Honorees gather around a big birthday cake. Photo by Phil Corso
Howard Beach seniors still know how to party.
The Catholic Charities Howard Beach Senior Center hosted its first ever birthday bash for residents 90 years old and up, paying tribute to a long list of members who have lifetimes worth of stories to share. The center showed off residents anywhere from 90 to 103 years old while those same members showed off their pep with spry moves across the dance floor.
“This is the first time we’re doing this,” said Judy Ascherman, program manager at the center who helped organize the first event of its kind there. “We wanted to recognize some of our members in a special way.”
State Sen. Joseph Addabbo (c.) and City Councilman Eric Ulrich (r.) dole out citations in celebration of the residents’ longevity. Photo by Phil Corso
City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) and state Sen. Joe Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) handed out official citations in honor of the residents as they gathered around a gigantic birthday cake in celebration of their longevity. All 27 of them, with birthdays in or before 1925, laughed and partied together Tuesday afternoon with as much excitement and passion as their 20-year-old selves would have.
“We’re having a lot of fun,” 93-year-old Hilda Kamil said as she made her way across the dance floor. “There are a lot of us.”
Couple Dorothy and Irvine Black sported matching pink shirts while holding each other closely across the dance floor. Staffers at the Howard Beach center remarked how upbeat the Bayside couple were after their 96th and 100th birthdays respectively and said they visited the Cross Bay Boulevard building on a weekly basis to dance together.
Dorothy and Irvine Black (c.) share a dance. Photo by Phil Corso
Tom Cottone celebrated his 92nd birthday in November and said he was a frequent flyer at the Catholic Charities Senior Center in Howard Beach. He sported an ear-to-ear smile for the entire birthday ceremony while cracking jokes and sharing stories.
“Judy and the staff here deserve so much credit,” Cottone said. “They should be so proud of what they are doing for all of us.”
Rather than calling it a birthday party, Cottone said he wanted to refer to Tuesday’s celebration as “recognition day,” because he said it was a rare and special feat to live such a full life. He joked that a significant majority of the 27 honorees were women, which worked in his favor.
When asked for tips on living as many years as he had, Cottone said the way we treat others directly influences the way we treat ourselves. If you live a calm life, you will be just fine, he said.
“Family values are number one, but also make sure you know who your friends are,” the Howard Beach great grandfather of five said. “Respect people. That’s the bottom line. That’s it.”
Looking ahead, Ascherman said the center would be hosting a similar party on an annual basis, but honoring 90th birthdays exclusively starting next year.
By Phil Corso
