peace and good will toward men.
