John and Barbara Tate were married almost 60 years ago. As for memories, there are “too many.” But, sailing the Aegean Sea in a tall ship for their 45th anniversary stands out in their minds. “That was very romantic,” John Tate said. “Watching the sea going by.” Photo by Donna Manz.
More than 120 “seniors” filled the auditorium at a Valentine’s Day dinner-dance on Feb. 13. The event was sponsored by the Town of Vienna Department of Parks and Recreation in partnership with Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna [SCOV].
The Tallwood Trio played pop music and standards and many couples danced. They boogied to “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” and held each other close to “Embraceable You,” some men mouthing the words as they danced.
Teens from the Church of Latter Day Saints and from the community center’s Club Phoenix served the lasagna dinner and cleaned up.
Sunrise Assisted Living residents from Fair Oaks, Reston, and Fairfax came over by bus.
The idea for a Valentine’s Day dinner and dance for seniors was Kathy Blevins’. Blevins is the recreation program director for the Vienna Community Center. She contacted Michelle Scott of SCOV and invited SCOV members to participate.
“It’s a good chance for seniors to get out and socialize with others, especially during this time of time when they feel cooped up from the cold weather,” Blevins said.
The Vienna Community Center holds ongoing and special events for seniors throughout the year. Go to www.viennava.gov to learn about the programs and to register. To discover the many programs SCOV offers, visit www.scov.org.
--Donna Manz