The mayor and Town Council nominated Joan E. Gasser as the Senior Citizen of the Year during a St. Patrick’s Day luncheon held at the Secaucus High School on Mar. 10.
Gasser will now compete with others from the county for the title of Hudson County Senior Citizen of the Year. The overall winner will be announced at a special luncheon later this spring.
Recognizing service
“People don’t realize how much she has done,” said Lisa Snedeker, director of senior and social services. Snedeker said that Gasser, 62, personally made 97 blankets for Project Linus, a charity that collects blankets for children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or in need. She also volunteers at the Senior Center, the local animal shelter, and for the United Way’s efforts via the United Parcel Service (UPS), from which she recently retired after 26 years of service.
Gasser also has volunteered for Jersey City sites such as St. Lucy’s Shelter, Hope House, and Hudson Cradle.
“She is [also] taking care of a sick friend,” added Snedeker.
“I enjoy doing it,” said Gasser regarding her volunteerism. She was noticeably surprised at the announcement during the event and moved by the nomination.
“She deserves it,” said Michele Dragona, a lifelong friend and former classmate. As someone who has known Gasser most of her life, Dragona said, she knew how much Gasser deserves the recognition.
“We’ll be friends till we go,” Dragona said.
“We celebrate the whole of humanity.” – Mohammad Ali
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Luck of the Irish
While only one senior can be selected as Secaucus Senior Citizen of the Year, all the seniors in attendance at the luncheon were treated to a special Irish lunch of corned beef, cabbage, carrots, and potatoes prepared by the Paterson Plank Inn. Owners Bruce and Brian Rennie said it took 250 pounds of corned beef, 100 pounds of cabbage, 75 pounds of potatoes, and 50 pounds of carrots to put together the meal.
It was their fourth year cooking for the St. Patrick’s day event.
“Everybody is Irish. It is a fun day,” said Marie Trobiano. She wore green from head to toe including a green, curly wig. She was accompanied by her husband John.
“She dresses up for every holiday,” said John. He added that she even dresses up like a bunny for Easter.
Many seniors said they enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with friends. Couple Ashrafun and Mohammad Ali, Secaucus residents of 25 years, had just returned home after a trip to their native Bangladesh.
“We celebrate the whole of humanity,” said Mohammad.
Over the rainbow
Secaucus high school students performed songs from the Wizard of Oz to give the seniors a preview of their upcoming play. Senior Gabby Povlonvsky sang “Over the Rainbow” while Janae Polanco led the chorus in “Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are,” which included the well-known number, “Ding-Dong! The Witch is Dead.”
The room was silent except for the singers as the seniors listened.
“These boys and girls are a great representation of what Secaucus High School has to offer,” said Dr. Robert Berckes, high school principal. “The seniors appreciated their talent.”
The high school offered three sets of free tickets to the musical production in a raffle. Jacqueline Staudt, 77, won a pair of tickets.
“This is going to be great,” she said. But it hasn’t been that long since she last saw the “Wizard of Oz.” She said her late husband played the Tin Man in a special performance by the Adler Aphasia Center in Maywood for people with aphasia, a language disorder that impairs the expression of spoken language, writing, and reading.
Staudt said that she intends to take one or both of her two daughters to the event.
The seniors also watched a performance by the Jersey City Fire Department Bagpiper Corps.
The town handed out prizes such as orchids and gift baskets.
Adriana Rambay Fernández can be reached at afernandez@hudsonreporter.com.