PITTSTON — The Pittston Senior Center celebrated Christmas with over 80 members present for an afternoon of caroling, food and gifts. The seniors were treated by a visit from jolly old St. Nick himself on Dec. 12.
Joan Luksa, in her first year as center director, was delighted with the turnout for the Christmas event.
“We had member participation singing carols in several different languages,” Luksa said. “We had Santa and photos with Santa; we also had a raffle, ugly sweater contest and Santa gave out prizes.”
In addition, members were fed a holiday meal with turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes. Bingo was played in the afternoon.
“I love it; it’s a great group,” Luksa said. “We had a wonderful harmonica player, George Haydu. He’s 90 years old and he was just fantastic, really good.”
Luksa said the members are very generous with their time and money at the center, collecting for the homebound, a toy collection and gifts for the Christmas program.
Jim Francioso, of Pittston Twp., was on hand for the party and admits he has been a member of the center for longer than he can remember.
“We have a new director, Joan, and she’s nice and our previous director, Connie (Colella-Kokinda) was fantastic and she came up with so many ideas,” Francioso said. “To have these people here is great, just fabulous. It’s somewhere for them to go and, at Christmas time, it’s just beautiful.”
Member Mickey Briggs, who has worked in the kitchen and served meals for 12 years, feels she’s blessed to work at the center. Briggs said she made enough food for 82 members for the Christmas lunch.
Eighty-six-year-old Marie Kobal, of Old Forge, has been a member for many years. “This center is terrific; it’s a very active center,” Kobal said. “The skit was excellent and the caroling was great, too.”
Director Luksa, who will celebrate her first anniversary as director in January, is looking forward to working with members for years to come.
