Orangetown Seniors Stun at Golden Gala

Last Thursday, May 14th, about 75 seniors across the Town of Orangetown donned their best formal attire for the fifth annual Golden Gala at Rockland GAA Clubhouse. The event went from 2pm to 6pm and featured live music with Tommy Dunn and Jan Lynch band, who played familiar crooner-classics like “Summer Wind” by Frank Sinatra.

Catering was served by Luigi O’Grady’s and included a delectable three course meal, serving everything from Swedish Meatballs, Roast Beef in Gravy, to oodles of pastries for dessert. Despite the forecasted rainy weather, the sun shone bright for the seniors: not too warm nor too chilly. Seven senior clubs attended, including Pearl River A, Pearl River B, Blauvelt/ Orangeburg, Nyack, Piermont, Sparkill, and Tappan. 

A photo booth was a highlight of the event, which was sponsored by Sharon McTeague from Keller Williams, and was available for attendees alongside many fun props, operated by Brian Gurniak. 

“It gives our seniors an afternoon out together. They all get to get together, all seven senior clubs in Orangetown, and give new members a chance to come out and see what being in a senior club is like,” said Carmel Reilly, one of the organizers of the event. 

Reilly talked about how special the day is for her, sharing, “My mom passed away in 2023, and we had it for the first time in April that year and it was absolutely beautiful weather. I felt like my mother was looking out for me.”

Ann Nally, a co-organizer of the Golden Gala, stated, “I work this event every year. It’s probably the one event I look forward to every year.” Nally works with Reilly to set up the event, dressing tables, and making sure everyone is having a good time. “I usually see all the same faces, and some new ones which is great. It’s a beautiful event for the community. For some people, it’s the highlight of their month,” Nally said. 

Hugh Lennon, who is attending for the third year, said, “We saw the advertisement, it looked like a good time.” This year, he is attending with all of his neighbors in his apartment building, 13 of them total. “It was a great time, that’s why we’re back,” Lennon said. 

But the Golden Gala had an extra special place in his heart. “When I was dating my wife in the 60s and she was graduating high school, I couldn’t take her to the prom because I was in the Reserves. So that was our first Prom together.”

If you missed Orangetown’s Golden Gala this year, make sure to get involved next year!