BURRILLVILLE – Sisters-in-law Jeanne Desmarais and Vivian Desmarais, both Woonsocket High School graduates, were attired in lady-like finery and enjoying the “Senior Prom” Lunch & Learn, held at Wright’s Farm Restaurant by Burrillville Aging Stronger on Wednesday afternoon, August 20.
“We come every time they have an occasion,” said Jeanne Desmarais about Burrillville Aging Stronger’s affair. It is “great that they recognize this [age group], because we don’t have a senior center.” What’s more, “we love the food” she said of herself and her sister-in-law.
“It’s fun and a day out,” agreed Vivian Desmarais. “It’s great. I love this.”
Also enjoying the get together was a romantic couple – newlyweds since September – Denis Boudreau and Marilyn Boudreau, both in their seventies.
He attended North Smithfield High School, and she went to Uxbridge High School in nearby Massachusetts.
“I was the first to go all the way through the junior and senior high school,” the new husband said.
The couple said they were having a wonderful time at the lunch, and they joked that the Mrs. is a few years older than Mr. Boudreau.
It was whispered that the Boudreaus were to later in the afternoon be crowned the king and queen of the Senior Prom.
Although the festivities and learning opportunities were exclusively for Burrillville residents ages fifty-five and older, the younger generation was involved as well. Said teen-ager Jasmine Rabideau, “I love communicating with [the seniors], laughing, joking, seeing everyone together. It’s a wonderful program the town has started.”
Four hundred twenty-five people showed up for the lunch and entertaining afternoon, said Lisa Rabideau, Jasmine’s mother and chairperson of Burrillville Aging Stronger.
Among the packed house of lunching people were Ron and Lynn Parenteau.
“This is fantastic. Several times a year the community [gets together], remarked Ron Parenteau.
He’s a graduate of Vocational Technical School of Rhode island that was located at Corliss Park in Providence. Parenteau joked he earned “a degree in cabinet-making that I don’t use.”
“We look forward to it,” Lynn Parenteau said of the luncheon. “Just a benefit, a nice touch, that the town puts this on for residents.”
The entertainers for the day were ballroom dancers, performing styles including East and West Coast Swing and the Cha Cha, explained Melissa Caldarone, one of the performers. She’s the owner of Get in Line RI, and the business was also an event vendor with a table topped off by balloons from her daughter MacKenzie Caldarone. Master dancer Melissa Caldarone’s company offers free senior country line dancing instruction at The Lodge in Burrillville, and provides various other classes and dance opportunities.
Next to Get in Line RI’s display was a table staffed by Nicole Tartaglione of Assisted Living Locators.
The luncheon is an opportunity to get important information to the community said Tartaglione.
“It’s hard to get the word out,” about what services her company provides, she explained. Some of the people attending the luncheon believe “they’re too old to go to a senior center. They’re more likely to come to these events,” said Tartaglione.
Vendor MacKenzie Collins from Marquis Health Consulting Services said she is happy to participate Burrillville Aging Stronger programs. She was also at Burrillville Aging Stronger’s recent veterans’ program held at Crystal Lake Golf Club.
These events “are an excellent way to connect and provide resources for the community,” Collins said.
Paul DeBlois came out for “the opportunity to spend time with peers.” In addition, the Mount Saint Charles Academy grad was seeking “to see what’s available for seniors.”
Likewise another attendee of the luncheon was seeking information.
“I came here to find out anything for people like me in the disability community, and to socialize and have a good meal,” said Jennifer Larivilere.
Vendor Angela Pesare of Ocean State Center for Independent Living said she is on “a mission to keep people at home, safe, and independent.”
“We serve the community that is in-between,” said Pesare, adding that the mission includes individuals who are not necessarily at the poverty level.
Former Burrillville High School classmates Bob Polseno and Paula McCarthy ran into each other at the lunch and paused for a photo.
McCarthy said it was third year attending the get together.
“It’s a great function for the community and socialization for people who don’t get out,” she said.
Poleseno said he’s known in town as “Apple Man” for his long-time apple business, and he attended last Wednesday’s event “just to see friends.” He brought some along as well, accompanying Poleseno to the lunch were Sandy Martin and Barbara Wayland.
Chairperson Rabideau of Burrillville Aging Stronger said the Wright’s Farm lunch “is phenomenal.”
She credits the success of the entire event to support from various town employees, including police, staff from Town Hall and the Parks and Recreation Department, and from the library, who participated along with the employees of Clear River Electric and Water, she said.
Burrillville Aging Stronger is a town-supported effort to improve the health and well being of people ages 55 and older. The Senior Prom’s parent, it was established with full support from the town manager and Town Council that funded it at the beginning, according to Rabideau, and now the organization is grant-funded, she said. Three times a year events are held, and they’re popular with the people and the vendors.
Other interested vendors are on a waiting list to participate next year. With the success of this year’s occasion, next year perhaps even more seniors might sign up for the luncheon and Senior Prom.
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