Seniors Have a Scary-Good Time on the Dance Floor

On Wednesday, Oct. 30th, seniors gathered together at the Joslyn Senior Center to kick off their Halloween early with a Halloween Spooktacular dance, along with a meal, dessert and other entertainment. The Joslyn Senior Center often throws entertainment-based events to unite the seniors and allow them to engage in social activities, event organizers shared. Each year, the Joslyn Senior Center collaborates with the City of Redlands to throw Halloween dances, but this year was slightly different as it marked the beginning of a senior dance event project headed by the city’s Quality of Life Department which aims to unite various senior centers in the city for events such as the Halloween Dance. Linda Rotondo, a long-time volunteer at the Joslyn Senior Center, said, “It’s a good thing that along with [the City of] Redlands—the community—we’re getting it going because a lot of the seniors thrive on the events we put on.” “It makes me feel good to have them come together and socialize. It’s exciting seeing all the seniors have a good time, dancing, and mingling. Working with this age group is amazing,” senior center volunteer Crissie Otero added. The events also emphasize healthy lifestyles, explained senior center volunteer Barbara Gilman. “This event is just to really celebrate having fun and dancing. As for the City of Redlands, we’ve really paved the path for Healthy Redlands, so this fits nicely because we’re getting seniors moving, dancing and socializing. That’s really the key, and it sets the platform for future dances we’re going to have here,” said Gilman. Following dinner, winners of the costume contest were announced in four categories: scariest, funniest, most original, and best couple. Winners received prizes sponsored by the BrightWater organization, which provides catering to residents needing assistance, a care unit for seniors, and promotes independent living. The organization is expected to come out full throttle in February 2014. The prizes consisted of Stater Bros. gift cards and cash. Jennifer H. Lee, sponsor of event and executive director of BrightWater, said, “I’ve worked with seniors for the past 14 years and I love giving seniors a carefree lifestyle.” “Seeing everybody dressed up, come out, have a good time is the best part. Most of our seniors know each other and they know our entertainment. They’re all coming together. We also did sell over capacity so we’re really happy with that. It feels great having people come up to you thanking you for how great the event is,” the senior center’s Lisa Salsberry said. Dan Damon, a musical artist and a former New York Yankee, provided live entertainment he called “the all-time greats.” Seniors wasted no time getting on the dance floor. “A lot of people think they can’t dance anymore, but you’d be surprised because they know how to dance better than a lot of younger people,” said Rotondo. Patty Bracone, a senior who often participates in the center’s dance events, said, “I often come dance here with [my husband]. Joslyn does a wonderful job with seniors. They do so much and provide the best food and entertainment. They’re wonderful people and help our seniors in every way possible.” [END] ORIGINAL ARTICLE: There is no better way to spend Halloween than with a great group of happy, fun-filled seniors. They create this rich environment full of laughter, smiles, and happiness that eventually inevitably becomes contagious. On Wednesday, Oct. 30th, seniors gathered together at the Joslyn Senior Center to kick off their halloween early with Joslyn Senior Center’s Halloween Spooktacular dance. They each brought along a smile and came prepared to enjoy a delicious meal, dessert, entertainment, and dance. The Joslyn Senior Center of Redlands often throws events like these to help the senior residents of the community feel young and free once again. They are specially created to unite all the seniors and bring about an evening filled with smiles. While the Joslyn Senior Center, in partnership with the city of Redlands, often throws off Halloween dances like this annually, this one was special. This year’s particular Halloween Spooktacular dance actually marked the beginning of a dance/event project the community of Redlands is trying to get going for the senior residents. The different senior centers throughout the city and the city of Redland’s Quality of Life Department, which works in effort to help better the community environmentally and socially, have taken on this project and have made it their goal to provide for seniors a more carefree lifestyle. Linda Rotondo, a long-time volunteer at the Joslyn Senior Center said, “Some of the seniors have nothing else to look forward to. That’s why it’s a good thing that along with Redlands, the community, we’re getting it going because a lot of the seniors thrive on the events we put on.” “It makes me feel good to make them come together and socialize. It’s exciting seeing all the seniors have a good time, dancing, and mingling. Working with this age group is amazing,” Crissie Otero added. Not only does the Joslyn Senior Center, along with the city of Redlands, wish to promote a carefree and exciting lifestyle for the seniors, but they also want to emphasize the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Redlands acknowledges how detrimental consequences can be if health isn’t taken care of. They hope to do this through exciting events such as holiday dances, seasonal events, showcases, etc, all for the seniors. “This event is just to really celebrate having fun and dancing. And for the city of Redlands, we’ve really filed the path of healthy redlands and so this fits in nicely because we’re getting seniors moving and dancing and socializing. That’s really the key and it sets the platform for future dances we’re going to have here and at the Redlands Senior Center,” said Barbara Gilman. After Dinner was served at the Halloween Spooktacular dance, the winners for scariest, funniest, most original, and best couple were announced. Winners received prizes sponsored by the very own up and coming BrightWater organization, an organization that provides catering to residents needing assistance, a care unit for seniors, and promotes independent living. The organization is expected to come out full throttle in the month of February 2014. The prizes consisted of Stater Bros. gift cards and cash. Jennifer H. Lee, sponsor of event and executive director of BrightWater, said, “I’ve worked with seniors for the past 14 years and I love giving seniors a carefree lifestyle.” “Seeing everybody dressed up, come out, have a good time is the best part. Most of our seniors know each other and they know our entertainment. They’re all coming together. We also did sell over capacity so we’re really happy with that. It feels great having people come up to you thanking you for how great the event is,” Lisa Salsberry said. The night continued as Dan Damon Entertainment was provided by the very own Dan Damon, a musical artist and former NY Yankee baseball player. Damon provided live music filled with the best of the classics, or as he referred to them “the all time greats.” The seniors attending took in the music with much enthusiasm as couple by couple the dance floor filled up. Eventually all seats were empty and the dance floor was full, full of great couples showcasing their great dancing abilities. “Alot of people think they can’t dance anymore, but you’d be surprise because they know how to dance better than a lot of younger people,” said Rotondo. The Halloween Spooktacular was only the first of the many events that are yet to come at the Joslyn Center for the senior residents of Redlands and surrounding cities. Patty Bracone said, “I often come dance here with [my husband]. Joslyn does a wonderful job with seniors. They do so much and provide the best food and entertainment. They’re wonderful people and help our seniors in every way possible.”