Manton Seniors hold election

By Pete Fontaine
Posted 12/8/16

The old adage, “If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it,” fits the Manton Seniors.    

Tuesday, the independent senior citizens group that has more than 125 members and is completing its …

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Manton Seniors hold election

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The old adage, “If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it,” fits the Manton Seniors.    

Tuesday, the independent senior citizens group that has more than 125 members and is completing its 41st year as one of Rhode Island’s oldest and most active non-profit social organizations held its annual election of officers and unanimously re-elected four of its five dedicated veteran leaders.    

Lorie DeVito, who will celebrate her 81st birthday on December 16 and has held down the president’s chair for the past 19 years, said, “We’re a vibrant, very active senior citizens group. We have two senior bowling leagues…most of our members are active dancers and one of our members bowls four times a week; that’s pretty good for a man who is 94 years old.”

DeVito, who oversees two Manton Seniors Bowling Leagues that bowl at Town Hall Lanes on Atwood Avenue, was speaking about the seemingly ageless Kenyon Birch whom she noted “loves joining his many friends to bowl.”    

The veteran Manton Seniors president, who has beaten three bouts with cancer, continued, “We are proud to be entering our 42nd year and very much looking forward to many more exciting events in 2017.”    

The Manton Seniors ring in a new year with the annual Christmas party on Sunday, Dec. 18 at Twelve Acres Restaurant in Smithfield. DeVito said tickets, $25 per person, are still available and may be purchased by calling Rose Coppola, who has been the Manton Seniors corresponding secretary for the past 10 years, at 943-9332. Meal choices for the Christmas Party Dinner Dance are prime rib or baked stuffed shrimp. There will also be a cash bar and a raffle. The Calamari Brothers of Jerry Jack Rubino, Anthony DelSignore and Vinny Lato will provide music for the Christmas party.

Other officers elected to one year are Gracelyn Travison, vice president, a first-time member of the board; JoAnn Krzyzek, DeVito’s daughter, who has served as treasurer the past three years; and Mary Cerra, the one-time Johnston Town Council member who also served in the State House of Representatives, returns to her familiar post as recording secretary.    

The official swearing-in ceremony is at the Johnston Senior Center on Tuesday, Jan. 3, during the group’s first monthly meeting of the new year. Mayor Joseph Polisena will be at the meeting to swear in the 2017 officers.    

“We welcome anyone who’d like to join our group,” DeVito said. “As I’ve often told people, we are a very active group of senior citizens who enjoy living life and having fun, whether it’s bowling, dining or dancing.”    

For further information about membership, call DeVito at 232-2499.

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