By Barbara Morris
There was no need for anyone to lie about age on June 24 at the 30th Rosedale AARP Chapter 1949 birthday and installation luncheon. Every woman attending that important event, held at the lovely Coral House in Baldwin, Long Island, was well-coiffed and beautifully attired, and every gentleman was well-groomed and handsome.
There were warm greetings all around and non-stop catch-up-on-the-news conversations before and in between the hors d’oeuvre, pasta, salad, entree and dessert courses. Everything was presented well and fully enjoyed, as evidenced by all the smiling faces and clean plates. Everyone seemed happy and young at heart.
John Smith, Lil Diaz’s son, again designed the artwork — “Passing the Torch” — for the program, as he had done for previous special celebrations. Talent certainly runs in the family, because Lil, along with Arthur Wahl, was one of the “spark plugs” who decided to try to organize a Rosedale chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons.
Always helpful and community-minded, Lil was stuck with the idea while she and Arthur were on duty at the then very active Rosedale Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Lil called the New York office of the AARP to find out what would have to be done to form such a chapter. Volunteers willing to serve on committees would be needed, as would a meeting hall that would hold between 150 and 200 people, and all prospective members would be required to first join the national chapter.
Invitations to join were put in store windows and church papers. One church member, Isabel Maniscalco, invited Lil to hold her AARP formation meeting in her church. Isabel then assisted at Rosedale’s first steering meeting, which was held Feb. 5, 1974 at Rosedale’s VFW hall with the new president and organizer, Helen Kinney (sister of Diaz), and vice president, secretary and treasurer participating.
The national officers present, Mrs. Clark and Mr. McNulty, required a change in location. The group moved to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, later to Throop Memorial Presbyterian Church, and now it is back at the VFW hall.
The officers were installed Oct. 28, 1974 and the paperwork making the name “AARP Rosedale Chapter 1949” official was received from Long Beach. Their motto, “To serve and not be served,” seemed to fit all members present that day.
Those thanked especially for helping with the 30th anniversary celebration were Genevieve Domitz for the picture collage; Marge Grasso for making the designer boxes for candle gifts; Ann and Jim English for, as always, expert arrangements with the Coral House staff; Isabel Murphy for inviting honored guests; Ann Marie Diaz for assembling the 30th anniversary brochure; and John Smith for his inspired art.
President Zina Budris told special guests City Councilman James Sanders Jr. (D-Laurelton), his lovely fiancee, Andrea Duncan, and former City Councilman Archie Spigner how honored the group felt that they were able and willing to take time out from their busy schedules to attend.
Archie Spigner, in fact, performed the swearing-in ceremony for the new officers and board. He himself was given an award of appreciation. Officers elected were Budris, president; Lillian Diaz, 1st vice president; Grasso, 2nd vice president; Josette Henneberger, 3rd vice president; Mary Maynard, recording secretary; Murphy, corresponding secretary; and James English, treasurer.
Board members are Mary DeSena, Ann English, Marylou Kral, I. Joyce Lawrence, Gloria Shapiro, Helen Charley, Madeline Demarco, Wanda Zielinski and Herb Shapiro.
Lawrence heads the membership committee; Henneberger, the consumer committee; Kral, the good and welfare committee; DeSena, the attendance committee; Ann and Jim English, the trips committee; and Marge Lloyd, Genevieve Alfano, Catherine Bisceglie, Clara Marotta, Charley and James and Ann English keep everyone happy serving on the refreshment committee.
Space limitations prevent the mentioning of many well-deserved certificates of award recipients because it seems everyone in the group is not only active but willing to take on the responsibility of tasks that help keep the organization vibrant and able to keep the Rosedale AARP 1949 light burning so brightly. May it ever be thus. Many more happy anniversaries!
