By Greg Scharen
After 19 years, the Seniors of Little Silver is ending its run. The club’s final luncheon will be held at noon June 25 at the Molly Pitcher Inn in Red Bank.
“I’m heartbroken,” said Louise Symons, an active club member, echoing similar sentiments of others involved in the club, as they move on from this venture.
The independent social club is disbanding due to lack of support and the advancing age of many integral members, said Symons.
The club began in 2000 with adjunct founder Julia Aymonier and 18 senior residents of Little Silver. Joining later were Symons, Diane Tresente, Rene O’Neil and the senior’s first president Ann Hansen, all of whom have been a driving force in keeping the club going.
Seniors of Little Silver started out small but grew to 72 members at its high point. It then shrank to 42 members and had a hard time filling the governing board seats.
Hosting live music and entertainment each week, the club provided a community for people of a certain age to interact with one another, meeting in the Little Silver Borough Hall and Women’s Club. The seniors’ club also hosted luncheons and boat trips throughout the years and focused on service to the community, working with Lunch Break in Red Bank and other organizations to help build a community outside of their own.
Linda Rizzo, a member since 2003, was in charge of hospitality, organizing the food, beverages and locations for the club’s luncheons, a crucial role.
The club was funded through member dues each year and a variety of 50/50 raffles held throughout the years, but suffered from a lack of identity since membership was open to people residing outside Little Silver.
Symons wanted to thank all of the current and past members of Seniors of Little Silver for their dedication.
