NEWBURY — Enjoying live music and a catered corned beef meal, seniors embraced the Irish spirit Tuesday as the Newbury Council on Aging hosted its annual St. Patrick’s Day luncheon.
“This is one of the more festive occasions, I think, because everybody gets caught up in it,” Selectman Bill DiMaio said. “Everybody tries to dress in color code—very much a sea of green. And the music is always good, it’s a special touch. It’s basically the same people that seem to come, but it’s a really good crowd. Everybody’s engaged.”
Roughly 60 seniors were packed into the COA Tuesday beginning at noon, filling up the senior center which was decorated all throughout. Along the walls were dozens of shamrocks, and each table had little green flower arrangements as well as green and gold Hershey kisses.
Tables also came with a pin designed to fit the Irish-theme.
“These were made and donated by Martha Moulton,” COA Director Cindy Currier said. “She is one of the owners of Surfland on Plum Island. Every holiday like this, she makes things and drops them off here and just walks away, just to make people happy.”
Folks also got a smaller shamrock pin to go with it.
“There’s a little Irish blessing with it,” Currier added. “As you know, shamrocks are a symbol of luck. We are lucky to know all of you, so we’re happy to give you all a little shamrock.”
A few minutes into the festivities, volunteers and staff began serving the kind of lunches folks who expect on St. Patrick’s Day.
“We have a great meal from Starboard Galley, corned beef, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, I think those are turnips,” Currier said. “We have apple bread pudding for dessert, and then we’re going to give them all a little shamrock cookie to take home as a favor.”
Sitting in the COA’s side room, which is opened during holiday parties to provide more space, DiMaio said he loved the meal.
“Are you kidding me?” DiMaio said. “I’m going to cook the same thing tonight because our two grandsons are coming with our daughter tonight for dinner.”
Newbury senior Bob Haynes, 78, was in attendance with his trusted service dog, Jagger, and had nothing but praise for the event.
“They do an excellent job,” Haynes said.
Throughout the party folks were able to enjoy live music courtesy of Jean Monroe, Ken Mattsson, Phillip Nimeskern and Lynn Noel.
“We each play different St. Patrick’s Day music, but we come together to play this one gig,” Noel said. “And we love that Kathy invites us back every year. And the shamrocks are great, the corned beef and cabbage is great, and we love the opportunity for the audience to sing along.”
Currier spoke about why the COA continues to host these holiday parties.
“It’s the socialization for people,” Currier said. “Just getting together, celebrating. This is sort of a fun holiday for people to celebrate. Not everyone here is Irish, but everyone here is acting like it.”
Matt Petry covers Amesbury and Salisbury for The Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: mpetry@northofboston.com.