Seniors picnic in the park

West Milford — So it was a little cold and windy. West Milford’s seniors are made of hearty stock and a pre-fall chill in the air did not stop them from coming out to the yearly picnic at Bubbling Springs Park last week. Nothing, it seems, comes between a senior, a bingo game and a barbeque lunch. Gail Anderson, director of Community Services and Recreation’s Office of Older Adult Services, reported that approximately 70 people attended the outing. Anderson said the popular event has been held annually for the last 21 years. Formerly it was held in June, before the lake opened up to the public. Newer events such as the Senior Olympics and the Senior’s Prom in June have pushed the picnic to September now, after the lake is closed for the season. The picnic started off with coffee, donuts and bingo. By lunch time, the aroma of sizzling hamburgers and hot dogs filled the fresh mountain air. And that same fresh air obviously perked up the appetites of the guests as the 80 hot dogs, 80 burgers, 15 pounds of potato salad, macaroni salad, sausage and peppers and all the side dishes quickly disappeared. Milford Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center followed up with the dessert. Standing behind the buffet lunch tables under the trees, and being regularly pelted with acorns (an occasional “ouch” was heard), the meal was served by staff and volunteers. Among the volunteers was Councilwoman Marilyn Lichtenberg. “She’s a big help. She comes out to all our events,” Anderson said. Ninety-six year old Elsie Powers was in attendance. Cool weather did not keep this active senior at home. Although she said she doesn’t go out too much her schedule seems pretty full. “They have a wonderful group, everyone gets along nicely. They come from all different areas of West Milford and people get to know each other,” Powers said. Another attendee, Kathy Foster, had a wonderful time. Her bingo table was lucky - and generous. If a player won twice they shared their prizes with others at the table who hadn’t won. Foster said she was a bit chilly, but enjoyed herself. She appreciates all that’s done for the seniors in West Milford. “I think we have more here than a lot of other places do. We should be grateful. Gail does a wonderful job,” she said. Doris Galvin, who works as a travel agent at Custom Travel in Wayne, makes sure she can take a day off when West Milford seniors have an event. “I work full time but take off for dances and picnics. I like being active and you have to keep doing things,” she said. “This is a nice group of people and I have the best of both worlds.” Watch the Messenger for upcoming senior events. The next big shindig will be the Christmas party on Dec. 15 at the Town Tavern. In the meantime there’s aerobics, tai chi, a bowling league, arts and crafts, floral design and more. For further information call Gail Anderson at 973-728-2871.