Senior citizens enjoy special ‘prom’
By:Alec Moore
Hillsborough resident George Pierce was not shy about what he enjoyed most about Friday’s Seniors Prom, sponsored by the Hillsborough Recreation Department.
"All these girls are chasing after me," he said jokingly of the five women sitting with him at a table.
Mr. Pierce and his "suitors" were among 150 Hillsborough senior citizens who danced, dined and rekindled their memories of yesteryear, during the township’s first Seniors Prom.
The seniors got decked out for the occasion and packed the red-white-and-pink-decorated multipurpose room at the municipal complex for the party, which had a Valentine’s Day theme.
"I’m having a wonderful time," said Rina Ehrhardt. "I’m enjoying this more than I did my first prom and I think they did a wonderful job," she added, referring to the recreation and social services departments, which planned and organized the event. "They gave us food and entertainment and everything is great."
Recreation Director Bob Evans heralded the prom as a great success.
"I thought it went great," he said. "Everyone had a blast, and when 5 o’clock rolled around none of them wanted to leave; they were still rocking. "They’re already asking me when their next party is going to be."
In response to those concerns, Mr. Evans noted that he and Mary Ellen Stahley, head of the Social Services Department, are now looking into putting together a luau for the seniors sometime in the spring.
Committeeman Tony Gwiazdowski, Township Committee liaison to the Recreation Department, was very impressed with the apparent success of the prom.
"I’m not a senior; I just like the oldies," Mr. Gwiazdowski joked as he mingled with some of the seniors at the prom. Mr. Gwiazdowski praised Mr. Evans for organizing the event and for bringing a unique range of new programs and events to the township. "He’s really taken the rec department to a new level," he said.
Mr. Evans pointed out that the senior prom is the Recreation Department’s first major initiative to cater to the township’s senior citizens.
"We’re trying to get involved in all aspects of the town and involved with all age groups, from preschoolers through senior citizens," said Mr. Evans.