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Mostly Cloudy Seniors gather for Oktoberfest feast at Valley Stream Community Center
About 30 Valley Stream seniors joined in a chorus of “Edelweiss,” the song Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein II popularized in the musical “The Sound of Music,” at the Valley Stream Community Center’s inaugural Oktoberfest on Oct. 25. There, they ate German food catered by Brancard’s Delicatessen, played Valley Stream trivia, won raffles and danced to German music.
“I think it’s great,” Marge Bates, who lives at The Meadows in North Valley Stream, said at the event. “The food’s delicious, the company’s great. What could you complain about?”
For Gayle Andersen, 73, it was her first time at a Silver Threads program even though she has lived in Valley Stream for 50 years. “I’m just starting to go to these things, and they do an amazing job, they really do,” Andersen said, adding that she was surprised that the raffles and entertainment were free for senior citizens.
The event was organized by SallyAnn Esposito, the manager of the community center who wanted to have a party for seniors in the community to enjoy every month. “I look forward to doing this for them because some of them live alone, so this is their way of celebrating a holiday,” she said.
To prepare for the Oktoberfest party, the community center employees made popcorn and organized raffle baskets. They also got desserts catered by the 7/11 on N. Central Avenue.
Mayor Ed Fare said he enjoyed the program, and was grateful to Esposito for organizing it. “I give her credit for innovation and always trying something new for our Silver Threads Senior Enrichment program to enjoy,” he said. “The event itself was quite festive and fun. Trivia and traditional German dancing were a great idea.”
The next Silver Threads event will be an early Thanksgiving dinner on Nov. 15. Seating is limited. To reserve a seat, contact SallyAnn Esposito at (516) 825-8571 or email vscomcenter@vsvny.org.
