NEWBURYPORT — Dancing, singing and a traditional Irish meal will all be offered on March 17 at the Senior/Community Center as the Council on Aging prepares for its annual St. Patrick’s Day party.
“It’s going to be a very fun, busy, festive event,” COA Director Sara Landry said.
Set to kick off at noon, the party will be catered by Old Salt Restaurant in Hampton, New Hampshire.
“It’s a traditional boiled dinner that you will either love or hold your nose at, but one thing is clear, on St. Patrick’s Day everybody is Irish,” Old Salt catering manager George Hosker-Bouley said.
Having catered the COA’s Christmas party last year, Hoskey-Bouley was full of praise for the staff and facility.
“I think Newburyport has taken the lead in realizing that seniors are an integral and vibrant part of every community, and that no expense should be spared,” Hosker-Bouley said.
About 1 p.m., the COA will welcome Irish singers Wendy and Gary Williams, known as the Treble Makers. Then about 2 p.m., dancers from the Heavey-Quinn Irish Dance Academy will arrive to perform.
“We’re also going to be showing a preview of the documentary that they’re doing in regard to aging in Newburyport, which is pretty exciting,” Landry said.
The COA has partnered with local Emmy-award winning producer Lorenzo Minoli to work on the film, titled “We Were Are.”
Set for release June 20, efforts are underway to fundraise for the film. To support the film, visit https://filmmakerscollab.org/films/we-were-are/.
Asked about the year’s party, Landry said it is an expanded version of last year’s.
“Last year was a little smaller,” Landry said. “We had a lighter meal. We did shepherd’s pie and soda bread. But this year, we are complementing it with a full catered meal, just to step it up a notch.”
She spoke about why the COA likes to host holiday parties.
“It’s important that folks have the opportunity to get together socially and connect without any real agenda,” Landry said. “It just makes for a nice social opportunity. As I’ve seen in my research, social connection is one of the key determining factors in healthier aging.”
She said when folks are younger, they can establish those connections through school, work and clubs. But for seniors, those chances are more limited.
“And so as people retire and get older, you know, the senior centers are that club, they are that opportunity to socially connect with peers, to create those bonds that people need,” Landry said.
Landry said she is grateful for all the support that allows the COA to keep up with all its offerings.
“We are pretty, pretty lucky,” Landry said.
The COA asks people to sign up no later than Thursday. Admission is $25 per person.
“It is limited to 80 participants,” Landry said. “We still do have room, but it is first come, first served.”
Landry said she hopes every spot is filled.
“It’s going to be fun,” she said.
The Heavey-Quinn Irish Dance Academy did not return a request for comment in time for this report.
Matt Petry covers Amesbury and Salisbury for The Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: mpetry@northofboston.com.