The 10th Annual “Lion Nelson van der Linde Senior Citizens Party” was a resounding success.
On Saturday October 25th some 250 senior citizens from both sides of the island were treated to a day of great fun, good food, entertainment in song, dance and good old time stories by members of the St. Maarten Lions and the Alpha Leo Club.
As early as 8.00 a.m. busloads of seniors could be seen heading to their annual Lions Senior Citizens’ party at Riviera One in Sandy Ground on French Saint-Martin.
Lions and Leos welcomed and assisted all seniors to get off the buses.
The event got off to a start with Lion Wally graciously giving thanks to Almighty God for the numerous blessing on the lives of all.
One minute of silence was observed in memory of the late Lion Nelson v.d. Linde who had created the idea of the Lions Club setting aside an entire day of fellowship, games and fun for our seniors who have invested so much in our community.
1st Vice President Lion Eldert Louisa then officially welcomed and wished all a most enjoyable day.
While the seniors were enjoying the traditional local breakfast of Johnny cakes and salt fish with bush tea to wash it down, they were entertained by the “Logic Band” (Helen & Fats), who for many years have been offering entertainment for this event.
MC “Anybody Bingo” Lion Wally then took the Seniors “Back in the day down Memory Lane with the jokes and stories of long ago.
During the entire day, Popular DJ Ruby played his unique mix of music that got many of the Seniors off their chairs and unto the dance floor or even shaking a leg or hand from their wheelchairs.
Calypsonians, King Timo, Fish the Mega Boss and reigning Calypso King “Young Calix” also had the Seniors rocking and singing all the popular calypsos.
After a hearty lunch it was time for some folkloric dancing by the Caribbean Jolly Dancers who demonstrated the several Curacao Tumba dances.
Surprise of the day was the presentation of floral presentations to the oldest man and woman by Mr. Lorenzo Lloyd, Managing Director of St. Martin Food & Beverage Catering Service who catered the delicious lunch. Mr. George York and Ms. Sylvanie Gumbs both 98 years old from the St. Martin Home were the lucky recipients. They “wowed” the crowd when the two decided to dance together to an old St. Martin melody and show everyone that they were not only still very energetic but also had a lot of rhythm left!
It was evident by the broad smiles on the faces of all the Seniors as they departed in the afternoon with their gift baskets filled with goodies that it was a day very well spent. They were already talking about how they were eagerly looking forward to the next one.
This was the last of the projects of the St. Maarten Lions Club in commemoration of the Lions International Global Service Month.
The first activity at the beginning of October was a movie outing to the Caribbean Cinemas with close to 90 children of several Foster Homes and the Sister Basilia Center joined by Lions and Leos for a special morning viewing of the movie “Dolphin Tale 2”.
The next activity was an island Tour on Sunday October 12 for the wheelchair bound clients of the St. Martin Home to see all the new developments on the island included with a sumptuous lunch at Rosemary’s bistro in Marigot.
As one member of the Lions Club said: “We are called to: “Serve”. There is nothing more rewarding and fulfilling to know that at the end of the day in some small way, you have been able to make a positive difference in someone’s life.”