Senior Community Day a Success

Among other things, Senior Community Day proved that there is no age limit on dancing the "YMCA."

Well over 250 Wilton residents showed up Sunday afternoon at Cider Mill School to brush up on senior services, boogie down to Bill Campbell tickling the synthesized ivories, and have their antiques appraised by Peter Curran of Antiques Roadshow fame. The event ran from noon to 3 p.m. and the mood inside was as bright and sunny as the weather outdoors.

"Two years ago, we had about 150 people here," said Barbara Newland, marketing and communications coordinator for The Greens at Cannondale, the event's organizing body. "We're very pleased to be well in excess of that this year. Everyone is having a great time and that's what counts."

Just under 40 booths were set up in Cider Mill's gymnasium, with "Stay at Home in Wilton," the Kiwanis Club and many other organizations straddling the basketball half-court line and educating the town's seniors on financial matters, housing options, and how to enrich their lives through local offerings.

"At least 50 people have come by and picked up something," said Marissa Bentivoglio of Growing Options Inc., a professional geriatric care management company. "It's definitely been worthwhile. It wasn't expensive to come here and we started in Wilton originally, so it's been a nice way to give back to the community."

Bentivoglio estimated that it cost organizations somewhere between $200-$500 to host booths at the event, with the proceeds going to help The Greens at Cannondale and other local senior services. But it was clearly the attendees who benefited the most, both from the wide array of information and opportunities at their disposal, and from the good cheer and fresh food that abounded.

Peter Curran was the day's largest draw, with a crowd of at least 25 consistently gathered around him in the far corner of the room as he meted out appraisals on vases, furniture and everything in between. Newland praised Curran for his participation and said he is always one of the most popular presenters.

The gathering wasn't limited to humans, either. Cora Martin walked the rows with her guide-dog-in-training, Gavin, a 1-year-old golden who also got to sample some of the wares prepared by a host of local eateries.

"I'm glad the turnout is so good, much better than last year," Martin said. "And it's nice to be able to bring [Gavin]. Raising a guide dog is what keeps me young."

Perhaps the day's only drawbacks were the occasional bump of a wheelchair, always followed by a prompt apology, and the fact that some of the food spreads were so quickly consumed. But, on the whole, the event was of great benefit to residents and hosts alike, especially to newer community members and budding businesses.

"Surprisingly, we've had a lot of interest," said Phil Richards of "Stay at Home In Wilton," a new senior organization expected to launch at the beginning of next year." A lot of people are saying that this [service] is something we've got to have in town."

And as for age limits on dancing the "YMCA?" It turns out that there are none. When Bill Campbell, the Greens at Cannondale's special entertainer, broke into the famously participatory tune, a number of seniors sitting in the stage front seats rose to their feet, threw their hands in the air, and even went so far as to form a jubilant, albeit brief, dance train.