Swinging Sixties senior bus gets official launch
The sun was shining on a shiny blue bus that will assist seniors to get out and over to the Swinging Sixties Senior Center (211 Ainslie St.), on its launch day. Assembly Members Lentol and Davila, directors and board members of Swinging Sixties, St. Nicks Alliance and Conselyea Street Block Association, and Father Tom Vassalotti, pastor of Divine Mercy parish were present to celebrate this blessing to seniors in bus form.
Assemblyman Lentol even spoke on how he could have used the bus getting to the center for the ribbon cutting, due to it being difficult getting around the neighborhood lately. He added how it will help so many local seniors who might not get out otherwise to participate in fun and healthy activities in addition to receiving support services.
Father Tom told a story of the garden at St Francis of Paola Church, which added poetic pertinence to the celebration. He recently planted three types of plants mentioned in the bible in this garden: figs, grapes, and persimmons. Each has a connotation for a life stage: figs = youth; grapes = adulthood; and persimmons = golden years. Persimmons are like seniors because they are tough, but they need to be cared for. During his blessing of the bus he asked protection for all who used and drove it.
The bus was paid for by an anonymous donor, and St. Nicks Alliance and Conselyea Street Block Association will provide for its upkeep through their own donations and fundraising.
Swinging Sixties Senior Center offers: wonderful home cooking; classes in painting, ceramics, dance, and fitness; computer access; movie screenings; lectures; food pantry; and more. If you are interested in accessing the senior bus: pick up and drop-off points are 91 Boerum St., 320 Devoe St., 260 Powers St., and 609 Metropolitan Ave. Pick up times are: 9:30 a.m. (Boerum St.), 10:15 a.m. (Devoe St.), 11 a.m. (Powers St.), and 11:30 a.m. (Metropolitan Ave.). Drop-off times are: 2 p.m. (Boerum), 2:40 p.m. (Devoe), 3:10 p.m. (Powers), and 3:30 p.m. (Metro). You will need to register for a ride beforehand. Call Roseann Tuohy (718) 963-3793.
The Greenline 