Rockville Centre seniors celebrate the new year at the Sandel Center

Mayor Francis Murray joins festivities featuring live music and dancing

Posted Friday, January 16, 2026 12:44 pm

Dancing into 2026, seniors enjoyed live music and good company during the Sandel Senior Center’s New Year celebration.

Melissa Baptiste/Herald

Rockville Centre Mayor Francis Murray, Sandel Senior Center Director Nancy Codispoti, senior Colleen Jinks, and Deputy Mayor Kathleen Baxley shared a moment at the Sandel Senior Center’s festive New Year celebration.

Melissa Baptiste/Herald

Bea Heaney, Bob Becchina, and Lucy DiSalvo took to the dance floor during the Sandel Senior Center’s New Year celebration.

Melissa Baptiste/Herald

Aruna Popad and Matiness Singh, standing, and Mary Schmitt, Emmy Negrete, and Mesibov Sandy, seated, enjoyed the New Year’s celebration at the Sandel Senior Center on Jan. 9.

Melissa Baptiste/Herald

Sandel staff members Melanie Abromowitz and Tami Patton, along with Sandel Senior Center Director Nancy Codispoti, helped make the New Year’s celebration possible.

Melissa Baptiste/Herald

Violet Corpus, joined by Laren M., Gaye B., and Fran Rosales, enjoyed each other’s company during the party.

Melissa Baptiste/Herald

By Brian Kacharaba

The Sandel Senior Center rang in the new year with a festive celebration, welcoming 2026 with music, dancing, and a strong sense of community.

Seniors gathered at the center for an afternoon party on that provided a cheerful and energetic start to the year. Live entertainment by Greg Parr served as the centerpiece of the celebration, filling the room with familiar favorites and upbeat rhythms.

Rockville Centre Mayor Francis X. Murray and Deputy Mayor Kathleen Baxley were also in attendance, joining the seniors in celebrating the new year on Jan. 9.

Beyond the music, the event offered plenty of time for conversation and connection, as friends caught up and new memories were made. The relaxed, celebratory atmosphere reflected the close-knit spirit that defines the Sandel Senior Center.

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