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Florissant’s New Year’s Eve Celebration for Seniors
Themed ‘Walking in a Winter Wonderland’
Story and photos
By Nichole Fetters
The James. J. Eagan Center was packed again this New Years Eve with 400 of Florissant’s finest senior citizens and friends to celebrate and ring in the New Year! In attendance were two of Florissant’s residents celebrating their 98th birthdays.
This year’s theme, Walking in a Winter Wonderland, decorated the auditorium in frosty blue and white. Tables surrounded a large dance floor which sat before a wonderfully decorated stage where the Saint Charles Big Band serenaded the crowd with a variety of familiar musical favorites. At each table, guests adorned their white fedoras, feathered headbands, and party blowers to add just a tad more festiveness to the occasion.
Some were drawn to the dance floor, while others preferred mixing with friends at the tables, but one thing was for sure, everyone was having a blast celebrating yet another Florissant Seniors tradition now in its 18th year.
The New Years Eve event is so well known and liked, that seniors from other cities make sure not to miss it each year. “I used to teach in the Ferguson-Florissant school district,” said Maura Crump, a Saint Charles resident, “so being able to come here is very special to me.”
Always at the center of Florissant tradition, Mayor Tom Schneider warmly welcomed everyone and graciously thanked those who have been so dedicated to our great community. This year the Mayor took the opportunity to recognize and thank Bob and Pat Lindsey. As many of you know, Bob has been the editor and owner of our local newspaper, The Independent News, for more than 20 years. Mayor Schneider invited Mr. Lindsey to the podium, where he humbly noted, “senior citizens have always been the backbone of our paper.”
P
olice Chief Tim Lowery also came to the podium this year, wishing everyone a happy new year and reminding everyone to celebrate safely. With the new year, Lowery will be working on his campaign for mayor in the April elections, but appropriately did not mention that during his brief remarks.
Kudos were given to the Florissant Senior Commission, the city council representatives wee were present to help with the event, The Florissant Parks and Recreation and Health Departments two businesses that gave financial support, The Delmar Gardens Family, and Martha Brown & Associate.
Following a noon countdown and a toast to friendship sung to the melody of Edelweiss, guests dined on a scrumptious lunch catered by Tornatore’s Catering. Many seniors left with attendance prizes ranging gift certificates to a television, or a grand prize of a catered dinner for eight by Tornatore’s. And a special thanks was listed in the program booklet to all the attendance prices provide by area businesses.
The New Years Eve event is successful each year through the hard work of the Florissant Senior Office and the Florissant Senior Commission. It is a wildly popular celebration that Florissant seniors should not pass up, and the noon countdown always leaves plenty of time to still ring in the new year twice in one day!
