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Boardman Park offers island getaway
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .A group from Boardman Shepherd of the Valley enjoyed themselves during the senior luau's intense bingo game. The Shepherd family included, from left, Kay Gillen, Joan Testa, Shelby Simmons, Cookie George, and Mary Bowell.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Boardman native Toni Savastano (left) and Poland pal Rose Sferra (right) strapped on grass skirts and tried their hand at hula dancing during the July 21 senior luau.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Poland residents Joan Johnson (left) and Joanne Collier were luau ready in their flowery shirts and bright leis on July 21.
By SARAH FOOR
Dressed in Hawaiian shirts, leis and grass skirts, more than 100 local seniors gathered at Boardman Park on July 21 for an island celebration.
For two Thursdays in July, Boardman Park hosts its entertaining Senior Fun Day Luaus at the Lariccia Family Community Center. Set this year on July 21 and 28, the soiree has been a summer tradition for more than 10 years.
Activity director Karen McCallum and her guests were happy to enjoy themselves in the Lariccia Center.
“I have to say that the weather obliged with us – the heat outside does make today feel like an island luau. But I must admit that it’s nice to be in the cool air,” McCallum noted at the event.
Morning activities included intense games of bingo with luau gift baskets and prizes offered for winning bingo cards.
The luau was co-sponsored by Boardman facilities Senior Independence Adult Day Care and Sateri Homes, as well as Poland’s Sunrise Senior Living and Boardman Park.
For lunch, each sponsor provided a part of the island feast. Along with rolls and potato salad, Sunrise provided oven-fried chicken and Senior Independence provided cupcakes.
Guests from Boardman, Poland, Austintown, and Canfield tried out some hula dancing and enjoyed the live entertainment provided by John Ruman, of Niles.
Although another luau celebration will have to wait until next summer, the park holds senior fun days twice monthly in the community center. They are open to the public with a reservation fee of $1.
The next senior fun days will be Sept. 15 and Sept. 27.