SOUTH DEERFIELD — A gust of wind caught a paper plate and blew it across a table where local seniors sat enjoying burgers and barbecue Wednesday morning outside the South County Senior Center on North Main Street.
“The food was delicious, absolutely delicious,” said Lois Bean, a Whately resident who was at the annual barbecue along with more than 100 local seniors.
“Best hot dog I’ve had in awhile,” she added.
The seniors escaped the sun underneath tents where they had lunch, socialized and participated in a raffle made possible through prize donations by local businesses.
Marlene Johnson, director of South County Senior Center, said the event was a success.
“It brings seniors together and helps us to sign up more people,” she said. “It went wonderfully, I think we had a hundred-plus people.”
“It’s a way to give back and honor our seniors, and bring them together,” said Sue Corey, program coordinator at the center.
The event, which started at 10 a.m. and ended at 3 p.m., was sponsored by the South County Triad, a free-to-join organization that falls under the Franklin County Triad, a division of the sheriff’s department, and supports local seniors by providing assistance such as providing food, fuel for heating and wellness checks in the community.
Town officials including Brian Domina, the new Whately town administrator, and Deerfield Select Board members along with police representatives from Sunderland, the sheriff’s office, Whately and Deerfield were also at the barbecue. Montague K9 Officer Jim Ruddock gave a demonstration with police dog Artie.
“It’s good for citizens to come out and see who officers are,” said Sunderland Police Sgt. Brendan Lyons. “It’s a good way to introduce ourselves.”
Johnson said Wednesday’s barbecue was a chance for seniors to meet others in the community and enjoy a fun summer activity.
For the Triad, it was a chance to connect with local seniors, find out what problems might be happening in town and update contact information.
“I look around here and talk to seniors here today. We get feedback from them,” said Sharyn Paciorek, a member of the Council on Aging and president of the South County Triad, adding that during the barbecue she signed three people up for Lifeline, a medical alert system.
“Sixty percent of Deerfield is seniors,” she continued, adding that some of their opinions go unheard.
Paciorek also said that the South County Triad is one of the only such organizations in the country that goes into people’s homes to see if senior citizens need help.
“We find people who have fallen or have problems with their homes,” she explained. She said that the only two requirements for membership are that members need to be older than 60 and live in Franklin County.
After the barbecue, the Sugarloaf String Band performed inside the center to a packed crowd.