Thorncliffe/ Overlea Baby Boomers “An Affair to Remember”

By Susan Llanera
Thorncliffe-Canada
September 26, 2015



A great way to end the summer, a pleasantly enjoyable get-together was organized by the Thorncliffe/ Overlea Baby Boomers Club, which was held at the Overlea Recreation Hall on Saturday, September 19^th.

The “Hawaiian”- themed get-together, kicked off with an invocation, a grace before meals prayer led by Anastacia “Aling Tacing” Bernardo, a sweet and charming 92 year-old lady, the oldest member and mentor of the T/O Baby Boomers Club.

Rob Oliphant, a Liberal MP candidate for the Don Valley West riding, graced the occasion and greeted some Seniors who live on-site and invited guests from the Thorncliffe neighbourhood area, with a short remark, followed by a brief announcement from Susan Llanera.

It was a fun night of celebration, Seniors and invited guests were treated to a sit-down dinner served by the members of the T/O Baby Boomers Club with an abundant variety of catered food, catered by a lincensed caterer, such as fried chicken, filet of fish, garden salad, potato wedges, sweet potatoes and all sorts of “kakanins” for dessert.

The recreation hall was fully decorated, a banner saying “Aloha”, tables were filled with creative & colourful centre pieces, and parasols decorated with red & white roses and yellow daisies, which were beautifully hanged from the ceiling. The 'soiree' was well attended with a mixture of older adults and Seniors. Everyone proudly doted around their colourful Hawaiian-styled outfits wearing leis and flowers around their hair. Likewise, the men sported off their Hawaiian shirts.

Members and guests engaged themselves to the non-stop beat of the “OPM” music and today's hits played by DJ Carlos, the dance floor was packed with enthusiastic line dancers, great prizes were handed over to the winners who participated in a couple of exciting games, and the surprise dance number was performed by the members of the Thorncliffe/ Overlea Baby Boomers Club, namely, Tacing Bernardo, Precy Kojo, Mila Aldanese, Magda Mangila, Chris Peralta, Lydia Cibrian, and Christina Guasch Luta, tenant led co-ordinator. In addition to the excitement of the evening, guests brought home the beautiful centre-pieces, created and donated by Susan Llanera.

Unfortunately, everything must come to an end. The recreation hall was completely empty and cleaned up, wrapping up the activity at 10:00 p.m. Although, it seemed like the Disney's “Cinderella” movie, she has to leave by the stroke of midnight, the Seniors who resides in the building enjoyed the get-together and happily retired for the night.

Fittingly, dubbed as “An Affair to Remember”, it was indeed a memorable experience. The succesful affair would not have been made possible without the collective effort, dedication and hardwork of its members.(ssl)