I’m not sure what I was expecting when I ventured uptown to 56th Street. I certainly wasn’t expecting the beautiful building. It looks like it might have been a 19th century library or train station, but it is actually an old water pump station.
And I certainly wasn’t expecting the big crowd of enthusiastic, engaged, and fun-loving “seniors” that I encountered. I’m not sure if seniors is the right word, unless you’re talking seniors in high school.
The day I visited happened to be the first day of school. Mayor Jimmy Davis had stopped by to visit with the group and then was headed across the street to the Woodrow Wilson School to greet the kids.
It was a gorgeous, hot, clear, late-summer day. The door to the center was open, and you could hear the song “YMCA” wafting onto the walkway.
This was the ever-popular Zumba Gold (over age 55) class, led by Zumba maven Cookie Redondo, who holds the honor of Zumba Gold Instructor of New Jersey. Cookie loves her students, and they love her. Cookie calls them her “elite” group.
“It’s fun, good exercise, and good for the mind,” Connie says. Cleo adds, “It’s the company, the exercise, and Cookie.”
Zumba and line dancing are among the most popular activities at the center. They attract up to 30 participants, and more in winter. Zumba is good not only for posture and exercise but for a positive attitude, mentally and emotionally. “You feel sore when you go home,” Joan admits.
The class ends with a prayer for the President of the United States and people suffering from cancer.
One member says it’s the fellowship that keeps her coming back. “I came from Colorado, and it’s been very welcoming,” she says.
Food for Thought
The center holds celebrations on all the major holidays, and even has a senior prom. The King and Queen at the last prom were Francisco and Millie. Speaking of kings, more women than men come to the center. On the day I visited, Francisco was the only man on hand for Zumba.
The age of members ranges from 62 to 92. Mary, who is 92, wasn’t there that day but jumps right into the Zumba and line dancing, according to her pals.
The women have retired from a wide array of careers, including secretarial, accounting, and teaching. There are lots of nurses, and even poets and singers.
It’s clear that lunch is a major event at the center. And with good reason. It’s potluck. The members bring their own homemade food, and I can say from experience that it’s delicious. There were lots of summer salads, pasta, coffee, chilled green tea, and a bunch of delectable desserts. Before lunch, they say grace; on this day they gave thanks for the mayor and for Cookie, the Zumba instructor.
The group always saves food for the gentleman who delivers their newspapers. He came by to pick it up and was greeted as a dear old friend.
By the Book
Less strenuous classes include knitting, walking in place, and the book club, which was also meeting that afternoon. It may not be strenuous but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t lively. About 10 members join leader Marion Cooney in a robust back and forth. This month they were reading Anna Quindlen’s Still Life with Bread Crumbs. They read only good books, according to Cooney. “No Danielle Steele.” Past titles have included The White City, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, The Kite Runner, Three Cups of Tea, and Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.
One member, Anna, remarked that there wasn’t much action in Quindlen’s book. There was a discussion about whether the main character was ignorant or arrogant or both. The question arose of why in most narratives the man is older than the woman, which was not the case in this book. On that score, Cooney commented that she was a real cougar because she is 10 years older than her husband.
Members say that the meetings are very social, and they don’t always just discuss the book. They often stray into current events, which happened on this day. Sadly, the talk turned to Joan Rivers who, at that point, had just been released from intensive care. One member noted that Rivers and Martha Stewart had both attended Barnard. Another posited that the medical procedure that landed Rivers in intensive care could serve as a guide for others who undergo the procedure. We did not know that later that day the legendary comedian would be dead.
Book club members also enjoy lots of field trips. They’ve been to restaurants, museums, and movie theaters. They’ve visited the Newark Museum and the Papermill Playhouse in Montclair.
The man who orchestrates this rich mosaic of activities is Senior Center Coordinator Ralph Savo. To say it is a love fest between him and the members is an understatement. Says Josephine, “He’s the man of the hour, the day, the week, and the year.”
Savo returns the compliment. “I love the job. It’s like hanging out with friends and family. If one is hurt, we’re all hurt, and we look out for that person.”—BLP