Johnston Senior Center celebrates ‘Nifty Nineties’

There were features like corsages and centerpieces, as well as a photographer and perfect pictures, but perhaps the words Bobby Colardo sang inside the Johnston Senior Center’s nearly full multi-purpose room summed up the awe-inspiring Nifty Nineties celebration last Friday.

“You are the one I love,” Colardo – who performs under the banner Retrospect – sang sometime around noon, as the center began its impressive ceremony to honor residents who have reached the marvelous milestone of 90 years of age.

Some 30 seemingly ageless folks did exactly as the adage “eat, drink and be merry” suggests, on a day that belonged exclusively to the center’s Nifty Nineties class of 2015.

“It seems like we get more and more people very year,” said Tony Zompa, the center’s executive director. “And just like Bobby C sang, you are indeed the ones we love!”

Further proof came in a variety of forms last Friday, beginning with a late morning photography session with Diane Miller Photography of Cranston.

Miller and her able assistant Alyson Miller photographed all 30 members of the Nifty Nineties and later presented each with their personal picture.

But Miller, who performed the same photo ritual a year ago, took the session one step further. She presented each of the 90-year-olds with a special certificate to have a complimentary generational/family portrait session that would otherwise have a value of $150.

“We’re honored to be a part of such a great event,” Miller said. “We wanted to do some extra special for these wonderful people.”

The photography session was sponsored by Golden Crest Nursing Home, courtesy of the firm’s marketing director Linda Giorgio, who Assistant Director Miller Santilli called “a very warm and loyal friend of the center.”

The ceremony also had what Marie Venditti – who along with Jean D’Arezzo made the corsages and centerpieces – called a “mighty moving moment” when center coordinator Denise Bell and social services staffer Amy DiBiasio presented each of the Nifty Nineties a personalized congratulations certificate.

Moreover, Santillli and Bell added another chapter to the fun-filled event by arranging a special photo session with the Nifty Nineties’ oldest man and women.

“We’re going to take your picture,” Santilli told John Szelka, 97, who shared the class of 2015’s oldest honoree distinction with Catherine DeRobbio, also 97.

“Your mother doesn’t look 97,” several people mused to Carmine DeRobbio, the center’s director of building security and resident bingo caller. “She looks as good as you, Carm!”

There was yet another musical side to last Friday’s celebration, provided by Marcie Meenan, who is now part of Retrospect with the well-known Bobby C.

The Nifty Nineties class of 2015 includes Hilda Adamo, 90; Ann Bacarri, 92; Angela Barletta, 92; Paul Celi, 90; Mary Cerbo, 93; Claire Cipriano, 92; Louis Cosentino, 94, Marghuerita Cosentino, 94; Dorothy Darigan, 91; Margaret DeRaimo, 91; Catherine DeRobbio, 97; Evelyn Dicenso, 91; Theresa Giunta, 96; Angelina Lanzi, 94; John Lombardi, 95; Rita Loppi, 90; Ellen Lorenz, 93; Armondo Lusi, 90; Majorie Oxley, 93; Josephine Patalano, 90; Florence Prior, 95; John Prior 93; Guido Rapone, 95; Orlando Ricci, 100; Alice Saccoccio, 91; Edith Santilli, 93; John Szelka, 97; Anna Venditelli, 90; Emily Ventura, 91; and Eleanora Williams, 95.