North Rockland Senior Citizens to Party Hearty at Second Annual Senior Senior Prom

BY CHERYL SLAVIN

For the second year in a row, the Haverstraw Collaborative is sponsoring its Senior Senior Prom, a dinner dance for North Rockland senior citizens. The theme for this year’s event is “Second Act, Starring North Rockland Seniors.” Last year’s theme was “Old Hollywood.”

The prom will take place on May 2 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Central Presbyterian Church in Haverstraw, which donated the use of the space. “The North Rockland community has really stepped up to support us,” says Dina Nejman, who along with Peggy Koval, is co-chairing of the event. “We’ve received an outpouring of donations, whether money, food, gifts or services.” Some of the sponsors and donors include the North Rockland Lyons, the Rotary Club, and Hollywood Screen Print and Embroidery.

The idea for the prom arose out of a connection between the teens of the Haverstraw Center, and Nejman, an Aging in America Community Services advocate/liason to the senior residents of Haverstraw Place, a 55+ housing complex. They came together through the Haverstraw Collaborative, established in 2001 by the Village of Haverstraw and the Rockland County Office of Community Resources as a way for Haverstraw community organizations to work more closely together. The Center youth had expressed interest in learning more about local history and life experience through the eyes of local elders; with Nejman’s assistance, they initially connected with Haverstraw Place seniors through visiting and producing video interviews.

“High school seniors connected with community seniors to the mutual benefit and enjoyment of both,” says Nejman, herself a Rockland County native who has worked in North Rockland for the past 13 years. “So we thought, ‘how cool would it be to do a senior senior prom?’”

This year’s party will feature a turkey dinner and dancing to big band swing music. The Haverstraw youth will participate as servers, companions and dance partners for the guests of honor. A special surprise show will feature contributions from Lavinia’s Bridals. Goody bags, decorated by North Rockland High School art students, will contain gifts donated by the Rockland County Health Department and Meals on Wheels. Local politicians also plan to attend.

“You would not believe the enthusiasm of the kids,” Nejman says. “Last year’s party was such a big success, and we’re looking forward to a great second act this year.”

For more information about the Senior Senior Prom, or to RSVP, call Nejamn at 845-300-1659.