THE OTHER SIDE OF MEDFIELD: Medfield COA Last 2012 Summer Cook Out Was An Evening To Remember

The weather forecast for Wednesday August 15, 2012 for Medfield was not very encouraging for rain and thunderstorms were expected. But long before the day people were signing up to participate in the last cookout of 2012. Bill Pardi was buying up the entire soda bottles in town. Student volunteers and their supervisors were hanging up banners to make the Senior Center look like a Cruise Ship. They had already put up the ensign “SS MEDFIELD” as the cruise line. But will the New England weather cooperate?

Well everything turned out to be just what the doctor ordered. I was once more reminded that human worries do not matter. That Destiny always takes care of her people. Around 3.00 the parking lot was filling up. BOCCE players were already at back yard setting up. The movie room turned into theater was all set up and the theatergoers have taken up their seats. At 4.00 special dance lessons has in full swing, the Senior Center was buzzing.

At 5:00 p.m., Dave Fatsham and Rick Fink have opened the bar and the cocktail hour began. Shrimp, crackers and cheese, broccoli, carrot and dips were beckoning. Let the party begin. And it began. I filled a side dish with assortments of crackers, cheese, a few large shrimps and assumed my position at the BOOCCE area. Many people had assembled as players and spectators. It was ehs and ahs as BOCCE balls made near misses or hit a target. The movie auditorium was full but silent as the screen showed their pictures of Out To Sea.

Meanwhile at the kitchen, Sara Iacabellow, Cheryl Lavalee, Susan Bernstein, Bill Pardi, Tony Filipelli, were putting the finishing touches on the pasta sauce started the previous day and cooking the pasta. The dinning area smelled pretty good. Musician Jeff Jarvis was setting up his music equipment at the large ball room/dinning area and anticipation was reaching fever pitch.

Shortly, the tables were set and we were all hungry. The dinner: pasta with home made sauce, hamburger, sausage, salad, and bread, was ready and the cooks exchanged their chef uniforms for servers’ uniform and the over 120 hungry guests queued up. It was quite orderly belying the hunger many people felt.

As the dinner was being served music, Elvis’s type music, (it was the 35th anniversary of the King’s death) among others, were playing, and the dancing with heads nodding and feet shuffling below the tables became very noticeable. Small talks about any and everything were going on at the tables.

Dessert was served.

Dinner over all hell broke loose. It was like a Friday night at Medfield High School Dance. Dancers took to the floor. Jeff Jarvis voice rose to a new crescendo, the music turned up loud, and nodding stopped as movement of legs, hips, hands, heads took over. Those who could not stand up to dance paid attention and became active watchers.

Occasionally a well know song would be played and the dancers and watchers joined DJ Jarvis in singing. It was a night to remember.

Time flew so fast that when Roberta Lynch took the microphone to recount how the summer has been spent and how this was the last cook out of 2012, sighs followed the announcement but a deep sense of appreciation was expressed and drowned out by a big applause.

It was time to go home

It was time to hug, and kiss.

It was time to appreciate all who helped in many various ways, Sue Tabiasson at ticket sales, Sara, Jackie, Tony, Gwen, and others who provided endless services and invaluable time to make this summer a special one for Medfield seniors.

Medfield seniors are very grateful to New Pond Village who sponsored this night to remember.

If you missed it, there is hope. Medfield Council on Aging is full of activities. Just register with them and you will be receiving a monthly bulletin with events planned for each month or keep reading the Patch which would occasionally alert it readers of goings on about town.

Obi (Ben) Aduba