West New York resident Edward Malzone, 90, had just finished a tai chi demonstration with 40 or so other senior citizens.
Said Malzone, ” We’re fortunate to have such a beautiful day and to have a reunion with our friends. We have a great bunch of seniors here.”
The view was expansive and the smiles were even larger at the West New York Seniors Mother’s Day picnic in Donnelly Park on Wednesday.
The event, held every year for the past eight years, was the brainchild of West New York Mayor and New Jersey State Assembly Speaker Albio Sires. Said Sires upon his arrival at the picnic, “We started this as soon as we got elected. We felt we needed to do something special for Mother’s Day. This is really a beautiful setting, no?”
According to Sires, the picnic was, in the early years, held in the West New York Recreation Center, in deference to weather that could be notoriously fickle when it came to planning outdoor events. However, since the recreation center has since been demolished to make way for the new middle school, the only other choice was to hold the event outdoors.
And with the weather cooperating last week, everyone present appeared to be soaking in the warm temperatures and the even warmer feelings.
Victor Barrera, a West New York official who volunteers at the event every year, was effusive in his positive feelings about the event. Said Barrera, “It’s packed, a beautiful crowd. It’s an event that everyone looks forward to. We have dancing and tai chi. Nobody has something this big in the county.”
As salsa music blared over the sound system, participants from 8 to 80 could be seen dancing to the throbbing beat.
A good number of corporate sponsors were also present, which included Coca-Cola, Café Bustelo, and the Secaucus and Edgewater Outback Steakhouse franchises. All three sponsors provide food and beverages for the event.
Regan Uriarte, owner of the Secaucus Outback Steakhouse restaurant, has been volunteering his establishment’s services since the beginning. Said Uriarte, “We started this 7 years ago. It’s great for the senior citizens of West New York because they supported the Outback when we opened in Edgewater. They helped build our business.”
Tony Martinez, owner of the Edgewater Outback Steakhouse, is a life-long resident of West New York and looks forward to the picnic every year. Said Martinez, “I graduated from Memorial in 1994. I live in West New York. I feel that by doing this, I am giving a little bit back to the community.”
The Outback had approximately 20 volunteer workers who manned what looked to be an outdoor restaurant. Two full-sized gas ranges, hamburger and hotdog buns and enough meat to send a PETA member into seizures were loaded behind the Outback’s tent. Said Bob DeVincent, West New York Executive Director of Housing, “The Outback doesn’t skimp, that’s for sure.”
Both owners wanted it highlighted that the restaurant staff working at the picnic were all volunteers.
The plethora of corporate sponsors present stemmed from Mayor Albio Sires’ relationships with area business owners. Said Sires, “We went to the Outback Steakhouse and said, ‘Do you guys do any event sponsorship?’ They came out and helped. I also have friends that work at Coca-Cola. I reached out to them and they have graciously provided the beverages for the event every year.”
According to the mayor, the picnic is paid for by various grants and costs the taxpayers no money. All the corporate sponsors present provide the food and drink free of cost.
A new addition to the corporate cadre at the picnic is Café Bustelo, a coffee held in high regard in the Cuban community, of which there are many in West New York.
Needless to say, the longest line was for a cup of café con leche.
Caught mingling amongst the seated seniors was West New York Commissioner Gerald Lange, who said of the event, “This is such a great event. To have all this catering for the seniors and to be out in a park on a beautiful day with all their friends, it’s just a great thing.”
Several students from the nearby Memorial High School served as volunteer servers. Each student was assigned to a table. Cathy Rojas, 18, was one such volunteer. Said Rojas, “It’s great because I volunteer for a lot of other senior organizations. It’s a lot of fun to interact with all the senior citizens.”