Seniors program marks the end of summer

Marie Zecca fussed with her hair and grabbed her lipstick when she heard her picture would be taken.

“Don’t worry about the lipstick, it’s for the newspaper,” said Terry Kaszubski. “You won’t be able to see it — black and white.”

Zecca applied the rouge anyway. The women sat at a table under in the pavilion next to the Valley Stream Community Center at Arthur J. Hendrickson Park on Aug. 26, where the Silver Threads Senior Program held its summer finale party.

The event featured a DJ, food, drinks and a cake, which was brought out by Mayor Ed Fare and Hempstead Town Councilman Bruce Blakeman.

Diane Johnson said she’s been going to the pool for 49 years, and visiting the Community Center for 20 years for card games, parties and other activities.

“It’s improved a great deal,” she said of the pool and Community Center facilities. Johnson said the program offers seniors the opportunity to socialize and stay active, especially for those who have lost spouses and other loved ones.

“You can come five days per week if you wanted,” she said.

Terry Kaszubski said the program is a great place to meet new friends. She said the regulars try to make new visitors feel welcome, and while not everyone who tries it sticks with it, those who do return find that it becomes a big part of their lives.

“It’s like a home away from home,” she said, “and then you’re not alone.”