St. Patrick’s Day supper draws about 50 seniors for food, music and dancing as new subcommittee aims to boost social connections and voice for older community members
Thomas Jordan
Kicker
ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — Laughter and the scent of turkey soup and hot rolls filled the Shea Heights Community Centre on March 15 as roughly 50 people gathered for a festive St. Patrick’s Day supper, turning the evening meal into the starting point for new initiatives to bring more 55-plus residents into community events.
The event ran from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, over Paddy’s Day weekend at the Shea Heights Community Centre. The interior was transformed for the occasion, decked out with green streamers, shamrocks, leprechaun hats and other Paddy’s Day decorations hanging from the ceilings and walls. Attendees dressed in festive green, many in creative costumes.
Gloria Wells, a lifelong resident and senior at the Golden Vista Seniors Home, stole the show in an elaborate hand-painted cardboard outfit. She wore a painted pot of gold on her torso with matching clouds and a rainbow arching over her head, topped off with her lucky green hat.
Five women, including some of the event organizers, brought back memories for guests by dressing as Mrs. Roper from the classic TV show Three’s Company. Their outfits drew laughs and table slaps from the crowd. Others sported full costumes in every shade of green imaginable.
Volunteers prepared and cooked the supper on site in the centre’s kitchen. Servers then brought hot meals out along with a number of hot rolls, a green-and-white Paddy’s Day cake, sweets, coffee, tea and other refreshments.
Organizers drew prizes after the meal. Each time a number was called, the winner picked a lucky chocolate coin. If a clover appeared on the back, they claimed a prize. Some took full advantage of the moment, dancing and strutting their way up to the prize table.
Local musician Billy Oakley, a Shea Heights resident, played live country and popular Irish songs. The music had an immediate effect on those who were itching to sing and dance, or in some cases both. People sat at the tables and sang along to Oakley’s music as he played.
Some of the more animated and costumed guests hit the floor to dance and carry on.
Billy Oakley highlighted music’s role.
“People get to come out and have fun,” Oakley said. “It’s great to know the community will remain a close-knit community by having these sorts of events.”
Kelly Collins and Margaret Jordan, both lifelong Shea Heights residents and active volunteers, planned the gathering. The Shea Heights Community Board asked them to help engage the 55-plus group.
Collins and Jordan had already hosted small-scale events like tea parties and suppers at Golden Vista Seniors Home. This larger St. Patrick’s event received funding from the board. It sparked a new subcommittee with board member Linda Scalon, Margaret Jordan, Kelly Collins, Cliff Buswell and Patricia Harding.
Collins explained the push targets seniors’ social needs. “This event is for the 55-plus community as we felt we could be doing more for the seniors in connecting with each other, with group gatherings, road trips, community involvement,” she said.
The volunteers aim to build community ties and they want to hear what seniors want in social events and outings. Focusing the gatherings at the community centre lets them reach more people in the 55-plus bracket.
“We are hoping this event is one of many,” Collins added.
Gloria Wells beamed about the young planners.
“I’ll tell you now, I have never seen this in years and ever since the younger people took over planning,” Wells said. “They’re doing an amazing job, and I look forward to it every time.”
Wells said she wants more such events.
“I’d love to see more events like this. Yes, my darling, indeed I would,” Wells added, “and is it good to see people get together and have meals and good times.”
Community board member Chris Druken helped serve, delivering over 50 meals to tables. A former nurse with geriatric experience, he stressed events like this are important because many seniors live alone or have limited family support in today’s busy world.
“A hot bowl of soup is not much to some people, but a bowl of soup in good company means a lot to others,” said Druken.
The event drew about 50 seniors, and organizers told me they were more than happy with the turnout and lively spirit from the 55-plus group, along with their clear eagerness to help shape future gatherings and contribute to the community moving forward.
With that kind of energy and the depth of local knowledge these residents bring, organizers believe Shea Heights can become even more connected and inclusive.
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