Music, dancing, Santa, food and fun at annual holiday bash

Nearly 200 people showed up to the Riverhead Senior Center’s Christmas luncheon Thursday, donning all manner of red and green sweaters as they chatted and danced through the afternoon.

“Look at how festive they are. They love it,” staff member Donna Trojanowski said. She said extra seating was needed to accommodate everyone.

Ralph Udell sat at a table adjacent to the dance floor.

“I’m feeling a lot better than I did about a week and a half ago,” said Udell, 69, who survived a heart attack Oct. 8 when the quick action of paramedics saved his life. “Every week I’m getting a little better.”

Lilian Pizza of John Wesley Village and John Marsman of Glenwood Village sat talking at another table.

“John is 103 years old. He’s in very good shape!” Pizza said. “They’re going to have line dancing, which is very popular. You hang around, you’ll see how much fun it is. John and I, we don’t line dance, but there’s a lot of younger ones from this table over here, they do a lot of that.”

Tom Parris stood at the front of the room, crooning Christmas songs and classic ballads. Claire Jurgens of Calverton beamed as she spun delicately on the dance floor with Harry Phillips of Riverhead.

Director Judy Doll said the festivities would include singing by the center’s choir, a Santa Claus photo opportunity and a roast beef dinner.

RiverheadLOCAL photos by Micah Danney

Click thumbnails to enlarge images
{gallery}2013/slideshows/2013_1219_seniors_christmas_party{/gallery}