Photos: Seniors Celebrate the Holidays

Nearly 100 seniors from Huntington Woods and Oak Park celebrated the holidays Monday during a buffet luncheon at in Berkley that included live music and a visit from Santa.

This is the second year the event hall has provided the free holiday luncheon, which will be repeated Thursday for Berkley seniors.

"A huge thank you, again, to Farina's for hosting us today," Huntington Woods Recreation Supervisor Colette Nutton told the assembled seniors, who responded with a hearty round of applause. "Our groups do a lot of things together ... so it's nice to be able to share the holidays."

The Huntington Woods Parks & Recreation Department and Oak Park Recreation Department cooperate on many activities and trips for seniors.

"They put on good programs," Huntington Woods senior Jeffrey Groehn said as he enjoyed lunch with several friends. Groehn said he has taken bus trips with the groups, including historical tours of Detroit.

During the luncheon, the crowd enjoyed live music provided by the "Straw Hat Band," composed of 17 members of the Birmingham Concert Band, who planned to contribute any donations received to the Interlochen Center for the Arts and the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp.

"It's so fun," Karen Koerber, president and owner of Farina's Banquet Center, said of the holiday luncheon. "I grew up here, my father's from here. So, I know most of these people."

Twenty-eight seniors from Huntington Woods attended, according to Senior Outreach Coordinator Jennifer Furlong.

And, Oak Park Recreation Department Assistant Director Scott Pratt said the event doubled as a volunteer recognition lunch for the 60 seniors from Oak Park who RSVP'd.

"They're the most hard-working people out there," he said.

"We have volunteers working the volunteer lunch," quipped Oak Park Recreation Department Senior Recreation Coordinator Tonya Braden.

As the seniors chatted before lunch, Santa – himself a senior – stopped by for a visit.

"I recognize some of these seniors from when they were children," he chuckled. "Isn't that amazing? They still love Christmas and candy canes."

Do you know a senior in Huntington Woods who needs assistance or company? Email  Senior Outreach Coordinator Jennifer Furlong at jfurlong@ci.huntington-woods.mi.us or call 248-541-3030 to find out what resources are available.